The Affairs of the City: Politics and The Church
“Most socio-political disagreements are not about different laws or policies; rather, they are about competing theories of justice (morality and applied morality), knowledge, human nature, and the nature of existence”.[1]
Last week, while working in Phoenix, Arizona, I attended a large mega church in Scottsdale for their Sunday morning worship. The woman sitting next to us insisted I meet the director of their women’s ministry and invited me to join their Bible study Tuesday morning. Because I love the energy of meeting new people (and a good Bible teaching), I organized my morning so I could participate. Packed with women from various backgrounds, ages and races, I was immediately welcomed as we listened to the director of women’s ministry teach on the Minor Prophets. Throughout her entire lecture, which was an overview of Scripture, the teacher emphasized multiple times how the Jewish people and the chosen Nation of Israel are the same today as they were in the Old Testament.
Several times she paused, encouraging her audience to pray for the Nation of Israel because what was happening to them in the war was completely unjust–how the Palentianians were in the wrong. Just weeks before, I received an email from a writing friend, Christena Cleveland, in which she strongly encouraged her audience on how to pray for Palestine while speaking out against Zionism.[2]
As a Jewish Christian woman whose brother[3] is an Israeli citizen, I am extremely uncomfortable with both approaches: The Bible teacher from a Mega Conservative church using her influence to bring such an unbalanced approach to Scripture making modern day Israel the hero and a Christian social justice journalist overlooking the grave actions of Hamas, leading her audience to believe the Jewish people are the real enemy.
As I read and listened to this week’s book (Thank you, John Fehlen), I heard the author talk about the greater purpose of offering the culture an escape from hyper politicization. Using both deductive and inductive logic, the authors create an argument for how these ideologies ground their vision of both what is good (and how to achieve that good) outside of God. The book’s overall purpose is that if Evangelicals can make a convincing case, through the principals of Catholic social thought, that the Church has a good vision of politics,”grounded in the objective truth, then we at least open the door for considering that the church might have a good vision–a vision founded in objective love.”[4]
Yet while Matthew Petrusek and Thomas Cardinal Collins were presenting their alternative to ideologies,[5] and suggesting the Church invite culture into a relationship with Christ, I wondered if first the Church might consider some of her choices?
In Evangelization and Ideology: How to Understand and Respond to the Political Culture, Petrusek and Collins focus on four Western secular political theories.
Utilitarianism: Actions are right if they are useful or beneficial for the majority.
Classical Liberalism: Advocating private property, unhampered market economy and the rule of law.
Progressivism/Wokeism: Alert to radical prejudice and discrimination.
Non-Theistic Conservatism. The principle of separation of church and state.
After reading about the ideologies, I experienced the ephemeral fear that often accompanies a discussion of politics. With a bit of nostalgia, I recognized how we no longer live in the days of politicians like Ronald Reagan who didn’t appear to be sullied by partisan subterfuge. What is the purpose of the Church when ideologies read more like idolatries? Thinking back to Annabel Beerel’s words when she writes, “The goal of leadership is to advance global flourishing by embracing changing reality,”[6] might we now ask “how” in light of these ideologies?
What Can the Church Do?
This week on campus, Kaitlyn Schiess spoke in chapel. Kaitlyn is the author of The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of our Neighbor.[7] and Ballot and the Bible: How Scripture has been Used and Abused in American Politics.[8] Her purpose and platform extend far and wide despite her young age. What I found fascinating about her messages was how she dove beneath the ideologies that shape our culture while peeling back the layers of what’s at the heart of the division. Kaitlyn claims it’s a lack of honesty about our emotions.
In a recent interview with Kaitlyn, Preston Sprinkle[9] admitted how hundreds of pastors share with him that the last two years have been the most difficult, divisive, experiences because of politics. On the podcast, he asks Kaitlyn what she thinks the future will be for the church and politics. She offers a handful of helpful responses:
- Stop Responding to Fear. There are churches across our nation that are falling apart and will die. But the Spirit is still at work in some other way. The history of the church tells us that God is always faithful. What story is the Church listening to about its history? Daniel Kahneman instructs us, “The confidence that individuals have in their beliefs depends mostly on the quality of the story they can tell about what they see.”[10]
- Change our Definition and Understanding of What Counts as Politics. One definition of politics is the forming, norming and sustaining of common life together. It includes policies and senators but it also includes local relationships, which is political. If we could change one thing in the Church, rather than focusing our attention on national politics, might we just care for our neighbor, use our resources and power to materially impact our neighbors? Perhaps Vincent Miller has something to offer us in this discussion when he writes, “Everything that was once directly lived has moved away into a representation . . . religion is reduced to commodification.”[11]
- Balance our Expectations. Lower our expectations about what politics can actually do on a larger scale for our nation but at the same time raise our expectations to how God wants us to live a flourishing life for the Kingdom.
As the Church has opportunity, how might leaders take the moral initiative to disciple their congregations so that it replaces the discipleship of social media and idealogies?
[1] Petrusek, Matthew, and Cardinal Thomas Collins. Evangelization and Ideology: How to Understand and Respond to the Political Culture. Word on Fire, 2023.
[2] Cleveland, Christena. “8 Tips for Talking to Your Community about Palestine – Accessed January 31, 2024. https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#search/daniel%40jewelsofjudaism.com/FMfcgzGwHLkwlQXVLPPtvDQCJGNhPvjs?projector=1.
[3] https://nerleraglai.com/responding-to-hamas-attack-on-israel/
[4] Petrusek and Collins, Evangelization and Ideology. P. 17
[5] P. 18
[6] Beerel, Annabel. Rethinking Leadership: A Critique of Contemporary Theories. 1st ed. Milton: Taylor & Francis Group, 2021.
[7] Schiess, Kaitlyn, and Michael Wear. The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor. IVP, 2020.
[8] Schiess, Kaitlyn. Ballot and the Bible: How Scripture Has Been Used and Abused in American Politics and Where We Go from Here. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Brazos Press, 2023.
[9] The Liturgy of Politics: Kaitlyn Schiess, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjxkafu5MJg.
[10] Kahneman, Daniel. Thinking, Fast and Slow. 1st edition. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2011. P. 71
[11] Miller, Vincent. Consuming Religion: Christian Faith and Practice in a Consumer Culture: p. 96
About the Author
Pam Lau
Pamela Havey Lau brings more than 25 years of experience in speaking, teaching, writing and mediating. She has led a variety of groups, both small and large, in seminars, trainings, conferences and teachings. Pam’s passion is to see each person communicate with their most authentic voice with a transparent faith in Jesus Christ. With more than 10, 000 hours of writing, researching, and teaching the heart and soul of Pam’s calling comes from decades of walking alongside those who have experienced healing through pain and peace through conflict. As a professor and author, Pam deeply understands the role of mentoring and building bridges from one generation to another. She has developed a wisdom in how to connect leaders with their teams. Her skill in facilitating conversations extends across differences in families, businesses, schools, universities, and nonprofits. Pam specializes in simplifying complex issues and as a business owner, has helped numerous CEOs and leaders communicate effectively. She is the author of Soul Strength (Random House) and A Friend in Me (David C. Cook) and is a frequent contributor to online and print publications. You can hear Pam’s podcast on Real Life with Pamela Lau on itunes. Currently, Pam is a mediator for families, churches, and nonprofits. You can contact Pam through her website: PamelaLau.com. Brad and Pam live in Newberg, Oregon; they have three adult daughters and one son-in-law. One small, vocal dog, Cali lives in the family home where she tries to be the boss! As a family they enjoy worshiping God, tennis, good food and spending time with family and friends.4 responses to “The Affairs of the City: Politics and The Church”
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HI Pam,
Thanks for the survey of “isms” I read about them, then they slip away. I guess I am just not that interested. Aware of, but not interested.
You wrote, ” One definition of politics is the forming, norming and sustaining of common life together. It includes policies and senators but it also includes local relationships, which is political.”
I enjoyed reading the ‘local relationships’ bit. As I divine into the immigration debate (I have a symposium on March 9th), I have two audiences. 1) Students from the various Master’s Programs and 2) pastors who are already involved in refugee resettlement in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex area.
My prayer is that these pastors will strengthen their commitment to develop strong local relationships with ‘newcomers’ to America.
Thanks for the thought.
Shalom…
Russell~
I heard Kaitlyn speak again yesterday and I highly recommend listening to her as you prepare for your workshop. Here is one link to her work:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWIIMKJlF9s
Hi Pam, First of all thank you for sharing your experience with Kaitlyn Schiess and her books. You highlighted, “Kaitlyn claims it’s a lack of honesty about our emotions.” That is a powerful insight. I’m wondering where he lack of honesty with our emotions begins Before, during, or after our ideologies are formed? How might we help our congregants attend to emotions as we disciple them and offer them an escape from the hyper-politicization of our country today?
Jenny,
Yes. Kaitlyn’s comments about our emotions impacting our relational ties and how they impact our response the the political climate is insightful.
As I am thinking about your question, I am finding our next book by Jonathan Haidt helpful. He talks a lot about CBT in some of his online talks. I would be curious if you use this approach in your work as a therapist?
Also, I am curious if you see the congregations shrinking where you live and work? Or is that just a theoretical statement national speakers are saying. I see some thriving churches here in Portland/Newberg. But I so see some dwindling. The reason I bring this up is that just gathering and coming together seems to the be the most important step. Second, it seems we have to figure out how to speak honestly about ourselves without masks while at church. I am just as guilty in what I expect of a Sunday morning worship service.