A Way to Unity
When it comes to political involvement and ethnical issues, Christians has been historically vocal and active when it comes to four issues:
- Racism. Consistently the church stood for all races being equal and diversity as something God not only created but celebrates and uses for his purposes. As human beings created in his image we should embrace diversity and reject discrimination based on race.
- Economic equality. The word “economy” is derived from the Greek word oikos which means “household”. Creation could be understood as God’s household. In this household there is enough for everybody. Those with much, don’t have too much and those with little, doesn’t have too little. Our economic systems should reflect this and if they don’t we should change them. We should also tend to the needs of the poor.
- Sanctity of life. Life is to be valued as a gift from God and be protected as such. Especially the life of the vulnerable. Christians historically have a good track record of giving a voice to the voiceless in this regard. Defending the right to live of children and even of unborn fetuses are important. Us being for life should be understood as holding a notion of life extending beyond a plain biological definition of life. “Flourishing” is a goal that encapsulates this desire for not only mere biological survival but life abundantly well, the one that we believe we share with God Himself.
- Sexual morality. Sex is never to be treated as merely a human urge but a mysterious union between a people involving not only their bodies but their souls also. Sex has enormous potential to bring about enjoyment and delight but likewise a potential to bring about heartache and pain when understood wrong and engaged in mindlessly. Our sexuality in this regard is way different than that of animals.
Currently, we live in an age of deep polarization along political lines and sadly the church hasn’t been exempted from this. Now, if you look at the list of four mentioned above, you will find something interesting. Left leaning Christians seems to be all about the first two items on the list. They express their vigor for these issues in support for and participation in BLM and occupy Wallstreet protest to name but two. If you look at right leaning Christians, you will find that they seem to be all about the second two items on the list. They express their vigor with involvement in pro-life movements and protests and in attempts to defend the sanctity if marriage and family structures.
If you look at this list more personally you will probably find yourself gravitating towards two, feeling pretty suspicious about the motivation behind one of them and feeling kind of neutral towards the remaining one. For example. You are in the know about all the developments in the recent spate of BLM protests and even participated in a local one, you are almost equally in the know and enthusiastic about ideas about economic equality and universal basic income movements. But when it comes to abortion and those against it, you are hesitant to participate. Not because you are all for abortions but because, from where you are standing, anti-abortion folks seem to be more pro-birth than pro-life, like they are using it as a smokescreen to distract from equally important issues when it come to life and well-being. Finally, you just don’t have any strong feeling for or against gay people, most probably because it happen to be an issue where you did not have many first hand experiences of, like having a gay family member or gross homophobia incidents in your neigbourhood.
Or you feel passionate about the fact that no baby should be aborted and you are vocal about the increasing push for gay rights and identity politics but you don’t really see racism being a problem as you have many black friends and never hear them complaining about that. When it comes to the economy you also see no need for radical change. You believe somewhat secretly that everybody could be well off if they work hard, as you do.
Now if you tell me that you are equally passionate and involved in all four of these things, I will tell you that you are either a liar or in the running for sainthood. If you tell me you are a devoted Christian but not attracted and concerned about any of these issues, I will tell you are either a liar and soon to be incarcerated.
So, as people with limited capacities, time wise and zeal wise, how do we go about these things that has always been a trademark of Christian engagement and public witness? How to we guard the unity of the body of Christ so that the church does not become one more faction of politically affiliated and likeminded individuals?
Here is my suggestion. Firstly, let us agree that all 4 these issues are especially important to God even whilst they are not equally inspirational to any single Christian. Let us agree that that is the case even though we might disagree what each of these four categories should entail.
Secondly, keep in mind that when something is important, two things are helpful: Inspiration and motivation. Inspiration is what comes from inside. It is usually the result of a life experience that utterly convinced you of the importance of an issue and inspiration propels you to keep at it. Motivation is what comes from outside. Like the encouragement and understanding of people that love you, even they might not be as deep in as you are when it comes to an issue.
Inspired people are encouraged by people that adds motivation to their zeal in the form of encouragement. Any person that pays attention and takes you seriously enough to listen, ask in and consider is a source of motivation. People who lack inspiration, can still provide motivation and encouragement. Sometimes providing such motivation increases understanding and eventually kindles inspiration in the one providing it.
When it comes to the two areas you are inspired by…go for it! See it as a calling to engage passionately, constructively, and consistently on these matters. Continue what you are doing. But where it comes to the two you feel either suspicious of or neutral about, remind yourself that you are part of a body and that you need other members of this body to execute everything that is important to God. If you lack inspiration, serve by providing motivation. You can do that by firstly, making the time to listen to people passionate about the issues you don’t feel equally inspired by. Seek to understand their stance and the reason they are invested in it. Ask critical questions if you want. Appreciate and see how these people’s zeal are fed by a love for God and a desire to do what is pleasing to Him (and to fight what they believe displeases Him).
I think it all comes down to this: Hold that what you are inspired about is important but realize that it is not the only important thing. Respect people that are passionate about different things and that express that passion differently than you. Try and understand them better. Encourage even when you question.
It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a church to honor the things that are important to God.
Gabriel J Snyman
June 16th 2020