Christian Witness In A Divided World
Abraham Lincoln famously quoted the Bible: "A house divided cannot stand." The nation had been grappling with slavery since its founding, and it was the leading issue that was dividing the nation, but it was not the only one. There were fights about tariffs and taxes. In the 1830s, South Carolina nearly seceded over the issue of nullification. There were ongoing debates about the role of the federal government. At a fundamental level, there was a general division between the Agricultural South and the Industrial North. But the issue of slavery brought everything to a head in the 1860 election.
Many today are concerned with the divisions in our nation. Of course, there have always been divisions in our nation, but there have also been buffers that have insulated us from the friction they cause. These buffers include geographical isolation, time constraints, and slow communication. These helped keep divisions somewhat moderate. People did not interact much with people outside their communities, which were often homogeneous. They were busy trying to survive, so there was little time to fight over divisions, nor was it wise to do so in communities where everyone needed each other. They were also spared the 24-hour news cycle, social media, and the constant contact of our modern world. They did not all agree on everything, but these divisions did not divide us into polar groups.
Slavery was an issue that polarized. It cut through geographical isolation, drew people into debates, and fueled newspaper articles. It was an issue that drew on existing divisions and left no middle ground. It was a wedge that divided our nation, polarizing it and leading to the horrors of war and destruction.
I fear we can see this in our nation again. All day yesterday, the debate was about the two halftime shows. But it was not really about musical styles; both shows were problematic. Both were filled with political and social overtones. One was a product of the progressive movement, and the other was a response by the conservative movement. I told a colleague that Karl Marx would be happy today. The whole of our nation seems divided over two competing halftime shows at a football game, fueled by political differences. While we will not go to civil war over halftime shows, country rap music moves me in that direction; there are some issues that could again drive a sharp wedge in our nation and bring polarizing division. We should pray that the Lord will spare us!
How do we, as Christians, respond to these divisions?
First, we should strive to be above the fray where we can. Christians are called to be in the world but not of the world. You could extrapolate from this that Christians are called to be in politics but not of politics. Our goals are not those of the world, and our weapons are different as well. Christians should not allow themselves to be caught in between the two political parties and be told they must choose, especially when, from a biblical position, they are both wrong. There is another Biblical option, and that is where we should stand.
Second, we should seek to be forces of unity in our world. This starts with unity in the church. Jesus prays for our unity in John 17. Church Officers take vows to protect the unity, peace, prosperity, and purity of the church; note well that unity is first among them. Part of the problem in nineteenth-century America was that churches were divided along regional and political lines rather than serving as a force for combined gospel unity that could have addressed the issue of the day. But we see this happening again in our day. We have Trump Churches and Anti-Trump churches, this even among Bible Believing churches. We have division among Christians about immigration enforcement, the role of government, and let us not go back and see how our responses to COVID divided otherwise united churches. Unity is something that we must fight for and model to the world.
Third, we need to stop seeking political and cultural victories and seek a spiritual victory. Will electing every democrat or every republican solve our problems? Will having a Supreme Court that is all liberal or conservative bring unity to our country? What America needs is a revival of Biblical Religion. We need to have Jesus not as the poster boy for our views on Abortion, immigration, or any other political issue. We need King Jesus to rule the hearts of our people in America. This reality only comes from the gospel changing hearts.
Fourth, we need to stop seeking unity in everything. I did not like either halftime show, and that is okay. We do not all have to like the same things. We do not have to agree on everything. It is ok to have a difference of opinion on things that do not matter, like halftime shows of a football game. It is ok that we do not agree. But we need to be careful that our divisions do not polarize us. This danger is true in families, churches, and in our nation.
Finally, not everything has to be political. I drink Starbucks Coffee, the dark roast, and not the Pike. Do I agree with everything that Starbucks stands for? No! But I like their dark roast coffee. If you make everything political, where are you going to buy anything? As my friend says, if you take this to its logical conclusion, you need to be prepared to grow your own food and make your own clothes.
Some things do affect what I do. I shop at Target, but not in June because I do not like their views being forced on me. I do not shop at a particular spice company anymore because they sent us an email saying, "If you are anti-abortion, we do not want your business”, so I just followed their wishes. If you are convicted not to frequent or participate, you should not, but we do not need a campaign to boycott everything that does not support your political point of view.
We live in a world of division. Christians, we need to be united in Christ as witnesses to the world and to the reality of our relationship in Christ and with His church. But let us not forget that unity brings blessing. “Behold, how good it is when brothers in unity dwell!” Do not let the currents of division draw you or your church into a spirit of division on minor things, but let us who believe keep unity in Christ and His Word.
