Talking Points
When Faith and Politics Meet
United We Stand
October 11, 2020
“Fundamental Attribution Error.” The Fundamental Attribution Error is when we attribute another person’s actions to their character or personality, but we attribute our own behavior to external circumstances outside of our control. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. —James 3:16 (KJV) The word “ENVY” comes from a Greek word “zelos,” that means a fierce desire to promote one’s own ideas and convictions to the exclusion of everyone else. “STRIFE” is taken from a Greek word (eritheia) that was used by the ancient Greeks to stand for a POLITICAL PARTY. Rick Renner translates this verse like this: “For where there is a fierce desire to promote one’s own ideas and convictions to the exclusion of everyone else’s, it produces divisions so great that people end up taking sides and forming differing parties with conflicting agendas. This is a terrible event, because it creates great unrest among people who should be united. Ultimately, the whole situation becomes a stinking mess!” —Rick Renner Disunity Doesn’t Mitigate Uncertainty, it Multiplies Uncertainty Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. —John 17:11b (NLT) “I am praying not only for these disciples but ALSO for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that THEY WILL BE ONE, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. —John 17:20-21a (NLT) And may they be in us SO THAT THE WORLD WILL BELIEVE you sent me. —John 17:21b (NLT) “All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.” —Acts 4:32 (NLT) There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.” —Acts 4:34-35 (NLT) “has been specially advanced through the loving service rendered to strangers and through their care of the burial of the dead. It is a scandal that there is not a single Jew who is a beggar and that the [Christians] care not only for their own poor but for ours as well; while those who belong to us look in vain for the help we should render them.” —Emperor Julian Humility is the Cure for Disunity “Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too” —Philippians 2:2-4 (NLT) Application: Pray “Heavenly Father, make us one so that we can point others to you.” Listen, Learn, and Love Key Thought: Disagree politically, love unconditionally, and pray for unity.
Pledge Your Allegiance
October 4, 2020
“Christian churches, in this case, became a place where people organized resistance to oppressive state governments and a refuge to those fleeing persecution. Even at the cost of suffering attacks and terrorism themselves, African-American churches along with their allies in mainline Christian denominations brought honor to the faith they held. More: their example of conscience motivated political changes—including the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act—that benefited untold numbers outside their own religious communities.” —Gerson & Wehner, City of Man “A privatized faith can be irresponsible, a politicized faith is by definition less than faithful.” —Michael Gerson & Peter Wehner Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. 14 “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. You teach the way of God truthfully. —Mark 12:13-14a (NLT) Now tell us—is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay them, or shouldn’t we?” —Mark 12:14b-15a (NLT) Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin, and I’ll tell you.” 16 When they handed it to him, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. —Mark 12:15b-16 (NLT) You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. —Exodus 20:4 (NLT) “Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” His reply completely amazed them. —Mark 12:15b-17 (NLT) “The state is ordained by God. Without the laws of the state life would be chaos…The state is the origin of many of the things which make life livable. No man can accept all the benefits which the state gives him and then opt out of all the responsibilities.” —William Barclay KEY THOUGHT: What belongs to Caesar is the tax, but what belongs to God is our LIVES and our ALLEGIANCE. And Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all guilty of treason against Caesar, for they profess allegiance to another king, named Jesus. —Acts 17:7 (NLT) Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. —Romans 13:1-2 (NLT) “The political polarization that’s happening now is a major challenge for churches, because here’s my reading of the Bible. My reading of the Bible says that Christians ought to be sold out for racial justice, that all races are equal in the image of God. They should be deeply concerned about the poor, and the marginalized. They should be pro-life, and they should believe at least or Christians that sex should only be between a man and woman in marriage. Now, those four things. The early church was marked by them, we know that. Two of those look very conservative, two of those look very liberal…And so, what happens is there’s enormous pressure, enormous pressure everywhere in the country for churches to major in two of them, and get quiet about two of them.” —Tim Keller “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ —Matthew 22:37-39 (NLT) Do not to hitch your faith to a political party. Our identity is not a political team; instead, our identity is established in a kingdom where Jesus is King. No party is WHOLLY GOOD and the other party WHOLLY EVIL. There is not one correct party…it’s just not that simple. Our lives and our allegiance do not belong to a politician, a party, or a platform; our live and our allegiance belong to Jesus Christ alone. Evaluate politics through the filter of your faith rather than creating a version of faith that supports your politics. The greatest biblical blueprint for followers of Jesus to engage the political process is the Great Commandment: Love God and Love Your Neighbor.