Please read about the 'P' word. Please!
It's time for the P word. And our both/and perspective can help us. Really.
The P word is politics. I'll pause here while scores of you consider unsubscribing.
Both/And Beauty
If you have been a reader of ours for any length of time, you know that I often talk about how there are some either/or’s in the Bible, but far fewer than we have a tendency to think. More often than not, the Bible exhibits both/and perspectives that we in the West scratch our heads at. As the biggest of all examples, the Bible clearly holds that Jesus is fully divine and fully human. If we are unwilling to hold those in tension, we can always do what cults do and whittle it down to something we think we can fully understand.
Bigger than the mammals
So let me say right up front the both/and help I'm promising is far more nuanced than both Democrat and Republican. For sure, either/or polarization is a huge American problem, one that threatens to bring our 250-year experiment to a screeching and ugly halt… but that's above my pay grade. Our mission here is uniting the Body of Christ for a divided world. And while I know this strains the level of credibility for many… there are people who both deeply love Jesus and deeply value the Scriptures and who vote for both Republican and Democrat candidates and positions. I’ve prayed with them, worshiped with them, served alongside them, and nobody will ever convince me they aren’t real followers of Jesus. So for those still reading… let's head straight for the nuance.
Truth THRU unity
Truth and unity are a both/and, not an either/or. John 17:17 is part of the whole John 17! How’s that for a show-stopper! Jesus’ John 17 prayer for unity (not uniformity) includes a prayer for truth: “Sanctify them in the truth. Your Word is truth.” Jesus could have prayed anything He wanted; He’s smart, we can’t outstrategize Him, and He not only knows Truth, He IS Truth. Right? [I’m not trying to be snarky or sarcastic, just trying to lighten up what is a devastatingly challenging topic.] I’ve never seen a cogent argument that would disagree with this: Jesus places truth within the larger framework of His prayer for unity.
Basically, pursuit of unity IN JESUS, guided and shaped by HIS WORD, is not only not opposed to truth, but, wait for it… is the clearest path to truth. The human heart and mind are easily deceived (Jeremiah 17:9). We can convince ourselves of just about anything we want. So, relational unity with those who have different backgrounds, life experiences, and training than us is the best way for us to mature, have blind spots exposed, and realize that our limited perspectives don’t adequately explain the whole story. Unity goes as far as humility takes it, and no farther. And humility acknowledges that other people know things I don’t. Even about the P word.
The twin threats of Quietism and Syncretism
Here’s the other both/and that can help us. We are followers of Jesus who happen to live in America… and the sequence there is critical – we can and should love our country, but our identity must always be in Jesus first. So, as followers of Jesus who happen to live in a democratic republic, we are always tempted to lean toward (or land in) two opposite heretical ditches: quietism and syncretism. BOTH quietism and syncretism are threats.
The Quietism heresy
Quietism can be defined as insisting on silence where the Bible actually speaks. It’s a form of dualism – separating the spiritual from the physical, watering down the gospel so that it doesn’t apply to everyday life. When it comes to the P word, quietism attempts to steer us clear of anything that comes within 1000 miles of the sin-stained P neighborhood. The problem? You can’t find a gospel anywhere in the Gospels that avoids all the topics politics in America wrestles with. Quietism means non-followers of Jesus get to make all the decisions, which affect all of us, which deal with Biblical justice issues that Jesus cares about, etc. Quietism is thoroughly unbiblical.
The Syncretism heresy
And so is syncretism. Syncretism is a blending of religions. Syncretism recognizes the dangers of quietism, and overcorrects into the other ditch, where politics and Christianity blend inseparately. “You can’t possibly be a follower of Jesus and vote for the other mammal (donkey/elephant)” is syncretism at its worst. Syncretism ensures that as a nation, we make no progress on most of the Biblical justice issues the Father cares about… because they’re divided into ours (the right ones) and theirs (the wrong ones). And I’ve heard it, repeatedly, from people I love, on both sides of the aisle.
Why now?
Because the stakes keep getting higher. Because with AI, you can’t even believe the video evidence you see. Because the Super Bowl is now officially a political battle at even higher levels, and virtually every topic you can name has been politically weaponized.
Not a chance will I mention more specific examples. If you’ve read this far, you’re already thinking about them. And to whatever extent it’s in my power, I’d like for our ministry to live to see another day, you know? I’m quite confident Jesus’ John 17 prayer will be even more needed next month than this one, next year than this year, and right up until Jesus returns. Why do I say that? Because the Bible tells me so.
Your homework assignment
Here are a few questions to ponder, to see if perhaps there might be some John 17-inspired changes (the prayer, not our little ministry) God might be calling you to make. I promise – I don’t like these questions any more than you do, and they’re challenging me, too.
Political parties and politicians are fallible, right?
If that’s the case, when was the last time you criticized the one you tend to vote for?
If you publicly defend a political stance, do you publicly point out its problems, too?
Do you vote?
Can you imagine a sit-down with somebody on the other side of the political aisle that begins with, “Help me understand…”?
If you can imagine it, have you prioritized it?
If not, why not?
Do you pray for our nation? Our political leaders?
Are there politicians you hate? Do you pray for them? If not, why not?
Do you believe that our battle is not against flesh and blood? (Ephesians 6)
Do you believe that Jesus’ Kingdom is not of this world? (John 18:36)
Do you believe that Jesus meant what He said in Matthew 25?
And last… do you want me to continue?! Because I could…
Deep thanks
With my highest sincerity… thank you for reading this whole longer-than-normal article, and for any and all prayers crossing your mind.
See below for an opportunity to join others around the country in a national call to prayer… one of many.
For King Jesus,
Dave Drum, Founder J17 Ministries
