A political commentator who once worked in the White House said Christians too often lose not only joy but friends when discussing politics, but there is a better way.
Dennis Grace Gisham, a former Republican congresswoman who served in the George W. Bush administration, told Christian Headlines that politics too often divides friends and family, including individuals in the body of Christ. Told.Gisham, a Christian himself, is the author of a new book Politics for people who hate politics: How to get involved in politics without losing friends or selling your soul.
“When Christians get involved in politics, we often lose the joy that is the hallmark of the Holy Spirit,” she says. “The Bible says to speak the truth in love. If love were the same thing as truth, it would be a redundant statement.”
Christians can speak the truth in love without being “soft on the truth,” she said.
“Unity doesn’t mean conforming. I’m one of the most conservative people you’ll ever meet when it comes to policy,” she told Christian Headlines. “But conservative doesn’t mean the same thing.”
Gisham suggested three ways Christians can engage with people with whom they disagree about politics.
First, she said, establish a biblical motive before starting the conversation. The goal is not to “win” the argument.
“If you establish at the beginning of the conversation that your desire is to love this person and maintain or develop a relationship with this person, that’s your job and your greatest responsibility as a Christian. Then you’ll be able to do things differently.” It’s fascinating from the start. “It’s not a life-or-death battle,” she said. “You know God is in charge. You can speak your mind and you can move on, because you have no right to who you are.” Because you’re not looking for it, you’re not looking for the need to be right from anyone other than God. You don’t need anyone else to make you feel okay.”
Second, approach the conversation with “humility and curiosity,” she said.
“One of the things I’ve learned in my career as a politician is that I have a view of truth that is never a complete view. I won’t see the whole picture until I get to heaven. You’ll never be able to do it,” she said.
She said there is only one truth, but there are “different perspectives” on the truth “based on our backgrounds, upbringing, and life experiences.”
“When someone says something that is wrong or that you think is wrong, the best question to ask is, ‘Tell me more.’ why do you believe that? Not only does it help build that relationship, but it also expresses your care and love for that person. And that would probably ruin the conversation on both sides. Because you don’t just come back with no idea what point of view they’re speaking from or why they’re saying what they’re saying. Even if you don’t agree with the outcome, it actually gives you a chance to love that person right then and there. ”
Third, she said Christians must make “honorable assumptions” about a person rather than assuming “worst-case scenarios.”
“We’re not naive. We’re just saying, ‘We’re going to choose to see these people the way God sees them.'” I guess. ” And whether you end up with them or on the other side, you’ll have a whole new understanding of the situation. And maybe you’ll be able to do what you’re advocating for more effectively. ”
She says it’s important for Christians to see their political opponents as “the people for whom Jesus died on the cross.”
“We’re not going to lose our joy.”
Photo credit: Courtesy of Bethany House
Michael Faust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His story was published in Baptist Press. Christianity Today, Christian Poecent, of leaf chronicle, of toronto star and of knoxville news sentinel.
