While Hunter noted the political fragmentation among American evangelicals over more secondary and tertiary matters, today there seems to be a slight rise in the political fragmentation over more defining issues — issues such as abortion, religious liberty, sexuality, and immigration. In many cases, defining issues become divisive issues that position people in different [political] parties and, in some cases, different churches.
God’s church will have people who see different paths, based on their understanding of Scripture, to making the world right — which means we will have people with different persuasions and political choices. The temptation here, for those on both sides, would be to join in with the world and hurl insults, vicious attacks, and disdain for the other.
While our differences and diversity of beliefs — theologically and [even] politically — may lead us to worship with like-minded believers, we must still follow the way of Christ. As his followers, we are called to unity — not uniformity.
Don’t misunderstand. This isn’t a political call as there is no call in the bible for believers to possess political unity.
While Evangelicalism in America certainly contains political diversity — which seems to be ever evolving — my prayer is that God’s people will model unity in the union they share in Christ for a nation in desperate need of unity as they struggle their way to forming a more “perfect union.”
3. Seek the peace and prosperity of the city, state, and nation in which God “sent” you.
Based upon Jeremiah, the people of God seek the “shalom” of a community, city, state, and nation by being a partnering peace — working together to make the city a great place to live. In addition, they are to be a preserving peace — caring (or helping to care) for the poor, marginalized, widow, and sojourner. And moreover, they are to be proclaiming peace — where they point to YHWH as the ultimate God and King.
4. Pray and submit to governmental authorities.
We know that Paul prayed for kings and all those who are in authority (1 Timothy 2). We know that Paul exhorted the believers in Rome to “submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authorities except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God” (Romans 13:1).
It seems that governmental authorities in America have been under attack lately. As the church, we must remain vigilant in praying for our federal, state, city, and community leaders. In addition, we must remain committed to being partners of peace and of the common good with these leaders through our submission. However, our submission to governing authorities is suspended when they give mandates or orders that contradict our allegiance to King Jesus.
5. Peacefully protest policies and laws that harm the good life–or the common good — and work to reverse them.
This is where wisdom and discernment are key. What is the good life—particularly in America? The Declaration of Independence expressed why our forefathers sought to separate from British rule, and goes on to note, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
The Preamble of the U.S. Constitution explains, “We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
