Our Feet Are Set on Slippery Places: Reflections on the Political Divide in America

Last updated on: August 7, 2020 at 8:01 am by Roger E. Olson

Our Feet Are Set on Slippery Places: Reflections on the Political Divide in America 2020-08-07T08:01:28-05:00 Roger E. Olson

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What more is there to say about this subject? Numerous commentators have weighed in on it. And yet, we don’t seem to be making any progress toward greater civility. The divide is growing wider and deeper and people on both sides of it are demonizing people on the other side. It is worse than any time that I can remember (which goes back to the 1960s). I lived through the strife in America over the Civil Rights Movement. I lived through the strife in America over the Vietnam War. I lived through Watergate and its fallout. I lived through the rise of the so-called Religious Right. I lived through the impeachment of Bill Clinton and through the decades-long strife over abortion. I remember that in spite of these struggles most Americans could still live side-by-side without demonizing their neighbors, their friends, their loved ones—only because of their political views.

I speak here especially to and about American Christians. Christians on both sides—“conservative” and “progressive”—Republican-leaning and Democrat-leaning—are now saying out loud and with passion that people on the wrong side, the other side, cannot be Christians—just because of their political postures.

Folks, this has gone too far!

*Sidebar: The opinions expressed here are my own (or those of the guest writer); I do not speak for any other person, group or organization; nor do I imply that the opinions expressed here reflect those of any other person, group or organization unless I say so specifically. Before commenting read the entire post and the “Note to commenters” at its end.*

Yes, I will admit that there are extreme situations in which I would have to say that, too. If I had lived in Germany in the 1930s I would have said (and suffered the consequences) that so-called “German Christians” who openly affirmed Hitler as a new messiah and the Nazi Party as a new revelation from God were not Christians. I wouldn’t mean, even then, that they could not be saved. Who is saved and who is not saved is none of my business! (I speak here of specific individuals and judging them—as to their eternal destinies.) However, I do not think we have arrived at that extreme in America. At least most people who call themselves Christians have not. There are some who I would have to say are not Christians—insofar as they actually affirm things like white supremacy and harass, bully and assault women.

Here I am only commenting on God-fearing, Bible-believing, Jesus-loving Christians (of all denominations) who may or may not be misguided as to their political persuasions and support of parties and platforms and politicians. The language that some Christians on both sides of the political divide are hurling at each other is downright sinful. People on both sides are purposely alienating friends, loved ones, fellow church members, fellow believers, with invectives and verbal bullying and hate speech. And the worst thing is that they seem to enjoy it! Families are falling apart. Friendships are being destroyed. Even some churches and Christian organizations are making a particular political posture a matter of status confessionis—heresy for having the wrong political opinions.

Now, again, I admit that there are some political opinions that must be rejected by Christians. An example comes from South Africa. During apartheid the World Communion of Reformed Churches (as it is now named) declared opposition to apartheid status confessionis—which meant that support of apartheid was apostasy. This effectively excommunicated many South African Reformed Christians. I am not suggesting that such should never happen. I applaud and admire the Catholic bishop in New York who refused to serve communion to the South American emissaries of bloody dictators in the 1970s/1980s.

But what I am experiencing now, in *our America—“one nation under God”—*is a total lack of willingness even to engage in dialogue with Christians on the wrong side of the political divide. Insofar a they are perceived to be on the wrong side, whether they really are or not, they are being rejected, “unfriended,” canceled.

I personally know American Christian churches, some that consider themselves evangelical, in which I would not dare admit if I were a Republican or a Democrat (different churches). I would not dare speak a positive word about President Trump or a negative word about him (different churches).

Please know that I am not opposed to the prophetic role of the church toward government and toward politicans. What I am opposing here is demonizing fellow true believers in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior only because they lean toward the Republican Party or the Democratic Party. This situation is a scandal that must break the heart of God.

I have no problem with a church taking a stand on ethical issues such as abortion, racism, poverty, gay marriage, etc. What I have a problem with is the hatred being expressed toward those who disagree. It is palpable. Anyone who haunts social media has seen it. Of course, hardly any Christian would admit that they are being hateful, but the language being used and the tactics being practiced toward their political enemies—even friends and family members—reveals hatred in the heart.

What we American Christians need to do now is stop, take a breath, call a moratorium on hate speech toward and rejection of (at least) fellow Christians only on the basis of political views. We need to call for civil discourse and dialogue in place of turning backs and hurling epithets under our breaths (or on social media) against those “others” with whom we share devotion to Jesus Christ. This is my word to pastors and church leaders of all Christian denominations. Do it now.

*Note to commenters: This blog is not a discussion board; please respond with a question or comment only to me. If you do not share my evangelical Christian perspective (very broadly defined), feel free to ask a question for clarification, but know that this is not a space for debating incommensurate perspectives/worldviews. In any case, know that there is no guarantee that your question or comment will be posted by the moderator or answered by the writer. If you hope for your question or comment to appear here and be answered or responded to, make sure it is civil, respectful, and “on topic.” Do not comment if you have not read the entire post and do not misrepresent what it says. Keep any comment (including questions) to minimal length; do not post essays, sermons or testimonies here. Do not post links to internet sites here. This is a space for expressions of the blogger’s (or guest writers’) opinions and constructive dialogue among evangelical Christians (very broadly defined).

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