I appreciate this article very much. You cover an aspect of the political area and the polarization we see in the US. You’re absolutely right. Personal attacks and mudslinging have no place in our vocabulary and dialogue as believers. I intentionally avoid writing about politics on my Substack, but I care very much. It’s been very pathetic to see the personal attacks by believers and the hateful ways of communicating with others who voted differently than we may have. Elsewhere, I saw people attack the faith of others for who they supported. There’s simply no excuse for this. I do believe asking others how they arrived at their views and having healthy dialogue based on policies is valuable. However, the inflammatory rhetoric that would rejoice at assassination attempts is completely off base.
I believe as Christians it is reasonable to discuss policies and laws and international relations. The Constitution matters and the ideological framework underlying some candidates will impact our freedom of worship in the long run if we did elect one candidate versus another. These things do matter.
But they will know we are Christians by our love, not by dehumanizing others and treating people as lesser.
Our basis of unity will be truth from God’s word and obedience to Him not allegiance to a political party.
Besides God’s word is clear. We are not to lie, murder, grumble or complain.
That’s all a great word, Susan. Thank you for the encouragement, too.
I agree, it matters a great deal. I think Christian’s can lead the way on showing human dignity to those we disagree with. I believe that’s the only way we’ll be able to regularly have civil and healthy discussions about politics!
I agree with you. And it's appropriate to be concerned about honesty and accurate information. But the way we show respect to other human beings is a reflection of our relationship with God. He showed us grace and mercy, so we need to conduct ourselves in ways that honor Him.
I wholeheartedly agree with your call for a language that humanizes and uplifts, instead of one that demeans and puts down. It's so important to remember the human dignity of everyone, regardless of their political stance (or any stance, for that matter). I do wonder, though, where you draw the line between this kind of dehumanizing language and legitimate criticism of those in power. For example, would fact-based critiques of a politician's policies, or calling out their own use of dehumanizing language, fall under the category of "unfaithful" speech (in this sense: "Only say what's good (live faithfully)")? Just something I've been pondering as I read your piece. Thanks for publishing this.
That’s a great question. I do think calling sin, sin, isn’t necessarily dehumanizing. It’s actually humanizing in some ways because to think a person can’t sin would be to consider them suprahuman.
I do think it’s important to speak truth to power, but if it’s not done with respect…
It won’t be received
It goes against the biblical command to honor those in power
I like this a lot: "It’s actually humanizing in some ways because to think a person can’t sin would be to consider them suprahuman." Thanks for your reply!
This is really good, Brandon. You are touching on something very important in our discourse today, and I agree with you that Christians should be leading the way on charitable listening and communication. I had some of the same questions as others about how your post factors in the need to speak the truth in love, but you answered this in the comments - we can call sin what it is without reverting to derogatory speech. I just wish this necessary nuance would have made it into your actual post.
Again, I think this is good. We need more Christians calling for repentance in our speech, starting with ourselves. Thank you for writing this.
Initially, the post wasn't necessarily about how to hold leaders accountable/call for repentance, so I didn't think about the need to include that piece into the post. However, as you mentioned, there were several questions about it, so I do think I would have had I been able to foresee those questions!
That can be done without using dehumanizing language and it will likely be more effective/received.
I think someone calling for politicians to repent out loud on social media but not in the quiet through writing letters to said politician is more concerned with having an audience than they are getting change accomplished.
We never actually see Jesus, Paul, Peter, etc. do that. John the Baptist did and his head was cut off. My perspective on cultural repentance is that we should be far more concerned with disciple making and making a new culture than we are trying to get the current culture to change. This is undoubtedly a slower change but more effective long term (as seen with Rome).
Overall I think the method and the mode would determine if it was a good idea or not. But that’s kinda how I view everything that requires nuance.
I do think the government has a responsibility to take care of human life. I think when they do not do that… They are going against the reality that they are technically under the authority of God and his law.
In addition to an abortion ban… I also think there needs to be creative plans to come alongside women who are statistically more likely to have an abortion based off economic factors.
Wow, this was incredible and so perfect for this climate. It's so true. Many folks have dehumanized people in today's society, and we forget that everyone, whether believer or non-believer, are child of God and deserves the utmost respect, whether we agree with their stances or not. I found this very often in this election, which turned me off regarding the candidates.
I appreciate this article very much. You cover an aspect of the political area and the polarization we see in the US. You’re absolutely right. Personal attacks and mudslinging have no place in our vocabulary and dialogue as believers. I intentionally avoid writing about politics on my Substack, but I care very much. It’s been very pathetic to see the personal attacks by believers and the hateful ways of communicating with others who voted differently than we may have. Elsewhere, I saw people attack the faith of others for who they supported. There’s simply no excuse for this. I do believe asking others how they arrived at their views and having healthy dialogue based on policies is valuable. However, the inflammatory rhetoric that would rejoice at assassination attempts is completely off base.
I believe as Christians it is reasonable to discuss policies and laws and international relations. The Constitution matters and the ideological framework underlying some candidates will impact our freedom of worship in the long run if we did elect one candidate versus another. These things do matter.
But they will know we are Christians by our love, not by dehumanizing others and treating people as lesser.
Our basis of unity will be truth from God’s word and obedience to Him not allegiance to a political party.
Besides God’s word is clear. We are not to lie, murder, grumble or complain.
That’s all a great word, Susan. Thank you for the encouragement, too.
I agree, it matters a great deal. I think Christian’s can lead the way on showing human dignity to those we disagree with. I believe that’s the only way we’ll be able to regularly have civil and healthy discussions about politics!
I agree with you. And it's appropriate to be concerned about honesty and accurate information. But the way we show respect to other human beings is a reflection of our relationship with God. He showed us grace and mercy, so we need to conduct ourselves in ways that honor Him.
Wonderful response!
Amen, thanks Brandon!
Glad it was helpful!
I wholeheartedly agree with your call for a language that humanizes and uplifts, instead of one that demeans and puts down. It's so important to remember the human dignity of everyone, regardless of their political stance (or any stance, for that matter). I do wonder, though, where you draw the line between this kind of dehumanizing language and legitimate criticism of those in power. For example, would fact-based critiques of a politician's policies, or calling out their own use of dehumanizing language, fall under the category of "unfaithful" speech (in this sense: "Only say what's good (live faithfully)")? Just something I've been pondering as I read your piece. Thanks for publishing this.
That’s a great question. I do think calling sin, sin, isn’t necessarily dehumanizing. It’s actually humanizing in some ways because to think a person can’t sin would be to consider them suprahuman.
I do think it’s important to speak truth to power, but if it’s not done with respect…
It won’t be received
It goes against the biblical command to honor those in power
Those are my initial thoughts!
I like this a lot: "It’s actually humanizing in some ways because to think a person can’t sin would be to consider them suprahuman." Thanks for your reply!
This is really good, Brandon. You are touching on something very important in our discourse today, and I agree with you that Christians should be leading the way on charitable listening and communication. I had some of the same questions as others about how your post factors in the need to speak the truth in love, but you answered this in the comments - we can call sin what it is without reverting to derogatory speech. I just wish this necessary nuance would have made it into your actual post.
Again, I think this is good. We need more Christians calling for repentance in our speech, starting with ourselves. Thank you for writing this.
Thanks for the encouragement, Zak!
Initially, the post wasn't necessarily about how to hold leaders accountable/call for repentance, so I didn't think about the need to include that piece into the post. However, as you mentioned, there were several questions about it, so I do think I would have had I been able to foresee those questions!
Thanks again for the encouragement!
I will say also, I think I was naïve to not see the connection between the two and not thinking to include it on the front end. Thanks for the grace!
I wouldn't say "naive"! I think it was just a miss in an otherwise excellent piece. Keep up the good writing, brother!
What are your thoughts about calling politicians to repent and make just laws according to Gods word?
Very well said
Certainly. Here are a few thoughts:
That can be done without using dehumanizing language and it will likely be more effective/received.
I think someone calling for politicians to repent out loud on social media but not in the quiet through writing letters to said politician is more concerned with having an audience than they are getting change accomplished.
We never actually see Jesus, Paul, Peter, etc. do that. John the Baptist did and his head was cut off. My perspective on cultural repentance is that we should be far more concerned with disciple making and making a new culture than we are trying to get the current culture to change. This is undoubtedly a slower change but more effective long term (as seen with Rome).
Overall I think the method and the mode would determine if it was a good idea or not. But that’s kinda how I view everything that requires nuance.
Do you think the government should ban abortion because it’s their job to uphold justice?
I do think the government has a responsibility to take care of human life. I think when they do not do that… They are going against the reality that they are technically under the authority of God and his law.
In addition to an abortion ban… I also think there needs to be creative plans to come alongside women who are statistically more likely to have an abortion based off economic factors.
Basically, what I would advocate for is a holistic compassionate plan that says two things…
1. We are going to set it up so you cannot get an abortion
2. We are going to set it up so you don’t feel like you have to get an abortion
Wow, this was incredible and so perfect for this climate. It's so true. Many folks have dehumanized people in today's society, and we forget that everyone, whether believer or non-believer, are child of God and deserves the utmost respect, whether we agree with their stances or not. I found this very often in this election, which turned me off regarding the candidates.
Thanks, sir. Yes, we've dehumanized people created in God's image. Not good!