3 Affirmations for This Election Season
On the (required) Christian response to political anger and violence.
Every fourth year is an ugly time in America. What is meant to be a “peaceful transition of power” has become anything but “peaceful.” More and more, the months leading up to November are turning into a time to gain clicks, sales, viewers, and attention through ugliness and vitriol against our fellow countrymen.
This is far from the Christian ideal, and I refuse to partake in it.
Regardless of what issues are on the ballot or the results of an election, Christians who value faithfulness to and intimacy with Christ over promotion of their “side” are expected to be and act a certain way. I am not a perfect example of these ways, but regardless, here are the three affirmations I am making as I journey toward Christlikeness this election season.
Affirmation vs. Promise
Before I begin, I should clarify the difference between an “affirmation” and a “promise.” A “promise” is something I am claiming to do in the future given that all of the conditions and settings are ideal. This is similar to a contract: as long as one agreeing party acts the way they say they will, the other party will also act they way they say they will.
An “affirmation,” on the other hand, is something that is true regardless of conditions. To the best of my ability, and by the grace of God, I will continue to be the the way I claim to be no matter where I am or who I am with.
The 3 Affirmations
Without further ado, here are some affirmations I, as a follower of Jesus Christ, am publicly making this election season in regards to anger and violence. These affirmations are drawn from scripture, the example of Christ, and a lifetime of American Christian experience.
1) If my candidate loses or my policy does not pass, I'm going to accept it with grace.
Sometimes my "side" loses elections. Lest we forget, that is simply the nature of a democratic republic. Depending on the ballot measure, it is certainly disappointing to lose, but my faith reminds me that there are more fulfilling and important forces at play than earthly power. I affirm that I will “set my mind on things above, not on earthly things” regardless of success or failure (see Col. 3:2).
And look, I get it. There very important measures on the ballot this year (and every year), and I acknowledge that a lost election is sometimes not just a slight inconvenience but a major effect on people’s lives. A lost election, however, becomes an opportunity to take new courses of action that are often more effective than a conventional American political campaign. “God’s ways are not our ways” is often a hurtful platitude reserved for insensitive funeral attenders, but if “our ways” are the American political system, maybe it’s high time we look for something different for things of ultimate eternal importance.
2) If I find out that you voted differently than I did, our relationship will not change.
Even if you're offended or angry at the way I voted, I will not allow myself to "drink the poison of anger" because of the way you voted.
Jesus Christ himself reminds us that being polite, kind, and loving to people on “our side” is not special. Even “the godless” and “the race- and class-traitors” love members of their own team (paraphrased). If you display love only to your own people, you are no better than your supposed enemies (see Mt. 5:46-48).
Therefore, I affirm that I will love my supposed enemies inwardly and outwardly. You can call me names all you want at Thanksgiving, but I refuse to spit in the mashed potatoes.
3) In accordance with the holy scriptures of my faith and the example of my religion's incarnate deity*, I will commit no violence of any sort.
*(See Matthew 5:21-22; Matthew 26:52; Luke 22:51; and Luke 23:8-11)
Political violence, physical or verbal, is off the table for me, not only because Jesus flat-out prohibits it in the Sermon on the Mount, but because he shows us the better way to live.
The Gospel writer Luke tells us that Christ not only refused to exercise self-defense at his arrest, but even healed one of his supposed enemies who was tasked with arresting him. His words of caution to his disciples were “all who draw the sword will die by the sword,” and his actions were follow-through. This is the equivalent of serving tea to the angry mob coming to take you away (an unpopular course of action to be sure). Luke does not tell us what effect this counterintuitive healing had on the servant of the high priest, but if the books of Proverbs and Romans tell us anything, it likely “heaped burning coals on his head” (in the best way possible).
Luke also reminds us that Jesus refused to match the ignorant, mocking energy of the evil, oppressive liar on the throne in Jerusalem. Jesus could have absolutely torn Herod apart in a debate, yet he chose silence. I don’t know why; maybe it was because he knew that Herod’s all-too-human arrogance and defensiveness blocked him from listening to the divine words of the Messiah. Either way, Jesus did not think to himself “I need to make sure I tweet something or else my followers will think I endorse this tyrant’s ugly words,” and nor will I.
Long story short, to the best of my ability, I aim for Christ as the ideal.
"But what about [this issue]? What about [that issue]?"
This is where I stand. Period.
My God is concerned less with the results of my ballot submission than with the fruitfulness and faithfulness of the Light shining through me.
This will probably be the hardest thing I will ever take on, but this is where I stand. Reacting to political issues with anger and violence is just too easy: a "wide gate and broad path" that leads to destruction. This election season, I affirm that I will aim for that uphill, difficult-to-follow "narrow road" that leads to life and peace (Mt. 7:13-14).
I will fall short of the ideal, such is the life of a mere human. I am under no illusions to the contrary. Regardless of my limitations, peacemaking is what I strive for.
An Open Invitation
If anyone is on a similar journey, let me know! Throw me a reply/comment or subscribe to this blog (I’ll be posting more stuff like this in the future). I'd love to have "hiking buddies" to join on this narrow road.
If you would not like to join me, I understand. Like I said, I know this is going to be difficult. Love to you anyway.
If you would like to actively stop me from going on this journey, I'm sorry you feel that way, but I knew that could be the case when I started. Love to you anyway.
Wherever you stand politically, may the peace of Christ, which transcends all understanding, be with you, your community, your nation, and your supposed enemies this election season and beyond.
If you thought this blog post was way too short, check out the more comprehensive Confession of Evangelical Conviction signed by many leaders in the American Evangelical church.