We need twin oars to propel us forward
After years of contributing to The Morning Call’s “Faith and Values” column, I remain grateful for this forum to share thoughts on faith with a wider audience. That said, I am often challenged by the editor’s instruction “to avoid topics that are truly political and would more properly belong on the opinion pages.” Thankfully, only once have I received an email that gently, but clearly, instructed me to provide a new column by the end of the week.
In my life before seminary, I studied international politics, where we learned that politics is, as Wikipedia sums it up: “the capacity of an individual to influence the conduct or behavior of others.”
As a preacher, each week’s sermon has some measure of “God loves you and forgives you,” and “God loves those who are unlike you and who don’t like
you, and God expects more of you.” Both are valid. I think the wise pastor will intersperse both of these themes within any one sermon and from week to week. But both of them are truly quite political. God intentionally seeks to influence our conduct and behavior, empowering and inviting us to live and act out of love rather than fear.
People of faith are invariably in the position of trying to influence the conduct or behavior of others. Some of us are trying to explain our faith tradition, so others will find us less mysterious, fearful or threatening. Others are exploring nuances in the understanding of God, to say there is more to this faith than you may think, and as we behave in a certain way, you should consider doing likewise.
To be sure, to name persons of power, particular stances they take, and specific issues of the day, are matters for the opinion page. Without care and boundaries, “Faith and Values” risks becoming as politicized as too many of our other establishments are today.
At the same time, however, “This is the word of the Lord,” often accompanies religious tenets that while “political” as seen through one lens, are part and parcel of what it means to be faithful when seen through another. People, including people of faith, can disagree on how to care for the poor and stranger, and, dare I say, even the immigrant. But adherents of Abrahamic religions and beyond have a clear, undiluted message: you shall care for such persons.
To those who say “you are getting political when you say such things,” I unapologetically agree. Because as I understand my Jewish roots and Christian faith, God is very political, trying to influence our conduct and behavior to love God and neighbor.
And doing so with unlimited capacity. God will get God’s way, one way or another, however long it takes. As Martin Luther King Jr., wrote, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
If deeply held values are under debate, shouldn’t other deeply held values inform that debate? For the faithful, religion guiding politics means that our faith informs and energizes our capacity to influence the conduct or behavior of others. “I believe this, therefore … ” From a faith-perspective, things go astray when politics, the capacity to influence, steers what we say we believe. “I want you to believe this, therefore…” Then winning means more than what is won.
Religion and politics. Two of the three big no-no’s for “polite conversation.” Yet we need courage and safe spaces for planting the seeds that may one day flower in thoughtful and compassionate conduct and behavior.
If “a rising tide lifts all boats,” then we need both oars, religion and politics, and we need them moving in tandem. That will allow us to have the healthiest of discourse, the kind that this country was founded on, and now so desperately needs.
The Rev. Steven Shussett is the Pastor of Schwarzwald Lutheran Church (Exeter Township), and a spiritual director.