Don't Be Afraid of the 'Christian Left'

Human Events Online ^ | 10 July 2006 | Ken Connor

[Aussie Dasher]

After spending 30 years in the wilderness the "Christian left" is making its voice heard. From Washington, D.C., to Dallas, large conferences have been held in an attempt to politically mobilize these "progressive" Christians. Much can be said about this burgeoning movement, and much will be said in the coming months.

For now, let's start with this: as fellow believers, we should not be afraid to engage the evangelical left's ideas in a spirit of love. It would be a mistake, as we begin this dialogue, to view these men and women as "political enemies" rather than fellow members of the body of Christ. From the outset, we should insist that our discussions be grounded in our mutual love of Christ rather than our differing political commitments. Let Christ be the foundation upon which we all stand.

Many liberal evangelicals claim that the church, in its political thinking, has neglected a major aspect of Christ's concern: the poor and vulnerable. Their most cherished phrase is "social justice," and they say we conservatives have neglected it. Again, let's not dismiss this criticism out of hand. As I have written in the past, the Bible is unequivocal about our responsibility toward the poor. As Christians, we should not be shy about discussing our responsibility toward the "least of these," and we should think creatively about different ways in which we can serve them.

On the other hand, we are not simply talking about the responsibility of the church, but we are debating the role of government in crafting public policy solutions. As conservatives and liberals, we doubtless will find that our solutions to problems differ. When those substantial differences arise, it is the perfect opportunity to practice Christian charity as we calmly and thoughtfully explain the reasons for our differences. In the partisan and divisive political atmosphere of Washington, D.C., let the whole world see how the Christians love each other despite their differences. Let the whole world see how we reason together, mutually striving to know the Truth in all things.

Perhaps liberal evangelicals will help remind the body of Christ that our greatest obligation is not to be financially successful or politically triumphant, but to love our Lord and our neighbor, even in public life. Perhaps they will also encourage us to develop new political solutions to the timeless problem of material poverty. As conservatives, our policy proposals probably won't include lots of major federal programs because our experience shows that solutions rooted in the expansion of governmental bureaucracy often do more harm than good. However, we must not fall prey to the rhetoric of secular conservatives who put worldly financial concerns above all else. As Christians, we have a duty to address the needs of the poor, and it would be wrong for us to fall prey to a radically individualistic mentality. "Dog eat dog" is not a biblical phrase and "the survival of the fittest" is not a Christian concept. Our priority is the common good, with a special concern for those who have the least.

At the same time, perhaps there are ways in which we can help progressives look at things differently. For example, there was recently a meeting in Dallas called the National Conference and Revival for Social Justice in the Black Church. Speakers included Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. While these pastors actually said some things with which we agree, they also made some unhelpful remarks.

Al Sharpton's speech is a perfect example. He criticized the black church for being too worried about what he called "bedroom issues"—marriage and abortion. He thinks they should mobilize on social justice issues rather than be distracted by abortion. On something like this, we have an obligation to vigorously defend the unborn. Perhaps we can help progressive Christians like Al Sharpton understand that abortion is the greatest social justice issue of our time. Unborn babies really are the least among us—undeniably alive, undeniably human, and tragically exploited. When innocent children are dying, we cannot close the bedroom door and pretend that it does not concern us, that it is a private matter. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." As Christians, we have an obligation to protect the weak and defenseless—born and unborn.

The emergence of a progressive evangelical movement affords a wonderful opportunity to foster a public discussion about the role of faith in civic life. Sometimes, it must be admitted, we get lazy in our political thinking. We know that at some point we thought through the reasons behind our positions, but maybe that was years ago. It is always helpful to remember why we believe what we believe, reviewing our old arguments to see if they are still strong. Even worse, sometimes we allow others in the "conservative coalition" to do our political thinking for us, even when they come from very secular starting points.

Liberal evangelicals help us because they share our foundational commitment to Christ, yet they see political questions in a different light. As we actively dialogue with them about our political positions, hopefully both sides will benefit. Most importantly, let us pray that Christ will be glorified in the way we conduct our conversation.

[boop]

The "Christian Left" rarely if ever talks about Christ. They're more interested in supporting mass murderers like Castro and bashing Bush. That's their "religion".

[JCEccles]

When the left does speak about Jesus Christ, increasingly it is for the purpose of denying his divinity and his resurrection.

Liberal Christianity is Christianity without Christ, with "social justice" advanced as a substitute.

[ModelBreaker]

My church is well and deeply engaged in assisting the poor. The money I provide to the poor through my church is better and more efficiently targeted to meet real need than any money extorted by government through taxes and paid by some bureaucrat to subsidize the sociopolitical "victim" group du jour.

While I agree with you in general, I think it is wrong to base the argument to Christians on this issue on efficiency. Christ's message was about our personal conduct. I am to help the poor--and I do.

There is no way to distort Christ's message to be that the government tax collectors should collect money from some people at gunpoint and give it to others, including the poor. So while Christ speaks to my personal moral decisions, he does not advocate socialism, directly or indirectly. Had He an institutional agenda, he could easily have excoriated Rome or the Pharisees and Saducees for not collecting taxes to help the poor. Instead, he regarded the tax collectors as people in need of forgiveness.

The 'minimum wage is a moral issue' argument is pure sleight of hand. It ignores that Christ was talking about our personal moral duties and not a form of government.

The 'religious' left makes the same mistake as Judas--wanting Christ to lead a worldly revolution.

[garylmoore]

I'm sorry but it is virtually impossible to be a REAL Christian and a liberal at the same time. Those are the people that Christ will say to them, "I never knew you."

[Recovering_Democrat]

Perhaps we can help progressive Christians like Al Sharpton understand that abortion is the greatest social justice issue of our time. Unborn babies really are the least among us—undeniably alive, undeniably human, and tragically exploited.

This is fantasy. But, really, I think, the process is not about convincing Al Sharpton but about how we behave.

I do think there are some on the religious left who have pure motivations; they just don't see yet how conservative policies will truly help them reach their goals of helping the poor.

Conservatives, I think are much more inclined to helping the poor even without their policies. Look at the Cheneys. They aren't overtly religious or evangelical, yet they gave what, about 50% of their income last year to charitable organizations?

[Manic_Episode]

If you vote democrat you are voting for abortion and become a co-conspirator and are guilty of murder.
The so called christian left are co-conspirators in 40,000,000 murders, yet snivel out loud about the 30,000 dead in Iraq, even though hundreds of thousands of lives are being saved in the process.
A liberal is a liberal is a liberal.

[cherry]

there is no such thing as a leftist Christian....so-called Christians do not support and enhance the ability to kill unwanted babies.....they do not push for gay marriages and gay adoption.....

leftist "Christians" support mainly the Demonrat agenda....therefore, they are FOR abortion...FOR gay marriage....FOR increased Indian gambling EVERYWHERE as well as state controlled gambling.....

how can any of that be "Christian".....????

do we need to support the poor and the orphaned and the widowed?...of course....a true Christian does not need a federal program to do it for him...he does it himself.....

[Samurai_Jack]

" And contrary to this opinion piece, it is a serious danger."

This article is evidence of the lefts attempts to garner the southern christian voting bloc. It's nothing more than a cheap and transparent political play that will cause some young christians to stumble. The lefts arguments are like bait to these children. These false teachers are here for your children. These political predators need to be confronted with their heresy and failing repentance expunged unceremoneously from the ranks of the church and take their filthy money with them. They need to be treated as if they have become entangled in a cult and require intervention and deprogramming. Save the 'love' for after they have confessed their error and begged forgiveness for the harm they have done to the body and to your children.

[CheyennePress]

"there is no such thing as a leftist Christian....so-called Christians do not support and enhance the ability to kill unwanted babies.....they do not push for gay marriages and gay adoption....."

Well, technically, all that one needs to be a Christian is a faith in Christ as savior. That said, there is such a thing as a Christian sorely misguided...

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

"Christian Left" = Oxymoron

[Conservative Goddess]

Very well said!

[highlander_UW]

Many liberal evangelicals claim that the church, in its political thinking, has neglected a major aspect of Christ's concern: the poor and vulnerable. Their most cherished phrase is "social justice," and they say we conservatives have neglected it.

The "Christian" Left's embrace of the American Holocaust, with over 30 MILLION babies murdered since the travesty of Roe V Wade causes the Left's claims of moral high ground regarding social justice to ring hollow and hypocritical...and to lend credence to those who say they are not Christians at all.

But I do agree with the author in that the Christian Right should not ignore the raising of the issue of social justice...I do think it's one of the greater shortcomings of the Christian church as a whole (not to say that nothing is being done...but I don't believe enough is being done).

[Conservative Goddess]

"Social Justice" is a euphemism for Communism.

In Rerum Novarum (May 15, 1891), Pope Leo XIII wrote:

".... If incentives to ingenuity and skill in individual persons were to be abolished, the very fountains of wealth would necessarily dry up; and the equality conjured up by the Socialist imagination would, in reality, be nothing but uniform wretchedness and meanness for one and all, without distinction....Let it be regarded, therefore, as established that in seeking help for the masses this principle before all is to be considered as basic, namely, that private ownership must be preserved inviolate.....Therefore, let it be laid down in the first place that a condition of human existence must be borne with, namely, that in civil society the lowest cannot be made equal to the highest. Socialists, of course, agitate the contrary, but all struggling against nature is vain. There are truly very great and very many natural differences among men. Neither the talents, nor the skill, nor the health, nor the capacities of all are the same, and unequal fortune follows of itself upon necessary inequality in respect to these endowments. And clearly this condition of things is adapted to benefit both individuals and the community; for to carry on its affairs community life requires varied aptitudes and diverse services, and to perform these diverse services men are impelled most by differences in individual property holdings....Therefore, to suffer and endure is human, and although men may strive in all possible ways, they will never be able by any power or art wholly to banish such tribulations from human life. If any claim they can do this, if they promise the poor in their misery a life free from all sorrow and vexation and filled with repose and perpetual pleasures, they actually impose upon these people and perpetuate a fraud which will ultimately lead to evils greater than the present.

....

To own goods privately, as We saw above, is a right natural to man, and to exercise this right, especially in life in society, is not only lawful, but clearly necessary. "It is lawful for man to own his own things. It is even necessary for human life." [10] But if the question be asked: How ought man to use his possessions? the Church replies without hesitation: "As to this point, man ought not regard external goods as his own, but as common so that, in fact, a person should readily share them when he sees others in need. Wherefore the Apostle says: 'Charge the rich of this world...to give readily, to share with others'." [11] No one, certainly, is obliged to assist others out of what is required for his own necessary use or for that of his family, or even to give to others what he himself needs to maintain his station in life becomingly and decently: "No one is obliged to live unbecomingly." [12] But when the demands of necessity and propriety have been met, it is a duty to give to the poor out of that which remains. "Give that which remains as alms." [13] These are duties not of justice, except in cases of extreme need, but of Christian charity, which obviously cannot be enforced by legal action....The substance of all this is the following: whoever has received from the bounty of God a greater share of goods, whether corporeal and external, or of the soul, has received them for this purpose, namely, that he employ them for his own perfection and, likewise, as a servant of Divine Providence, for the benefit of others. "Therefore, he that hath talent, let him constantly see to it that he be not silent; he that hath an abundance of goods, let him be on the watch that he grow not slothful in the generosity of mercy; he that hath a trade whereby he supports himself, let him be especially eager to share with his neighbor the use and benefit thereof....""

Note that we are called upon to GIVE to the poor, not to acquiesce to governmental demands for more and more taxes so that the government can 'give' as it sees fit. We have non-delegable, Christian duties to our fellow man, "which cannot be enforced by legal action." The government has no place in the equation.

[ovrtaxt]

"Fine sentiments BUT am I unChristian to think this bloke a bit wet behind the ears?"

"To the pure, all things are pure." (New Testament Book of Titus, Chapter 1, verse 15.)

"Be ye wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Jesus doesn't bless stupidity, and this guy needs to get a grip on the mind of the enemy.

[bcsco]

"The main problem with the Christian Left is their penchant for making their faith subject to their political ideologies."

Excellent statement!

[wolfcreek]

Forgive me, but isn't "Christian Left" sort of an oxymoron?


I was thinking the same thing! Beware of people with 'Join my Church' and 'Democrates 08' bumperstickers on the same car.

Welcome to FR.

[Triggerhippie]

I'm no more afraid of the Christian Left than I am the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and the Tooth Fairy...

[sirchtruth]

Is there not both good and bad Christians? I mean look at the Corinthians! These people were condoning all sorts of bad behavior and Paul essentially smacked them down.

The "Christian Left" will be left to their own devices and be destroyed because they will not follow or acknowledge God's will completely.

[trebb]

Yep - he's a little off base. One might note that those in the Bible, that got the handouts, were crippled, blind, etc. perhaps a return to those standards would do more good than the self-inflating giving away of other people's money to the lazy, has done. The Roman Empire started its downfall with the Dole to support indigent "visitors", artists, poets and such...

[Little Ray]

He's a bit barmy.

"Conservative" Christian churchs care about the poor and the "vulnerable." We just don't demand that the government seize the earnings of everybody else to enact "social justice" - we use our own resources and talents to do the best we can, and we try to help them end behaviors that make them poor and vulnerable.
Of course, doing so tends to earn us condemnation for racism, homophobia, etc.