The Bible orients us to reality, particularly to the fact of God. We consult with influences that confuse, distort, or dismiss biblical authority once we speak of disorientation. Those who promote such disorientations don’t necessarily accomplish that intentionally—mistakes and misinterpretations occur. When addressing the next disorientations, we seek to judge the ideas, not defame the individuals who advance them.
Confusing Christian Liberty with Political Liberty
Many Christians addressing politics seek to mobilize the Church to preserve liberties granted by the United States. In the book Serpents and Doves, I distinguish between “freedom from consequences” (political liberty) and “freedom to obey” (Christian liberty). While religious freedom is critical, Christian freedom is the liberty from sin present in Christ. It exists independently of political freedoms. Yet, Christian political participation often prioritizes the previous over the latter.
For example, in Letter to the American Church, Eric Metaxas notes, “The centrality of our nation on this planet doesn’t mean that we’re intrinsically exceptional, but fairly that God has sovereignly chosen us to carry the torch of liberty for all of the world, and that the Church is central to our doing this.” While I agree with Metaxas that the church within the United States cannot remain neutral and silent, we must avoid conflating the Church’s mission with America’s presumed national role. The church just isn’t called to advocate for a specific political structure but to advance the gospel. In addition, any construal of the United States’ God-given role on this planet is conjecture. The founders of the United States had their ideas concerning the contributions the United States might make, as do modern-day commentators, historians, and journalists. Still, we have now no clear statement from God concerning the purpose of the United States.
By contrast, the Church’s role is kind of clear: to be and make disciples of Jesus Christ. Our efforts can’t be primarily concerned with preserving religious freedom but with demonstrating Christian freedom. Our message to the world just isn’t that religious liberty springs from Christian freedom (nonetheless true that could be) but that Christian freedom…the liberty to live under Christ’s authority…is a freedom no government can grant or take away.
Confusing Christianity with Conservatism (and “the Left”)
Many Christian political discussions wrap conservatism in theological language.
While Christians can hold conservative positions, conservatism just isn’t synonymous with Christianity. Christ just isn’t essential to conservatism. In making Christ optional, conservatism subverts Christ’s authority. His teachings and the teaching of the Scriptures are subject to the goals of conservatism. In other words, conservatism is the upper authority.
This dynamic can be present when Christianity is confused with “the Left.” When political ideologies selectively invoke God’s revelation to serve their goals, they undermine His authority. The primary challenge with which Christians must deal may involve “radical leftist views” (e.g., critical race theory, Marxism). Still, it must also involve views on the novel right because each the fitting and left refuse to acknowledge Christ’s authority.
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