Truth in an Angry Society

I am writing this article on Tuesday morning before the first presidential debate. Rarely have I seen people more highly charged and indignant over the possible outcomes of an election. I have rarely seen people angrier… about everything. Anger rarely brings out the best in us. Anger generally causes us to want to lash out. In the freedom of democracy to speak our minds, people have felt free to lash out against anything they don’t like.

As we head into this election cycle, the church is always careful. We do not represent parties or politicians. That is not the purpose of the church. We exist to build the kingdom of God, not the country of America. While as a citizen of America, I have a right to an opinion and a vote. That opinion and vote are not more important than the ideals of my faith. I am not an American Christian. I am a Christian who happens to be an American. And in my life, I try to keep my values in that order. Godly values first, my own political leanings a far distant second (probably more of fifth or sixth.)

Much of the hatred and hurtful speech we see is really what we call in America–different versions of the truth. It is a popular notion in America that truth is relative to your perspective. Society teaches that there really isn’t an absolute truth, but just a truth that works for today. Democracy believes in an ever-changing truth. One based upon public opinion, where the majority chooses. Truth is found in the largest collective beliefs. 

And this isn’t new. When Jesus was being tried in Jerusalem before his crucifixion, Jesus had this interchange with Pilate, the Roman leader of that part of the world. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."  "What is truth?" Pilate asked. (John 18:37-38 NIV) Pilate had heard the version of truth the Jews wanted him to hear, he had heard the opinion of his wife who told him to keep his nose out of this, and he had his own opinion about Jesus. They didn’t all agree. He was seeking truth in the arena of public opinion and could not find a consensus. And so, for him, truth was illusive.

Yet Jesus was clear about truth. He was here to testify to truth. He was here to speak the truth. At one point he made the audacious claim that He is the truth. For the Christian, truth is not relative to public opinion. Truth is an absolute that is defined by the things God (Jesus) says and proclaims. It is why we spend so much time teaching as a church… truth is part of the gift that God is giving to the world. He is the author of it. If we want to know what is true or right, we need to dig into the things that he says and claims about the world. And when we do, we discover the truth about our universe, and about Him, and about us. 

Democracy and Christianity have this in common: there should be room and respect for each other. People have a right to their opinion. God allows us the freedom to choose our opinions. We can choose to do what is right or what is wrong (and suffer the consequence or experience the blessing) but God does not allow us the freedom to define what is right and wrong. Those definitions are set by him for all time. 

We respect the opinions of people because when we do we are representing God’s choice to allow people the freedom to choose their own opinions. We respect their opinion. But that does not make every opinion right. 

Where Christianity and democracy diverge is here:  We both respect people and their right to an opinion, but democracy then asserts that every opinion is equally true. And for the Christian who believes in an outside standard of truth (God), we cannot treat every opinion as equal. God has determined what is right and wrong. Truth is not relevant to a person’s perspective.

So, the society that rages against those they don’t agree with have fundamentally crucified the American value to respect all. Those who rage against the opinions of others are fundamentally not godly, or democratic.

People of God, we are held to a standard to respect and love all people. Even those who do not agree with us. Treating people with that level of respect is not always easy, especially when the respect is not reciprocated… but it is necessary for the character of the Christian. We are not representing our truth. We are representing God’s truth. We don’t own it. We didn’t create it. And we are only truly right when we are repeating the words of God. If we don’t represent his words with his character, no one will ever really see him. Character and attitude are part of the message. 

We are called to be a people who are reconciling people to each other and to God. The respectful truth will do that…when others are ready to listen. Maybe this should become our prayer: that God will begin to soften the hearts and ears of people to be ready to listen… instead of being so quick to speak. We need our hearts soften too. No one will be ready to listen until they believe we respect and love them. Instead of arguing, maybe our response should be… “I respect/hear what you say, but have you ever considered…” It is time to for Jesus’ followers to set the pace in this. We can diffuse anger with respect and love. This is a hard road to walk… but Jesus never claimed his way would be the easy way. 

Andy