Note from Dr. Denison: While my wife and I are on vacation, our oldest son, Ryan, is writing The Daily Article. Ryan is an MDiv graduate of Truett Seminary currently completing his PhD in Church History. He has written The Daily Article in my absence in the past and was the co-author of our latest publication, How Does God See America? I am honored to share this ministry with him.
Former
Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III continues to dominate headlines
this morning after spending more than five hours answering questions
from two committees in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
After
watching the entirety of both proceedings, the only conclusion I think
we can reach with confidence is that getting to the unbiased truth of
what actually occurred (with regards to President Trump, Russia, and a
number of individuals investigated by Mueller and his team) is unlikely
to happen any time soon.
After
all, both the letter from the Justice Department restricting what
Mueller was allowed to say, as well as his opening statements before
both committees, made clear he would say little concerning particular
topics each side wanted to address. The result was a series of questions
in which Mueller’s favorite answer was some variation of “I’m not
getting into that.”
Representatives
on both sides of the aisle showed palpable frustration, which may have
been shared by many of their constituents.
Ultimately,
whether you want to see President Trump vindicated, impeached, or
anywhere in between, it seems unlikely that meaningful progress toward
that end will take place as a result of Mueller’s interviews.
Defining nonpartisanship
The Denison Forum is a nonpartisan ministry.
I
have heard from enough readers to know that our stance can prove
irritating at times. To that end, I want to elaborate on that stance,
and why elements of it can help all of us better understand how to
engage with the culture around us with regards to politics or any number
of divisive issues.
Nonpartisanship does not mean being apolitical.
Dr.
Denison has frequently stated his belief that God is calling far more
Christians into politics than have answered that call, and I believe he
is correct. Nonpartisanship means limiting our focus to a discussion of
the issues rather than which party to identify with.
Moreover,
nonpartisanship means attempting—at all times—to be sure we do not
speak of President Trump, for example, in language we would not have
used for President Obama under similar circumstances.
Think
back to the last political conversation you had with a friend or
associate. It may have been as recent as yesterday or even this morning.
Was that conversation characterized by honesty and respect or antagonism and divisiveness?
How would you react if you heard someone address a member of your
family in the same way you spoke of the political figures in your
discussion?
As
difficult as it may be to believe sometimes, Democrats, Republicans,
and members of third parties coexist in God’s family, and he cares as
deeply about the manner in which we discuss his children as any good
father would.
Nonpartisanship does not mean agreement.
Such
discussions do not have to end in agreement, however, and that’s not a
bad thing. Rather, such disagreements offer us a unique opportunity to
demonstrate that we see people as more than their political views.
Nobody
wants to be defined by one aspect of their lives. Humans are complex
creatures, and our identities were designed by God to be the sum total
of a host of characteristics. However, when we reduce others to their
beliefs on abortion, homosexuality, poverty, or even something like the
Mueller report, then we do them a great disservice.
Throughout
his ministry, some of Jesus’ greatest success stories were with people
society had written off. When most Jews looked at Matthew, for example,
they saw a traitorous tax collector and nothing more. Our Lord saw a
young man with the capacity to do truly amazing things for the kingdom,
and we have the first book of the New Testament as a result.
And
it wasn’t just with Matthew. Christ demonstrated the value of seeing
the whole of a person, rather than just the aspect that stuck out the
most, in his interactions with the woman at the well, Zacchaeus, Mary
Magdalene, and a host of other characters who came to play an integral
role in the founding of our faith.
When
we define those who disagree with us politically, or on any other issue
for that matter, as somehow limited to that particular aspect of their
existence, then we should not be surprised when the gospel rings hollow
and they have little interest in learning more about this Jesus in whose
name we speak.
Nonpartisanship does not mean forgetting the gospel.
Ultimately,
the Denison Forum is a nonpartisan ministry, not because we’re afraid
to take a stand on issues of the day or because we don’t want to make
our donors angry, but because we genuinely feel God has called us to
help his people (regardless of their political persuasion) better
understand the culture around them and how to reach that culture for the
kingdom. There will be times when that mission leads us closer to one
side or the other, but the goal is that we do so based on the guidance
of Scripture rather than Fox News or CNN.
And
that is how we would approach these issues whether or not we worked for
this ministry. We genuinely feel that it is the best way to pursue our
highest calling: making disciples in whatever circles of influence God
has placed us.
So,
as you reflect on the Mueller hearings and the never-ending series of
political issues that are sure to follow, I ask that you first take a
moment to pray for God’s help in understanding not just the news but
also how to calibrate your response in light of your kingdom
responsibilities.
Again,
that does not mean being apolitical, but it does mean not letting our
political views hinder the gospel. That can be a fine line to walk at
times, but it is one we must urgently avoid crossing.
So,
speak kindly and with respect for the fact that every person you meet
is a unique, complex creature who is loved desperately by our heavenly
Father. And have the humility to recognize that none of us are quite as
right about this stuff as we might like to believe.
I genuinely believe that’s the best path for God’s people to follow.
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