Ancient Wisdom for a Fractured Society

Reality LA recently hosted award-winning author, James K.A. Smith, for a discussion on how ancient wisdom can still help Christians navigate the world today. The insights he shared largely came from Saint Augustine, a 5^th century theologian and political advocate for legal mercy, refuge for fugitives and slaves, and revolutionary hope. As we enter this politically-charged election year in an increasingly divided society, Augustine’s life and writing offer a wealth of wisdom that can help us navigate some of the big questions surrounding faith and politics.

Should Christians care about politics?

Some Christians disengage politics based on flawed views that politics are inherently worldly and evil, while others are paralyzed by the overwhelming and seemingly broken system we live in. The truth is, we need a system in place in order to share life with others. Politics are a necessary reality in our world. Therefore, as Christians who are called to engage the world, we are called and empowered to be political (not partisan) ambassadors of Christ.

In our society, politics wield the most power in shaping the lives of others on a large scale. Politics are a foundational avenue to help work toward the common good, meaning shalom and wholeness for our neighbors in all aspects of life. By engaging in this system, we are working to care for our neighbor and for the vulnerable. In the midst of this, we also acknowledge that politics are not the ultimate reality, which is that Christ is on the throne, and no ruler can save us or our world.

What shapes our political identity?

A central understanding that Augustine challenges us to have is knowing when we are. In his book, The City of God, he uses the metaphors of the ‘earthly city’ and ‘the City of God’ to help highlight the tension between the world and God’s kingdom. We are living in the time between the cross and kingdom come, which means we are citizens of God living in the earthly city. In this tension, we hope and pray for the kingdom to be fully realized, and in the meantime act as ambassadors for the kingdom to our world.

The metaphor highlights the different loves and driving passions for each city. The earthly city functions based on the drive for power and domination. The City of God is ordered around a pursuit of the common good through sacrifice, worship and selflessness. As we acknowledge these different ambitions, we do our best to forge a common life with citizens of the earthly city. We engage the systems in place to seek harmony and wholeness, while resting in the ultimate hope of the coming kingdom.

How should we prepare for this divisive election year?

Understand the Tension

Everyone is looking for a story to live into that is bigger than ourselves. Without the vision of God’s story, many people see politics as the bigger story they can root their identity in, especially with the increasing awareness and passion for social justice in our society. We should seek to understand how personal and foundational politics can be to others, while understanding for ourselves that God plays a longer game than the news and election cycles.

As we partner with others in their pursuit of seeking purpose and justice, we too should seek to serve institutions – not for their own sake, but for the sake of how they serve others. We recognize the dangers of nostalgia, the status quo, and divisive partisan identity, as we seek to be curators of collaboration and the common good within the political system.

Be Rooted in Christian Community

Our participation in the church helps shape our vision for this entire process. Christian community is a place to practice mutual submission, and to refresh our posture of hope and joy in a fractured world. Without it, we can lose sight of our true identity as citizens of the City of God, lose our vision for the common good, and lose ourselves in the messages of the earthly city.

This does not mean that Christian community is a utopia or collective of identical beliefs. It can only teach us collaboration because it is a place of fellow, flawed people. If we’re not careful, we can let politics be what tears us apart. When discussing politics with a fellow Christian, especially in times of disagreement, we should approach the encounter with a posture of humility. We need to recognize our shortcomings, enter the conversation seeking to learn, and always give others the benefit of the doubt. We should share our process of how we arrived at our current views, and focus on shared Christian values that led us there. We are not called to debate and convince. We are called to nourish friendships, to love, and to respectfully dialogue.