How can we have political discussions without splitting the church, alienating those whom we are trying to reach, or losing our balance and focus on what is vital? Edgar Allen Poe once said that “In one case out of a hundred a point is excessively discussed because it is obscure; in the ninety-nine remaining it is obscure because it is excessively discussed.” At the height of socio-political discourse, the bases for key ideas often become obscure as outcomes and not foundations are more readily at the center of conversation.
This presentation considers foundations for socio-political discussion by examining Biblical narratives engaging political contexts in order to help us (1) identify Biblical norms for political speech and action (2) respond well to failure, division, and disunity, and (3) express grace in our political engagement. This presentation was delivered to the Free Grace Alliance National Conference, The Woodlands, Texas on October 13, 2020.
