Recently, I listened to an interview with a pastor who told a story about one of his young members. He recalled how she was bullied because, as he said, she was a conservative Christian. While I am in no way surprised that’s happening in the public schools, especially here in Chicago, I kind of cringe when I hear the pastor specifically and intentionally describe this brave young lady as a ‘conservative’ Christian. As if being conservative is what Jesus means when He says we will be mocked on account of His name.
I have often heard pastors and leaders proudly describe their church, such as the LCMS, as conservative. We wonder why many people confuse Christianity with a political party or particular philosophy of life. In our hyper-political age, we would do well not to confuse the vocabulary and paradigm of the world with that of God.
God is not a conservative or a liberal. He is God. Ironically, I suppose, if we were to use those terms to describe God, His conservatism would crush the most conservative of us, and His liberalism would shock even the most liberal. God’s Word does that. We are always under it—or you aren’t really listening.
We aren’t called to stand up for our conservatism, but Jesus. We aren’t called to teach conservatism, but Jesus. Jesus is not looking for conservatives or liberals. He isn’t seeking to make people conservative or liberal, democrat or republican. Nor should the Church ever sound like that!
I also wonder if when we describe our theology or church as conservative, we give the impression that being conservative is the same as living in Christ. Or worse, people may think that being conservative politically, etc., is the same as Christ’s righteousness, as opposed to understanding one’s righteousness only in terms of Christ’s gift.
People increasingly tire of their politically charged classrooms, workplaces, and homes. They are tired of picking “all or none” sides. I would hate it if someone were to never step inside my church to hear Jesus because they assumed we were ‘conservative.’ I have had many people come from ‘liberal’ and ‘conservative’ churches not because they were conservative, but because they wanted to hear Jesus.
Before the Lord, we are fools, every one of us. Fools. Sinners. Any other description of yourself fails. Jesus only came for sinners, died for sinners, and forgives and loves sinners. At the same time, it is completely good and pleasing to apply certain philosophies to your politics, etc. You stand before God with empty hands. He isn’t playing your game.
