Faith and Society

I Peter 3:8-15

​They say religion and politics are topics best avoided. And surely, at times, this is wise advice. In fact, when Wendy and I were first dating, we steered clear of religion as we met each other’s parents. We have all seen the unfortunate, excessive evangelical fervor which dangles the threat of hell over, frankly, everyone. In fact, more than a few times, I myself have been condemned to the outer reaches of darkness for my particular understanding of the Christian faith. 

I understand your reticence to share your faith.

But it’s not just you and I. In general, mainline Protestants, over the past few decades, have become more and more reluctant to share their faith. When I was in Idaho, the predominant population was Mormon. The children were excused from school in the middle of the day to go to Mormon school. The youth in our church were jealous because the Mormon youth could articulate their beliefs and offer the equivalent of an elevator speech that summed up the essence of their faith. Our youth wanted that same ability. While the complexity of the Christian faith is important to wrestle with, if we can’t sum up the core elements, then we have become too enamored with our own thoughts.

Despite our understandable reluctance to share our faith, Scripture doesn’t give us a choice. But it does give us guidance. First Peter tells us, “be ready to make a defense.” A “defense,” not offense—that is, God explicitly calls us to share the gospel not in an offensive way but, as Peter tells us, “with gentleness and respect.”

We live in a pluralistic society, and our country was designed this way—to welcome people of different faiths and for people to have the inviolate right of freedom of conscience. In fact, our Presbyterian Book of Order tells us that we do not wish the government to impinge upon this right, even if it would further the Presbyterian religious point of view. We believe this is inviolate because of what Paul teaches, and the Westminster Confession affirms: “God alone is Lord of the conscience.”

To further complicate our calling, our society is increasingly dealing with the clash of two factions vying to control the character of our nation. On the one hand, there are those seeking to strengthen not simply religious influence, and not simply Christian influence, but a particular interpretation of Christianity on the populace. On the other hand, there are groups that are seeking to eliminate religion entirely from the public sphere, and Christianity in particular.

But we are neither explicitly a Christian nation nor a secular nation. The founders sought to create a new government that would address religion in a new way.

We have the First Amendment, which tells us that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Unlike, for example, Saudi Arabia, which is a Muslim nation according to their laws, the United States is not of any one explicit religion. Jefferson explained, “Religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God…”

However, unlike, for example, China, we are not strictly a secular nation. We are founded upon the principle that faith is critical to a just and moral society.

Our Constitution grew out of our forebears’ convictions:

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports… In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars.” — George Washington, Farewell Address (1796)

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” — John Adams (1798)

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…” — Declaration of Independence

Alexis de Tocqueville, in Democracy in America (1835), observed the religious underpinnings during his time in the United States: “Religion in America … must be regarded as the first of their political institutions. … Despotism may govern without faith, but liberty cannot.” Our society is founded upon the premise that a robust religious dialogue (which is also filled with freedom) is fundamental to our nation; furthermore, our Lord commands that we share our faith.

But as a direct result of our hesitancy, we have given control of the narrative away—the narrative of what it means in our society to be Christian. In a recent survey, when people were asked to sum up Christianity in one word, not a single person used the word that most defines our faith—grace. If you and I were doing our jobs as witnesses for Christ, that would be the first thing that would come to people’s mind.

This robust religious discourse was mastered by the apostle Paul. He showed us—in fact, he embodied Peter’s path for sharing the faith with respect—when he was at the Areopagus, a Greco-Roman place of worship. But he doesn’t start by calling them pagans; he sees a statue with the words “to an unknown God.” He opens this dialogue by saying, “I see that you are extremely religious in every way.” He respects the reality that God has touched their hearts. He’s not condemning them for their beliefs but appealing to their current convictions. And then he proceeds to share his own personal understanding: that the unknown God is, in fact, the Lord of heaven and earth and the Son, Jesus Christ.

To further complicate matters, Christian discourse in the public sphere has lost its center. Today, the Christian voice becomes loudest when we are debating public policy, which clearly is important. But as a result, we have lost our ability to be present in the public discourse in a way that fundamentally represents not so much the Christian faith but Christ himself.

Peter tells us, “Revere Christ as Lord.”

Our faith centers on 

… His life,

… His death,

… and His resurrection.

This has clear implications for our call to share the faith.

First, Jesus’ life.

It is undeniable that he had a deep, fervent, loving, passionate—sometimes furiously passionate—love for the poor, the sick, the lonely, and the despised. Jesus was willing to break the sacred religious laws of his day and stand up to the religious authorities of his time in order to make God’s will clear: God does not abide us standing by when the poor and hungry go without. If we are not standing up for this principle in our society with our faith, we are not reflecting Jesus.

Next, Jesus’ death.

The fact that God became flesh for our sake demonstrates God’s deep love. It shows us that God wants to know us and wants us to know God. But the reality that God would die a humiliating, painful, shameful, lonely death is profoundly humbling. Jesus died for you and for me—for God so loved the world. God’s love knows no favorites, and no one is canceled; God loves everyone.

Finally, Jesus’ resurrection.

Despite what seemed like a terrible, ignominious end to a Nazarene prophet, born in a barn from a nothing town, God triumphs. The resurrection of Jesus shows us that God’s forgiveness is so radically powerful that forgiveness comes even for the murder of his own Son. God’s power can overcome all evil, and God is victorious even over death.

Which means that Christians, above all, are people of hope. That this faith upon which we stand is good news—good news for everyone. We are filled with a confidence that though we may be long-suffering, we know, as Bishop Desmond Tutu declared, “Goodness is stronger than evil, love is stronger than hate, and victory is ours through him who loved us.”

Be ready to make your defense but do so with gentleness and with reverence. It is simpler than you know—just keep these three things in mind:

Jesus’ life. As we share our faith, we must be ready to stand up for the poor, the hungry, and the rejected.

Jesus’ death. As we share our faith, do so with the same humility and servant disposition as Jesus did, and do so with forgiveness in your heart.

Jesus’ resurrection. Do not be cynical. Embody God’s grace; freely offer it to everyone. Be filled with hope, for God will restore and bring peace to us all.