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Tomorrow, January 20, 2021, is, of course, Inauguration Day. Tomorrow, Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States and Kamala Harris will be sworn in as the Vice President of the United States. This inauguration will be unlike any other in the sense that crowds, parades and inaugural balls will be replaced with virtual events, flags instead of people on the national mall and extensive protective measures. Despite recent events, this grand experiment in freedom and self-government marches on.
Over the last few weeks, I have had a number of discussions with Christians about the future of the republic. Many have expressed a deep anxiety and even fear about changes in our society and protections for life and religious liberty. Others seem relieved about the end of the moral dilemma presented by the Trump presidency (many helpful policies but demeaning rhetoric, etc.) and hope that Biden can help heal the obvious and widening division in our body politic. All expressed concerns about the longevity of our republic given cultural and political developments.
Because of these conversations, I felt led to provide a few reminders/encouragements about Christian citizenship and how we should think (and, frankly, feel our way) through these uncertain times.
Key Points:
- Pray for all that are in authority. (I know you know this, but I Tim. 2:1-4 includes a command/nuance that I missed until recently).
- Study the moment.
- Renew your oath.
As we enter a Biden presidency, all Christians should consider their posture or approach to public life. We should not be an exiled church with nothing to say in public life. Nor should we be an embattled church prepared to jettison Biblical principles in an ever-desperate attempt to keep or recover political power. Rather, we should be an engaged church that equips individual Christians to practice a citizenship that is worthy of the gospel (Phil. 1:27).
Others seem relieved about the end of the moral dilemma presented by the Trump presidency (many helpful policies but demeaning rhetoric, etc.) and hope that Biden can help heal the obvious and widening division in our body politic. ?
Biden just called Trump supporters white supremacist in his inauguration speech. Healing? Really… ?
Totally agree Joseph. Moral dilemma?? How many babies will now be sacrificed with the empowerment of Planned Parenthood. These innocent babies have no voice, this is immoral not a dilemma.
This email is not helping unite, once again a correction without substance or reality.
William, thanks for your feedback. I set out most of this in my reply to Joseph, but I did want add a few more thoughts. With that sentence, I was trying (as objectively as possible) to describe the position of Christians that I have spoken to or interacted with over the last few weeks. I thought Biden’s inaugural address was generally conciliatory in tone and content, and I hope he follows through on that. But, as I mention in the full audio episode, I am deeply concerned about a number of Biden’s policy proposals (especially related to life and religious liberty) and that this conciliatory tone will not carry over into his administration or at least will not be reflected by other officials in his administration. So, I share your concern that “unity” will mean “uniformity” rather than a robust view of free speech and religious liberty. But, I will be praying for President Biden and will be working to point out and oppose policies that cut against Biblical principles. I take seriously your thought that my email will not help unite and is lacking in substance or out of line with reality. Would welcome an opportunity to discuss via separate email at josh@goodcitizen.us or to set up a time to discuss by phone if you are interested. Again, thanks for your comment.
Joseph, thanks for your feedback. With that sentence, I was trying (as objectively as possible) to describe the position of Christians that I have spoken to or interacted with over the last few weeks. I thought Biden’s inaugural address was generally conciliatory in tone and content, and I hope he follows through on that. But, as I mention in the full audio episode, I am deeply concerned about a number of Biden’s policy proposals (especially related to life and religious liberty) and that this conciliatory tone will not carry over into his administration or at least will not be reflected by other officials in his administration. So, I share your concern that “unity” will mean “uniformity” rather than a robust view of free speech and religious liberty. But, I will be praying for President Biden and will be working to point out and oppose policies that cut against Biblical principles.