Conversations That Matter Friends and Enemies
Oct 29, 2025
The discussion delves into the shifting dynamics of political alliances, questioning who deserves leadership based on virtue. It explores the implications of liberalism on group identities and emphasizes the importance of maintaining integrity in partnerships. Biblical examples highlight when limited alliances might be justified, while concerns about aligning with bad actors and the dangers of decisionism versus federalism are raised. Ultimately, the conversation emphasizes the necessity of virtuous leadership and active Christian engagement in preserving societal values.
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Politics As Preservation
- Politics is primarily about preserving an inherited way of life against existential threats.
- John Harris argues Christians can tactically partner with nonbelievers to defend that way of life without implying spiritual agreement.
Abram's Unlikely Military Allies
- Harris recounts Genesis 14 where Abram allies with pagan kings to rescue Lot and recover possessions.
- He uses the story to illustrate legitimate tactical partnerships with nonbelievers for a just cause.
Friend/Enemy Is Political, Not Personal
- The friend/enemy distinction is a public, political category, not a personal moral label.
- Harris cites Carl Schmitt to show enemies are collectives threatening your group's survival, not mere personal adversaries.
