When The Bible Goes To Washington with Kaitlyn Scheiss
Dec 27, 2023
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Kaitlyn Scheiss, author of "The Bible and the Ballot," discusses the use of scripture in American politics. Topics include the literal interpretation of the Bible, the divide between oppositional mindsets, the political use of Bible verses, and the tension between Jesus's teachings and their application in politics. The podcast also explores the co-opting of covenant identities and the intersection of gospel, culture, and politics.
The co-optation of biblical promises for political gain can distort their true context and meaning.
The identity of God's people should not be equated with any earthly nation or political agenda.
Approaching biblical passages with a nuanced understanding prevents misapplication to modern political narratives.
Believers should prioritize embodying the values of love, justice, humility, and compassion in their personal and public lives.
Deep dives
The danger of co-opting covenant promises for a particular nation
Throughout American history, there has been a tendency to co-opt covenant promises and apply them to the nation as a whole. This is seen in the interpretation of passages such as Second Chronicles 7:14, which promises healing for the land, Mark 12:17, which talks about giving to Caesar what is Caesar's, and Matthew 5:14-16, which describes believers as a city on a hill. These passages have been used to justify political actions and project a specific image of America as a chosen nation. However, by doing so, the true context and meaning of these passages and their relevance to the people of God can be distorted. It is important to recognize that these promises were originally given to a specific audience, such as Israel, and should not be applied directly to a modern nation. Additionally, focusing solely on the earthly kingdom and its standards can lead to a separation of moral obligations between personal and political life, disregarding the ethical teachings of Jesus. Instead, a proper understanding of these passages should acknowledge the ultimate authority of God and the need to align political and personal actions with His teachings.
Co-opting the identity of God's people for national purposes
Another concerning trend in American history is the co-optation of the identity of God's people by a particular nation. This can be seen in the interpretation and application of passages like Matthew 5:14-16, which describes believers as the light of the world. Instead of understanding this as a call for believers to testify to the character of God through their meekness, humility, and commitment to righteousness, it has been used to glorify national ideals and assert a sense of superiority. This misuse of covenant identity can lead to a distortion of the true message of Jesus and a focus on nationalistic values rather than the transformative power of Christ's teachings. It is important to remember that the identity of God's people transcends any earthly nation or political agenda, and our ultimate allegiance should be to God and his kingdom above all else.
Avoiding the co-optation of biblical promises for political gain
To avoid the danger of co-opting biblical promises and identities for political gain, it is necessary to approach these passages with a nuanced understanding. Recognizing the original context and intended audience of biblical teachings is crucial in preventing the misapplication of these passages to modern political narratives. It is important to resist the temptation to interpret scripture through the lens of nationalistic aspirations or partisan agendas. Instead, believers should seek to faithfully align their personal and political actions with the teachings of Jesus and the overall message of scripture. This involves acknowledging the ultimate authority of God and prioritizing obedience to his commandments over any political allegiance. By continually assessing our interpretation and application of scripture, we can guard against the co-optation of God's promises and present a more accurate representation of the Christian faith in the public sphere.
Embracing the true message of scripture amidst co-optation
In a world where biblical promises and identities are at risk of being co-opted for political purposes, it is important for believers to remain rooted in the true message of scripture. This involves recognizing that the teachings of Jesus and the biblical narrative transcend any specific nation or political agenda. Instead of seeking to promote individual or national interests, Christians should prioritize embodying the values of love, justice, humility, and compassion in their personal and public lives. By focusing on the transformative power of Christ's teachings, believers can resist the pull of political co-optation and embrace the true essence of their faith. In doing so, they can be a positive influence in the world and uphold the integrity of God's word amidst the pitfalls of political discourse.
Temptation of Misapplying Biblical Identities to Nations
The speaker discusses the universal temptation to misapply biblical covenantal identities and promises to particular nations. They highlight the sinful and self-centered nature of humans, leading them to interpret passages based on their own sense of community. The unique history of America is also noted, with its founding during a period of interpreting the Old Testament as a model for political life. The absence of a state church in America has contributed to the emphasis on using the Bible to define national Christian identity. The disastrous Theological Crisis during the Civil War period is cited as an example of how divergent interpretations of the Bible have challenged the sense of national identity.
Interpreting Scripture in the Historic Black Church
The speaker highlights the interpretive tradition of the historic Black Church, particularly during the Civil War era. Unlike some mainstream interpretations that focused on literal readings or selective theological truths, Black Americans saw themselves as part of the biblical story and applied it to their current context. They explored what it meant for them as a community and allowed the Bible to motivate their political work. The speaker praises the Black church for taking scripture seriously and engaging in both imaginative and disciplined reading. They observe how this unique perspective from a historically oppressed community helps them discern aspects others may miss.
Seeking Justice in Light of God's Promises
The importance of seeking justice within communities is discussed using Martin Luther King Jr. as an example. The speaker highlights King's application of Amos 5:24 during the civil rights movement. Instead of focusing solely on present concerns, King connected God's promise of future justice and redemption to the work for justice in the present. The speaker also mentions Mariah W. Stewart, an abolitionist who applied biblical passages to address systemic injustices. The Black church tradition is commended for seeking justice while recognizing the ultimate responsibility for complete justice lies with God in the future. The importance of reading scripture widely, engaging in community, and discerning the word of God for specific contexts is emphasized.
A city on a hill. The light of the world. The hope of nations. Are these about Jesus or America? These ideas might come from the Bible, but politicians love to apply them to our country. Why? And is there a problem with doing that?
Today, Patrick speaks with Kaitlyn Scheiss, author of The Bible and the Ballot: How Scripture Has Been Used And Abused In American Politics and How We Go From Here. Both Republicans and Democrats toss Bible verses around like a basket of rolls at a church potluck but neither wants to stick around to help clean up after.
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