During a recent episode of Lecrae’s podcast “Deep End,” a compelling dialogue unfolded among prominent Christian activists regarding the role of faith in American politics. Hosted by the celebrated Christian rapper, the discussion featured Justin Giboney from the & Campaign and Cory Ruth, an executive-in-residence at Georgia State University. While their political affiliations differ—Giboney leaning towards the Democratic Party and Ruth often aligning with Republican views—they united on one important point: Christians must play a significant role in the political landscape.
The crux of their argument centered around the need for believers to engage actively in politics to foster a more civil political discourse. Giboney emphasized the moral responsibility that comes with the privilege of voting, urging Christians to view it as an act of stewardship. He remarked, “As someone who has a vote, that means you have influence. For a Christian, when you have influence, you should try to use that influence to serve your neighbor, to do good.”
Ruth chimed in, stressing that civic engagement is crucial in a democratic republic. He highlighted the dangers of apathy, cautioning that when Christians withdraw from political discourse, they might unwittingly contribute to a society that feels increasingly alien to them. He quoted scripture to emphasize the importance of being informed participants: “When you’re informed, when you are knowledgeable […] when you have a mastery of the issues, then you can be civil.”
A notable part of their exchange revolved around the current political climate, which they described as muddled with confusion and emotional reactions. Ruth argued that Christians can seize this moment to shine as beacons of informed and civil discourse. He said, “If Christians rose up as knowledgeable and civil, we can start to be the major influencers in American politics.” Giboney echoed this sentiment, making a case for civility being a necessary component of living out one’s faith in public life.
The conversation also ventured into past missteps of the Christian Right, where both activists reflected on how an unChrist-like demeanor has repelled many from the church. They discussed how a “holier-than-thou” attitude has often tainted their engagement with broader society. This acknowledgment of past errors seemed to underline their urgency for a deliberate and compassionate approach to contemporary issues.
As the dialogue progressed, Lecrae highlighted the necessity for Christians to maintain a biblical perspective on societal issues and to approach them thoughtfully. “Civility is another part of having a biblical lens,” he noted, aligning with the earlier points made by his guests. Ultimately, the podcast underscored a shared conviction: the need for Christians to engage without losing sight of their true calling, which they defined as fostering order and peace within society. “One of the reasons I think that Christians should participate in politics is to make sure that we maintain that order and that peace because we know, in a broken society, governments can become broken and they can really hurt people,” Giboney concluded.
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