Editorial

It is often argued that faith and politics should not mix. A variant of this perspective is that politics do not belong in church, because religious beliefs are separate from public-square concerns. Such assertions are problematic on at least two counts: first, it is not possible, nor is it desirable, to bracket faith matters from views on how a society should be structured and who should run its governing bodies; second and perhaps more important, the Bible frequently engages political questions. The books of the Torah consider everything from capital punishment to treatment of foreigners who are sojourning in the land, and Jesus addresses political matters throughout his public teaching in the New Testament. In many respects, the Bible is a political document, albeit a diverse one, and it is fruitful for believers of all stripes to wrestle with the relationship between their personal faith and political beliefs.

Tensions between faith and politics are inevitable. In one of his many astute observations, Reinhold Niebuhr declared that “Politics will, to the end of history, be an arena where power and conscience meet and work out their tentative and uneasy compromises.” ¹ Whether in the governing bodies of the ancient world or the halls of the United States Congress, Niebuhr identifies a perennial issue in any political system: how to become a powerful figure while at the same time considering moral and faith convictions. Many tensions can arise, as leaders and the larger populace negotiate the complex relationship between personal faith and civic participation. Historical examples demonstrate the capacity for both progress and tragedy in this regard. From the brilliant harnessing of sacred texts in the service of social progress (e.g., Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr.) to the use of religious institutions for malicious purposes (the rise of Nazism), Niebuhr’s timeless assertion is still relevant today.

The relationship between faith and politics is arguably more complex than ever, as we confront an increasingly contentious landscape, both in the United States and around the world. The influence of fundamentalist believers on the political process and the invocation of the Bible to justify a variety of ideological positions have contributed to the polarization. Much interchange on faith and politics occurs through social media outlets, and the impersonal nature of exchanges can make conversations turn poisonous very quickly, as invective prevails over any semblance of dialogue. However one feels about his presidency, the election of Donald J. Trump in 2016 has contributed to the polarization, including and perhaps especially when it comes to faith matters.

In the midst of our challenging climate, Interpretation is devoting our current issue to the intersection of faith and politics. We have four authors who address this relationship from a variety of angles, from personal testimony to the relevance of the Bible for public policy. First is the essay of Joel Kaminsky, who considers the content of the Hebrew Bible on poverty and stratification. He addresses such provocative topics as the complex reasons for becoming rich or poor, including the possibility of moral failings as a relevant factor, debt forgiveness in the ancient world and today, and the applicability of the ancient laws and wisdom instructions for our current context. He demonstrates both the necessity of engaging sacred texts for understanding economic concerns and the difficulty of using Scripture for public policy considerations.

The widespread support among white American Evangelicals was perhaps the most decisive factor in the election of Trump to the presidency. Many pundits have asked how Trump managed to garner such popularity among this segment of the population, especially when one considers the turmoil in his personal and professional life. Jacques Berlinerblau, one of the leading experts on the interplay between politics, the Bible, and Jewish and Christian tradition, addresses this thorny question with creative and incisive analysis. For answers he looks at one of Martin Luther’s tractates, “On Secular Authority: How Far Does the Obedience Owed to It Extend?” While not dismissing some of the more commonly cited reasons for the alliance between Trump and Evangelicals, Berlinerblau shows how Luther’s logic is still operative today. The secular “prince,” no matter how scandalous his behavior, can be of service to believing Christians if they consider his actions to be in conformity with their interpretation of what they deem central to their faith. Fighting against what they perceive as a dangerous secular drift in Western society, many (white) Evangelicals have excused personal flaws or behaviors in President Trump in order to make their mark in the political arena (e.g., nominees to the Supreme Court who oppose abortion rights).

Mike McCurry has been privy to some of the more consequential moments in recent political history, having served as press secretary under President Bill Clinton. Now a professor at Wesley Theological Seminary, McCurry laments the decline of civility in public life and the tendency to view partisan opponents as mortal enemies. Invoking the sayings of Jesus in the Gospels, most notably the “Golden Rule,” he offers some concrete and reasonable strategies for how those in the political process might treat opponents with more respect and perhaps attain greater solidarity and government functionality. McCurry also provides some practical ideas for churches to become centers of vibrant political discourse. He maintains that churches cannot shy away from frank engagement with the critical issues of the day.

Finally, Elizabeth McCloskey offers a fascinating exploration of the career of Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia. His Jesuit education and teachers in Kansas City had a significant impact on Senator Kaine, and eventually he went to Harvard Law School. Yet McCloskey focuses on Kaine’s time in Honduras as a teacher and administrator at Escuele Esteban Moye. With vivid detail and perceptive theological analysis, McCloskey is able to consider these experiences in Honduras and the impact they had on Kaine’s life. As a result of her careful interviews and thoughtful analysis, McCloskey is able to show how the faith convictions of one of the most powerful members of the United States Senate have influenced his career and decision-making. She demonstrates once again the impossibility of separating faith and politics.