by Karen Eckland.
In this current age of Trump, Christian Nationalism, and a great political divide, we can find ourselves in a tumultuous time, no matter what your political stance. Neighbor is against neighbor, families are divided, and cancel culture is thriving. The tendency in this culture if someone does not vote like we do or hold similar beliefs, is to simply “unfriend” or have little to do with said person. Charles Dickens’ famous opening line from A Tale of Two Cities feels somewhat fitting in our current age, even though it was not written for this generation. He wrote that it was the best of times and the worst of times, an age of wisdom and an age of foolishness.[1] But for whom it is now the best of times or the worst of times depends on who you talk to, as is who or what side or person is the wise or foolish one. Particularly in a tumultuous political climate like our current one, we see individuals, people groups, or faith traditions being grotesquely generalized or quantified for the sake of an argument, a political side, an agenda, a lack of understanding, or even sometimes out of fear.
So, what does this mean for us as believers in Christ? Should we just go with the flow of culture, allowing some of our distinct identity to be lost and thus going around culture, or perhaps stopping short of our convictions, failing to connect with others unless they change their views? Or rather, should we be more like Paul in Acts 17:22-31 at Mars Hill, who goes through his convictions to engage those outside the faith?[2] I would humbly offer going through one’s beliefs, as Paul did, but not as a battle to be won or a prize to be had; rather as a way towards a more holistic approach with all our neighbors, regardless of their beliefs and backgrounds. It is my belief that this holistic witness with our neighbors in our religiously pluralistic society requires us to find and live in liminal spaces—spaces that are not black or white but complex—and to acknowledge that complex issues have complex answers. It is within these liminal spaces we engage others in a no strings attached, relational model, moving away from hostility to hospitality.
This holistic approach looks at the entirety of the person, accounting for their story, mind, desires, and needs, seeking to genuinely know the entirety of the person. Are we allowing others with different views to define their beliefs and traditions or are we coming with our own definitions, postured with the knowledge that we know more and will prove them wrong? Are we postured with a battle stance or one that humbly wants to create a dialogue between friends, opening up channels to share back and forth? Are we allowing culture or politics to dictate how we treat others, or are we allowing scripture and its truths of loving neighbor as self, to permeate our every move?
Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:3-5 not to do anything from selfishness or to impress others but in humility to treat others better than ourselves. I believe it is in that sacrificial and selfless way of being that holistic witness is born, seeing each person as a beautiful soul, worthy of care, respect and space to share. It is in that vein that I pray our faith flourishes. And may it start with me.
Karen Eckland is a past attendee of New Wine gatherings and a student in the Masters of Theology program at Multnomah Seminary. She is excited to be graduating soon (May 2025)! You may contact her at oneliving4him@yahoo.com.
[1] Charles Dickens and Harvey Dunn, A Tale of Two Cities (New York: Cosmopolitan Book Corporation, 1921), 1.
[2] Paul Louis Metzger, Connecting Christ: How to Discuss Jesus in a World of Diverse Paths (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc, 2012), 42.