They Say, “Never Talk Politics or Religion Among Friends”
Dear Church Family,
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Never talk politics or religion among friends.” Usually, this is meant to avoid disagreements. And of course, that’s because politics and religion are often centered around deeply held beliefs and values.
This morning, I had breakfast with a good friend—something we do often. And, against the old saying, we intentionally talk about politics and religion. What’s more, we often come to both topics from very different perspectives. But I can tell you that the differences of opinion are exactly why we come to the table and what makes our time together meaningful. We want to challenge one another. And we want to open our perspectives to see beyond the waters we normally swim in.
Today, I asked him, “What is the central message of Christianity?” Both of us follow Jesus, both call ourselves Christians, but our ideas about what that means differ. However, we also both have a deep appreciation for our faith and our friendship that allows space for these conversations. So, I was curious to hear what he considers most important of Christianity.
It opened a conversation that I’m sure will continue for the next few breakfasts. But as I drove away, I realized that every response we came up with was scriptural. Every central theme we discussed was connected with words Jesus spoke in the gospels. And each tenet was something that, though it might stand on its own, was much better when interpreted within the whole of our faith.
Sometimes, it’s helpful to get to the “heart of the matter.” But the longer I live, the more I see that the heart of the Christian message is made up of many beautiful parts. Trying to reduce it to just one core idea can cause us to miss the richness of the whole picture.
What is the heart of the Christian message? It’s about loving God. It’s about salvation from sin. It’s about reaching out to the least, the last, and the lost. It’s about making sure everyone has enough. It’s about loving our enemies and loving our neighbors. It’s about the power of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. It’s about good news and hope. It’s about turning the other cheek rather than seeking an eye for an eye. It’s about going the extra mile. It’s about forgiving those who sin against us. It’s about building the kingdom of God as a way of life in the here and now. It’s about life that goes beyond death. It’s about new life with God. It’s about so, so many things. Narrowing it down to just one facet, misses the beauty and magnitude of the whole.
Remember the story of the three blind men and the elephant? Each one touches a different part—trunk, leg, or tail—and describes what they see. Each description they give is true, but each is only a part of the whole. To truly understand the elephant—and the heart of our faith—we need to see the full picture.
As we seek to follow Jesus, we can remember that we are following the whole teaching, and not just parts. Sometimes those teachings create tension, and we must weigh what is the most important and loving thing for that moment.
My friend and I will meet again for breakfast and I look forward to that time together. I anticipate that we will continue to wrestle with all sorts of topics, including religion and politics. I am always left considering a new perspective and I appreciate that.
Being a Christian is a lifelong journey. And the longer I walk this path, the more I realize that it’s about expanding my understanding—not narrowing it. It’s about leaning into the fullness of Jesus’ way, which may come to me through a different perspective than I’d originally considered.
With God’s Peace,
Pastor Karl
