Following on last Sunday's post, New York Times Op-Ed (David French): Why Are So Many Christians So Cruel?: Christianity Today Op-Ed: It’s Time for a New Era of Christian Civility, by Alexandra Hudson (Author, The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves (2023)):
Over the past few years, our society has continued its trend toward increased political polarization, as the share of people swinging to the far left and right increases. In fact, a recent poll shows that nearly half of US voters believe those in the opposing political party are “downright evil.”
As a result, the public square can be a volatile and even violent place to engage. This is something I experienced firsthand while working in the federal government from 2017 to 2018. In Washington, I observed two equally dehumanizing extremes: explicit hostility and deceptive politeness.
The politicians who most often make the news are those who are overtly aggressive and willing to trample anyone in their path to gain power. Others appear polished, poised, and polite—but their behavior masks ulterior motives. For example, one of my supervisors used our shared Christian faith to disarm and manipulate me. She would smile and invite me to pray with her at lunch, only for me to later discover she had been undermining me to our superiors.
My experience was so dispiriting that I fled politics and Washington altogether to write a book aimed at helping myself and others think more clearly about our deeply divided era and the ways we each might be part of resolving our crisis of polarization and dehumanization.
Turning to Scripture and great thinkers of the past to help me process what I had endured, I reflected on timeless questions: What does it mean to be human? What respect do we owe each other by virtue of our shared humanity, beyond our differences and disagreements?
The Bible reminds us that humanity is a conundrum defined by both nobility and wretchedness: We were made for community with God and others, but we are also selfish and fallen. We thrive in cooperation but are always threatened by our inclination to put ourselves above others.
As philosopher Blaise Pascal noted, “The more enlightened we are the more greatness and vileness we discover in man.” We are the pinnacle of God’s creation, uniquely bearing the divine image, yet also capable of base and ignoble conduct. Likewise, Augustine’s concept of humanity’s “lust to dominate” explains that both overt hostility and false politeness arise from the self-love of our sinful nature rather than a love that sees and respects others as fellow persons created in God’s image.
I came to realize that our present division requires far more than mere courtesy or politeness. We need to usher in a new era of civility—a virtue that has been all but lost in our country. And for Christians, civility is rooted in the imago Dei—the inherent dignity we all possess as beings created in God’s image. This foundation is crucial for flourishing across our differences today. …
[T]he apostle Paul lays out a wise and helpful biblical blueprint for Christian civility in Romans 14, offering us valuable insights on how to welcome differing views among believers without judgment.
As Julien C. H. Smith previously wrote for CT, this passage outlines Paul’s prescription for a polarized church in Rome, where Jews and Gentiles were divided and “the truth of the gospel was being challenged by a myriad of small grievances that threatened to turn neighbors into enemies.”
As paraphrased by The Message, Paul begins the chapter by saying, “Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently” (Rom. 14:1).
The apostle explains that we need to accept that Christians will think differently on many issues rather than try to convert everyone to our ways of thinking. He cautions against harsh criticism over dietary choices and holy days, instead emphasizing mutual respect and unity—advising that “each person is free to follow the convictions of conscience” (v. 5, MSG).
In summary, he urges believers to “make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” and not let arguments over secondary matters such as these “destroy the work of God” among them (vv. 19–20).
These are words of wisdom for our moment, vital for ushering in a new era for Christian civility. Our sovereign God can handle our disagreements, along with the workings of elections and the cosmos, without our help or interference.
Embracing these principles can help heal fractured communities and repair the tattered social fabric in both Christian and secular circles. Let us navigate these divided times with grace, respect, and a renewed commitment to seeing the imago Dei in everyone around us.
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