Evangelicals and Emergents: The Political Divide

Evangelical and Emergent Christians have their share of differences. And after two leading figures in each group recently proffered presidential endorsements, it appears politics is another one of them.

To many Americans, James Dobson represents the voice of conservative Christianity, if not the face of the Religous Right. Not long ago, Dobson publicly voiced his disdain for John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate, and said that for the first time in his life he would not vote. But now it appears Dobson is having second thoughts.

From Politico:

In an advance copy provided to The Associated Press, Dobson said that while neither candidate is consistent with his views, McCain’s positions are closer by a wide margin.

“There’s nothing dishonorable in a person rethinking his or her positions, especially in a constantly changing political context,” Dobson said in a statement to the AP. “Barack Obama contradicts and threatens everything I believe about the institution of the family and what is best for the nation. His radical positions on life, marriage and national security force me to reevaluate the candidacy of our only other choice, John McCain.”

Earlier, Dobson had said he could not in good conscience vote for McCain, citing the candidate’s support for embryonic stem cell research and opposition to a federal constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, as well as concerns about McCain’s temper and foul language.

Dobson said on the radio program he must consider McCain’s record against abortion rights and support for smaller government, and added McCain “seems to understand the Muslim threat.” He also indicated McCain’s choice of a running mate will be a factor.

Of his new position, Dobson said in the statement to the AP, “If that is a flip-flop, then so be it.”

If anything, Dobson’s back-tracking is indicative of the inherently slippery union between religion and politics (one forged, in part, by Evangelicals). Charles Spurgeon once said, “Between two evils, choose neither.” However, more Christian voters may be grudgingly coming to admit that the “lesser of two evils” adage is expediant as it regards politics.

But while Dobson’s religious convictions have forced him one way, Brian McClaren’s beliefs have forced him the other.

Yesterday, in THIS letter, the prominent Emergent leader endorsed Barack Obama. (It’s a lengthy quote only to ensure I’m not misrepresenting McLaren’s position.)

…A lot of us feel that we’ve watched large sectors of our Christian community in the U.S. engage in several decades of divisive, ineffective, and downright counterproductive political engagement. At best, many attempts at engagement have been superficial, simplistic, and subject to binary thinking where one or two wedge issues easily distinguish the “good guys” from the bad. At worst, we’ve watched too many of our fellow Christians slip into a “culture war” mindset where neighbors became enemies to be defeated and silenced, not loved as we love ourselves. In addition, we’ve watched too many members of our faith communities be manipulated by cynical politicians who knew what tune to play to get people of faith marching obediently in their parade.

Many of us – sadly, I include myself here – stood on the sidelines and complained about the wrong being done by “the Religious Right.” In private, we might say that the major media figures didn’t speak for us, but we responded to faith-based misuse of the political process with faith-based disuse. We didn’t realize, as we now do, that disuse tends to favor those in power and support the status quo.

As I’ve watched with sadness what has happened in recent years, I’ve promised myself again and again that I wouldn’t just stand on the sidelines complaining this election season. That’s why I’m so thrilled about positive, constructive initiatives like the Matthew 25 Network. Drawing from Jesus’ powerful parable about his solidarity with “the least of these,” this network invites us as people of faith to step beyond individual self-interest, and even beyond the interest-group politics of “what’s best for us” – whether “us” is our denomination, religion, party, or nation. It invites us to consider how to use our vote on behalf of the neediest, the most vulnerable and poverty-stricken … so that their concerns are our own when we vote. For us, this is inherent in what it means to be followers of Jesus.

Based on these values, the Matthew 25 Network has chosen to support Barack Obama. Does that mean that every one of us is in full agreement with every detail of Senator Obama’s campaign? Of course not: we’re electing a president, not a Messiah! Blind, uncritical support is part of the misuse that we’re trying to move beyond.

So while Dobson cites traditional family values and Obama’s “radical positions on life, marriage and national security” as the motivation for his endorsement of McCain, McClaren cites compassion, social justice and “decades of divisive, ineffective, and downright counterproductive political engagement” as reason for his endorsement of Obama.

But which position is the more “Christian”?

Perhaps there’s no right answer. But their antithetical endorsements raise some interesting questions. For starters, Is Emergent politics a reaction to Evangelical politics? Of course, some would argue that because Emergents have no centralized headquarters or official governing body, they have no static political position. This doesn’t change the fact, however, that McLaren is recognized by many as a spokesperson for and figurehead of the Emergent Church. When he speaks, people listen. It seems pretty obvious to me that McLaren’s position is borne out of a deep disillusionment with what he feels have been ineffective forms of Evangelical cultural involvement. So is voting for Obama the counterbalance?

And if Evangelicals are typically associated with the Religious Right, this political divide leads one to wonder whether or not the Emergent movement represents the new Religious Left, the liberal wing of the Christian Church. Dobson and McClaren’s endorsements may be evidence of a deeper doctrinal, ideological divide within the American Church.

Then what issues, ideologies and/or beliefs should guide a Christian’s political decisions? Is Dobson justified in his dogmatic protection of the traditional family unit? Clearly the Bible speaks to the sacredness of marriage and unborn life. It also speaks clearly and forcefully about social justice and compassion for society’s weakest. But does one trump the other? Better yet, Is either presidential candidate really closer to a biblical position than another?

In the meantime, while Dobson and McLaren both claim to embrace historic Christianity, those beliefs still leave them in two different political worlds.

Tags: Evangelical politics, Emergent Church, James Dobson, Brian McLaren