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Political disagreement over Donald Trump and Joe Biden and a potentially hostile upcoming election season is tearing America apart.
The country is polarized and deeply divided over the direction of government and culture, and the divisions have seeped into the church as well.
“Christians are sadly, in many ways, looking at the world and the fact that we are just as divided as everyone else. But Jesus calls us to do something better. He said the world will know that we are His Well, we love each other.
It is not just about politics. The doctrinal issues are dividing the denominations. Southern Baptists disagree on the role of women in the pulpit. Disagreement over sexuality and gay leadership has divided the United Methodist Church. Darling believes that this is a cultural issue that rises to the level of doctrine before which Christians should not bow.
“When it comes to sexual ethics, it is very clear in the scriptures. It is something Christians cannot compromise on and we must defend with courage and compassion, courage and decency,” he insisted.
Pastor David Anderson is the founder of Gracism Global, an organization committed to bridging cultural, religious, racial and wealth differences.
He stressed that leaders of the two main political parties stoke anger and fuel division on issues like race and abortion, when real solutions are needed.
“We have to ask ourselves, how do you come to the conclusion that you have to reduce the number of abortions? How do you come to the conclusion that God’s ideal is this, but this is the reality we live in?” said Anderson.
And what is the role of the Church? Darling urged Christians to stand up for truth and show love for one another while continuing to disagree. And how do we disagree?
“I think we disagree well, having said that, you know, when it’s common among Christians to say, look, I don’t agree with this brother or sister on this. That’s why. But I love them,” he explained. “We cannot withdraw from what we believe, but we can also treat and see our neighbors as God sees them, as people made in God’s image and for whom Jesus died. “
Anderson argues that America needs leaders who bridge the gap between the real and the ideal.
“We need practitioners who say: Listen, I understand both sides, but how can we go forward instead of going left? Instead of going right? How can we go up? And I think That’s what we are called believers.
