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Christianity, at its core, is about love of neighbor. But really, what does that mean? In our increasingly divisive country, that can feel challenging if not downright impossible. And if you find yourself confused about what Christianity and Christ’s teachings say (and don’t say) about some of the pressing issues facing our country today, you are not alone! 

Part of today’s confusion is due to some very sophisticated and deliberate attempts to reframe Christianity in ways that aren’t liberal or conservative. They’re extreme—and they’re slick and convincing. No wonder so many of us are having a hard time figuring out “what Jesus would do.”

But slick and convincing doesn’t mean it’s true or true to Christianity. So we decided to try to cut through the bluster and get to what Christianity actually says about key issues facing our nation and world, at a time when we all could use some good gospel guidance. We tapped into a wide range of sources and expertise, and we boiled it all down to help each of us find our own clarity. (Each issue summary takes just a few minutes to read.)

Why did we do this? Because no matter our politics, Christians want to make informed choices in ways that align with our values and preserve the security of our families, freedoms, faith, and our futures. We don’t want to walk through the world fearful and we do want to find strength in our faith. So let’s not let anyone dictate our thoughts before we think them for ourselves.

For those who think the church “shouldn’t get political,” Jesus was political. And so we start with some sage advice from Walter Brueggemann, one of the world’s most influential Bible scholars and author of more than 100 books. The Bible contains many lessons, and we are meant to take away the best of its wisdom, he says. But it also contains all sorts of voices contrary to the Gospel’s message of love, mercy, and justice, and a purely literal interpretation, warns Brueggemann, “is a dangerous threat to the faith of the church.” 

Take Back Christianity invites you to learn more about key challenges through a Christian lens: climate change, immigration, reproductive health, Christian nationalism, economy, race, guns, LGBT, and a “final thought” on leadership.