Remember that time Satan tempted Jesus in the desert by offering him complete political authority? [Luke 4:5-8] Think of the power he would have had! But Jesus didn’t take it. Instead he showed us the character of good leadership and he showed us how to lead with love, dignity, humility, and justice. Leadership permeates every issue explored by Take Back Christianity, and of course many more. Scripture has a whole lot to say about the character of good leaders and leadership and it adds up to two words: servant leadership.

When today’s politicians are turned into prophets, that’s a problem. The servant leader becomes the served. Extremists hold onto a myth that some leaders are prophet-like: ordained by God, above the law, and even their weaknesses and misdeeds are part of God’s plan. They seek to control Christians who they think are weak, and question the Christian identity and allegiance of those who do not speak, act, and vote as they demand. They control through division, fear, anger, and greed, and they sap the jubilation of life. Even violence becomes a Godly mission by Christian soldiers who follow Jesus, the “warrior-king.” These leaders are a clear threat to Christianity. And our American Democracy. 

We know that is not what Jesus would do. Christianity, the Bible, and Jesus are all very clear that leaders are in the service of others, not the other way around. [Luke 4:5-8, Luke 22:26, Matthew 20:26, Proverbs 29:2, Mark 10:45, Luke 1] Likewise, Romans 13 puts government in its place. Governments are institutions for maintaining public order, they are not divine. Nations will, however, be judged for their policies: “All the nations will be gathered before him…” [Matthew 25:32]

Historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat summarizes where are world is right now: “Warmongers, terrorists, fundamentalists and autocrats are all dedicated to chaos, repression, and hatred: these overlapping categories of people cause and benefit from spirals of violence… What they fear most is not war, but peace and understanding. Action based on the mindset of an eye for an eye blinds everyone, and that is how they like it.”

Jesus gave sight to the blind [John 9:1-7]. Christians want to make choices that align with our values and preserve the security of our families, freedoms, faith, and our futures. Authoritarians and their followers say otherwise. Each of us can open our eyes by being better informed, then take a more active role in choosing our servant leaders and how our country will be led.

Take Back Christianity offers a few steps to consider:

• First, ask yourself: Are our leaders working toward the Common Good or their own good? Are their policies in the service of others? How are they in the service of you, your family, and your community?
• Second, think about diversifying the media you watch, read, and listen to. There’s nothing threatening about broadening your intake of information. It is the limitation of information that poses the threat.
• Third, don’t sit this one out. Not voting is still voting. Except up and down the ballot, you’re giving your voice and vote to someone not aligned with your values.
• Fourth, as followers of Jesus, we’re called to assure the health and welfare of all. That is love of neighbor. If what you read here resonates with you, take these values with you into your church and community, then take them into the voting booth. Let we who say we are Christian be who we say we are.