America is fraught with tension, and many days it feels as if the philosophical differences stretch the fabric of democracy to irreparable shredding. That’s no epiphany. Ideological conflict predates the Revolutionary War and is woven throughout our history. Democracy encourages diverse and divergent perspectives.
But lately our culture and country feel as if we’re on one of those runaway trains in an old Western movie careening across the Arizona desert with no brakes and heading toward the Grand Canyon, where the bridge is out.
There is division on virtually every topic. A poll conducted last month by the Siena College Research Institute indicated widespread pessimism about political division and the nation’s ability to address key challenges. The results underscore a deepening sense of “national despair,” with polarization serving as a barrier to progress.
Overall, 64% of those polled believe the country is too politically divided to solve its problems, and only 33% believe the political system can still address the nation’s problems.
The poll captures a shift where political dysfunction is no longer a background issue but a core national ailment. A July 2025 Pew Research poll found 80% of those responding said Republican and Democratic voters cannot agree on basic facts.
According to leadership expert Simon Sinek, the irony is that when people argue their positions, they almost always believe they are the “good guys” — that each party believes they are defending something worth protecting — and that their opponents are acting with malicious intent.
This explains why the national “debate” sounds more like the daily cacophony from the trading floor at the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange. Can we collectively find a path forward?
There is a more consequential question, however. What is the role and responsibility of disciples of Christ in this vitriolic environment? Christians live in tension amid cultural tension. We are called to be peacemakers, but not at the expense of righteousness and justice.
Matthew 5: 13-16 is quickly referenced as the standard by which we are to operate, and rightfully so. However, an over-emphasis on being salt and crusading for a culture of righteousness often negates our responsibility to be light whose particles are comprised of the fruit of the Spirit. Sadly, too many Christians confuse (justify?) their strident political positions and their vociferous cursing of the darkness as being shining gospel lights.
Disagree? Spend time objectively reading many Christians posting to social media feeds and categorize the content into that which condemns culture and people of an opposing position or political party, and that which is gospel-centered rooted in love. You’ll be shocked at how obnoxiously similar some Christians sound to clanging gongs. Reminder, the Matthew passage concludes with, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Striking balance is often difficult, so how do Christians navigate what is often an emotionally charged and frustrating journey through a culture of moral relativity? Here are five suggestions that may help.
Root everything in Christ’s example. Jesus was gentle and humble (Matthew 11:29), yet he boldly confronted injustice, hypocrisy and sin (Matthew 23:13-36; John 2:13-17).
Pursue peace without compromising truth. Christians should seek reconciliation but not at the cost of ignoring sin or injustice. Romans 12:18 urges, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all,” and Ephesians 4:15 calls us to “speak the truth in love.”
Engage culture with humility and courage. Micah 6:8 commands us to “do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Christians should defend the vulnerable, advocate for the oppressed, and promote good, but with humility, grace and avoiding self-righteousness.
Rely on the Holy Spirit. The Spirit empowers believers to be both gentle and bold, peaceful and just. Prayerful dependence on God is essential for discernment and strength (Galatians 5:22-23).
Prioritize the gospel. Christians must remember that the ultimate solution to the world’s brokenness is Jesus and that our actions should always point people to Christ, “For there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
We will never win the culture war by condemning already condemned people. That’s OK. Our objective isn’t to win a culture war; it is to implore people on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20).
To do that we must spend less time cursing the darkness and more time proclaiming the Light.
Chris Turner, Editor, Baptist and Reflector – https://baptistandreflector.org/
Reproduced By Permission Of The Baptist And Reflector, The Official News Journal Of The Tennessee Baptist Convention. For More Info Visit Baptistandreflector.Org.
