Principle not Pressure
The Arizona Democratic party this weekend censured Senator Kyrsten Sinema for not voting to get rid of the Senate filibuster—a parliamentary practice that has been in place for almost 200 years in our Senate. This democratic senator from Arizona has taken heat from both sides over the last few months. While I disagree with her on most things, I do have to admire her for standing up to unbelievable pressure on this issue. Robert Reich tweeted and then deleted that her democratic colleagues should give her “the backs of their hands” instead of a handshake!
The Sinema situation has reminded me how unlike our present political climate we should be in our relationships with one another as Christian leaders—especially when we disagree.
As for me, and for the FBFI, we must not trade in the business of political pressure—not even a Christian form of it. There is an important difference between Christian relationships and secular politics. If a Christian leader or institution buckles to our wishes because we have “gone public” then we have not accomplished God’s work. Christian obedience is based upon biblical convictions that produce actions, not the manipulation of others. Otherwise right decisions, if motivated simply by a desire to please people, are still wrong–even sinful.
This commitment does not preclude influence and discussion behind the scenes. This would include warnings regarding the potential consequences of actions, as well as philosophical/biblical discussions about the wisdom or biblical appropriateness of certain lines of behavior. But these conversations are intended to be iron sharpening iron as we help one another discern what God wants. If that discussion pushes either of us to act contrary to conscience, we have undermined our purpose. It takes a combination of humility and strength of conviction to make such influence work in a biblical way.
Our goal is to convince not compel.
This is one of the reasons why the FBFI is not quick to make public statements about areas of disagreement — even major issues of disagreement with Christian brothers. This has been true for as long as I have been a part of the FBFI. When we do make public statements, they are designed to be warnings to our friends about dangers they might be facing in the ecclesiastical world or to publicly position ourselves on an issue so everyone will know where the FBFI stands. When we do that, we talk about it as FBFI leadership and craft our statements carefully.
We can, and should, have an influence on one another in discerning the principles by which we should live our lives and conduct our ministries. However, biblical principles and conscience before God should be the deciding factors for the decisions of every Christian leader.
Speak, listen, be teachable, and then do the right thing.
We are Baptists. This is what individual soul liberty and responsibility are all about.
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