Like so many, it’s been difficult to fully process what we witnessed on January 6. We saw the images of people storming barricades, overrunning outnumbered law enforcement, and using the United States Capitol as the latest prop in a deluded, conspiracy theory-fed fantasy. Seeing people in costumes and MAGA gear stroll unimpeded through the Capitol and on the floor of the Senate was the most surreal thing I’ve seen on television since 9/11.
Rather than try to make sense of what we as a country went through earlier this week, I wanted to share three articles I found particularly resonant:
Russell Moore, writing in The Gospel Coalition, has strong words for Christians at this fragile moment. “If Christians are people of truth, we ought to be the first to acknowledge reality.”
Samuel James, writing in Letter and Liturgy, praises Moore for his consistent witness over the past few years, especially on the dangers of fully embracing Donald Trump. James recalls conversations with family members on January 6: “Family members text me that people in their churches were at the protests, bragging about how the “capitol was ours now.” Church members. Not professional protesters, not QAnon cultists. Christians—Christians with Bibles, and Sunday school classes. Christians storming the halls of Congress on behalf of a lie, peddled by a lover of lies.”
Tish Harrison Warren, writing in Christianity Today, also laments the role that Christians played on January 6. “The worst part of yesterday’s insurrection is how it represents an utter failure in the American church,” she writes. “This anti-epiphany reveals the horrid outgrowths of Christian nationalism, faulty spiritual formation, false teaching, political idolatry, and overriding ignorance.”
Last month, after the Electoral College declared Joe Biden the winner of the 2020 presidential election, it became clear that the goalposts were once again moving for Donald Trump and his loyal voters. “Actually,” they said, “the real deadline in January 6, when Congress counts the votes. That’s when we will emerge triumphant.” This was despite countless legal defeats and no tangible or confirmed evidence of the widespread voter fraud and corruption they alleged had stolen the election.
In response, I was prompted to write something about the importance of losing well in politics, for Americans and for Christians. I wrote it up for Christianity Today on January 2, with their plan being to publish it after Congress finished the count. However, given the events of January 6, they shared it early.
You can read the article, “We Need to Be Better Losers,” here. But I’ll leave you with this selection:
Think about Jesus’ disciples in Gethsemane. All their work over the previous years was in danger as their master, the one with whom they had entrusted everything, was hauled away by the authorities. Their very identity, all they had seen and believed to be true, was apparently lost. It’s hard to imagine a greater sense of loss from people with so much to lose.
Peter, of course, wasn’t having any of it. His reaction is one we might identify with—seizing a sword and wielding it against injustice, all for a perceived righteous cause. Jesus, however, had different plans, rebuking Peter and healing his injured captor. Jesus may have been considered a loser in that moment, but we now know it was only temporary. God’s sovereignty extends beyond our present circumstances.
When the stakes are as high as they are in a presidential election, defeat can be particularly discouraging—and even scary. But that doesn’t justify abandoning principles of discernment and wisdom while embracing the sort of foolish teaching Paul condemns in 1 Timothy. Just because something is reassuring does not make it right.
The world may constantly jump from truth to truth as the moment demands, but Christians should be different. While we absolutely should fight for justice and truth in the public square, we should also be prepared to lose from time to time, and do so with confidence that comes from our identity in Christ. After all, we are inheritors of a greater victory than the world could ever provide.
May we remember this in the days, weeks, and years ahead — that no matter who wins a given presidential election, our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.