Reclaiming the Essence Beyond Politics
At its core, the Christian faith is built upon a singular, world-altering conviction. Jesus Christ was born in humble circumstances. He lived a life of profound compassion and truth. He was crucified and, on the third day, rose from the dead. Christians believe this resurrection is the pivotal event in human history. It is seen as an act of divine love, mercy, and hope. This event opens the path of salvation to all humanity. Yet, over centuries, the pure message of Christ has sometimes been obscured. It has been diluted or even twisted by the tides of human ambition. Most notably, these are the ambitions of politics and power.
The Central Message: Christ Crucified and Risen
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. He was buried. He was raised on the third day as per the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4)
The apostles and their followers proclaimed a faith from the earliest days of the church. Their faith was not in a system, government, or philosophy. Instead, they preached faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The cross and the empty tomb are central to Christian proclamation. They symbolize the depths of suffering. They also represent the heights of hope. Christ’s crucifixion is not merely a historical tragedy. It is a deliberate, redemptive act. God entered into the fullness of human pain to redeem it. His resurrection is the triumph over death. It is the promise that evil will not have the final word. It is also the gift of eternal life to those who believe.
Salvation in the Christian understanding is neither earned nor inherited; it is offered freely by grace, received by faith. This is the radical heart of the Gospel. All people can be reconciled with God through the self-giving love of Jesus. Their station, nationality, or history does not matter. The faith calls its adherents to serve others rather than dominate. It encourages them to embrace instead of exclude. Instead of wielding power, they are called to lay it down.
Christ’s Message: Love, Humility, and Justice
Jesus’ ministry was marked by a radical inclusion that scandalized the powerful and comforted the marginalized. He ate with tax collectors and sinners. He healed the sick and welcomed the children. He spoke with women in a patriarchal society. He championed the poor in a world of inequality. His teachings—like the Sermon on the Mount—reversed worldly values. His message is exemplified by phrases like “Blessed are the meek.” His teachings also in “Love your enemies.” They also are in “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
At its best, Christian faith calls its followers to imitate this self-emptying love. It urges them to seek justice tempered by mercy. Followers are encouraged to live lives shaped by forgiveness and hope. The commandment to love God and neighbor is not conditional; it transcends the boundaries of tribe, nation, and politics. The ethic of the cross is not one of coercion or control, but of sacrificial service.
The Temptation of Politics
Yet, history is replete with examples of the Christian message being co-opted for political ends. Starting from Constantine’s conversion, Christendom was forged. In more recent times, there have been entanglements of faith and nationhood. The church has at times aligned itself too closely with political powers. Whether seeking influence, legitimacy, or protection, such alliances often compromised the church’s prophetic voice.
Politics, by its nature, is about power, division, and the assertion of particular interests. Christianity, at its heart, is about reconciliation, humility, and the laying down of self. When faith is harnessed as a tool of politics, it is used to win elections. It is also used to justify wars or uphold systems of inequality. As a result, the Gospel is distorted. The church risks trading its birthright for the fleeting satisfaction of cultural or political dominance.
This is not to say that Christians should abstain from the public square. Indeed, the call to justice and mercy impels many to seek change in society. But there is a profound difference between being a prophetic voice for justice and being a partisan instrument. When the cross is overshadowed by the flag, the message of faith is compromised. When the pulpit echoes the slogans of the day rather than the eternal Word, something essential is lost.
Recovering the Heart of Faith
To reclaim the essence of Christian faith is to return again and again to Christ crucified and risen. It means refusing to let the message of grace and love be subsumed by the pursuit of power. It means resisting the temptation to weaponize faith against those who differ. Instead, it involves extending the radical hospitality of the Gospel to all.
This requires humility—the recognition that no party, leader, or ideology can fully embody the Kingdom of God. It requires courage—the willingness to speak truth to power, even when it is unpopular or risky. Most importantly, it requires love. This is the unconditional love that Jesus modeled. It is also the love that the Spirit empowers in the lives of believers.
Faith in the Public Square
Christianity has, at its best moments, been a catalyst for profound social change. Many people have drawn strength from the conviction that all are made in the image of God. They believe everyone is worthy of dignity. This includes abolitionists fighting the slave trade and advocates for civil rights. Yet, these movements succeeded. They did not succeed by wielding religion as a blunt instrument. They succeeded by living out the costly demands of discipleship.
In the public square, Christians are called to be salt and light. They achieve this not by dominating, but by serving. Their role is to inspire, not to enforce. The faith invites engagement, but it warns against triumphalism. It calls for citizenship marked by humility and a willingness to listen, even to those with whom one disagrees.
The Scandal and Hope of the Cross
At the heart of the Christian story is a paradox: that God’s greatest victory was accomplished through seeming defeat. The cross, a symbol of humiliation and suffering, became the emblem of hope and redemption. The resurrection vindicates Jesus’ faithfulness. It is both a promise and a call. It invites us to a new life, to reconciliation, and to a love that transcends all boundaries.
This message can’t be reduced to a campaign slogan or a strategy for cultural dominance. It challenges all forms of power. It is a subversive call to love in a world prone to hate. The church is at its healthiest when it serves, not when it rules. It thrives when it heals, not when it divides.
Conclusion: Faith Untwisted
The Christian faith, rightly understood, is not about politics, though it has implications for how we live together as societies. It is about Christ—crucified, risen, and reigning—whose love calls all people into a new community. When this vision is clouded by the pursuit of earthly power, the church loses its way. But when it returns to the cross and the resurrection, it finds again its purpose. Its purpose is to witness to the love that conquers death. It witnesses the grace that forgives all and the hope that endures.
Let those who bear the name of Christ remember not to twist faith to fit political agendas. Instead, let faith shape lives of sacrificial love. It should also inspire prophetic justice and foster deep humility. In doing so, they will honor the One who gave himself for the life of the world. They will also bear witness to a hope that no power on earth can destroy.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 