When Native Americans were demeaned, driven from their homes and put on a death march by government officials — many professing white Christians could have come to the defense of those created in the very image of God.
But that would have been being political.
When African people were shackled, stacked like firewood, shipped to these shores and held in bondage for nearly two and a half centuries, more white professing Christians could have protested these atrocities out of spiritual conviction.
But that would have been being political.
When African Americans faced the overt discrimination and abuses of the Jim Crow era, compassionate people of faith in overwhelming numbers could have rallied for equality and fairness.
But that would have been being political.
When Latinos are now swept from streets, churches, homes and elsewhere — as mere quotas without legal process — and treated like the “animals” they have been wrongly called, more people who see them as children of God could be loudly demanding compassion and justice.
But that would mean being political.
Lost among the “be nice” silencing of modern white Americanized Christians is another critical history lesson: that professing Jesus as Lord is the essence of being political.
Since uttered by Christian disciples long ago, it is an explicit affirmation that no other allegiance is placed above one’s primary commitment to follow Jesus at all costs.
For early Christians to say “Jesus is Lord” was to say that neither Caesar — nor any other earthly power — will hold a higher allegiance.
Our daily experiences would far more resemble “earth as it is in heaven” — that is so often mumbled if not sincerely prayed — if those who’ve ever claimed Jesus as savior and LORD really meant it.
We could heed the call of the biblical prophets and the Son of God. We could say something and do something to right these wrongs — rather than participate in this evil through silence.
But God forbid anyone is political. Some privileged persons might get their feelings hurt.
John D. Pierce is director of the Jesus Worldview Initiative (jesusworldview.org), part of Belmont University’s Rev. Charlie Curb Center for Faith Leadership. Join us for the first Jesus Worldview Conference, October 13-15, in Nashville.