Are You American First and Christian Second?
Intersection of Faith And Politics – Part 4
From immigration to gun control, America’s culture war is ripping society and the Church apart. Are we putting our country before Christ? It’s time for Christians to understand what’s at stake.
The Church and Culture War
Some of the conversations that engender so much conflict, animosity, and hostility today are those of the culture war variety. I will now thread this water a bit.
Culture wars are the fault lines that divide societies. They are conflicts over values, beliefs, and moral visions that play out in public life, the media, and politics. If you live in America, you’re already familiar with at least one of these fault lines.
In America, few topics are as divisive as the culture war. It is an arena where pressures, disagreements, misunderstandings, and hostilities rise quickly. Online discussions and social media often turn toxic. Instead of exchanging ideas, people attack one another personally. The argument is lost, and the individual becomes the target.
Why This Post Matters
I originally intended for this to be the final post in this series, but as I began writing, it became clear that it needed to be divided in two. In this post, I will examine some of the current flashpoints in America’s culture war and explain why we all—especially Christians—must dial down the rhetoric.
In the final installment—Part 5—I will unpack how Jesus navigated the culture war of His time. You don’t want to miss it.
When Ideology Becomes Inhumane
The passions and emotions surrounding the culture wars can become so intense and irrational that people sometimes lose their humanity. It is astonishing and heartbreaking how people can become so ideological—religiously, politically, culturally, and otherwise—that they grow insensitive and heartless.
Take, for example, the murder of Charlie Kirk. It is fine to disagree with his politics and beliefs, but for anyone to celebrate his death is unconscionable. I have seen videos of so-called “progressives” rejoicing over it. This is deeply sickening and disturbing.
How about the current debate over immigration and border control, and the tragedies that have followed? The deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti are tragic by any standard. It is never a good thing when people lose their lives under those circumstances. Their deaths should be investigated, and there should be accountability if there were violations of the rules of engagement.
At the same time, these deaths were completely avoidable and, based on the videos and information I have seen, I believe the victims helped create the volatile situations that led to their deaths. It is never wise to obstruct law enforcement in the performance of their duties or to confront armed agents. As individuals, we need to learn de-escalation, because bad things tend to happen when we do not. The Bible says:
“A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions…”
— Proverbs 22:3 NLT
I believe it is soulless and godless to rejoice when tragedy befalls someone you disagree with. Sadly, those who claim to be Christians sometimes get caught up in this as well.
“As salt, we are meant to bring sanity and wisdom into conversations and help settle disputes.”
Jesus said:
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”
— Matthew 5:13
When the Church Becomes Part of the Problem
The world should be able to look to us for answers, but instead it does not. I recently saw on social media that Kirk Franklin was calling for activism from church leaders against ICE. First, I believe that by making that call, he’s already compromised, because he is urging opposition to lawful law enforcement activities, which violates biblical principles.
Second, this is the kind of culture war entanglement the church should not be engaging in because it is partisan. It is for reasons like this that the church has lost credibility in the public eye that we are seen as part of the problem and are no longer useful to God—like salt that is thrown out.
The Absence of Common Sense
Common sense is something that is often lacking in conversations around America’s culture war. Take, for example, these causes: immigration on the Democratic side and gun control on the Republican side.
Much of the rhetoric on the left emphasizes compassion and hospitality, often advocating broad pathways to legal status and resisting deportation. Compassion is necessary, but so is order. A nation without enforced borders is not practicing mercy; it is neglecting responsibility. Even in difficult cases, especially involving those who have committed violent crimes, prudence demands vetting, accountability, and lawful process.
You have seen some of the protests around ICE and the current government’s commitment to enforce border control and deport illegal aliens. I believe some of the approaches are heavy-handed and possibly inhuman, but at the same time, borders exist for a reason. Sovereignty is not cruelty—it is structure. Even the Bible tells us:
“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.”
— Acts 17:26
Notice that Paul says God set the boundaries of nations. Someone might say it is all stolen land and was never given by God. That may very well be true, but which nation on earth currently has sovereignty only over its original territory? Boundaries recognized by international law need to be controlled. It is common sense.
On the other side, many Republicans treat nearly any meaningful gun regulation as an assault on the Second Amendment. But acknowledging a constitutional right does not mean that right is beyond reasonable limits. Preventing criminals and the dangerously unstable from accessing firearms is not tyranny—it is prudence.
Republicans would argue that guns do not kill people; bad people do. But guns do not wield themselves—people do. When violence continues to devastate families and communities, safeguards that prevent criminals and the dangerously unstable from accessing firearms are not betrayals of freedom; they are the due diligence that is necessary to protect us all.
I am troubled by how violent American society has become and the danger that confronts us all. Sadly, many who passionately defend gun rights only recognize the danger when they or their loved ones become victims of gun violence.
The argument that we need guns to protect ourselves does not always hold. We have seen cases of heavily armed individuals becoming victims of gun violence or, in some cases, even using it on their loved ones. Practical wisdom calls for restricting access to guns, and if you oppose it and claim you are a Christian, I say to you, you do not know the Bible. When Peter drew his sword and cut the ear of the high priest’s servant, Jesus told him:
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.”
— Matthew 26:52
Referencing this verse is not to suggest that owning guns is inherently wrong; after all, Jesus himself told them earlier to buy swords (Luke 22:36). But when Peter drew his weapon, Jesus told him to put it away—not because force is never justified, but because violence is a dangerous way to resolve conflict, and even when exercised legitimately, it can carry serious consequences.
In closing, take a moment to examine your own heart: which culture do you primarily subscribe to, and do you believe American culture supersedes the teachings of Christ? Your answer would resolve the question posed in the title—whether you are Christian first or American first. It is an invitation to honestly reckon with whether you are prepared to follow the example of Jesus that I will explore in the next post.
In my next post, I will unpack the lessons that Jesus’s example holds for us.