Human Nature and Political Differences

 

01/22      Alexis

 Human Nature and Political Differences

What is the most basic difference between the political left and right in America, and, more specifically, between liberal and conservative churches?

I believe, very generally, it comes down to our views on human nature. Do we start out basically bad as individuals, in need of moral and ethical training, or do we start out good, only to be corrupted by society? In other words, who is to blame for our bad behavior, ourselves, or society?

The answer will affect our entire world view as we try to find a working paradigm that can explain all the chaos and turbulence of our times. If we believe that evil oppressors are to blame, then we might trust in human government to rescue us from their oppression, making us victims needing to be saved. This seemed to be the view of a young man and fellow teacher I spoke with at the park, named Alexis, though he said that lately he was growing increasingly pessimistic with politics.

I, however, had an opposite view from Alexis, that evil originates in the human heart and in our will as individuals, and that each of us needs to take personal responsibility for our share of the mess we’re in. We need to focus on our own shortcomings rather than those of society, and we can't trust the government to fix things, because it too is made up of flawed and evil people whose power needs to be kept in check.

This difference between political conservatives and progressives can also be seen in the approach taken by conservative and "progressive" churches. Those that see the original Adam and Eve as only being "very good" when they were created tend to have an idealistic paradigm about man's goodness and God's love.

However, many Bible passages simply contradict this notion, so progressive churches must take toward a more liberal, symbolic approach toward interpreting and applying the Bible. Many end up supplementing it with other books and theories that support their views, and may even dream of using man's wisdom and technology in the future to establish idealistic, utopian societies.

However, they still must live in the present, and often blame society or evil oppressors for their shortcomings. They tend toward self-righteousness in their victim status, or guilt if they are of the oppressor class.

Those who read on past Genesis 1 and understand that we are now sinful and rebellious since the fall in Genesis 3, are more likely to read the Bible at face value, since it confirms this underlying assumption throughout. Both the Bible's historical record and that of modern history confirms the results of this corruption of human nature and it's results in society.

Conservative Christians tend to understand that it is ourselves as individuals who need to be saved from the consequences of our own sinful behavior and our broken relationship with God. They are better able to reflect on the evil within and begin to change it by the grace of God they find in Christ, learning gratitude and grace towards others as a result. In this way, changes in society begin from the inside out.

Jesus told a' parable in Luke 18, in which a tax collector and a Pharisee went to the temple to pray. The tax collector beat his breast saying "God have mercy on me, a sinner", while the Pharisee focused on the problems of others, saying "God, thank you that I'm not like that oppressive tax collector over there." One saw the problem inside himself, the other saw only the problems in others.

I believe the Gospel can be good news for all Christians, right and left, because while it must begin within each of our hearts, before long it will spill over and begin to benefit society.

Thanks, Alexis, for allowing me to record our conversation. It can be seen at https://youtu.be/kZ8_rxo3pKE on my Youtube channel.