Christian wisdom on the campaign trail

Christian Century, July 16, 1997 by Richard H. Lowery

To construct a theology and rhetoric of politics, I looked to the biblical creation and wisdom traditions. Genesis tells us that we were created "male and female in the image of God." We somehow reflect God's nature in our mutual, complementary relationships, in our community and diversity. People are inherently political, since God has called them to govern together, to "rule the earth."

The biblical wisdom tradition shares the priestly creation tradition's confidence in people's power to govern their affairs. Rooted in human experience and drawing freely from a wide variety of ancient Near Eastern sources, the wisdom tradition is compatible with the pragmatic outlook and pluralism of American democracy. Its expansive religious vision recognizes the ambiguity of moral action in a world that can never be fully known. Its flexibility and intellectual openness are appropriate to democratic speech.

Though these traditions express a troubled awareness of unjust suffering, they nevertheless affirm that the world is good, divinely ordered to promote abundant life. Because God intends nature to be bounteous, prosperity is natural; poverty violates God's will. Human social order succeeds when it reflects the benevolence, generosity and universal abundance God intended for creation. Though scarcity, poverty and violence may appear intractable, they are counter to God's plan for the universe.

The wisdom tradition also reminds us that the causes of suffering are complex--sometimes too complex to untangle. Often suffering is random and prosperity an accident of birth. Consequently, we must live compassionately and value healing care. The wisdom tradition resists the politically influential heresy that people always deserve what they get, that individuals are personally responsible for everything that happens to them.

THE HEALING and preaching ministry of Jesus expresses the abundance theology at the heart of the wisdom and creation traditions. Radical confidence in God's desire for abundant life for everyone leads to acts of radical hospitality, sharing the abundance with all. When we live this way, the kingdom of God is among us. Democracy gives us the potential to live abundantly. I wanted my campaign to give people confidence in our ability to govern ourselves wisely and generously, and to give hope to those who feel powerless.

I entered the race worried that we were becoming cynical about democracy. But I soon discovered that most people are happy to talk with political candidates and eager to express their ideas and opinions. People want to be part of the process of analyzing and solving our problems.

Campaigns are the spiritual exercises of democracy. They help us articulate our dreams, fears and deepest commitments. Good campaigns help us confront the demons of our common life and connect the everyday concerns of personal living with something larger. They make us realize that we have the power and responsibility to make our society just and good. Electoral politics can be a ministry of hope.