Faith is positive. It hopes for something. It looks to the future and imagines something better. In a perfect world, everyone wins. The gospel has a universal message: “God so loved the world” (John 3:16-17). God reconciles everything back to God-self (Colossians 1:20). In the gospel, there are no winners and losers in the sense of winners and losers in games. God loves people from the U.S. just as much as people from other countries, like Mexico.
During his inauguration speech, the newly-elected President Donald Trump said, “From this moment on, it’s going to be only America first. Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs will be made to benefit American workers and American families.” With this declaration, finding common ground for mutual understanding can be challenging. From his words, he seems to lack a sense of mutuality. But, what does “American first” mean? What does it mean to him? What does it mean to the United States? How might God view the idea of “America first”? Is it possible to overcome the polarization produced by such a dichotomous worldview? “America first” runs counter to faith’s positive approach for the future. The country needs reconciliation.
From “Crossing the Lines We Draw: Faithful Responses to a Polarized America” by Matthew Tennant – Judson Press