Steven LaChance Blog

Imagine walking through a bustling town square, where the voices of debate swirl around like autumn leaves in the wind. In one corner, you hear a passionate faction rallying for values they claim are rooted in faith and tradition, specifically the Evangelical Christian Right. But if you take a moment to really think about it, could the figure they most revere—Jesus—actually be seen as an adversary to their political agenda?

Let’s step back for a moment. The teachings of Jesus often centered on love, compassion, and generosity. He spoke of caring for the marginalized, addressing the needs of the poor, and valuing the individual over wealth and power. In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus identifies with the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned, urging His followers to serve them as if they were serving Him directly. Now, fast forward to today’s political landscape, where a significant portion of the Evangelical Christian Right seems to champion policies that can appear at odds with those messages. This raises a challenging question: if Jesus were walking among us today, how would he fit into this narrative?

Consider the fundamental aspects of His life. Jesus associated with outcasts, challenged the social norms of his time, and stood against corruption and injustice. Would He not be seen criticizing policies that disproportionately affect marginalized communities? Picture Him among protesters, urging compassion and justice, and confrontational toward a power structure that championed slavery and segregation—historical examples of how the Evangelical Christian Right has often aligned with white supremacy.

In fact, during the Civil War era, many Evangelical leaders justified slavery using selective interpretations of Scripture, claiming a divine sanction for the institution. Fast forward to the civil rights movement, and we see that same faction often resistant to the calls for equality and justice espoused by leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., who repeatedly pointed to Jesus as a model for love and nonviolence. The contrast is striking. Jesus preached the radical nature of love, as seen in John 13:34-35, where He commands His followers to love one another, stating that this love would distinguish them as His disciples. How did that message get twisted into a banner for exclusion and hate?

Let’s look at wealth, too. In the Gospel texts, Jesus warned about the dangers of riches, stating in Matthew 19:24 that it’s easier for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Yet, we often see the Evangelical Christian Right embracing wealth and power, reinforcing a prosperity doctrine that can and does overlook the plight of the poor. The narrative shifts from service and humility to one of accumulation and entitlement. Where does this leave those who struggle to make ends meet?

Then there’s the central theme of love—unconditional love. Jesus’s messages often emphasized loving one’s neighbor, even those perceived as enemies. In Luke 6:27-31, He instructs His followers to love their enemies and do good to those who hate them. Yet, we frequently witness divisive politics that promote a culture of fear and hostility, painting entire groups with broad strokes and fostering an environment of “us versus them.” Wouldn’t Jesus advocate for understanding and connection instead?

As we ponder these contrasts, it’s intriguing to consider how Jesus’s radical inclusivity might challenge the Evangelical Christian Right’s status quo. His teachings could serve as a powerful voice for the marginalized and the oppressed, as well as compel those in power to introspection. In this light, it becomes less surprising to think that if He were among us today, some might label Him an enemy to the very system they uphold.

So, where does that leave us? This discourse reminds us to reflect on how our beliefs and values align—or misalign—with those we claim to follow. It calls for a crucial examination of our political choices through the lens of compassion, service, and love that Jesus taught. As we engage in these vital conversations, we must ask: Are we truly living in a way that honors the essence of those teachings, or are we allowing historical misconceptions and ideologies of division to prevail? The Gospel calls for a transformative love—a love that transcends simple identification and compels action toward justice and mercy in a world that desperately needs it.

These are indeed dark times when the living ideal of Jesus would likely be reviled and even hated. When Jesus would embrace the LGBTQ+ community, many within the Evangelical Christian Right would condemn them. When He would put His arms around immigrants, offering love and support, they would favor policies that imprison and deport. As the poorest among us struggle for food and housing, the extreme right often advocates cutting programs that take vital resources from the mouths of the elderly and children. And when the sick seek care and medications, they frequently find a political landscape that turns a blind eye, instead catering to pharmaceutical companies and greedy insurance interests. All of this stands starkly against the teachings of Jesus Christ, challenging us to reflect on our values and actions in a world that desperately needs His message of love, compassion, and justice.