When political activism text-jacks Scripture, what do we do?
A listener recently sent in a question about the way Scripture is being used in today’s political activism. Mostly likely you’ve come across something similar.
While watching media coverage of protests in Minneapolis, the listener noticed a sign displayed on a church pulpit where pastors from across the country had gathered. The sign borrowed from Micah 6:8, but altered the final phrase. Instead of the familiar call to “walk humbly with your God,” it read:
“Do justice, show mercy, and abolish ICE.”
Are you jarred? We should be. If we know the Word of God, we are jarred when it is used out of context.
There is a name for this practice: text-jacking. It’s the hijacking of a biblical passage to advance one’s own political or ideological ends.
And it happens on both sides of the political aisle.
Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness
We should not be surprised by the rampant mis-use of the Bible today. During the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (recorded in Matthew 4, Mark 1, and Luke 4), Satan himself quotes Scripture—selectively and manipulatively—to provoke Jesus into sin.
When the devil took Jesus to the holy city, and had him stand on the highest point of the temple, he throws out, “If you’re the son of God, throw yourself down for it is written, He will command his angels concerning you and they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
Jesus answers him. It’s also written,”Don’t put the Lord your God to the test.” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I give you,” he said, “If you just bow down and worship me.”
And Jesus says to him, “Away from me, Satan, for it is written, worship the Lord your God and serve him only.” Then the devil left him and angels, other angels came and attended him.
I can think of no better example for us when considering this topic because we have Jesus dealing with it himself! When tThe tempter comes to Jesus wielding “Scripture,” what does Jesus do? He rebukes Satan by rightly applying Scripture.
Text-Jacking on the Left and on the Right
Certain passages are commonly lifted up by those on the Left:
- Micah 6:8
- Isaiah 1 and Isaiah 58
- Jeremiah 22 and Jeremiah 29
- Amos 5
These passages speak about God’s concern for justice and righteousness. But when they are reduced to political slogans or used to coerce people into a specific policy position, they are being stripped of their biblical context (and often applied in very superficial, political ways).
The same thing happens on the Right with verses like:
- 2 Chronicles 7:14
- Jesus’ words about a “city on a hill”
- Paul’s words about freedom in Christ
These verses were written to specific people in specific moments of redemptive history. They may have applications for us today—but remember, America does not appear in the Bible.
Applying Scripture to Political Discourse
So is all Scripture off-limits for political discourse? I don’t think so.
But as you can see, it matters that we know God’s Word and know how to rightly apply God’s Word. There are a few good examples in our nation’s history that are helpful for us, and I’d like to bring one forward today in Maria W. Stewart and the Abolitionist Movement.
Abolitionist Movement
Maria W. Stewart was an African American abolitionist. She was a women’s rights activist. She was an evangelist. In 1831, Maria Stewart gave a speech called “Religion and the Pure Principles of Morality.” She wove biblical and political claims together, drawing on the authority of both the Bible and American ideals. Like many other abolitionists in her era, Maria Stewart argued that America needed to live up to the biblical standards of morality that the country claimed to believe.
And this use of Scripture feels very different from the way some people use Scripture today in our political discourse. In defending the dignity and value of black people in America, Maria Stewart said, “He has crowned you with glory and honor. He hath made you, but a little lower than the angels.” She’s citing Psalm 8 and then she adds, “And according to the Constitution of these United States, he half made all men free and equal.”
Now, that’s the way I think that you can appropriately hold up the Bible as a mirror and advance God’s cause in a generation. She’s speaking truth over people and she’s speaking truth over people to whom lies have been told about themselves because of the color of their skin.
How Do We Discern Misuse and Avoid it Ourselves?
So, how can we do this well, and discern when a text is being pulled out of context inaccurately and misapplied politically. Here are some questions to think through:
- What’s your idea of a Christian nation and does it line up with what the Bible says? What passages of the Bible propel that narrative forward? Is that what God meant when he said it? Is that what God means when he says it today?
- Does this sound like Jesus? Well, if God’s word is being reduced to some secular political activism on the right or the left, it’s being misused. And if a person is using God’s word in such a way that does not lead us to love Him and neighbor more deeply (what Jesus calls the two greatest commandments), then that person is ignoring the admonition to walk humbly with God.
- Is God’s Word being reduced to a slogan? Is this person trying to turn God’s word into a political demand? Is it being used to coerce or shame? Go back and actually read the reference and look at the context, both historically and biblically. Is this verse being used out of its context? Then it’s likely text-jacking.
If every single one of us, before we use a passage of Scripture to accomplish a political end, would stop and say this simple prayer:
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, oh God, for you are my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
Then ask ourselves, do I still want to use God’s word in the way I was planning? Do I want to participate in the use of God’s word and the way this person is wielding it?
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my hearts and my heart be acceptable in God’s sight—because that’s ultimately the One who’s hearing us.
And so let us be very, very careful as we divide the word of God, as we speak the word of God, as we print it on our t-shirts or our hats or our bumper stickers or put it out on our social media.
It’s God’s Word and He’s rightfully jealous for it. So let’s use it in the way that He has given it to be used and let us guard against misusing it at every turn.
