SGA hosts panelists to discuss the intersection of theology and politics

Can religion and politics coexist? This is the question that students and staff members wrestled with at the first ever Student Government Association Table Talk. 

The event, which took place Thursday, Nov. 1 in Liberty University’s Science Building, featured a round table discussion with four panelists — Penny Nance, Jeff Coleman, Dr. Kristen Hark and Dr. David Wheeler — where students could ask their most pressing questions about Christianity and politics ahead of this year’s Nov. 6 midterm elections. 

After opening with a word of prayer, two mediators posed topic-based questions to the panel on the issue of the Church and politics.

Issues of principle were addressed, such as, “How do you allow theology to influence politics, and not the other way around?”

“Your theology affects every aspect of your life,” Liberty Evangelism professor David Wheeler said. “That includes how you respond to politics.”

For Wheeler, it is impossible to separate theology from any aspect of life, especially politics, because it is so woven into the fabric of morality and how Christians distinguish right from wrong.

“How can we judge what’s right and wrong, unless we understand from a theological perspective, what that looks like?” Wheeler said. “That affects who you vote for and who you support.” 

Issues of conviction were also addressed: “Can an Evangelical Christian continue to support a president when some of his actions may be seen by some as contradictory to biblical commands?”

“It isn’t as simple as good people (and) bad people because we’re all a mess,” former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Liberty alum Jeff Coleman said.

Coleman discussed strategy and conviction. He said politics can often turn into dropping conviction at the ballot box and playing to strategy, or voting for the positive benefits that may come from a candidate. However, Coleman believes Christians should never sacrifice conviction for results when they feel the Holy Spirit is telling them otherwise.

“I think every believer has a responsibility to be in consultation with the Holy Spirit … ‘Lord I’m in the ballot box, tell me what to do,’” Coleman said. 

Coleman also said in situations like these, he does not believe in forcing convictions on others, as such a conviction is between one person and God. 

The third question dealt with the issue of racism in America: “What is the proper political and religious response to rising racial tensions?”

Kristen Hark, chair of Strategic and Personal Communications at Liberty, believes the response to both is the same.  

Hark believes everyone has a story to tell, and it is important to realize and respect that everyone’s story is different. 

“I think the political answer and the theological answer is, ‘I don’t have to agree with (you), but I should be able to hear you,’” Hark said. 

The issue of abortion and women’s rights was on the table as well, with panelist and CEO of Concerned Women for America Penny Nance as lead representative.

“There has to be an outlet for Christian women to have a voice,” Nance said. “Although identity is in Christ, it’s important for us to be the counter point.”

Nance’s organization is unashamedly both pro-life and conservative. Nance
believes that she and her organization give a voice to the silent majority. Nance believes CWA stands with a quiet but passionate congregation of women who do not fall into conventional political stereotypes. 

“We don’t all agree,” Nance said. “We are not monolithic.”

At the end of the session, students were encouraged to stay after and ask panelists their questions.

“Dr. Wheeler’s perspective was very important to me,” student Cody Wiley said. “He reminded me that the Bible is our filter for everything, whether it’s schoolwork, conflict or politics.”

Afterward, Wheeler said he hoped the take away was that in every aspect of life, the love of Christ should drive one to conversation, rather than hatred and division.

“In our culture, we tend to always fight and butt heads with each other instead of sitting down and talking to one another,” Wheeler said. “We have got to stop yelling at each other and start talking to one
another.