Seven Principles for Civil Engagement
In an age of interconnectivity, communication has never been easier. With the ability to interact and engage with fellow human beings at the touch of button, conversation has never felt so accessible. With such technological privilege, one would think that hyperconnectivity with our fellow man would naturally result in civil discourse, hearty debate, and charitable disagreement. Yet one has only to peruse their social media stream to realize that something has gone awry. It seems instinctual that instant communication would result in thoughtful and fruitful discussion, and yet what we are seeing in the public (virtual) square today is largely churlish bickering from sanctimonious buffoons behind keyboards, particularly in matters of political and social viewpoints. A sense of anonymity, a lack of personal ethos, and a feeling of being able to speak without repercussion are all factors that have created an inhospitable environment for loving our neighbor well as we converse online. In spite of the current unfavorable climate of online interaction, the Bible offers an ethic of discourse that posits listening well as the starting place for charitable and fruitful engagement. Below are seven Biblical principles that if heeded, would result in more building up and less tearing down (1 Thess. 5:11; Rom. 14:19; Eph. 4:29).
1. Listen First, Speak Second
The pithy saying of “might makes right” has become a standard strategy in civil discourse. Whether in online political threads or Presidential debates, the tactic of the day seems to be that whoever can shout their opinion the loudest holds the most correct position. Yet Scripture would have us undertake a very different kind of tactic. The God-honoring way to converse with someone you disagree with is to listen first and then speak.
Proverbs 18:13
If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
As Christians, we must be quick to hear and slow to speak (Jm. 1:19-20). This looks like actively listening to those we disagree with while they are speaking instead of drowning out their voice in our minds because we are fixated on crafting our immediate rebuttal. Furthermore, not only does the Bible call us to listen before speaking, but to withhold judgement because we often do not have the entire scope of a given circumstance.
Proverbs 18:17
The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
Rather than brashly taking to Facebook or Twitter to make vindictive judgements and commentate on current events as though we possess the omniscient perspective on the matter, we must be patient and listen well. Listening well, in the case of Proverbs 18:17, means going beyond mere confirmation of our prior commitments, and not simply accepting the first perspective we hear as true. A multiplicity of perspectives may, over time, provide greater clarity down the road. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and listen discerningly, for God is in heaven and we are on earth (Eccles. 5:2).
2. Heed the Counsel of the Wise
The gift of Christian community cannot be underestimated. God has placed shepherds within His church to care and direct the flock. God has also placed wise men and women in the church whose wisdom is made physically manifest by their crown of gray hair (Prov. 16:31).
Proverbs 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
The task of the Christian is to consider and heed the counsel of those have been running the race with endurance and fighting the good fight for a longer period of time than they have. Listening to those who are wise will help us from falling into the trap of egotistically worshipping our own opinion as ultimate.
3. Avoid Sophistry
Do not fall prey to attractive and deceitful argumentation. Listening well also requires discernment. Measure every argument against Scripture. There are those who would seek to lead astray members of the body of Christ with partial truths. Listen critically and discerningly.
Proverbs 18:2
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
Refrain from stating your own opinion simply for the sake of being heard. The path of folly is fundamentally one that leads to self-idolization. If we are to listen to others in a God-honoring manner, we must not be like the fool who considers only their own opinions and sentiments and has no real concern for the objective truth of God, for “has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Cor. 1:20-21). Our own opinions, which seem so important to us, are foolish in comparison with the rich wisdom of God revealed in the knowledge of Himself.
4. Consider – Does It Build Up?
Beyond teaching us when to speak and how to speak, the Bible offers wisdom on whether we should speak. How much more edifying might our conversations be if we took a moment to ask ourselves – “does what I’m about to say build up?” The Biblical paradigm for human interaction would have us consider this question in every conversation (1 Thess. 5:11; Rom. 14:19; Eph. 4:29). Furthermore, consider the tone in which we ought to respond after listening to those we may disagree with.
Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Wisdom seeks to build up, to diffuse a heated situation, and to respond in meekness. When we respond with a meek and humble spirit, we emulate the way of the cross, and Christ is honored. If we are listening well and respond to a harsh argument with a meek and noble answer, we may heap burning coals on the heads of our opponents and win them for the Lord (Prov. 25:21-22).
5. Exercise Intellectual Hospitableness
It is easy to despise the people with whom we have disagreements. When we are listening to someone and hear a point that makes our skin crawl, how easy it becomes to murder them in our hearts (Matt. 5:21-22).
1 Corinthians 13:7
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Not only are we called to bear all things for the sake of Christ in our civic discourse, we are called to believe all things. This looks like exercising intellectual hospitality and not assuming the worst about our interlocuter in the course of an exchange. We can easily fall into the trap of caricaturing those whom we disagree with or representing their views as a straw man. The Christian criterion for civic engagement calls us to put on intellectual honesty and take the arguments of our opponents at face value. Listening well means listening with an ear that assumes the best intentions of others.
6. Recognize You are Listening to an Image-Bearer
In our minds, we often dehumanize those who fundamentally disagree with us. The natural man seeks the welfare of the self. Thus, when the social stature of the self seems jeopardized (opinions are challenged), the natural man resorts to slurs, insults, and pejoratives. The natural man is inclined to ad hominem attacks as a way to reestablish dominance over an opponent after they have challenged a particular position. This is “natural” behavior when we feel threatened, and yet it is antithetical to how Scripture commands us to treat one another.
When listening to others, whether believers or unbelievers, we must recognize that they bear the image of the Almighty God (Gen.1:26-27; Rom. 2:15). Those whom we are listening to and disagree with are not sub-human. To be human is to bear the knowledge of God encoded in one’s very genetic makeup. We must not forget that in civic engagement, even the most radical of individuals with unbiblical viewpoints bears the Imago Dei.
7. Embrace a Christ-like Meekness
The ultimate principle for charitable discourse is to seek to be Christ-like in every interaction. Christ remains the chief example of a virtuous life, and his example is worthy of consideration and imitation. When we are in Christ and we take a stand for truth, we are to do so in love (Eph. 4:15). When we speak, our speech ought to bestow grace upon those who listen (Eph 4:29). Our words are to be seasoned with salt, in order that we might magnify Christ in every interaction (Col 4:6)
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
As we listen and converse with others, we must consider Christ’s ministry and example of humility. He counted others more significant than Himself. Christ’s meek and lowly methodology exudes graces confronts people with an image of themselves. A conversation that is mutually characterized by insults does not give occasion to self-critical reflection. Someone who is belligerent toward a humble listener is confronted by his own conduct. The Biblical method is not merely the humble approach, it is the effective approach. When we listen well and respond in meekness, Christ is glorified. If only more of us would emulate and heed Christ’s example in social interactions, tough conversations might not be so polarizing and full of vitriol.
Josiah Vanderveen (MDiv, Westminster Theological Seminary) is an assistant pastor at Tenth Presbyterian Church).
