Truth Over Tribalism: 11 Things I Didn’t Say on Sunday

In a video that went viral, a British interviewer named Catherine Newman continually responded to her interviewee, “So you’re saying…?” What usually followed was the most uncharitable misinterpretation of her interviewee’s perspective imaginable. This has been dubbed the Newman Effect. Jesus calls us to charity in all things, including the way we listen. Because of this, Christians should be the slowest people to assume the worst or to twist words.

Of course, we all fall short. Me included. Especially when topics cut close to the values I hold dear and the idols I cling to most tightly. If you’re looking to challenge your own tribalism on the right or left even further, check out one of these books. However, I know that the sermon on January 3 probably triggered the Newman Effect in people on both the right and the left, which can make understanding harder. 

So, for the sake of clarity and charity, here are 11 things you might have heard me say that I definitely didn’t say on Sunday. 

1. So you’re saying that I can’t be patriotic and love my country?

No. If you heard that, I either miscommunicated or you misunderstood me. If it’s my fault, please forgive me. In the sermon, I said you can love your country and admit that it has problems. Just like my wife can love me and admit that I have problems. You can love your country without believing that God loves it more than other nations. Just like my wife can love me without believing that God loves me than other men. God chose the church, not a nation (Gal. 3:28).

2. So you’re saying that America is the worst nation in history? 

No. If you heard that, I either miscommunicated or you misunderstood me. If it’s my fault, please forgive me. No nation is perfect. No nation is pure evil. Our nation, past and present, has committed great sins and accomplished great good.

3. So you’re saying people who voted for Donald Trump can’t be Christians? 

No. If you heard that, I either miscommunicated or you misunderstood me. If it’s my fault, please forgive me. 

4. So you’re saying people who voted for Joe Biden can’t be Christians? 

No. If you heard that, I either miscommunicated or you misunderstood me. If it’s my fault, please forgive me.

5. So you’re saying Republicans can’t be Christians?

No. If you heard that, I either miscommunicated or you misunderstood me. If it’s my fault, please forgive me. I was speaking to the far right. While the far rightmay identify as Republican, not all Republicans identify with the far right. Moreover, people on the far right can be Christians. I expect to see many in heaven.

6. So you’re saying Democrats can’t be Christians?

No. If you heard that, I either miscommunicated or you misunderstood me. If it’s my fault, please forgive me. I was speaking to the far left. While the far left may identify as Democrats, not all Democrats identify with the far left. Moreover, people on the far left can be Christians. I expect to see many in heaven.

7. So you’re saying that all accusations of systemic racism are true? 

No. If you heard that, I either miscommunicated or you misunderstood me. If it’s my fault, please forgive me. I said that where there is evidence of racism enshrined in policy, regulation, or practice, then systemic racism is there.

8. So you’re denying the existence of systemic racism?

No. If you heard that, I either miscommunicated or you misunderstood me. If it’s my fault, please forgive me. I spent a good chunk of time laying out a clear and grievous example of systemic racism in my sermon. And I challenged our congregation to speak out for the voiceless as the Bible commands.

9. So you’re agreeing with all the recent Christian denouncements of Critical Race Theory?

No. If you heard that, I either miscommunicated or you misunderstood me. If it’s my fault, please forgive me. I never spoke about Critical Race Theory. I have not read the SBC’s statement on CRT. In my opinion, there are helpful things that have come out of CRT and unhelpful things. I’d say that about any non-biblical worldview. But, to be frank, the most helpful parts of CRT preceded the existence of CRT and could be found in orthodox black churches a century ago. There is nothing new. 

10. So you’re saying that people of color aren’t oppressed?

No. If you heard that, I either miscommunicated or you misunderstood me. If it’s my fault, please forgive me. I shared multiple stories about the oppression that black people have experienced in Amerca. I was, however, careful to say that oppression is not a function of identity. The amount of melanin in your skin does not automatically make you oppressed or an oppressor.

11. So you’re saying my race doesn’t matter at all, just my faith in Jesus?

No. If you heard that, I either miscommunicated or you misunderstood me. If it’s my fault, please forgive me. Jesus unties people from a diversity of ethnic communities, without wiping away their ethnicity. Revelation says that people from every tribe and tongue will bring the glories of their ethnic communities into the new creation. This means that ethnic diversity isn’t just a present reality, it’s eternal, and it’s beautiful.

Wondering why we decided to preach on this topic in the first place? Read more about why we are talking about the dangers of tribalism now.