I just read Hidden Tribes – A Study of America’s Polarized Landscape – See link below: https://hiddentribes.us/media/qfpekz4g/hidden_tribes_report.pdf
I found this study mentioned in a devotional I was reading. I find it fascinating! I would place myself as a mix of the Traditional and Devoted Conservative and see myself in minor portions of the Exhausted Majority. It is lengthy but very interesting.
Take some time to look through the descriptions of the different “Tribes”. Do you see yourself in any of them? Read the conclusion. What do you think of this statement:
“America today needs a renewed sense of national identity, one that fosters a common vision for a future in which every American can feel that they belong and are respected. National identity can be the force that unifies people to overcome the polarization that has been the focus of this report.”
I do believe that America, on the world stage, is truly unique. The founding principles were radical for that time and still are today. Their ability to instill a sense of unity in people from all walks of life, though not unparalleled, was and is amazing. The above statement reminded me of the strength found in the national identity and unity instilled by God in the 12 tribes of Israel. Though the “tribes” eventually allowed factions and divisions to break them apart, their unity and identity as a “people” remains today. It also reminds me of early Christianity. Though denominationalism has resulted in division and factions I believe a Christ-follower can still go anywhere in the world and find unity and identity with other Christians as a common people.
I watched portions of the 1st GOP debate but tuned in too late to see it all. I believe that any of those on the stage would be better than what we have now! I remember that our first President argued against the establishment of political parties.
“Parties were factions that threatened to divide the electorate into competing groups who might use violence to advance their interests. Parties might also disrupt the separation of powers, especially in the case of unified government where loyalty to a party could interfere with the system of checks and balances. Parties also threatened to stand in the way of effective representation, with elected officials tempted to represent only fellow party members and to leave opposition groups without a voice in government.”
See: teachingamericanhistory.org
His opinion has clearly been shown to be correct!
However, though I grow tired of the political-party divisiveness, and bemoan laws and political decisions that do not agree with my world-view, the Scripture found in Romans 13:1, and 1 Samuel 8 resound in my head:
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Romans 13:1
And the predictive words of God found in 1 Samuel 8 when the elders of Israel demanded “a king to rule us, like everybody else.” When Samuel presented their demand to God, He answered: “Go ahead and do what they are asking. They are not rejecting you. They’ve rejected me as their King.” (The Message). So what did God say the human king would do? Forced labor, cronyism, funneling resources for personal wealth, taking personal property, taxes, and more taxes. Sound familiar?
Somehow, I must trust that the powers and authorities God allows will ultimately serve to glorify Him and fulfill His will and promises. I have to ask myself what God is trying to teach me personally through these Scriptures. Perhaps that neither my hope nor my future lies in the hands or decisions of political parties or politicians. Both my hope and my future are in God’s hands.
So the conclusion of the matter is, “Don’t get too bent out of shape. Trust in God”. Right?
To perhaps clarify this, one more piece of Scripture came to my mind as I write this, Ezekiel 9:4: ”The Lord said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, even through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst.” NASB
This “mark” was evidence that they were ”bent out of shape”, and distressed. Those “who sigh and groan” over injustice, violence, a breakdown of societal structure, rejection of God, and contempt for Godly precepts and principles. Those without the “mark” were killed. Though the context is another place and another time, the principle, in God’s eyes, is universally applicable.
Perhaps there is a measure of being “bent out of shape” that is appropriate when it comes to our contemporary society in America. Do I express this in a way that would earn me a “mark” on my forehead? Or am I simply a “ resounding gong or clanging cymbal” without love. (See 1 Corinthians 13). Do I express my groaning without understanding that my fellow “people” are not the enemy. The Enemy that has deceived them is the enemy!
I wondered, as I read the Study, how I can be more intentional about finding common ground; even with those whom I vehemently disagree. Should I even try?
The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:22: “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” Hmmm, sounds like he is advocating finding common ground with those he finds within his area of influence. Perhaps, and especially, those who are disagreeable. Why? To turn them towards God. This does not mean that he is advocating surrender to the culture and throwing out God’s moral standards. Previously he said:
“Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.”
I refer you to Acts 17:22; 22:1-2 and 22:25-29 as examples of how Paul found common ground. He did not compromise or water down his message. But he was willing to, temporarily, set aside his God-given rights and his freedom in Christ. Why? He said, “for the sake of the gospel”. What about me?
I leave you with a portion of the words of a poem I memorized as a young man, Desiderata (Latin: “things desired”) by Max Ehrmann. Though not Scripture inspired by God, perhaps words that were inspired by Scripture.
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Be blessed. Be encouraged. You are loved by God, and most assuredly by many others!
Mike
Michael Rueffert...In the Freedom of Forgiveness... 
Thanks Mike, as usual I agree almost completely. However, because as with most things hijacked by hateful people, the term “common ground” no longer means what it did. It means the opposite of what you mention, compromise without abandoning principle. It now means the antithesis to the point of compromising only to the hater’s positions. Consequently, I refrain from using that term and was very hesitant to even read what you wrote because of the connotation. Sadly, the same applies to what you wrote about “Pride”, which I have not read yet.
I would offer one very important additional perspective which I have been, for years, frustrated that most Pastor’s gloss over or forget. I am referring to an expanded portion of Romans chapter 13. Looking at that entire passage in vv. 1-7 we see especially vv. 3 and 4: “For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer”.
Rulers in our country now, and other hateful people, do the antithesis of these verses having perverted God’s word. They are in fact holding terror for those who do right. One will only be commended for doing wrong and fear the one in authority because of doing right. He no longer punishes the wrongdoer but he who does right. This being right is only so if one is following the Bible.
So now we have prevalent among the hateful, now fully in control of our government, those spoken of in Isaiah 5:20: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter”. When it is so obvious that those in authority and other hateful people are doing the antithesis of God’s word, it is time to follow God alone and turn from the impositions of the authorities and others foisting wickedness on us. This is why we must be so cautious about “common ground”. We must be as God tells us in Matthew 10:16-23 but especially v. 16: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves”.
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Yes, thank you for pointing that out. I did not clearly explain my thoughts on the common ground found in those passages. Paul deliberately and boldly used and expressed his previous education, experiences and community standing as the common ground earning him the right, the ability and the option to deliver the Gospel message. See v.21. He showed respect, spoke clearly and truthfully without watering down his message. He had no control as to how his audience would respond. The Scriptures teach that the Gospel message will be to some very offensive. In fact, I remember when I was once offended because I thought the message was too exclusive. I soon discovered how wonderfully inclusive it is. Our delivery of the Gospel message can be on the offense without us being offensive.
I read that John MacArthur once said:
If the truth offends, then let it offend. People have been living their whole lives in offense to God; let them be offended for a while.
Paul’s goal was not just to get along with them. That should not be our main goal either. However, in my view as Christ-followers, we must be open to listening, treating others with respect, and speaking the Truth in honest dialog. In that way we can “get along”. By using that Scripture I was hoping to show that finding common ground does not mean, or require someone to discard the principles and precepts of their worldview. How others respond is out of our control.
I heard someone say the other day that the only way to end violence is if everyone ends violence. If only one does not; then…
Thank you again for your comment and request for clarification I hope that helps.
Mike
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You managed to turn my quiet morning into a scholarly undertaking, labeling and tribalizing, setting a useful template over the discord in the U.S. But God remains in authority.
Not sure how the verses you referenced in Acts 22 reveal common ground. Paul created tension and discord in those vignettes with the soldiers and with the Sanhedrin. I am confident that you can explain it to me.
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Yes, thank you for pointing that out. I did not clearly explain my thoughts on the common ground found in those passages. Paul deliberately and boldly used and expressed his previous education, experiences and community standing as the common ground earning him the right, the ability and the option to deliver the Gospel message. See v.21. He showed respect, spoke clearly and truthfully without watering down his message. He had no control as to how his audience would respond. The Scriptures teach that the Gospel message will be to some very offensive. In fact, I remember when I was once offended because I thought the message was too exclusive. I soon discovered how wonderfully inclusive it is. Our delivery of the Gospel message can be on the offense without us being offensive.
I read that John MacArthur once said:
If the truth offends, then let it offend. People have been living their whole lives in offense to God; let them be offended for a while.
Paul’s goal was not just to get along with them. That should not be our main goal either. However, in my view as Christ-followers, we must be open to listening, treating others with respect, and speaking the Truth in honest dialog. In that way we can “get along”. By using that Scripture I was hoping to show that finding common ground does not mean, or require someone to discard the principles and precepts of their worldview. How others respond is out of our control.
I heard someone say the other day that the only way to end violence is if everyone ends violence. If only one does not; then…
Thank you again for your comment and request for clarification. I hope that helps.
Mike
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Dear Anonymous,
Your comment has spurred me on to look even deeper into how Paul found common ground in the midst of cultural and world view differences. I do believe that the Christ follower must have the mindset that their life is no longer their own. Paul had that mindset. Because of Christ’s sacrifice for us we belong to Him. This then turns our focus from self to others. It is a mission-oriented mindset. And, a missionary must understand the culture of the mission field. In Acts 1-16 Paul certainly demonstrated the effectiveness of that emphasis in Greece.I read an article from The Bible Project that made this point.
Here is the link: https://bibleproject.com/articles/bringing-the-gospel-to-the-greeks/?utm_source=web_social_share&medium=shared_blog
America has many cultures within one. I think that perhaps it could be demonstrated that each individual has their own, unique culture. But more importantly, in addition to understanding one’s culture, I believe in order the find common ground with someone who does not share my worldview, I must first and genuinely care about them as a person, a fellow human being, a child of God, a unique individual purposely created with gifts, talents and purpose. Understanding one’s personal culture will help me find common ground. When Paul went on his missionary journey there was no litmus test as to who he would speak to. Jew, gentile, male, female, all. People who needed to hear of the One True God. And, he did not force his message down their throats. Yes, in some cases the result was upheaval, but to those who listened, many lives were changed
.
Today, may you be blessed. Be encouraged.
Mike
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