On February 6, EMU hosted Dr. David Gushee, an acclaimed pastor, author, and Christian ethicist, as a part of a speaking tour that coincides with the release of his newest book: “Protecting Democracy From Its Christian Enemies.” Gushee’s time with the student body began with a morning convocation titled: “Thinking Biblically about Government in an Election Year.”, wherein he explored Christianity’s past and present role in authoritarianism, and the ethical duties Christians may have during momentous political moments, such as in 2020, and the upcoming 2024 election.
Later that evening, to a fully occupied Martin Chapel, Dr. Gushee gave a second lecture directly examining the discoveries he made in the process of writing his book. The lecture, like the book itself, covered a myriad of interrelated topics: from an exploration of Christianity’s position in an increasingly-polarized political landscape, to a critique of contemporary Christianity’s authoritarian, nationalist tendencies. Weaved through stories of autocracy and oppression, though, were glimmers of inspiration and hope; Brazil’s successful ousting of Jair Bolsonaro being one such story. There was much to discuss, and audience members readily engaged in questions after the lecture–a common concern for Democracy connecting them all.
This is not Dr. Gushee’s first foray into the controversial problems of Christian ethics; in fact, much of his professional life has been spent specifically pondering such politically-charged questions. On the origin of his interests, Dr. Gushee stated:
“Well, I am a Christian ethics professor, and in Christian ethics we deal with politics and public life… just all the time, right? And I’ve written about how Christians engage the political area for 25 years.” Dr. Gushee’s previous works include calls for LGBTQ+ full inclusion in Christian practice, postulation on post-Evangelical Christian faith, and critiques of white Christian supremacism. Though all of these topics inform his ethical process, there is a marked difference in the scale and approach of his latest work. When asked about the specific impetus for this new approach, Dr. Gushee had this to say:
“The dramatic events associated with the Trump presidency, and especially what happened after November of 2020, and the way that a lot of conservative christians were–and are, so supportive of him, and were present at the January 6 event, made this feel like I had to address it.”
The book released in October of 2023, placing it in an interesting historical junction; nearly two years after the January 6 riot at the US capitol, and about a year before the likely rematch between the same candidates whose claim to presidency was called into question by the event. As a result, Dr. Gushee’s schedule will remain very busy for the foreseeable future. When asked about the goal of his book, Gushee explained that he had hoped to make sense of a phenomenon that many Christians have found incomprehensible, and that he aimed to do this through a culture-crossing analysis, a process on which he remarked:
“To put it in a cross-cultural context also helps people, and it’s almost reassuring to know that this isn’t just an American situation.”
Though many audience members raised their hands and spoke their minds, there are still a multitude of questions to ask, conversations to be had, and connections to be forged. Gushee, in the penultimate chapter of “Defending Democracy From Its Christian Enemies,” calls on American Christianity to do so; to defend the Democracy that allows people to hold their faith, and protects their right to do so. “Christianity has the power to protect Democracy,” says Gushee, “even if those who challenge it are Christians themselves.”
