Conservatism—commitment to traditional values and ideas with opposition to change—is a term that is not unfamiliar with social stigma, especially in our present political climate. And, in the United States, conservative Christianity is often associated with political conservatism, especially in the politics of our current administration. This is not an equitable comparison, and a misunderstanding of the term which will yield only futility. To understand religious and political conservatism/liberalism and how they relate we must begin with an understanding of who Jesus is.

Political conservatives, especially those in line with our current administration, are proponents of legislation that are not founded on the principles taught by Jesus, such as the tax reform, attempts to cut the Affordable Care Act, and the disastrous and disrespectful tactics we call foreign policy. When we look closely at the fundamental values of Christianity, they do not resonate with those of this administration. According to the definition of conservatism, conservative Christianity should seek to adhere to the traditions of the religion, seen in the teaching of Jesus Christ. Conservative Christianity is caring for the poor. It is welcoming the stranger, not detaining them. It is making and keeping peace, not instigating violence when we are insulted. It is loving your neighbor no matter what country they come from, not condemning them for their identity simply because it is not our identity. Political conservatism has and continues to move away from true conservative Christianity. The Trump conservative is the liberal Christian. Liberal Christianity does not adhere to the teachings of Jesus. It builds a wall, detains children, and does not care for the poor.

The values we often see as Christian “conservatism” in our culture contradict the teachings of Jesus. This has been evident in the recent events following the nomination of Judge Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court. A true conservative Christian would support Dr. Ford and others making allegations against the nominee. The conservative Christian would also seek to be civil to the nominee amid these allegations. Conservative Christians would love their enemy, but this does not mean they must accept their enemy’s sins as moral and in line with the teachings of Jesus. The conservative Christian would also take this experience and act upon it, noting that our culture has a lenient view on sexual misbehavior biased towards a certain class, and an unquenchable thirst for power. To act upon this, the conservative Christian would vocally condemn this behavior without diminishing the worth of the individual, for that is not what we are called to do.

This does not mean, however, that political liberals follow the teachings of Jesus either; some of who refuse to partake in civil, pragmatic dialogue with those they disagree with and do not have a clear picture of the political reality we are in. Jesus ate with the tax collectors and associated himself with prostitutes. To follow Jesus, both sides of the political spectrum must clothe themselves with the values and teachings of Jesus before forming their political agenda. Conservative Christianity is taking the Sermon on the Mount and living the principles taught by Jesus. We should not live by the “eye for an eye” philosophy and retaliate simply to reiterate our silhouetted strength. Rather, to be a true conservative Christian we must surrender our power, however difficult that may be, and love our enemies, take responsibility for our misdoings, and be reconciled.