Countering Political Polarization and Building Foundations for Principled Christian Public Engagement

This article was contributed by Dr. Ruth Melkonian-Hoover and Miriam Belli '28.

This June, we held a conference at Gordon formulated to rethink the 250th anniversary of America, how America developed as a nation (and as the world’s first constitutional liberal democracy), and to consider how democracy is faring globally as well. We came together to ponder questions of unity, pluralism, the imago Dei, the love of neighbor, and the common good; the means by which Christian political and social thought support a renewal of American democracy; lessons from America’s democratic neighbors and allies; and the impacts of culture and religion on capacities for civic unity—and disunity. It met those goals and, thankfully, more. We look forward to ongoing outcomes.

Why bother?

The conference was significant because, as one participant and Gordon alum shared, they have been “troubled and looking for solid thinking about the divides (especially within the Church) over politics and want to think about where we can get resources for Christians to build unity.” Another panelist noted the gift of being able to wrestle together over “questions of pluralism, democracy, and our witness as Christians in the political realm.” 

What happened?

We found it extremely encouraging to gather for a democracy conference at Gordon at a time when political polarization is such a significant problem, both in the U.S. and globally. Participants engaged with a range of thought-provoking paper panels and challenging plenary sessions on covenantal pluralism, religious freedom and democracy, global democratic decline, virtues and practices that counter polarization, and the ideas that shape public life. Over many meals and coffee breaks, we held deep, rich conversations. To see some of the initial outcomes for yourself, check out these short, pithy blogs from our excellent keynote plenary speakers, Hertzke, Sedaca, and McKenzie. You can also watch all five plenaries here.

Unexpected gifts

An unanticipated bonus is that we not only brought together Christian political scientists, but also scholars from many other disciplines (theology, history, art, music, and mathematics) as well as think tank leaders, practitioners, alumni, students, and community participants. It was a conference that, according to many who came, met both relational and academic needs. 

It is clear there is a palpable desire for an in-person community with whom to wrestle about these concerns, appropriate responses, and means of public justice in such fraught times. As one of our international panelists shared, the conference in general and the panel on covenantal pluralism in particular offered “valuable insights into how divided societies can sustain cooperation, a topic closely related to my own research on democratic accommodation and ideological conflict.” 

Speakers were frank about the need to be honest about our own history, who we are, and who we ought to be. One alum captured that sentiment well, as he shared that the conference helped him and his son reflect on “how to be a Christian in a complex world filled with people who are both made in God’s image while still being prone to sin.” 

Next steps

Gordon students who attended shared that they want more of this—engagement with a range of faithful, thoughtful faculty and public policy experts who are having these important discussions, and exposure to top-notch resources relevant to their future studies and careers.

On the last day, we met to consider how to move forward. We discussed the revival of the Christians in Political Science organization (CPS) and considered future gatherings. One participant noted how valuable it is to have these events for scholars and practitioners to consider how to undertake faith integration well and how to maintain enthusiasm for the project and hope of Christian higher education. A CPS working group has already been formed! 

We have already begun sharing some of the research from the conference and are excited to see where other contributions are published and utilized. We look forward to using, and having others use, some of these excellent resources, findings, and knowledge in our classrooms, workplaces, communities, and churches.

We are grateful to Gordon College, PS/IA faculty and TAs, our events planning team (go Lauren Colt!), the Lilly Network, Christians in Political Science (CPS), the Center for Public Justice (CPJ), The Review of Faith and International Affairs (RFIA), and Gordon’s Center for Faith and Inquiry (CFI) for helping sponsor the conference.