Dr. Al Mohler: Is There Really a Political Middle?

Just weeks after his death at the end of March 1969, Reader’s Digest published an essay from President Dwight Eisenhower. He had written it during the final weeks of his life while being treated at Walter Reed Army Hospital. 

The article, which would amount to the former President and Supreme Allied Commander’s final published reflections, was titled “We Must Avoid the Perils of Extremism.” With the country roiled by the escalating war in Vietnam, the assassinations of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., urban riots, and violent campus protests, President Eisenhower attempted to bring some measured perspective and advice to the national conversation.

“The effect of these voices, few in number but strong in decibels, is to create the impression that our country no longer heeds the rule of reason and tolerance,” wrote Eisenhower. “It often takes more courage to occupy the Center than any other position in the political arena, for you are then subject to attack from both flanks.”

It’s been nearly 60 years since the late president penned those words, but the thirst for reasonableness and moderation still reverberates across America – including inside the Christian church.

But is that desire even possible anymore? And is the pursuit even wise?

In today’s Briefing, Southern Seminary president Dr. Albert Mohler doesn’t think so – and we agree.

In response to an article in The Atlantic by David Von Drehle about political moderation,the former Focus on the Family board member questions the author’s premise – specifically the so-called “tolerance” of supposed moderates, including a Methodist pastor running for office.

When it comes to foundational issues such as the sanctity of life, the definition of marriage, and the exclusivity of two genders, Dr. Mohler correctly maintains, “There isn’t a moderate position on those issues. You either believe that the Bible has full authority and the Bible’s verdict on those issues is right and clear and to be respected, to be certainly obeyed when it comes to Christian churches, or you just decide that in the light of what you declare to be this ‘larger gospel of inclusion and acceptance,’ you can just nullify Scripture.”

Dr. Mohler goes on to state that when it comes to moral and ethical issues, the “moderate middle” in America has disappeared.

Even back when the nation’s cultural fabric seriously began to fray, there was cultural consensus on a wide range of key issues: 

In 1969, 68% of Americans believed premarital sex was wrong. One-man, one-woman marriage was also the dominant framework for family formation, and 70% of Americans told Gallup that their faith was very important to them.

But times were changing – and fast. In June 1969, Time magazine wrote, “Men and women, young and old, professionals and laborers, whites and blacks, Christians and Jews, all agree by lopsided majorities that morality in the U.S. has declined over the past ten years.”

Sadly, that decline has never stopped.

Back in 2006, Focus on the Family founder Dr. James Dobson was interviewed by CNN’s Larry King, who asked, “Why can’t marriage be somewhere in the middle, a religious institution?”

Dr. Dobson explained, “I think it ought to be exactly the way it has been and exactly the way it is, Larry. It’s a shame that people are just determined to mess with this wonderful institution called the family. When you’re talking about children, it’s very important that you preserve it.”

King pressed: “How, Doctor, does it hurt traditional marriage if John and Jim are married? How does that hurt your marriage?”

Focus’ founder wisely replied, “If you’re making it personal, you don’t establish national policy on the basis of an individual. You look at what the impact is, what the greater good is for the culture, and the best thing for a culture is to have a rock-solid foundation on which everything else is dependent. Everything rests on the institution of the family. When you start to mess with it, things happen.”

The consequences have been devastating, from innocent children being subjected to widespread sexual confusion to Christian couples committed to biblical truth being barred from fostering or adopting children — or even being investigated for living out their faith. Christian business owners like Masterpiece Cakeshop owner Jack Philips have been unceasingly and aggressively harassed, and some even financially ruined. 

When it comes to God’s morality, there is no middle ground.

“I know your works,” warns Jesus. “You are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth” (Rev. 3:15-16). 

As socially conservative Christians, we’re called to be gracious and compassionate when engaging ideological opponents, but we don’t need to find a comfortable middle position when it comes to voting on candidates and policies.

Photo courtesy of albertmohler.com.