Ideas Are Always More Important Than Battles

In 1865, soon after Lincoln’s assasination, anti-slavery Senator Charles Sumner wrote, “Ideas are always more important than battles.” The context was Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, which is now known as one of the most famous speeches of all time. 

Sumner said this:
“That speech, uttered at the field of Gettysburg…and now sanctified by the martyrdom of its author, is a monumental act. In the modesty of his nature he said ‘the world will little note, nor long remember what we say here; but it can never forget what they did here.’ He was mistaken. The world at once noted what he said, and will never cease to remember it. The battle itself was less important than the speech. Ideas are always more important than battles.”

This election feels like a battle. Both sides seek to kill and destroy. Friendships broken, people leaving churches, harsh words posted online that would never be spoken in person. 

I keep hearing the cry of, “But lives are at stake!” Ironically, both sides say this. Unfortunately neither side’s platform encompasses all the lives Christians should care about. Unborn lives. Black lives. Refugee lives. There’s also the environment, which Christians are commanded to steward well. Or the issue of poverty, where each side sees a different strategy (wealth redistribution or creation?). I see Christians drawing the line in the sand, hurling vicious accusations against the other, both sides decrying the other for being immoral, unChristian, uncaring. We are being forced to take a side, and in doing so, fracturing our values and our souls. 

We are faced with impossible choices in this election. No matter who wins, Christians lose something that should be important to them. No matter who wins, we will still have work to do. 

Ideas are always more important than battles. A historian wrote, “In an interpretation that was radical at the time–but is now taken for granted–Lincoln’s historic address redefined the Civil War as a struggle not just for the Union, but also for the principle of human equality.” 

During the Civil War, the North won the battle, but did they really win? The idea of human equality took another hundred years for people to take seriously. And even now, many of our neighbors (and the unborn, if they could speak) could give clear evidence that this idea still hasn’t taken hold in our communities, our schools, our churches. Yes, lives are at stake in this election. But the idea is more important than the battle. Which should we spend more time and energy fighting for?

Too often though, our focus is only on the battle. Sometimes I worry more for the winners of this election than the losers. Winning the battle could make those in power believe that they have triumphantly defeated their enemies. Meanwhile, their arrogance could actually reduce the strength of their ideas.  

Let us remember that rarely do people want to listen to us when they feel belittled. No one changes their mind after being attacked. Twenty years ago, my college pastor used to tell us that Christians should always seek to be seen as winsome. It’s stuck with me all these years. Winsome–attractive, engaging, appealing, friendly. Whose ideas are we most likely to listen to? Someone who is aggressive and determined to win the battle at any cost? Or someone who is humble and winsome? Winning someone’s heart with an idea is more significant than winning this election.

American ideals are worth fighting for, but the gospel is more important. Patriotism is a priority, but the kingdom of God is a higher priority. The outcome of this election won’t allow us to be “safe” for four years, nor will it mean disaster. If America becomes more socialist, or more racist, or more fascist, it may mean a more difficult life for us. But it shouldn’t make us Christians wring our hands in despair; instead, it should give us a renewed determination to push up our sleeves and get to work. If we’re not sure about that, then we only need to look to Christians from China or Venezuela or Lebanon for inspiration.

Two of Jesus’ disciples were Matthew the Tax Collector (who worked for Rome) and Simon the Zealot (who stood for violent rebellion against Rome). They couldn’t have possibly been farther apart on the political spectrum. It would have been the equivalent of a White Supremacist and a card-carrying member of Black Lives Matter both selected to be on Jesus’ team. 

I would love to have heard the late-night discussions that went on between Simon and Matthew. In order to follow Jesus, both would have needed to lay aside some of their most treasured passions. If they could figure out how to work together to build the kingdom of God, why can’t we? 

The battle is important, so yes, go out and vote. Think hard and pray harder. But let us remember that the ideas are always more important than elections. If we want less abortion, less racism, less poverty, the outcome of an election can help, but that’s not where the true strength lies. The idea of the gospel of Christ, taken hold in mankind’s hearts, has far more power than any political party or government official. I’m keeping my sight set on God’s kingdom.