Why RESIST Is Non-Partisan—And Unapologetically Political

People often ask, “Is RESIST a political book?”

Short answer: Yes—but not the way you might think. RESIST is non-partisan and deeply political because following Jesus always touches public life. This isn’t about towing a party line. It’s about discipleship—learning to engage our neighbors, our city, and our policies in the Way of Jesus.

Not Left or Right—Just Rooted

Partisanship asks, “Which team are you on?” Discipleship asks, “Whom are you becoming—and whom are you loving?” The aim of RESIST is to root our public lives in Scripture—especially Luke–Acts—so that our allegiances line up with Jesus before they line up with any platform.

• Partisanship seeks victory.
  Discipleship seeks faithfulness.

• Partisanship defends the brand.
  Discipleship defends the vulnerable.

• Partisanship trades in outrage.
  Discipleship practices courageous love.

If an idea or policy honors the image of God, tells the truth, protects the poor, widens the table, and resists violence, we can support it. If it lies, dehumanizes, hoards, or does harm, we resist it—no matter which party proposed it.

What “Political” Means Here

By “political,” I don’t mean horse-race coverage, cable-news takes, or campaign season fever. I mean the polis—the shared life of a people. Politics in the Christian sense is how we order life together: who is welcome at the table, how resources are shared, who gets protection and who gets ignored. That’s why Jesus’ teaching always lands in real places—homes, roadsides, courtrooms, dinner tables.

In Luke–Acts we see a public, hopeful faith:

• Mary’s Magnificat names upside-down economics.

• Jesus preaches good news to the poor and release to the captives.

• The early church shares resources, breaks bread across lines, and tells the truth to power without hatred.

That is political. And it’s not a party agenda. It’s a kingdom agenda.

The Commitments of a Non-Partisan Christian

RESIST invites readers, small groups, and churches to a few basic commitments:

1. Truth over tribe.
   We refuse to baptize misinformation because “our side” shared it. We slow down, verify, and repent if we get it wrong.

2. People over platform.
   We protect image-bearers first. If a policy harms our neighbors—especially the poor, marginalized, or newly arrived—we say so, even if it costs us socially.

3. Peace over contempt.
   We practice non-violence in speech and action. We don’t dehumanize opponents. We tell the truth with love, not instead of love.

4. Proximity over performance.
   We move toward real people, not just online arguments. We listen to stories at kitchen tables, shelters, schools, and clinics before we post takes.

5. Hope over cynicism.
   We act as if change is possible because the resurrection is real. Small faithful steps are our strategy.

What This Looks Like in Practice

Here are a few concrete rhythms from the book:

• Read before react. Pick one trusted source across your usual viewpoint. Ask, What’s true? What’s missing? Whose voice isn’t here?

• Name the neighbor. When discussing an issue (immigration, housing, violence, schools), write down the name of one person you actually know who is affected. Let that guide your tone and your action.

• Table, then timeline. Share a meal with people who vote differently, then discuss the topic. Eat first. Listen. Then decide what you’ll say online—or whether you need to say anything.

• One policy, one practice. For every public stance you take, add one act of service. Advocacy and mercy belong together.

“But Don’t Parties Matter?”

Parties and platforms do shape policy and outcomes. Christians can and do participate in them. RESIST simply insists that our first identity is not partisan. We do not outsource moral reasoning to pundits. We test everything by the character of Jesus:

• Does it tell the truth?

• Does it protect the poor?

• Does it widen the table?

• Does it reduce violence?

• Does it honor human dignity—especially of those our culture ignores?

If a candidate, party, or proposal fails that test, our loyalty to Jesus frees us to say “no,” even when it’s inconvenient.

Conversations That Form Us (Not Just Inform Us)

One of the quiet goals of the book is to heal how Christians talk. We don’t need more perfectly worded posts; we need patient, honest relationships. Each chapter includes simple tools—questions, prayers, practices—that help communities name conflict without contempt and move toward common good without erasing real differences.

Try this three-step frame with any hot topic:

1. Observation: “Here’s what I’m seeing/hearing…”

2. Impact: “Here’s how this affects real people in our city…”

3. Invitation: “Here’s one next step we can take together…”

It’s amazing how far that structure goes in lowering heat and raising light.

Why This Matters Now

When Christians confuse party with faith, we shrink the gospel. When we retreat into “just preach the gospel,” we ignore the places where our neighbors bleed. RESIST refuses both errors. It calls us to a public discipleship that is pastoral and prophetic, gentle and brave—exactly the texture we see in Jesus.

So yes, the book is political—because love is public. But it is not partisan—because Jesus is Lord, not a mascot. My hope is that RESIST helps you (and your church, small group, or book club) take the next faithful step: telling the truth, widening the table, resisting harm, and practicing non-violent love in the place you live.

That’s not left or right. That’s following the Way.