Christianity, Pluralism, and Public Life

Encouraging Positive Christian Contributions to Public Life
In addition to directing us to Christian practices and teachings
that can enhance public engagement, our interviews pointed us
to several ideas and recommendations of ways Christians can
contribute positively to public and civic life.
GO LOCAL
One of the most resounding themes repeated in our interviews
was the importance of working at the local level. Although local
communities are not immune from some of the negative effects
of polarization, direct service and grassroots activism provide
opportunities to work across political, racial, socio-economic,
religious, and other differences.
In localities, communities—including their political leaders—have practical problems they must confront: homelessness,
hunger, failing schools, child welfare, human trafficking, sickness, environmental degradation, and many more. National
political dynamics have fewer direct effects at the local level than individuals and groups offering to help and serve. Christian
individuals and communities can organize and partner with non-Christians, local non-profits, and local governments to
meet critical needs. This work can be even more powerful when various Christian communities, even those with significant
theological, racial, political or other differences, are able to join together and work side by side.
SUPPORT EFFORTS TO CONNECT CHRISTIAN THOUGHT TO PUBLIC LIFE
Although local work is essential, national-level institutions also play an important role in cultivating Christians for civic life.
Many Christians, as attested to by this report, are not well equipped to connect the teachings of their faith with its
implications for public life. The theological and political differences within Christianity are vast, so Christians will not easily
come to agreement on a single, “right” way of approaching these questions. Such differences are understandable and at times
may even enrich public engagement. What is vital is that Christians think Christianly about politics and public life.
We encourage Christian leaders and institutions to assess how well their particular communities are equipped to connect
their theology to questions of public life. Further, we encourage support of institutions that can develop both thought
and practices to help Christians consider public life in community with one another and to broaden conversation among
Christians to promote humble and deep engagement of different, but theologically rooted, views. In some communities, these
kinds of efforts exist, but could be expanded. In others, new efforts may need to be initiated.
Similarly, as religious disaffiliation grows and the percentage of Christians declines, the need grows stronger for broadly
Christian institutions that can articulate Christian principles in a publicly accessible way. Institutions like The Trinity Forum
are oriented toward this purpose and doing valuable work. We believe this essential work should be embraced, supported,
and even expanded.
Finally, if public life and politics are important, as we believe they are, Christians and churches may want to partner with
political organizations—explicitly faith-based and not—who align with their values and mission, in a similar way as they
partner with organizations focused on missionary work, global development, disaster relief, and other areas of concern.
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