Reflections on Authoritarianism

Being Vehicles of God’s Love and Grace in a Divided World

by

September 25, 2024

Dear Iowa United Methodists,

A section of our new Social Principles begins with this statement: 

Our involvement in political systems is rooted in the Gospel imperative to love our neighbors, to do justice, and to care for the vulnerable. As United Methodists, we acknowledge that love requires responsible political action and engagement aimed at the betterment of society and the promotion of the common good.”[1]

It is in this spirit that I write to encourage us to reflect on God’s call to love our neighbor and do justice in a divided and polarized world. God calls us to be vehicles of God’s grace—the same grace that has been given to us in Jesus Christ. As the Apostle Paul reminds us, “All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory; but all are treated as righteous freely by his grace because of a ransom that was paid by Christ Jesus,” Romans 3: 23-24.

Those who have been saved by grace are called to be vehicles of God’s grace and love in the world. As we prepare to do that and to engage responsibly in our world, it might help to first understand and give voice to what is happening around us.   

What is happening? Why?

We hear terms bandied about like autocracy and authoritarianism.  Historians call these illiberal or anti-democratic movements. They take power from the people and vest it in a few. They do that by centralizing power in the executive branch and by removing individual freedoms and governmental checks and balances. They often give an individual or group primary control over public life. Such systems have existed throughout history, and it has never gone well. 

Still, illiberal rule is on the rise. Historian Ruth Ben Ghiat notes, “As of early 2021, over half of the world’s population lives under some form of illiberal rule.”[2]  We would be remiss in thinking that it couldn’t happen here, because it has. Slavery employed an anti-democratic form of illiberal rule. African Americans could not vote, own land, benefit from their own labor, or have autonomy over their own bodies. Most in our society, and certainly most Christians, have come to widely condemn such systems.

Yet, we are at risk, with support for democracy decreasing and support for authoritarianism rising. According to a recent Pew Research study, 32% of Americans favored some form of authoritarian rule.[3]  And, Harvard scholars Erica Chenoweth and Zoe Marks note, “Countries swept up in the current 'democratic recession' follow a pattern: nationalist, right-wing populist leaders win electoral power, either by seizing control of established parties or by creating their own parties, which become electoral juggernauts. Once in power, they consolidate control in the executive branch and abuse power persistently and incrementally in a way that divides and disorients their opponents.”[4]

There are complex reasons for our democratice backsliding. The promises of globalization have not materialized for all. Instead, jobs have been outsourced to other countries, small towns and rural areas are emptying out, and people are feeling more stressed than ever. Income inequality, a destabilizing force throughout history, continues to grow. And, demographic change, driven by global migration, is generating pushback. 

Whatever the reasons, what matters is how we respond. Will we respond in ways that are in line with our Christian and United Methodist values? Will we engage in ways that better society and look out for the common good? Let’s consider what we should watch for and God’s call to action.

What should we look for?

To recognize authoritarian tendencies around us, look for plans and proposals that centralize power in the executive. Our founding fathers created checks and balances, insuring a balance of power between the three branches of government. We should be wary, when any plan consolidates power in the executive branch and coopts or neutralizes the other branches of government.  

What does Scripture and our United Methodist tradition say?

Scripture tells us that God, only, is our Lord. God certainly uses people but warns us against making individuals into demigods. In addition, our Doctrinal Standards tell us “Our heritage in doctrine and our present theological task focus upon a renewed grasp of the sovereignty of God and of God’s love in Christ amid the continuing crises of human existence.”[5]

No matter the challenges we face, God is our sovereign, and God’s love in Jesus Christ is our North Star.  As God spoke in Exodus, “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You must have no other gods before me,” Exodus 20: 2-3. And as Jesus said of himself, “I am the way the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” John 14: 6.

What can we do?

  • Watch out for the language of authoritarianism. Here is a little homework: Which historical figure first used the term “enemy of the people?” Why should the use of that term concern us today?
  • Learn about history. Read books by historians and discuss them in small groups. Here are my picks: On Tyranny, by Timothy Snyder; Strongmen, From Mussolini to the Present, by Ruth Ben-Ghiat; How the South Won the Civil War: Oligarchy, Democracy, and the Fight for the Soul of America, by Heather Cox Richardson. Note that you might also re-read the Gospels focusing attention on the stories about Herod, who operated within an authoritarian system.
  • What books would you suggest? You can find all of these resources linked at our Beloved Community - An Antidote to Extremism page.

Meditate on Scripture and pray. I am especially drawn to these verses of the Beatitudes; “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will see God,” Matthew 5: 4-7.

These passages suggest that God calls us to engage with the world with humility, listening to others, withholding judgment, and being willing to learn. God calls us to work for justice, and to trust that ultimately God’s righteousness will prevail. And God calls us to be merciful to others, even those with whom we disagree, because our God in Christ has been merciful to us.

Based on the Beatitudes, how do you think God is calling you for such a time as this? 

Please pray with me:

Gracious Lord, help us to learn the humility of meekness--to listen to each other with true humility of heart. Help us to hunger and thirst for righteousness more than we hunger for being right. And amid these conflicted and polarized times, help us to be merciful to others so that, in their faces, we might see you. In Christ we pray, Amen.

[1] The United Methodist Social Principles 2024, The Political Community, p. 32.

[2] Ben-Ghiat, Ruth. Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present, W.W. Norton & Company, New York: 2021, p. 263.

[3] Laura Silver and Janell Fetterolf, “Who likes authoritarianism, and how do they want to change their government?,” Pew Research Center, February 28, 2024, https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/02/28/who-likes-authoritarianism-and-how-do-they-want-to-change-their-government/.

[4] Erica Chenoweth and Zoe Marks, “Pro-Democracy Organizing Against Autocracy in the United States,” Harvard Kennedy School Faculty Research Working Paper Series, October 2022, p. 6.

[5] “Doctrinal Standards and Our Theological Task,” ¶102 Section 1—Our Doctrinal Heritage, 2016 United Methodist Book of Discipline, United Methodist Publishing House, Nashville: 2016, p. 42.

Bishop Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai serves as resident bishop of the Iowa Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. She shares administration of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference with Bishop David A. Bard of the Michigan Conference.