Seeking Peace in a Divided Nation: How Jesus Followers Can Respond After the 2016 Election

How can Jesus followers respond meaningfully and compassionately in the wake of a deeply polarizing presidential election? Mike Erre and Andy reflect on the day after the 2016 U.S. election—just hours after Donald Trump was elected president—to offer a timely pastoral conversation about what it means to be peacemakers when the nation feels fractured. With powerful insights grounded in the teachings of Jesus, they discuss how grief, empathy, repentance, and prophetic witness must shape our response as Christians, regardless of political allegiance. Key Takeaways: • Grieving With Those Who Grieve – Empathizing with marginalized communities who feel threatened post-election and choosing to listen without defensiveness. • The Peacemaker's Role – Asking how Jesus followers can rise above divisiveness and embody hope, humility, and justice in a politically charged environment. • Evangelical Identity in Crisis – Exploring the Church's alignment with political power and the witness it communicates to the watching world, especially among white evangelicals. • The Danger of Demonizing – Rejecting the "us vs. them" narrative by remembering our real enemy is not flesh and blood, but the powers that divide and distort love. • Practicing Political Discipleship – Calling all Christians to evaluate their allegiance: Are we reflecting American nationalism or the Kingdom of God in our public engagement? Resources Mentioned: • Matthew 5 – "Blessed are the peacemakers…" • Ephesians 6:12 – "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood…" • James 1:19 – "Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." • St. Francis of Assisi's Prayer – A call to be instruments of peace. Join us in embracing the path of peacemaking and rediscovering what it means to be the Church in divided times. Subscribe, share your thoughts, and help us bring Jesus-shaped love and truth into America's cultural chaos. As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to [email protected], and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV Our Merch Store! ETSY Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to [email protected], and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV. Our Merch Store! ETSY Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy