Political correctness has become a major topic of discussion and debate in recent years. With changing social norms and increasing diversity, there are disagreements over what language and behaviors are acceptable or offensive. Some view political correctness as necessary for building an inclusive society, while others see it as an infringement on free speech. But what insight does the Bible provide on this complex issue?
There are several principles from Scripture that can help frame a Christian perspective on political correctness and cultural sensitivity. First is the call to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Christians are exhorted to be truthful in all they say, but to do so in a way that builds up others. This requires wisdom and discernment to consider both the message and the delivery. Speech that is technically truthful but unnecessarily harsh or inflammatory does not reflect the character of Christ.
A second relevant principle is to avoid offensive language or behavior. The Bible instructs believers to avoid causing others to stumble through careless or hateful speech (1 Corinthians 10:32-33; Titus 3:1-2). Christians should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry (James 1:19). Consideration should be given not just to the speaker’s intent but also to how the message is received. Mindless references to words, phrases, or actions that are hurtful or demeaning to others, even if not intended that way, fail to display Christian compassion.
However, the call to avoid offense does not mean Christians should remain silent on meaningful and potentially controversial issues. Jesus and the prophets spoke boldly against moral decay and injustice in society. They did not shy away from hard teachings simply because some might be offended. Their concern was proclaiming God’s truth and advocating for the vulnerable, not worrying about political correctness. However, their criticisms focused on principles and institutions rather than attacking individuals or fostering disdain for those who disagreed with them.
So a balanced Christian approach recognizes the need for grace and restraint in how controversial topics are broached, in order to show respect for others and avoid causing unnecessary division. But it also accepts that truth often deals with sensitive issues that elicit strong reactions. Scripture contains many accounts where Jesus and the apostles address controversial subjects like sexual ethics, hypocrisy, ethnic prejudice, and the exclusive claims of the gospel message itself. They did so with conviction but also with nuance, logic and compassion.
This leads to a third relevant principle from the Bible – freedom of conscience on disputable matters (Romans 14:1-15:7). Scripture recognizes that well-meaning Christians will sometimes disagree over issues like food, holidays, and other customs that are not central doctrines of the faith. Believers are instructed not to judge each other harshly in such matters but rather accept one another, understanding that God looks at the heart more than outward practices. Wise Christians will differentiate between core biblical teachings and applications or interpretations where room for debate exists.
This has implications for political correctness debates, which often center more on changing social attitudes and unstated cultural assumptions than on clear biblical absolutes. Scripture seems to allow flexibility and restraint in how believers apply God’s word to some modern controversies over terminology and custom. Christians can advocate their perspective humbly but also accept the sincerity of fellow believers who view certain matters differently. Christian maturity means recognizing that love, not conformity, is the highest value.
A fourth relevant biblical principle is that Christians are to operate with wisdom and discernment when engaging the larger culture around them (Matthew 10:16). Believers are called to be perceptive regarding those they interact with, aware of context and nuance, quick to perceive how actions and rhetoric are likely to be perceived. The highest ethic for Christian speech is not straining to avoid any offense (an impossibility) but consciously trying to “let your conversation be gracious and attractive” (Colossians 4:6) in each situation.
This requires understanding that phrases and actions perfectly normal and innocent in one context may have hurtful connotations in another – and adjusting accordingly. It means prayerfully striving for sensitivity to others without compromising clear truth. It results in speech that is morally courageous but socially gracious, modeling both conviction and compassion. Neither minimizing offensive sin nor maximizing societal outrage reflects the heart of Jesus.
In summary, Scripture does not insert God’s people into superficial partisan debates over political correctness for its own sake. But God’s word does provide principles relevant to this issue – speaking truth in love, avoiding unnecessary offense, allowing flexibility on disputable matters, and exercising contextual discernment. The Bible prescribes a measured, nuanced approach – one that takes both moral truth and social sensitivity seriously, that neither chases the latest ideological fads nor dismisses genuine hurts caused by careless speech. A Christlike example neither bows to political correctness nor flouts it for its own sake.
Old Testament Examples
Looking deeper into the Old Testament, we find stories and teachings that reinforce this balanced approach on sensitive speech. For example, Exodus 23:9 instructs God’s people, “You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.” This reminds Israelites to treat foreigners and visitors with compassion, remembering their own past experiences. The principle applies to avoiding speech that is dehumanizing or demeaning toward those who seem different from the majority culture.
Esther’s wise courage in speaking to the king (Esther 4-5) provides a model for respectfully bringing attention to wrongdoing. Confronting oppression requires discernment regarding both timing and tone. Esther sought the good of her people at considerable personal risk but also acted thoughtfully in how she approached the powerful King Xerxes. She did not presume upon her status but humbly looked for the most constructive way to remedy injustice.
Proverbs repeatedly warns against foolish or deceptive speech, like perjurers who “make a mockery of justice” (Proverbs 19:28) or liars who “destroy a friendship” (Proverbs 25:18). Truth is valued highly, but it should not be wielded as a weapon against others. “A gentle tongue is a tree of life,” bringing healing (Proverbs 15:4). Even when correcting or rebuking, Proverbs instructs doing it with gentleness, not involving oneself in another’s quarrel (Proverbs 26:17; 27:5). Wisdom literature thus extols speaking truth but also doing so with discretion and restraint.
New Testament Examples
The New Testament provides fuller teaching on careful speech in a diverse society. For instance, Jesus cautions his disciples against flaunting their liberty in ways that will offend others – instructing those with more “knowledge” to be sensitive toward the “weak” (1 Corinthians 8:7-13). Paul also admonishes mature believers not to let their freedom become a stumbling block to those with more reserved views on conscience issues (Romans 14:13-15). Both show concern for avoiding linguistic, symbolic, and behavioral offense that could distance others from the Gospel.
In Ephesians 4:29, Paul instructs believers to avoid “corrupting talk” and instead speak words that build others up. He explains that bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander should be put away (Ephesians 4:31). The focus is on pure and peaceable speech toward others – aimed at edification not tearing down. Believers are not to use words as weapons against human targets.
Paul even models sensitivity toward pagan idolatry in 1 Corinthians 10:27-29. Though idols have no actual power or spiritual reality, he still instructs Christians to avoid unnecessarily attending pagan temples and to be cautious eating food sacrificed there. The concern is how it harms a weaker person’s conscience or distorts the gospel witness. Again, restraint and discretion in practices that could prove offensive are upheld as Christian virtues.
In one powerful example, Paul explains how he tailored his own cultural and religious expression during evangelism “to the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews…To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:20-22). Though firmly grounded in Christ’s truth, Paul resisted cultural insensitivity and adapted his behavior to avoid placing unnecessary stumbling blocks before diverse audiences.
Jesus provides the supreme example of balancing truth with societal sensitivity. He never compromised on preaching repentance or declaring his own exclusivity as the only Son of God and way of salvation (Matthew 4:17; John 14:6). Jesus routinely challenged ingrained religious traditions and exposed popular hypocrisy – leading to frequent offense (Matthew 15:1-14). Yet Jesus also showed deep compassion toward society’s hurting and vulnerable: the sick, the despised, women, children, the poor.
Jesus walked the narrow way of speaking truth courageously but also “with grace, seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:6). He avoided language and rhetoric that dismissed those on society’s margins; he challenged religious leaders without dehumanizing them as enemies. Jesus provides the model of “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) – with both unflinching conviction and thoughtful sensitivity.
Implications for Political Correctness
These biblical examples have several implications regarding a Christian approach to political correctness and cultural sensitivity today. They reveal that:
- Truth should always be spoken – but sometimes tempered or framed with restraint to avoid causing unnecessary offense.
- Language carries moral weight – believers should be cautious referencing words, phrases or actions that injure or demean.
- Adaptability and nuance are important when addressing culturally diverse audiences.
- Sin should be confronted – but with humility and compassion, not condemnation.
- Absolute orthodoxy exists on core doctrines – but some flexibility is permissible regarding cultural traditions and disputable issues.
- More concern should be shown about impact than intent – being mindful how speech affects others.
- Christian witness involves both moral courage and social sensitivity – “speaking the truth in love.”
This approach resists the legalistic control of political correctness while also avoiding careless speech that creates barriers to the Gospel. The balance centers on Christian discretion: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:6).
This requires wisdom, humility, and compassion in how believers apply unchanging biblical truth to ever-changing social convention. Christianity has survived for two millennia amid diverse cultures and eras with vastly different norms of expression – always proclaiming the same saving message of Christ crucified. God’s truth prevails as believers model both moral conviction and thoughtful sensitivity.
Addressing Common Critiques
Objections do arise to this balanced approach. Some believe political correctness represents an assault that undermines biblical authority and threatens free expression. They feel compelled to resist any concessions to cultural sensitivity or linguistic evolution. However, this position often demonstrates a lack of wisdom and Christian discernment.
First, it presumes intense hostility where much is simply seeking civility and mutual respect. Are some political correctness advocates unreasonable? Certainly. But many are well-intended, even if at times overly zealous. Their primary concern is often building a more just and inclusive society – which believers should appreciate and approach constructively.
Second, critics sometimes conflate political correctness with core doctrinal compromise – a false equivalence. Standing firm on biblical truth does not require using language now deemed hurtful or offensive. Nor does adapting terminology and behavior on non-essential matters betray God’s word. Believers gain nothing by fixating on peripheral culture war symbols rather than Christlike virtue.
Third, resistance to thoughtful adaptation undercuts Christian witness. It associates believers with uncaring attitudes rather than grace and compassion. Christians avoid offense not to appease critics but to knock down unneeded barriers to the Gospel. Paul’s cultural flexibility aimed to remove distractions from his proclamation of Christ.
Fourth, critics often fail to distinguish between biblical truth versus its application in a given cultural moment. Scripture articulates timeless doctrines and morals – but does not address directly every matter of shifting social convention. Christians historically adapted to new cultural environments as they spread the faith across the world.
Fifth, critics sometimes view cultural debates as a zero-sum game between truth and sensitivity. This is false. Though sacrifice is needed, the aim is gaining perspective to speak truth with redemptive purpose and to elevate understanding. Believers can hold firmly to convictions while also seeking reasonable accommodation through how those beliefs are expressed.
In the end, Christians have far more important concerns than battles over linguistic turf. “Avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless” (Titus 3:9). The church is charged with proclaiming the Gospel and modeling the love of Christ – not obsessing over curious matters of semantics and symbology detached from core doctrine. There are hills worth dying on; just make sure they are the right ones.
Practical Guidance
When specific political correctness controversies do emerge, how then should Christians respond? Here are several guidelines that flow from the biblical principles already discussed:
- Differentiate timeless biblical truth from its cultural expression – Language is simply the medium for conveying unchanging principles in forms understandable in each generation and context. Adapt word choice when needed to enhance communication.
- Weigh the merits and tradeoffs of a specific language change – Dropping or altering a term may aid Gospel witness but also exact a cost to clarity or conviction. Changes should not be embraced or resisted reflexively.
- Consider personal offense versus broader cultural associations – Words once innocuous can take on new hurtful connotations over time through historical abuse or misunderstanding. Pay attention to affected groups.
- Focus on redemptive purpose over asserting rights – Christian freedom should be guided by long-term gospel witness, not demanding one’s own way. Err toward forgoing liberties that create obstacles.
- Emphasize substantive action over symbolism – While language matters, addressing underlying injustices through Christian love is far more important. Do not confuse talk with deeds.
- Deal with dissent gently – Humility, patience and compassion should cover disagreements between believers over political correctness issues. Accept nuanced differences.
- Major on majors, minor on minors – Keep the main thing the main thing. Do not get distracted fighting cultural skirmishes detached from deep spiritual truth.
On any specific issue, faithful Christians may reach different conclusions, especially in cases involving language shifting from acceptable to objectionable. But good-faith discussion and debate can clarify the issues to find reasonable adaptations and compromises. The goal is speaking truth effectively to each generation, removing unnecessary stumbling blocks whenever possible. Christians must serve the unchanging Gospel, not the other way around.
Conclusion
The Bible presents timeless moral truth centering on Jesus Christ – but was written long before modern notions of political correctness. Though Scripture does not explicitly reference this current debate, it provides principles to guide Christian perspectives. Believers should speak truth courageously but also with wisdom, restraint and compassion. A thoughtful biblical approach avoids the extremes of either legalistically enforcing or flippantly ignoring societal sensitivities related to language and conduct. The example Jesus provides is one of conviction blended with empathy, standing firmly on truth while also resisting needless offense. This allows sharing God’s word and exhibiting God’s love even amid inevitable cultural disagreements over changing norms of discourse and expression. With humility and discernment, Christians can hold to scriptural authority while also modeling grace and kindness to a divided world in need of Christ’s redemption.