Compassion (&) Conviction: The AND Campaign's Guide to Faithful Civic Engagement

This book is a vital "primer" for the politically homeless. The authors argue that the American political system incorrectly divides love and truth. They offer a "Third Way" that refuses to choose between social justice and moral order, providing a framework that is both grounded in biblical principle and active as a citizen.

The book is deeply practical, avoiding dense academic jargon in favor of clear, actionable frameworks. While some seasoned political strategists might find the theme a bit introductory, its strength lies in its ability to deconstruct groups and provide a biblical basis for civic engagement.

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Chapter-by-Chapter Key Points

Chapter 1: Christians (&) Politics

- Politics is an essential way to fulfill the Great Commandment (loving your neighbor) and the Great Requirement (Micah 6:8).

Quote: "Politics provides Christians with an opportunity to actively love our neighbors through advocacy, policymaking and civic representation. To refuse to engage in politics is to refuse to take advantage of a useful too for God's work."

Reader Question: "Do I view political engagement primarily as a way to protect my own interests, or as a necessary tool to love and serve my neighbor?"

Chapter 2: Church (&) State

-There is a difference between the separation of institutions and the separation of faith from public life. All laws are an application of someone's values.

Quote: "Although church and state serve different functions, and although Christians are called to challenge state injustices when necessary, the fact remains that government is a God-ordained institution."

Reader Question: "How do I distinguish between the 'separation of church and state' (a legal protection) and the 'separation of faith and politics' (a spiritual impossibility)?"

Chapter 3: Compassion (&) Conviction

- This is the heart of the book. We must hold "Social Justice" (compassion) and "Moral Order" (conviction) together rather than letting parties split them.

Quote: "Because of how the issues are presented, Christians are told to either surrender their biblical convictions or neglect their Christlike compassion."

Reader Question: "Which side of the 'AND' is harder for me personally to hold onto—am I more tempted to sacrifice moral conviction for social acceptance, or compassion for the sake of being 'right'?"

Chapter 4: Partnerships (&) Partisanship

-The authors introduce the concept of "co-belligerency" which is working with people you disagree with on specific issues without adopting their entire worldview.

Quote: "We must have a strong sense of who we are, what we believe, and what our objectives are before we join hands with nonbelievers in politics or social causes."

Reader Question: "Am I willing to work with someone who holds different theological or political views to achieve a common good, or does my 'tribalism' prevent me from making progress?"

Chapter 5: Messaging (&) Rhetoric

-Christians must be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" when consuming political media. Don't take slogans at face value; make politicians earn your trust through substance.

Quote: "As Christians, we have to be careful about how we label people. When we portray others in a demeaning light, we sent against them and reveal our own lack of wisdom (Proverbs 11:12)"

Reader Question: "Do I find myself adopting the slogans and 'talking points' of a political party without first testing them against the lens of Scripture and objective truth?"

Chapter 6: Politics (&) Race

-Racial justice is not a "progressive" issue; it is a biblical one rooted in the image of God. This chapter calls for active reconciliation over "colorblindness."

Quote: "The church should be leading the way. We can understand and appreciate identity politics, intersectionality, and critical race theory. But our identity is in Christ, and our political values are deeply rooted in faith."

Reader Question: "How does my understanding of the Imago Dei (the Image of God) shape my response to racial injustice, and where have I allowed cultural bias to override that biblical truth?"

Chapter 7: Advocacy (&) Protest

- Protest and advocacy are biblical tools for the unheard. However, they must be done with discipline, avoiding the "mob mentality" that prioritizes outrage over results.

Quote: "Romans 13:1 is not an injunction against protest and advocacy, but a mandate for it."

Reader Question: "When I see an injustice, is my first instinct to post an angry comment online (venting), or to seek out disciplined, constructive ways to advocate for those being harmed?"

Chapter 8: Civility (&) Political Culture

-Civility is not "niceness" or avoiding conflict; it is a form of public grace that refuses to dehumanize those we disagree with.

Quote: "Incivility is a public problem, but incivility among Christians in the public square is a genuine threat to the witness of the church."

Reader Question: "In my political conversations, am I more concerned with 'winning the argument' or with preserving the human dignity of the person I am talking to?"

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Questions for the Authors

On Priority: "When compassion for a person’s circumstances and conviction regarding a moral law seem to lead to different policy conclusions, how do we decide which to prioritize?"

On Partisanship: "Is it possible to remain a member of a major political party while fully adhering to the AND Campaign's framework, or does this model eventually require political independence?"

On Measurement: "How do we measure the success of 'Civility' (Chapter 8) in an era where the most uncivil voices receive the most funding and media attention?"