David Van Kley, Journal columnist

Living in Gogebic County during the 1990’s, I was introduced to a passionate rivalry between two small towns just a few miles apart. Despite their proximity, the ethnic composition and economic foundations of these communities differed slightly. Nothing like the difference between Detroit and Grosse Point Shores, but still–people from these two communities often distrusted each other.

I will never forget taking my kids to a high school football game between our two schools. There was no room on “our” side of the stands, so we sat with people from the other side. Few of them knew us. During the course of the game, I heard all kinds of disparaging things said about people from our community. I found myself becoming angry: they were talking about me and my family!

I am writing this column days before the Tuesday election. This year, the stakes seem higher than ever: everyone says the election is critical. The electorate is divided by race and gender and region. We are Republican or Democrat, blue state or red state.

I don’t know what the results of the election will be, but I do know some candidates will be declared winners and others, losers. Some of us will be pleased with the results and others, distressed. We’ve heard much about the threat of violence, no matter what the outcome. Large cities are actually preparing for that possibility–unthinkable to many of us!

But perhaps we should not be surprised. The Bible acknowledges the reality of hostility between human beings, beginning tragically in the story of Cain and Abel. Throughout its narrative, humanity is divided into factions. There are Israelites and Philistines. The nations of Judah and Israel, Egypt and Babylon. In the New Testament, we hear that Samaritans and Jews do not speak to one another and that the early church is divided between parties that favor Paul as leader and those who prefer Apollos.

But there is another current running through the Bible, a stronger and deeper current that ultimately will prevail. Abraham and Sarah are chosen by God to be parents of a great nation, but they are also called to be a blessing to all the families of the earth. The book of Isaiah sees the world moving toward unity and reconciliation: “For God will judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, and neither shall they learn war anymore.”

Within the community of Christian faith, Paul proclaims the collapse of all boundaries: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”

We are not there yet, but it is up to people of faith to show the way. It is possible to discuss, debate, and disagree passionately–while living and working together.

May the Spirit of God lead us in these days.

Editor’s note: The Rev. David Van Kley is a retired pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.