In the past few weeks, we have seen two worlds collide. And I’m not sure that most people noticed. Ironically, they both took place in Russia.
Now, I must preface this post by reminding us that despite our most noble intentions our thoughts and opinions are not as objective as we would like to think. Consequently, our convictions regarding these two worlds are colored by a variety of factors. What I hope to do, within my limited capacities, is to help us learn to see things (and this is a process for us all) in light of Christ and His kingdom.
In one world, media personality Tucker Carlson ventured to Russia to interview Vladimir Putin.
NB: I am always reticent about entering into the world of popular political personalities (maybe I can make this a Dr Suess post; every sentence has to have 3 consecutive words that begin with the same letter!). There is often too much at stake. But I believe this issue provides a helpful example of what living according to the Kingdom of God might look like.
Many left-leaning Americans looked at Carlson’s endeavors with a measure of scorn. Hillary Clinton chimed in claiming that Carlson’s trip demonstrates that he is nothing more than, “a useful idiot.” If you lean to the left, you might get a chuckle out of her quip. If you lean to the right, you might shrug your shoulders, or perhaps a disdainful sneer towards her and move forward all the more eager to hear Carlson’s interview with the Russian President.
What does being the church look like in the midst of the political rancor?
Perhaps we should begin by listening to Hillary Clinton’s remark in order to see if there is any validity to her critique (despite the inappropriate nature in which the remark was made).
We might do this while at the same giving credence to Carlson’s attempt at journalistic integrity. Is not Carlson, simply doing what any journalist would do? I can imagine that thousands of journalists would die for the opportunity to interview a head of state, let alone one of the most powerful in the world.
NB: In my opinion, Christians must be cautious about speaking with disdain about another person. Suppose a popular Christian personality was to use derogatory language about a political figure (I know, this is hard to imagine, but work with me for a moment). Now, suppose a local pastor was, behind the scenes, ministering to this same political figure. Is it possible that the popular Christian personality’s loose tongue may hinder the work of this local pastor?
Therefore, although we should not dismiss Hillary’s critique of Carlson’s effort, we should not laugh approvingly at her choice of words.
NB: btw, this last point cuts both ways. Those who disapprove of Hillary’s dismissing tone towards Carlson might want to acknowledge that there is a political candidate on the other side who speaks with much greater candor when it comes to public ridicule. As Christians, we should not approve of derisive speech towards others. Sadly, this is one of Trump’s primary modes of operation.
I began by suggesting that in the past week, we saw two worlds collide.
In the second world, Alexie Navalny the Russian lawyer and outspoken critic of Vladimir Putin was found dead. Navalny was imprisoned for being a radical (the official charge was “extremism”; he was a dissident). He was being held at a penal colony north of the Arctic Circle some 1200 miles northeast of Moscow (look at a map/globe and you’ll get an idea of the extreme conditions of this place).
The two worlds collide
In what way do these two worlds collide? And what does this have to do with challenging the Church being the Church (which is the tagline for determinetruth)? The answer to both of these questions is interrelated.
I have been writing on this post about the Beast (of Revelation 13:1-8) and Empire on and off for the past 2 years (search “Beast” under the archives tab at the top of this page for the links to all the posts on this subject). In these posts, I have noted that the Beast uses deception as his primary means of gaining allegiance. Deception, of course, is also the means by which he wages war against the Church (I prefer the label “the people of God” over “Church” for a number of reasons. I use “Church” here because I want to make it clear that I am speaking about us—the people of God—and “Church” is more popularly understood).
What does this have to do with Tucker Carlson’s journey to Russia and his interview with Putin?
First of all, it must be said that I don’t blame him for going to Russia. It was certainly an opportunity that most journalists would long to have. It was certainly a boost for him professionally. His interview has received millions of views. At the same time, I suspect that Carlson has fallen prey to the empire.
For one, Carlson failed to inquire about Putin’s use of violence as a means of suppressing dissent.
Here is the overview of Amnesty International’s report on Russia:
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine was accompanied by escalating repression against dissent within Russia. Peaceful anti-war protests were dispersed, often forcibly, and those speaking out against the war faced prosecution. New legislation was introduced restricting protests and the activities of NGOs and civil society activists. Prosecutions of Jehovah’s Witnesses continued. Torture and other ill-treatment remained endemic in places of detention. Abductions and enforced disappearances continued to be reported in Chechnya. Fair trial standards were repeatedly violated. Conscientious objectors were refused alternative civilian service. New legislation further stigmatized and discriminated against LGBTI people.
If Carlson, a journalist, is going to interview Putin, then why did he not take the opportunity to speak about the many journalists who are imprisoned throughout Russia? Why didn’t he ask about Navalny?
Carlson’s incredulous escapade around Moscow
In addition to his extensive interview with Putin (over 2 hours), Carlson toured Moscow and went shopping. My first thought when I saw clips of his trip was, “Does he not know that he is going to be shown what they want him to see and when they want him to see it?” It reminds me of Dennis Rodman’s trip to North Korea some years ago.
Incredulously, Carlson lauded Moscow for the cleanliness of its subway system and the “affordability” of its grocery stores (there are videos galore on YouTube, but I couldn’t find one on Carlson’s page with him in the grocery store, so you will have to do your own search to view it).
What does this have to do with the Church?
Part of living as the people of God in the midst of the world today is to engage in what Paul calls, “The ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor 5:18).
The ministry of reconciliation begins with loving our enemies. This means we should not engage in language that only serves to demean the other. We don’t applaud titles such as “useful idiot” any more than we do “crooked Hillary.” Such people were created in God’s image. Furthermore, they are major public figures. And they deserve to be respected as such. Now, by no means does this make them above criticism—I believe I have criticized Carlson, Clinton, and even Trump directly or indirectly in this post.
But loving our enemies means that we must also defend the poor and the needy. This certainly includes political prisoners who are ruthlessly detained around the world for speaking against the empire (I’ll return to this point below).
Secondly, we must also be aware of and expose the Beast and his ways of infiltrating the people of God in order to render our ministry of reconciliation innocuous. Carlson, in his efforts to praise Russia, has overlooked the gross injustices and massive human rights violations that abound in Russia.
NB: This should come as no surprise. Russia is a nation and as such it acts like a nation. See the plethora of posts on this site discussing such things.
Carlson praised Russia’s groceries because they are affordable. But are they affordable? Well, to Tucker Carlson they are. But are they affordable to a family of four that lives in Russia and makes an average Russian wage? (Carlson compared the cost of groceries in a Russian supermarket to those in an American grocery store. But he failed to compare them in light of the significantly lower income that Russian workers are paid).
NB: When I travel to India I am amazed at how “inexpensive” food is. But it is not “inexpensive” to most people in India.
I’m so sure the subway system is clean and beautiful. But I wonder what Carlson would think of the beautiful subway system in North Korea.
When Carlson says, “They are wonderful places to live,” I can only wonder if he has naively drank the Russian propaganda wing’s Kool-Aid.
Could it be that Putin granted Carlson the interview because he knew that he could use Carlson to promote his ideological agenda? After all, Putin gets requests from thousands of new agencies. Yet, he doesn’t grant them.
Interestingly, Putin spoke with a British journalist shortly after his interview with Carlson, and he concluded, that Carlson “is a dangerous person.” Putin went on to explain that he expected Carlson to ask him more difficult questions.
Could it be that Clinton’s “useful idiot” is appropriate—though I believe it should have been said differently?
After all, other journalists have ventured into Russia and many of them are now languishing in artic prisons for speaking out against Russia’s human-rights violations (e.g., the Russia-British journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza is currently serving a 25-year sentence in Russia for treason for exposing Russian crimes by the army in Ukraine and denouncing Putin’s repression of dissidents).
This is to say nothing about the average Russian who faces terrible consequences for posting anything negative about Russia—especially its war on Ukraine—on social media.
NB: I reached out to a contact who spent years ministering in Russia. And this was the response I received regarding my question about freedom of the press in Russia:
“Freedom of press- no. All news is state-run and controlled. Right now there is real danger to anyone even posting on social media about the war in Ukraine.”
Why this matters
It seems as though Carlson aims to replace one Beast with another. Russia’s subways for New York’s. But the Church is called to a ministry of reconciliation. And we cannot bring reconciliation to a world that does not see the need for reconciliation. And we cannot bring reconciliation when we side with the Beast. It doesn’t matter if that Beast is Russia, the US, or any other nation. As long as we believe that our hope is in a government of this world, be it Russia, the US, or any other nation, we will fail to bring the peace of Christ, who is the true King, to the world.
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