It’s election season, and you know what that means: mind-numbing commercial after mind-numbing commercial. There was a suite spot in the pre-everyone cut the cable cord era in which we early adopters could watch streaming television without the political advertisements. But now, it’s everywhere. 

Has anyone honestly been swayed by one of these commercials? If so, I’d love to discuss where they get their facts and formulate their opinions. Even my kids roll their eyes and give an audible grown when attack ads come on. 

America’s political division is merely a symptom of a more significant problem. It would be much easier if you could track people by political sides regarding stances on economics, racial division, sexuality, identity, and any number of issues. 

From a theological perspective, it is an incredibly challenging time to do spiritual formation around the myriad of issues that divide our communities. Additionally, people’s views on these matters are equally complex. I’ve pastored folks that are theologically moderate but politically conservative or theological progressive people who believe in just war and violence. 

We sat down with Brian Allain, the editor of How to Heal Our Divides, to discuss the challenges facing the church today. The book also has contributions from Brian McLaren, Diana Butler Bass, Jemar Tisby, Shane Claiborne, Michael Waters, Catherine Meeks, and Parker Palmer.

Allain is the founder and leader of Writing for Your Life, Compassionate Christianity, and How to Heal Our Divides.

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Andy Hale is the creator and host of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Podcast. Hale is the Associate Executive Coordinator of CBF North Carolina. He’s also served as CBF’s Church Start Specialist, the founding pastor of Mosaic Church of Clayton, and the senior pastor of University Baptist Church of Baton Rouge. Follow on Twitter @haleandy.