As 2024 wraps up and Trump and Musk prepare to change the world, you might be very happy or , possibly angry, or maybe just nervous about the many unknowns. I foresee that politically there will be a rebalancing that will hopefully lead to less wokism and more jobs, but I also see a danger of going too far into pragmatism, and leaving behind traditional beliefs and values in favor of ‘a strong economy’.

The challenge for Christians will be to stay true in both thought and deed to our actual leader, our Lord Jesus Christ. Christianity has always required being separate from the world and this will get more and more difficult as we move deeper into the apostasy and false world religion of utopianism. Wealth has always been built on the backs of slaves and low paid workers, and while America offers great opportunities for freedom and financial growth, I see many signs that those opportunities are shrinking. I hope that the Trump agenda will create new opportunities and improve the standard of living of all people, but that is a tall order.

The battle for control over the earth’s resources and money is always raging. Soon we will see real and figurative wars over climate policy, privacy, data, taxes, ‘healthcare’, immigration policy, Israel, Russia, China, technology, AI, budgets, jobs, etc. In all these, in our hears and conversations, let us be careful to avoid dishonoring God with greed, hypocrisy, and selfishness.

While you may or may not think Trump is going to make America great, as Christians we should never put our trust and hope in wealth or political freedom because this world is not our ultimate destination. Our job is to serve the Lord and glorify God by our faith in good economic times and bad ones.

The third way for Christians is this idea of living apart from the values of the world while still living in the world. In 2025, let us seek to follow the third way, not the left or right ideology.

This would look like:

• spending more time in prayer and Bible reading and serving in the local church for the glory of God
• seeing other people as God sees them, in need of salvation and love
• praying for the lost and sharing the Gospel with everyone
• being a light in a dark world
• spending more time eliminating our sin than judging and highlighting other’s sins
• Not dehumanizing people who are different than us in various ways
• being slow to speak and quick to pray when attacked
• being generous as we trust God owns everything
• gratitude and hope
• hating sin but loving people
• asking God, what do you want from me today?
• seeking other’s highest good, not what makes them ‘feel good’
• admitting that we aren’t always perfect or right
• forgiving those who hurt us
• self-awareness and awareness of others, not living in denial or fantasy

I’m not saying it will be easy. So let’s pray for each other!

As we celebrate the New Year with anxious hope and faith, here are a few thoughts generated by ChatGpt in response to my question: “what is the third way?”. Please share your hopes and fears for 2025 in the comments. Happy New Year!

From ChatGpt: The term “the third way” can have different meanings depending on the context, but it is generally used to describe a middle ground or an alternative approach that combines aspects of two opposing views. Here’s a breakdown of its most common uses:

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1. Political Context

In politics, “the third way” refers to a centrist political philosophy that seeks to reconcile left-wing and right-wing ideologies. It emerged prominently in the late 20th century as a response to the extremes of capitalism and socialism.

• Key Features:
  • Supports a market economy while advocating for social justice and welfare policies.
  • Emphasizes pragmatism over ideological purity.
  • Balances individual responsibility with government support.
• Examples:
  • British Prime Minister Tony Blair and U.S. President Bill Clinton were associated with “third way” politics, advocating policies that blended economic liberalization with investments in education and healthcare.

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2. Religious or Ethical Context

In theology or moral philosophy, “the third way” can refer to a path that avoids two extremes in ethical dilemmas or conflicts.

• Examples:
  • Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount are sometimes described as a “third way” approach—rejecting both violent resistance and passive submission by promoting creative nonviolent responses (e.g., “turning the other cheek”).
  • Nonviolent resistance as practiced by figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi is often considered a “third way” between compliance and aggression.

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3. Economic Context

“The third way” in economics often refers to an alternative to unregulated capitalism and command-based socialism. It promotes a mixed economy where the government plays a regulatory role but private enterprise and innovation are encouraged.

• Key Aspects:
  • Emphasizes public-private partnerships.
  • Encourages corporate responsibility.
  • Seeks to reduce income inequality without stifling economic growth.

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4. General Problem-Solving

Outside specific fields, “the third way” can mean finding a creative or innovative solution to a problem that transcends binary choices.

• Examples:
  • Negotiators often look for a “third way” solution that satisfies both parties in a conflict.
  • In business, a “third way” might involve combining two competing strategies to create a novel approach.

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Criticism

“The third way” is sometimes criticized for being vague or overly pragmatic, as it may lack a clear ideological foundation. Critics argue that it can lead to compromises that dilute strong principles.

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Conclusion

“The third way” is about finding balance or synthesis between opposing ideas. Whether in politics, religion, ethics, or problem-solving, it seeks to chart a middle path that draws strengths from both sides while avoiding their weaknesses.