Baptist News Global
Sections
  • News
  • Analysis
  • Opinion
  • Curated
  • Storytelling
    • Faith & Justice >
      • Charleston: Metanoia with Bill Stanfield
      • Charlotte: QC Family Tree with Greg and Helms Jarrell
      • Little Rock: Judge Wendell Griffen
      • North Carolina: Conetoe
    • Welcoming the Stranger >
      • Lost Boys of Sudan: St. John’s Baptist Charlotte
      • Awakening to Immigrant Justice: Myers Park Baptist Church
      • Hospitality on the corner: Gaston Christian Center
    • Signature Ministries >
      • Jake Hall: Gospel Gothic, Music and Radio
    • Singing Our Faith >
      • Hymns for a Lifetime: Ken Wilson and Knollwood Baptist Church
      • Norfolk Street Choir
    • Resilient Rural America >
      • Alabama: Perry County
      • Texas: Hidalgo County
      • Arkansas Delta
      • Southeast Kentucky
  • More
    • Contact
    • About
    • Donate
    • Associated Baptist Press Foundation
    • Planned Giving
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Advertising
    • Ministry Jobs and More
    • Transitions
    • Subscribe
    • Submissions and Permissions
Donate Subscribe
Search Search this site

‘I am third’ opens our minds toward a Christian political ethic

OpinionGreg Garrett, Senior Columnist  |  October 5, 2020

The great Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers died recently. I admired him for what he did with a football in his hands, but what lingers with me are two books about him I read when I was a kid.

One was Brian’s Song, a biography about Sayers’ road roommate, Brian Piccolo, who died young of cancer and was immortalized in a heart-rending TV movie of the same name. The other was Sayers’ autobiography, I Am Third, in which he told his story, Brian’s, and explained his philosophy of life.

Greg Garrett

Gale Sayers was a great football player, and during my childhood I would have described him as one of my heroes. But while Sayers was clearly the greater talent on the field, he regarded Piccolo as a hero for his courage and tenacity off the field. I remember weeping — and still choke up now as a grown man — at the scene in the film Brian’s Song where Sayers (Billy Dee Williams), in accepting the George S. Halas Award for Courage, draws attention toward his friend’s bravery and away from himself:

You flatter me by giving me this award. But I say to you here and now, Brian Piccolo is the man of courage who should receive the George S. Halas Award. It is mine tonight, Brian Piccolo’s tomorrow. I love Brian Piccolo, and I’d like all of you to love him too. And tonight, when you hit your knees, please ask God to love him.

Park that for a second. I’m going to come back to it. But because 2020 is an election year and a plague year, I’m also thinking about our addiction to rights, about people who say they won’t wear a mask or social distance because it feels like giving up their freedom, about the balance between individuals and any larger community to which they belong.

During the two years leading up to the 2012 general election, I did a weekly thought experience for Patheos. In my weekly column “Faithful Citizenship” (and the later book of the same name), I tried to respond to issues in the news and in the nation through the lens of faith, instead of my default reaction, which was through the lens of my political party affiliation.

I discovered how incredibly difficult it was to do that, and one of my global takeaways was that I — like many others — can be driven more by politics than by faith commitments. And so, as I explored things like the Second Amendment and gun control through a theological lens, it was fascinating to me how differently we might make decisions if we identified ourselves first as Christians and second as Democrats or Republicans.

Being a member of a political party can be about winning and only winning, but our lives can’t simply be oriented around victory over those who disagree with us. That’s ultimately not healthy spiritually or politically.

“Being a member of a political party can be about winning and only winning, but our lives can’t simply be oriented around victory over those who disagree with us.”

Which brings me back to Gale Sayers: he could have leveraged his extraordinary talent simply into wealth and fame, could have made all things about himself. But the title of his autobiography has been a lesson to me my entire life, even when I haven’t managed to live up to it.

I Am Third takes its name from a saying that might represent the basis for every faithful life: “God is first, my friends are second, and I am third.” H. Richard Niebuhr also noted the tendency of even faithful people to put other things before God. In Radical Monotheism and Western Culture, he opined that when most of us talk about our faith, it is “a mixture of faith in the One God with social faith and polytheism,” not “radical monotheism,” an overarching belief in the One and Living God.

God’s command to have no other god before him emerges from the human impulse to privilege our devotion to ourselves and, maybe, to a whole lot of secular values. That impulse damages our relationship with God, with each other, and ultimately, with our own best selves.

Augustine, in City of God, actually defines sin as love of oneself to the point of contempt for God. But if we imagine that our faith and our faithful response to God are the defining elements of our lives, and that our love for others becomes the next most important element, then by placing ourselves third, we will be living a life that brings the greatest good to others (and, paradoxically) to ourselves.

I remember that the first time that I heard Augustine’s famous pronouncement, “Love God and do what you will,” I was pretty excited. I thought it was a saint-approved license for me-dom. “I love God,” I thought, as I understood that concept before meeting Richard Niebuhr. “And I love doing whatever I want. So this works out pretty well for me.” Please tell me I’m not the only person who ever thought this.

“In Christian life, responsibility for others is often the essential check on our impulse for absolute freedom.”

But from the standpoint that “I am third,” I hear this pronouncement as Augustine meant it, filtered through the two-fold commandment of love (love God, love your neighbors): If am truly placing God on the throne of my life, if God is truly first, then my values will be God-values, and the choices I make — political choices, personal choices, faith choices — will reflect that. I will show my love for God by serving others. I will show my love for God by balancing their well-being with my own desires. And if I begin to do that, then I begin to make all my decisions in a way that honors others, and not just myself.

Just because I can do something doesn’t mean I should. And in Christian life, responsibility for others is often the essential check on our impulse for absolute freedom.

God is first.

Others are second.

And I am third.

What would it truly look like in our personal lives, in the church, and in our political lives to live out the benediction “Go in peace to love and serve”?

I would very much like to find out.

Greg Garrett is professor of English at Baylor University, theologian in residence at the American Cathedral in Paris, and author of two dozen books, among them the new A Long, Long Way: Hollywood’s Unfinished Journey from Racism to Reconciliation.


OPINION: Views expressed in Baptist News Global columns and commentaries are solely those of the authors.
Tags:HumilityGreg Garrett2020 presidential electionGale SayersBrian PiccoloI Am Third
More by
Greg Garrett, Senior Columnist
  • Get BNG headlines in your inbox

  • Featured

    • Here’s what I’m learning in therapy

      Opinion

    • Tony and Lauren Dungy know something about influence, on the field and at home

      News

    • Skepticism holds seeds of hope: The SBC and clergy sex abuse

      Opinion

    • Letter to the Editor: I also stand with Brittney Griner and kneel for the Anthem

      Opinion


    Curated

    • Politicians seek to control classroom discussions about slavery in the US

      Politicians seek to control classroom discussions about slavery in the US

      August 12, 2022
    • Despite vastly different values, evangelical ‘Hamilton’ connects secular left and Christian right

      Despite vastly different values, evangelical ‘Hamilton’ connects secular left and Christian right

      August 12, 2022
    • Both Open- and Close-mindedness Increase in U.S.

      Both Open- and Close-mindedness Increase in U.S.

      August 12, 2022
    • Native Americans urge boycott of ‘tone deaf’ Pilgrim museum

      Native Americans urge boycott of ‘tone deaf’ Pilgrim museum

      August 12, 2022
    Read Next:

    When conservatives today speak of ‘states’ rights,’ they likely don’t mean the popular vote; here’s a case in point

    AnalysisMark Wingfield

    More Articles

    • All
    • News
    • Opinion
    • Curated
    • Department of Justice investigating SBC on sexual abuse

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • ‘Everything is changing at the same time,’ veteran religion reporter explains

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Skepticism holds seeds of hope: The SBC and clergy sex abuse

      OpinionChrista Brown

    • Tony and Lauren Dungy know something about influence, on the field and at home

      NewsMaina Mwaura

    • Here’s what I’m learning in therapy

      OpinionMark Wingfield

    • Letter to the Editor: I also stand with Brittney Griner and kneel for the Anthem

      OpinionLetters to the Editor

    • It’s easier to be a bully today, author explains

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • A thoughtful question at Bubba-Doo’s

      OpinionCharles Qualls

    • When conservatives today speak of ‘states’ rights,’ they likely don’t mean the popular vote; here’s a case in point

      AnalysisMark Wingfield

    • Transitions for the week of 8-12-22

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • SBC president says he tried to enlist more women for sexual abuse task force but got turned down repeatedly

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • At long last, Trump’s ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy appears to be dead

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • In applauding Victor Orban, U.S. conservatives call their shot

      OpinionRodney Kennedy

    • Christian nationalism is a danger to our nation

      OpinionMarvin McMickle

    • How The Jetsons and Westworld help us think about robots, personhood and faith

      AnalysisRick Pidcock

    • Some evangelical leaders see FBI visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago as evidence of the religious persecution coming to them

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Advice from a sunflower

      OpinionPhawnda Moore

    • Where are the women on the SBC’s first and second sexual abuse task forces?

      AnalysisMark Wingfield

    • New study finds scammers luring migrants with false information via Facebook and WhatsApp

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • What I learned at Wake Forest Baptist Church

      OpinionDavid Ramsey

    • Progressive Baptist congregation on Wake Forest campus votes to close

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • Why can’t we accept sexual and gender diversity in humans as well as in all creation?

      OpinionDan McGee

    • I’ve been unaware of my privilege, and if you are a man, you probably have, too

      OpinionRobert P. Sellers

    • South African women’s soccer team success shines a light on gender wage discrimination

      NewsAnthony Akaeze

    • Department of Justice investigating SBC on sexual abuse

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • ‘Everything is changing at the same time,’ veteran religion reporter explains

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Tony and Lauren Dungy know something about influence, on the field and at home

      NewsMaina Mwaura

    • It’s easier to be a bully today, author explains

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Transitions for the week of 8-12-22

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • SBC president says he tried to enlist more women for sexual abuse task force but got turned down repeatedly

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • At long last, Trump’s ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy appears to be dead

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Some evangelical leaders see FBI visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago as evidence of the religious persecution coming to them

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • New study finds scammers luring migrants with false information via Facebook and WhatsApp

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Progressive Baptist congregation on Wake Forest campus votes to close

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • South African women’s soccer team success shines a light on gender wage discrimination

      NewsAnthony Akaeze

    • It isn’t a church and doesn’t have members, but it is a way to keep United Methodists in the fold as their congregations disaffiliate

      NewsCynthia Astle

    • Rural church offers community development grants through Gratitude Project

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • The church needs to do better on monkeypox than it did on HIV, faith leaders say

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Russell Moore named editor in chief of Christianity Today

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • 40 Congressmen urge IRS to reconsider classification of Family Research Council as a ‘church’

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Online religion content isn’t luring Millennials away from in-person church

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • Study finds congregational leaders report LGBTQ conversations are worth the pain

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • There’s something odd about this Mary, did you know?

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Cuban government clamps down more on religion

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • September symposium will celebrate life and legacy of John Claypool

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Faith leaders urge Congress to fund help for families torn apart by Trump’s ‘cruel’ family separation policy

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • It’s possible some senior adults in your church need help with medical costs or food but won’t say anything

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Skepticism holds seeds of hope: The SBC and clergy sex abuse

      OpinionChrista Brown

    • Here’s what I’m learning in therapy

      OpinionMark Wingfield

    • Letter to the Editor: I also stand with Brittney Griner and kneel for the Anthem

      OpinionLetters to the Editor

    • A thoughtful question at Bubba-Doo’s

      OpinionCharles Qualls

    • In applauding Victor Orban, U.S. conservatives call their shot

      OpinionRodney Kennedy

    • Christian nationalism is a danger to our nation

      OpinionMarvin McMickle

    • Advice from a sunflower

      OpinionPhawnda Moore

    • What I learned at Wake Forest Baptist Church

      OpinionDavid Ramsey

    • Why can’t we accept sexual and gender diversity in humans as well as in all creation?

      OpinionDan McGee

    • I’ve been unaware of my privilege, and if you are a man, you probably have, too

      OpinionRobert P. Sellers

    • Are left-wing radicals pushing Cracker Barrel to the edge of the slippery slope?

      OpinionBrett Younger

    • To be more welcoming, let’s remove our flags

      OpinionJustin Pierson

    • News flash: Not all Baptists are Southern

      OpinionBrian Kaylor

    • Why aren’t we defending Brittney Griner?

      OpinionRodney Kennedy

    • A school administrator reflects on rebuilding relationships between schools and homes

      OpinionStanton Eugene Lawrence

    • Judging the stripper and the carouser in ourselves at the Communion table

      OpinionBrad Bull

    • After the Guidepost report, we need to know more about FBC Woodstock’s City of Refuge and NAMB’s support for it: Was ‘moral failures’ code for sexual abuse?

      OpinionJoanna Sullivan

    • Forsaking Baal for the God who is in recovery

      OpinionBill Leonard, Senior Columnist

    • Thomas Merton, Martin Luther King and Critical Race Theory

      OpinionKen Zagacki

    • What evangelicals won’t tell you about the actual sin of Sodom

      OpinionRodney Kennedy

    • Giving birth in prison: The grief of separation, the grace of presence

      OpinionKathy Manis Findley

    • Dear Denny Burk, your view of gender is not biblical, it is dangerous

      OpinionEllie Dote

    • Roger Williams, the father of American deconstruction

      OpinionAlan Bean

    • Why I’m an LGBTQ ally who won’t boycott Chick-fil-A

      OpinionMark Wingfield

    • Do the arts in church still matter?

      OpinionDoug Haney

    • Politicians seek to control classroom discussions about slavery in the US

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Despite vastly different values, evangelical ‘Hamilton’ connects secular left and Christian right

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Both Open- and Close-mindedness Increase in U.S.

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Native Americans urge boycott of ‘tone deaf’ Pilgrim museum

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Boston’s Jews are getting a ‘Jewish tavern’ to study religious text — and drink beer

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • ReAwaken Tour host says he feels harassed by NY prosecutor

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Why the largest US Lutheran denomination apologized to a Latino congregation

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • The Supreme Court Wants to End the Separation of Church and State

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Suspect in Dallas salon May shooting indicted for anti-Asian hate crime

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Anglican Division over Scripture and Sexuality Heads South

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Amy Spitalnick, who took on neo-Nazis in Charlottesville, is moving to Bend the Arc

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • New York City’s Largest Evangelical Church Plans Billion-Dollar Development

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Ben & Jerry’s fears its new Israeli owner could sell ‘Judea and Samaria’ ice cream in latest court hearing

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Why Alexander Hamilton gave his heart to Jesus at a Texas church this weekend

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Baby Blues: How to Face the Church’s Growing Fertility Crisis

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Orthodox Alaska Part 2: The Beatles, Bees And Orthodoxy Animated In One Man’s Life

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Hundreds of thousands gather for mass prayer in Baghdad

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Ukrainian seminary professor faces difficult decisions

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Nondenominational Churches Are Adding Millions of Members. Where Are They Coming From?

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • The Religious Right’s Agenda Is Center Stage Again — And It’s As Unpopular As Ever

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • After Trump, Christian nationalist ideas are going mainstream – despite a history of violence

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • At flashpoint Jerusalem holy site, whispered prayers defy unwritten accord

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Assemblies of God Ordains Record Number of Women

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Whoopi Goldberg, Elisabeth Hasselbeck debate God’s position on abortion on ‘The View’

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Pope Francis’ Pilgrimage of Penance: A Step on the Nonviolent Journey

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    Conversations that Matter.

    © 2022 Baptist News Global. All rights reserved.

    Want to share a story? We hope you will! Read our republishing, terms of use and privacy policies here.

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • RSS