Many evangelicals who have drifted left in recent years seem to believe that the political left better addresses issues like poverty and racism. They often judge conservatives as heartless, assuming they don’t care about these issues. Some well-known preachers have even said that conservatives focus on abortion while liberals care about the poor. However, this framing creates a false binary. Theological conservatives who lean right do not vote as they do because they are heartless, but because they believe that leftist policies—however well-intentioned—are, in fact, primary causes of poverty and systemic racism.
Christians agree that we have a special obligation beyond that of ordinary humanity to care for the poor and marginalized. The disagreement lies in the solution. Public policy should not be judged merely by its intentions but by its results.
California, where I grew up, is a good example of the “good intentions” fallacy. Consider these five facts about the Golden State:
California has one of the greatest disparities in education for minority students, largely due to the influence of teachers' unions. Many teachers avoid positions in underserved areas, and widespread school choice is necessary to address education gaps that often leave poor, minority students in failing public schools, while their wealthier peers attend private schools or move to better districts. Yet, local leaders consistently oppose school choice because of political interests.
California spends about $98.5 billion annually on welfare—the most in the U.S.—yet it has the highest poverty rate in the country.
California has the highest income tax rate in the U.S. at 13.3%, but it ranks fourth in income inequality among all states.
Despite being one of the most heavily regulated housing markets, California has the highest homeless population in America and ranks 49th in housing supply per capita.
Fifty years ago, California (and other states) enacted legislation (AFDC) that provided financial incentives for single mothers, which has had a catastrophic effect on family stability, particularly among Black families. Fatherlessness has been a tragic result of this misguided policy. Why not give greater incentives to keep families together?
Furthermore, many U.S. cities with the most entrenched injustices have been led for 60+ years by politicians with an ideology of unconstrained government power. Minneapolis, ground zero for recent unrest, is one example. If we are committed to helping minority families, a good start would be to stop electing the same mayors, governors, and council members who promote policies that have failed repeatedly. The ongoing protests underscore this. Is it wise to keep voting for leaders who promote the same ideas and expect different results?
Many of the divisions and inequalities we see today are direct results of policies that had good intentions. Today's protests might have been avoided if we hadn’t given such god-like power to the state to tear apart families and hold back good education. We all deeply care about human dignity for every person, but we sharply differ on how this can be achieved. I believe my left-leaning evangelical friends are well-intended but are supporting policies that actually exacerbate racial inequality and poverty. For over half a century, unconstrained government power has proven ineffective in these very cities, and it may be time to acknowledge that these policies are a dismal failure.
When people complain about others not jumping on the social justice bandwagon, what they often mean is, “Why aren’t you voting for those who promote big government solutions?” The answer is that government overreach is demonstrably the source of many of the injustices and societal inequities we see today. Unchecked government power is also the foundation of totalitarianism. Real fascism (and other authoritarian governments) requires a powerful, centralized government—the very thing Christians should oppose. However good the intentions, we must remember human nature. Without checks and limitations on those in power, evil will not be restrained at the highest levels.
The old adage remains true:
- "If you want more of something, subsidize it (poverty, single-parent households).
- If you want less of something, tax it (productivity, personal responsibility)."
Final Thought:
As Christians, we are called to pursue justice (Micah 6:8) but also to be wise in understanding human nature (Jeremiah 17:9). History teaches us that well-intentioned government power can lead to unintended, destructive outcomes when it operates without accountability. Real solutions to poverty and injustice begin with policies that empower individuals, strengthen families, and encourage personal responsibility—values that align with biblical principles. True, lasting change comes not from an overpowering state but from a community rooted in moral integrity, accountability, and compassion, reflecting the love and justice of God.