Going Up? Floor 32 - The Republican and the Democrat

Christian Meets a Democrat AND a Republican, and They All Go for a Ride!

“Going Up?” is a light-hearted yet thought-provoking fictional series that explores encounters between a Christian (named Christian, sometimes Chris) and individuals with non-Christian worldviews. Set in an imaginary elevator, these brief but meaningful conversations dive into the “what” and “why” of each perspective, blending humor and seriousness to engage readers in exploring profound questions of faith, ethics, and purpose.

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At the Elevator - Ground Floor

A Democrat (Darlene) and a Republican (Rick) stand outside an elevator. The Republican watches the screen atop the doors, waiting for the arrow to change. The Democrat, impatient, presses the button—repeatedly.

These two know each other from having served on bipartisan committees over the last decade. Civil but tense.

They were members of the same Episcopal church until Rick and half the congregation left to form an Anglican congregation. They lost their beautiful building in a lawsuit and had to raise new funds to build a new church. That break fifteen years ago feeds the tension both feel now while standing in the same elevator.

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(Darlene keeps tapping the elevator button.)

Darlene: What is wrong with this thing?

Rick: Pressing it a hundred times won’t make it come any faster. It’s slow on purpose—like our government is.

Darlene: I’m just giving it a little help—like our government does. (Tap. tap. tap.)

(The elevator finally arrives. The doors open. They both step in. Just as Rick reached for the buttons, Darlene beat him to it—pressing four different floors.)

Worldviews of Democrats and Republicans

Democrats and Republicans have fundamentally different perspectives on human nature, the role of government, freedom vs. equality, moral truth, and the country's future. These five categories shape how each side sees the world.

Human Nature:

Democrats generally believe people are basically good and, with the right opportunities, education, and a fair system, they will thrive. Republicans, on the other hand, see people as flawed, acknowledging that human nature has selfish tendencies, so systems must be built with checks and balances.

The Role of Government:

Democrats believe government should create fairness and provide safety nets, ensuring that the most vulnerable are protected. Republicans argue that government should focus on protecting rights but let individuals be responsible for themselves, believing too much intervention weakens personal responsibility.

Freedom vs. Equality:

Democrats prioritize equality, advocating for policies that give everyone an equal chance to succeed. Republicans emphasize freedom, believing people should have the ability to make their own choices, even if it leads to unequal outcomes.

Moral Truth:

Democrats see morality as evolving, adapting to societal progress and cultural changes. Republicans tend to view morality as fixed, grounded in absolute truths that do not change with the times.

The Future of the Country:

Democrats are generally optimistic, believing that with better policies, America can continue making progress. Republicans are concerned about moral and cultural decline, arguing that the country needs to return to foundational values that have historically worked.

The Dialogue

Rick: (frustrated) Seriously? Did you just press four floors?

Darlene: Just covering all bases.

Rick: That’s the problem—government overreach. You’re telling the elevator where to go instead of letting it run efficiently.

Darlene: Oh, and what’s your plan? Let the free market decide which floor we go to?

Rick: I just want to get where I need to go. Without bureaucrats— (glares at the extra buttons) —telling me where else I have to stop along the way.

(Rick tries to cancel some extra floors, but it’s too late. The doors close. The elevator hums to life. At the next floor, the doors open. Christian steps in, immediately sensing the tension.)

Christian: (grinning) Oh wow. Did I just walk into a campaign debate?

(Darlene and Rick both cross their arms, saying nothing.)

Christian: Okay, gotta ask—who pressed all these buttons?

(Rick immediately points at Darlene. She shrugs.)

Darlene: It’s called planning ahead.

Rick: It’s called inefficiency.

Christian: Huh. So… you both have strong opinions about how to get where you’re going?

Rick & Darlene: (simultaneously) Of course.

Christian: And you both think the other person’s way is slowing things down?

(They pause. Then, reluctantly, both nod.)

Christian: (smiling) Sounds like government in a nutshell.

(A beat of silence. The floors tick by.)

Christian: Alright, tell me this—what’s the biggest problem in the world today?

Darlene: Injustice. Greedy corporations. Broken systems. People suffering while the government has the resources to help them.

Rick: Corruption. Too much government. Overreach. People gaming the system instead of taking responsibility.

(They glare at each other again.)

Christian: Okay. And what’s the solution?

Darlene: Better policies. Strong leadership. Investment in education, healthcare, and justice.

Rick: Smaller government. More freedom. Protecting private property and letting people earn their own way.

(Another tense pause.)

Christian: Huh. You both just admitted something pretty big.

Darlene: Oh yeah? What’s that?

Christian: That people are the problem.

(Silence. The elevator keeps moving.)

Christian: You— (gesturing to Darlene) —believe the world needs more government to protect people from their worst impulses. But that means trusting people to run that government… and those people have the same bad impulses.

(Darlene frowns, considering this.)

Christian: And you— (nodding at Rick) —believe in free markets and self-reliance. Okay, but that assumes people won’t exploit the system or use power selfishly.

(Rick shifts, arms crossed.)

Christian: So if people are the problem… what system actually fixes human nature?

(Silence. The weight of the question settles in.)

Darlene: Well, education helps.

Rick: And laws keep people accountable.

Christian: Sure. But do either of those actually change the heart of a corrupt businessman? A selfish politician? A person cheating the system?

(They both hesitate.)

Christian: That’s why Jesus didn’t come to take sides—He came to take over. He didn’t start a government. He didn’t lead a revolution. But He changed hearts. Because at the root of every problem—whether it’s greed or injustice—is a broken human soul.

(A sense of peace seemed to come into the elevator car, as Darlene would tell her friends later. Rick felt something, too. That night he told his wife he felt a few goosebumps on his arms and neck.

Christian continued)

This whole conversation reminds me of a question a London newspaper asked years ago. They wanted people to write in and answer: “What is the biggest problem in the world today?”

(Darlene and Rick glance at each other, curious.)

Christian: Chesterton, the writer, sent in his response. Just two words.

(Both eagerly await the following line.)

Christian: The envelope contained a sheet of paper which read: “I am.”

(Silence. The elevator keeps moving.)

Christian: See, at the core of every problem—whether it’s inequality or corruption, government control or moral decay—is us. Me. You. “All Y’all”, as a Texan might say. It’s Humans. We’re the problem.

(Darlene shifts uncomfortably. Rick crosses his arms.)

Christian: That’s why every political system fails in some way. Every government, every movement—because no matter how good the system is, it’s still run by us. And we mess things up—every time.

(He lets that sink in for a moment.)

Christian: And that’s why Jesus didn’t come to take sides. He came to take over.

(The elevator continues moving. The tension lingers, but the conversation shifts.)

Rick: Well, at least we have one thing in common—we’re both Christians.

Darlene: Yeah. I’m an Episcopalian. (points at Rick) And you’re an Anglican, right?

Rick: Yeah. I used to be an Episcopalian.

Christian: Wait—you guys can’t even agree on the same church?

Rick: (grinning) No, we can agree—on the fact that her church is doing it wrong. Way wrong.

Darlene: (rolls her eyes) We were just trying for tolerance and inclusivity. Like Jesus did.

Rick: Except He didn’t. He didn’t just say, “Believe whatever you want.” The woman at the well? The woman caught in adultery? He forgave them, yeah, but He also told them to go and sin no more.

Darlene: (folds arms) What’s wrong with love? “Love who you love.” “God is love.” That’s in the Bible, too.

Christian: (nods) Of course He is. God is love…

(Darlene smirks, thinking she’s won the point.)

Christian: …but love isn’t God.

(Darlene’s smirk fades slightly. Rick raises an eyebrow, intrigued.)

Christian: See, when we make love itself the highest thing, we start bending truth to fit our desires. But God’s love isn’t just about feelings. It’s about truth. That’s why love without holiness isn’t really love.

(Darlene hesitates, then looks at Rick.)

Darlene: So why did you guys leave the Episcopal Church?

(Rick exhales, running a hand through his hair.)

Rick: Because it stopped holding to the Bible. It let culture dictate theology instead of the other way around.

Look, I get it—nobody likes being called wrong. But the church isn’t supposed to mirror society. It’s supposed to transform it. Lead it.

Darlene: We just wanted to be welcoming. Inclusive.

Rick: Except to those who disagreed with you. Them—me and my friends—you sued in a court of law and took the building, the money, even the pews and Prayer Books!

(he pauses…no more goosebumps)

Sorry…it still stings me that a Christian group sued a Christian group. I believe Jesus welcomed everyone. He also called them to repent.

Darlene: I’m sorry it happened. What a nightmare. But the church had to change to fit the realities of the culture.

Rick: But at what point does it stop being a church?

(Darlene doesn’t answer. The elevator dings—their floor has arrived. But neither she nor Rick moves.)

Christian: Look, we’re not gonna fix politics or the church in an elevator ride. But I do know one thing—God is not changing His platform.

(The doors open. Christian steps out, turns back, and grins.)

Christian: Just… something to think about. (Christian walks away.)

Conclusion

The elevator doors close, leaving Darlene and Rick in silence. For all their debates about government, morality, and the future of the country, Christian’s words linger.

The biggest problem in the world isn’t bad policies, corrupt leaders, or broken systems. It’s us. People.

And that’s why the two most heated topics in the world today—politics and religion—are also the two most important to get right. Both deal with how we live and what we believe.

As Christian explained to the policy wonk last time, the Bible calls us to live between two principles—what he calls the “R-13 principle.” Romans 13 tells us to respect and obey the governing authorities because all authority comes from God. And Revelation 13 warns that government can become the beast, demanding ultimate allegiance in place of God.

We must live between the two—respecting authority but never worshiping it, engaging in politics but never placing our hope in it. Because, in the end, no government, no leader, and no system will ever truly fix the world’s greatest problem.

Only one King can. And He doesn’t run for re-election.

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From David Roseberry

There are many other conversations, and Christian has more elevator trips in the future. But he will be on a short vacation for the next two weeks preparing for Lent.

Speaking of Lent, if you are a Paid Subscriber, you will receive daily posts every weekday as we journey verse-by-verse to understand the heart of Jesus and his sacrifice on the Cross. We will read Psalm 22. My book “The Psalm on the Cross” will be good background, but our daily posts will be new, richer, and deeper content. Pick up the book here.

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