In recent years, a new term has gained momentum in certain political and Christian circles, particularly within the MAGA community: "Toxic Empathy." This concept suggests that empathy becomes a "sin" or a "trap" when it is used to affirm what they define as sinful behavior or to support policies like open borders or social justice initiatives.
The argument often presented is that progressive movements "hijack" Christian compassion to push agendas regarding the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, and racial justice. Proponents of this view argue that "untethered" empathy leads to "civilizational suicide" and that Christians should prioritize "truth" over "feelings."
However, as we explore the heart of the Gospel, we find a different narrative.
Is Empathy Really "Toxic"?
The Bible does not warn us against having too much compassion. In fact, it commands it. When critics argue that empathy for marginalized groups—such as immigrants or the LGBTQ+ community—is a weakness, they often overlook the very nature of Christ's ministry.
Jesus didn't wait for people to align with His theology before showing them empathy. He ate with tax collectors, defended the woman caught in adultery, and touched the "unclean" leper.
Matthew 9:10-13 NIV [10] While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. [11] When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” [12] On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. [13] But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
John 8:2-11 NIV [2] At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. [3] The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group [4] and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. [5] In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” [6] They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. [7] When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” [8] Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. [9] At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. [10] Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” [11] “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Luke 5:12-13 NIV [12] While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” [13] Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.
Having empathy for immigrants isn't "toxic"; it’s a foundational biblical principle and included in the Law that God gave to Moses.
Leviticus 19:33-34 NIV [33] “ ‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. [34] The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.
Mercy is Not a Compromise
There is a fear that feeling for someone means affirming everything they do. But empathy isn't about agreement; it’s about proximity. It is the "willingness to enter into the chaos of another person's life," as theologian James Keenan, who is the Canisius Professor of Theology, Director of the Jesuit Institute, and Vice Provost for Global Engagement at Boston College puts it.
Choosing to see the humanity in a black or brown neighbor, an undocumented immigrant, or an LGBTQ+ individual isn't "progressive manipulation." It is the fulfillment of what Jesus said is the Second Great Commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself".
Mark 12:28-31 NIV [28] One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” [29] “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. [30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ [31] The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
If we lose our ability to mourn with those who mourn simply because they fall outside our political "tribe," we risk losing the very heart of our witness.
The Ultimate Example
If we want to know what true strength looks like, we look at Jesus. He didn't stand at a distance from human suffering. He stepped directly into it. When Lazarus died, Jesus didn't just offer a theological lecture on the resurrection—He wept. He felt the weight of the grief surrounding Him.
John 11:33-35 NIV [33] When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. [34] “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. [35] Jesus wept.
That wasn’t a lack of power; it was the ultimate expression of it.
A Command, Not a Suggestion
The Bible doesn't treat empathy as an optional personality trait for the "sensitive" types. It is a command for the entire Body of Christ.
Romans 12:14-16 NIV [14] Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. [15] Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. [16] Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Colossians 3:12-14 NIV [12] Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [13] Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [14] And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
When we "clothe ourselves" in compassion, we aren't putting on a flimsy garment. We are putting on the armor of God’s own character.
Strength Under Control
It takes very little effort to be indifferent. It takes zero strength to be cynical. But to keep your heart open in a broken world? To actually feel what your neighbor feels and stay present in their mess? That takes courage.
Empathy allows us to build bridges where others build walls. It is the bridge-builder, not the wall-builder, who possesses the most influence for the Kingdom. When we lead with empathy, we aren't showing the world we are weak; we are showing them that we serve a God who is close to the brokenhearted.
Psalms 34:18-22 NIV [18] The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. [19] The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; [20] he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. [21] Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. [22] The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
The argument often presented is that progressive movements "hijack" Christian compassion to push agendas regarding the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, and racial justice. Proponents of this view argue that "untethered" empathy leads to "civilizational suicide" and that Christians should prioritize "truth" over "feelings."
However, as we explore the heart of the Gospel, we find a different narrative.
Is Empathy Really "Toxic"?
The Bible does not warn us against having too much compassion. In fact, it commands it. When critics argue that empathy for marginalized groups—such as immigrants or the LGBTQ+ community—is a weakness, they often overlook the very nature of Christ's ministry.
Jesus didn't wait for people to align with His theology before showing them empathy. He ate with tax collectors, defended the woman caught in adultery, and touched the "unclean" leper.
Matthew 9:10-13 NIV [10] While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. [11] When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” [12] On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. [13] But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
John 8:2-11 NIV [2] At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. [3] The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group [4] and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. [5] In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” [6] They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. [7] When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” [8] Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. [9] At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. [10] Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” [11] “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Luke 5:12-13 NIV [12] While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” [13] Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.
Having empathy for immigrants isn't "toxic"; it’s a foundational biblical principle and included in the Law that God gave to Moses.
Leviticus 19:33-34 NIV [33] “ ‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. [34] The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.
Mercy is Not a Compromise
There is a fear that feeling for someone means affirming everything they do. But empathy isn't about agreement; it’s about proximity. It is the "willingness to enter into the chaos of another person's life," as theologian James Keenan, who is the Canisius Professor of Theology, Director of the Jesuit Institute, and Vice Provost for Global Engagement at Boston College puts it.
Choosing to see the humanity in a black or brown neighbor, an undocumented immigrant, or an LGBTQ+ individual isn't "progressive manipulation." It is the fulfillment of what Jesus said is the Second Great Commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself".
Mark 12:28-31 NIV [28] One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” [29] “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. [30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ [31] The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
If we lose our ability to mourn with those who mourn simply because they fall outside our political "tribe," we risk losing the very heart of our witness.
The Ultimate Example
If we want to know what true strength looks like, we look at Jesus. He didn't stand at a distance from human suffering. He stepped directly into it. When Lazarus died, Jesus didn't just offer a theological lecture on the resurrection—He wept. He felt the weight of the grief surrounding Him.
John 11:33-35 NIV [33] When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. [34] “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. [35] Jesus wept.
That wasn’t a lack of power; it was the ultimate expression of it.
A Command, Not a Suggestion
The Bible doesn't treat empathy as an optional personality trait for the "sensitive" types. It is a command for the entire Body of Christ.
Romans 12:14-16 NIV [14] Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. [15] Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. [16] Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Colossians 3:12-14 NIV [12] Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [13] Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [14] And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
When we "clothe ourselves" in compassion, we aren't putting on a flimsy garment. We are putting on the armor of God’s own character.
Strength Under Control
It takes very little effort to be indifferent. It takes zero strength to be cynical. But to keep your heart open in a broken world? To actually feel what your neighbor feels and stay present in their mess? That takes courage.
Empathy allows us to build bridges where others build walls. It is the bridge-builder, not the wall-builder, who possesses the most influence for the Kingdom. When we lead with empathy, we aren't showing the world we are weak; we are showing them that we serve a God who is close to the brokenhearted.
Psalms 34:18-22 NIV [18] The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. [19] The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; [20] he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. [21] Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. [22] The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
RSS Feed