Democratic Socialism & Christianity

The midterms are in full swing with primary elections revealing who will be squaring off in November throughout the nation. Midterm elections have historically resulted in lower voter turnout, but the impact of such should not be minimized. Halfway through each presidential term, voters return to the polls and often prove to have the power to reshape the balance of power in government.[1] This year has proven to once again be chock-full of stories that reveal much about the political landscape in our nation. While many have stated that the red and blue divide is as wide as ever, especially ideologically, the pragmatic realities of taxation, the economy, home prices, and more have led many to uproot their families and relocate as they seek new beginnings. Thus, the solid red and blue areas of our nation are beginning to show shades of purple.

Midterm Elections

Midterm elections in a president’s second term have historically resulted in losses for the president’s party. In 20 of the past 22 midterms, going back to 1938, the results have been the sitting president’s party losing ground. Thus, simply based on history, the probability that Republicans will lose control of the House is very possible.[2] Nevertheless, historical trends do not fill the seats of Congress, voters do, so time will tell.

The framers of our Constitution set the terms of the House and Senate intentionally to create stability (electing one-third of the Senate at a time) and responsiveness (electing House members every two years).[3]

The Rise of the Democratic Socialists

The rise of the democratic socialists have recently gained much press coverage. Suddenly, most notably due to the election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York City, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have gained much notoriety.

For those of a certain age who remember the Cold War, the concept of socialism brings to mind the Berlin Wall, the Red Scare, the Iron Curtain, Sputnik, and even Red Dawn, and Ivan Drago. Thus, there are many who were shocked that an avowed socialist would win election to the mayoral office of the nation’s largest city, much less see endorsed candidates in various primary elections find victory.

What do Democratic Socialists Believe?

According to the Democratic Socialists of America site, capitalism is the enemy. The site states, “Capitalism is a system designed by the owning class to exploit the rest of us for their own profit.”[4] You would be hard pressed to find members of either major political party in America who would have agreed with that in years past. Yet, suddenly, with generational shifts and an apparent inability to evaluate history, much less remember the reality of just fifty years ago, a growing number of Americans are embracing what The New York Times describes as a “far-left movement.”[5]

Prior to Mayor Mamdani’s election, the most popular voices espousing beliefs rooted in democratic socialism have been Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Many who hold to socialist ideologies do not officially align with the DSA. Marc Farinella, senior advisor to the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy states that there is much ambiguity even among self-proclaimed democratic socialists regarding beliefs.[6]

While many DSA-endorsed and socialist leaning candidates across the nation have lost in this summer’s primaries, political scientists have noted the near victory Francesca Hong in the Democratic primary for Governor of Wisconsin (surprising in that pre-primary polling stated would be a sure win) and the victory of Florida’s Angie Nixon in the US Senate race. Both of these candidates have espoused socialist beliefs that align with the DSA. Thus, that which was previously relegated to the northeastern part of the nation, and primarily in urban areas, has spread to the Midwest and deep south. Political observer Hunter Baker states that this shows that the DSA believes that now is the time for moving forward.[7] Thus, we are seeing more individuals align with the DSA’s platform both unofficially and officially.

Democratic Socialism and a Biblical Worldview

The DSA’s site provides information on religious socialists. It is an interesting take and while some may connect historic Christianity with socialism as similar in the desire to “care for the poor,” the deeper concepts promoted by socialists, and those affirming Marxism and communistic beliefs are liberal/progressive religiosity at best or traditional atheism. DSA member, social ethicist, and speaker Gary Darrien gave a talk at Union Theological Seminary in New York City (a profoundly liberal seminary that has offered numerous presentations and teachings that stray far from biblical truth, such as the chapel service in 2019 where students were speaking, confessing harm, and offering prayers to an arrangement of potted plants) titled “Social Democracy in the Making: Political and Religious Roots of European Socialism.”[8] The speech sought to connect religious focus on the well-being of others with the tenets of democratic socialism. While Darrien presents a convincing argument, the fact is not lost that oil and water are more likely to mix than these belief systems.

Dr. Eric Patterson, president of the Victims of Communism Museum and Memorial Foundation recently responded to questions regarding the growth of democratic socialism among Americans, and especially younger Americans.

Should Americans be worried, or if this all just youthful enthusiasm? Is it simply just “faddish Marxism” among young adults and teenagers? While it is cool to “rage against the machine” and even cooler to have government subsidize your college education, housing, and more, there is something more sinister happening.[9]

Patterson asks if those who hold to democratic socialism affirm the freedom of religion, freedom of conscience, private property, the family, and private enterprise? These are major questions as even Marx stated that control of the economy (socialism) is the first step toward control of everything (communism). Private property is in the crosshairs of democratic socialists and freedoms of religion and conscience are simply described as smokescreens for superstition and intolerance.[10]

Still, some seek to squeeze Christianity into a socialistic frame. Socialism ultimately borrows the compassionate aims of Christianity, at least as promoted, of reaching peoples’ needs. However, it rejects the Christian and biblical expectation that compassion cannot be coerced or forced upon others.[11]

Some declare that socialism in some places has worked wonders. Yet, that is simply smoke. Socialism drifting toward communism (there is no fully communist nation on earth) has historically resulted in oppression, loss of liberty, loss of freedom, fear of faith and religion, as well as abolishment of individual freedoms while propagating equality for all, especially economically, To quote George Orwell, there have always been some “more equal than others.”

Certainly, our own governmental model has not been perfect, but this grand experiment has worked wonders comparatively. Does biblical Christianity mesh with democratic socialism? In my opinion, it does not. The founders of our nation knew that unrestrained government power was the first enemy of freedom. Thus, they were determined to provide for individual rights, our federal system, private property, and the liberties delineated in our Constitution and Bill of Rights.[12]

Should Christians fear the rise of democratic socialism?

No, the resurgence of socialism should not elicit fear, but awareness is certainly needed. Our Christian brothers and sisters in Cuba and in portions of eastern Europe who certainly remember the rise of socialism in their respective nations would certainly have some information that could help us process this reality. I fear that youthful exuberance and the “pop Marxism” as Dr. Patterson calls it, creates a focus that refuses to look back at the failures of such beliefs and systems. Thus, this apparently new version of socialism is the shiny, new thing that many find themselves drawn toward.

I am certain a good number of my friends and perhaps even members of my church wish I would not stray into politics. However, to be apolitical is not only impossible, but irresponsible in this current era. Political shifts have occurred for generations, but sometimes the shift toward humanistic, irreligious viewpoints are so severe that to say nothing is akin to abdicating responsibility to lead well.

So, fear not, but be aware and speak the truth in love. In this present age, systems will come and go, be repackaged and presented again, but one must view such things with a biblical worldview. Thus, when the red flags (red in this case may be the right color) pop up, the wise must take note.

1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV)

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. [13]

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[1] “Why Midterm Elections Matter: A Political Scientist Explains.” Creighton University, 27 July 2026, www.creighton.edu/news/why-midterm-elections-matter-political-scientist-explains.

[2] Galston, William A. “What History Tells Us about the 2026 Midterm Elections.” Brookings, 21 Aug. 2025, www.brookings.edu/articles/what-history-tells-us-about-the-2026-midterm-elections/.

[3] “Why Midterms Matter.” Why Midterms Matter | Center for Civic Justice, www.stonybrook.edu/civicjustice/election/why-midterms-matter.html. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

[4] “What Is Democratic Socialism?” Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), 23 Sept. 2022, www.dsausa.org/about-us/what-is-democratic-socialism/.

[5] Davies, Emily. Here’s What It Means to Be a Democratic Socialist - The New York Times, 25 June 2026, www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/us/politics/heres-what-it-means-to-be-a-democratic-socialist.html.

[6] Lee, Chantelle. “What Is a Democratic Socialist?” Time, Time, 18 June 2026, time.com/article/2026/06/18/what-is-a-democratic-socialist-mamdani-lewis-george-bernie-sanders-aoc/.

[7]The World and Everything in It: August 19, 2026 | World, 19 Aug. 2026, wng.org/podcasts/the-world-and-everything-in-it-august-19-2026-1787068061.

[8] Kurtz, Geoffrey. “What Religious Socialists Bring to Our Table.” Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), 7 Apr. 2019, www.dsausa.org/blog/what-religious-socialists-bring-to-our-table/.

[9] Stonestreet, John, and Eric Patterson. “America Flirts with Democratic Socialism.” Chuck Colson on the American Creed - Breakpoint, The Colson Center for Christian Worldview, 8 July 2026, colsoncenter.org/breakpoint/chuck-colson-on-the-american-creed-breakpoint-3.

[10] Stonestreet.

[11] Piper, John. “How Should Christians Think about Socialism?” Desiring God, 6 July 2026, www.desiringgod.org/interviews/how-should-christians-think-about-socialism.

[12] Stonestreet.

[13]The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 1 Pe 5:8–9.