I love this country. I love the ideas expressed in our foundational documents like the the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. I am proud to be a citizen of the United States of America. I love the fact that I live and work here, and that my children can grow up in what is arguably one of the best countries in the world. I love what our nation stands for and much of the history which has brought our nation to where it is.
Sure, there are some things that sadden me about our history, and there are some things in our current situation I would like to see changed. But in general, I think the United States has a noble history of trying to do what is right and best.
However, it sometimes seems that the values expressed by our government as found within the Declaration of Independence and Constitutional Bill of Rights, sometimes conflicts with the values of Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven as found within the pages of Scripture. When Christians become aware of these conflicts, we must choose between them, and try, to the best of our ability, to remember with the apostle Paul, who was himself a citizen of Rome, that first and foremost, we are citizens of heaven.
This is where our true loyalties must lie.
But I fear that more and more, churches are sacrificing the Gospel on the altar of our Constitutional rights. This is usually not intentional, but is based on an attempt to defend and protect Christianity as we know it. We believe it is essential for the church to gather in a building on Sunday morning, and are quick to sue any government official who seems to block or restrict our right to assemble. We feel that we should be able to say whatever we want from the pulpit and in our church publications, no matter how offensive it might be to others, because we have the freedom of speech.
Even many sermons and Sunday school programs focus on the themes of our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which are not exactly found in Scripture but instead are products of the European Enlightenment. It was Thomas Hobbes, the author of Leviathan,
There are numerous problems with such an idea, not least among them that Scripture and the example of Jesus seem to disagree, but it is not uncommon to hear sermons about living our best life now, full of freedom and liberty, and how to have a happy life, happy wife, happy kids, and happy job.
Where are the Gospel themes of self-sacrifice, service, humiliation, and death in all of this? It is utterly and totally absent.
Fighting for our rights may not be the best way to live as a follower of Jesus.
It goes hand in hand with defending an illusory status quo of western Christendom culture. If we really stop and look at the dramatic changes going on all over the world and in the US (demographics, ethnic population shifts, a new era in how people under 50 look at the world, etc.) it points to a need to focus more than ever on the centrality of Christ Jesus. Even if the “fighting for our rights” side is successful this go ’round, eventually the other viewpoint(s) will eventually prevail…what can you expect when a people is already divided 50/50 in their political views. Christian Conservatives forget that “they” are “we the people” too. What would Jesus say in this situation? I heard Him saying to take my ideas about MY rights to the cross and crucify my ideas in order to have His divine will and divine Life working out in me. He didn’t create us to give us rights…He created us to love us and be loved freely in return. God does’t recognize man’s nationalistic boundaries. I’ve been accused of sticking my head in the sand or giving up too easily or being naive by my more political-minded friends. But earthly kings and kingdoms WILL pass away, and the government shall be upon His shoulders eternally. Asking God to give me an eternal perspective really pushed politics off the table as He sets a feast before me in the presence of my fears. (intentional subsittution for “enemies’)
Leah,
That eternal perspective is SO important. It really puts our nationalistic pursuits in perspective. Thanks for weighing in!
We are American by our natural birth, yet when born from above our citizenship is not of this age. We are now a part of, and will in the future experience our true citizenship with Christ, and His kingdom.
In America its very easy to frame Jesus through our “American lens”, this of course has significant flaws, as noted by Jeremy.
Paul seemed to exemplify an approach that we could model. His heritage, and all of the entitlements that may be afforded were considered dung. Yes he did claim his citizenship privileged when he was about to be beaten, but in the context of due process.
Jim,
Yes, Paul provided a great model for us on this. You are right that he did claim his rights as a Roman citizen from time to time. I might need to consider those passages a little better.
I notice we like to act like we’re being persecuted if we don’t get our way with imposing our GOD on to every citizen of this nation. In Romans, we are told that we submit to the authority over us. I’ve noticed the Christian church getting more and more enmeshed with politics, trying to make the country bow to Jesus. Jesus never forced anyone to come to him – ever. I would defend (and to the death against other Christians, if necessary)any citizens right to believe or NOT believe. I don’t have to “defend Christianity.” Jesus defends ME. It’s not the other way around.
I won’t even call myself a Christian, anymore, because of the assumptions people will automatically make about me. I must be some bigoted fear-monger with an agenda to “convert” everyone to my thinking. I found I am much more free to share my faith when ASKED about it, vs,trying to insist my government govern according to my morality. MORALISM is not the Gospel. We need to have an answer for why we have hope in Christ. We are to love and establish a culture of GRACE. PERIOD.
I tell people I am a follower of Yeshua, so they “relax” a bit. It’s through RELATIONSHIPS that I build the freedom to speak gospel truths in to someone without them feeling persecuted. How I live my life and conduct myself with the premise that “Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” It sets me up perfectly to, when that person is ripe, attract curiosity over why I seem so at peace and so joyful. I don’t ever have to preach at people to bring Jesus with me, and introduce someone to THE KING.
Rainbo,
Great comment. It truly does give us a different perspective when we realize that we do not have to defend Jesus or Christianity. It helps us realize that when people attack our faith, they are not really attacking me.
I would love to see grace take over in our churches, in our lives, and in our countries, as you suggest.
Come, Lord Jesus!
I believe that cultivating a culture of grace should be the main priority of the church, universal, as well. It is the only thing that breaks of the “religious choke hold” that’s on God’s people. We are supposed to be light in the darkness; not light in the light. If we allow Jesus to get hijacked, and represented to the world as a political pawn, we are impotent failures in releasing the Kingdom of God. We become a “form of godliness lacking the power therein.”
I cannot seem to reconcile many of the Constitutional rights we have in America with Scripture.
The 2nd Ammendment dictates we have the right to bear arms, and presumably use them to defend oneself. This is completely contrary to Jesus’ message of peace, turning the other cheek, and loving our enemies. In the meantime, we will continue to see violence in America including mass murders, school shootings, and accidental deaths. And yet, Americans are not willing to give up their love for their guns and violence… even Christians.
Rather than facing persecution or unfair treatment like what the early church experienced, American Christians simply go to court, fight for their rights, and sue people. We have become not a people of humility and meekness, but a prideful people of entitlement and rights. Not the Jesus I read about in the Bible.
All of this not to mention the political organization Evangelical Christianity has become associated with. An organization fighting for their Constitutional rights and legislating their morality upon the rest of society.
We have become too much like the kingdom of Caesar, and not the people of God’s kingdom. It’s no wonder people really see no difference between Christians and the rest of society. Rather than becoming a beacon of light to a darkened world, we have simply become a burnt out light bulb.
Greg,
Great comment! Yes, the Kingdom of God has become too much like the kingdom of Caesar. That is a great point. I really like the way you write and think!
I appreciate the balance and the truthfulness of your article. At very least, the command of Jesus to “take up the cross”, does not allow the “pursuit of happiness” to be our priority. Paul graciously but stubbornly, demanded his civil rights in an appropriate situation. Relieving people from an unnecessary oppression, is a similarly appropriate situation where we ought to follow Paul’s example.
Rick,
Thanks. Yes, I need to consider those passages about Paul a little better.
Wow, I’m really encouraged by this post and these comments. As one who is an U.S. American but lived the majority of my adult life outside of the United States, I feel somewhat different than many US American Christians. I too am grateful to be an American, but my primary citizenship is in Heaven and my allegiance is to Jesus my Lord. Everything else comes after that.
I have been saddened by much of the Christian culture in the US that assumes that one political party is correct and the other is evil. In my opinion, both stand up for certain issues that would agree with the Bible and both violate basic values of Jesus. I don’t feel the need to choose one political worldview at the expense of the other. They are both worldly and I follow Jesus first; therefore I am critical of both worldviews. By that I mean I observe and critique them against the stated values and example of the life of Jesus my Lord. My viewpoint is not well appreciated in much of US American Christian culture nowadays.
Ross, I grew up in the U.S.A., but agree with your perspective. We are part of the Kingdom of God. That includes certain responsibilities to our country, such as military service and paying taxes. However, neither electing certain people to office nor enacting certain policies will ever usher in the Kingdom. Jesus did that.
Certain religious political activists have succeeded in forming a political bloc that encourages some politicians to say what that bloc wants to hear to get votes. However, as has always been the case, politicians once elected rarely deliver on their promises. Politicians are very good, however, at using people to help them get what they (the politicians) want (that would be elected to a place of power).
Ross and Sam,
Thanks for the great comments. I was hoping this series would be an encouragement to people, rather than be viewed as an attack on the US. As both of you have noted, it is probably best if we frame this discussion as a way of calling people to follow Jesus into the values of the Kingdom of God.
Because I believe that “Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” there is an assumption that in order to follow God,within the context of our every day society, mankind must be FREE to do so. Anything else is oppression from the pit of hell. So, yes, to protect that GOD GIVEN right for others, while still on this Earth, I would and DO fight. I PRAY, I speak up against injustice and I vote. For me, that IS “taking up my cross,” as the biggest burden I feel is my passion to see God’s people set free.
I know where “home” is, so it doesn’t matter what a Government does to ME. I am already set free. My life was paid for. Technically, it’s not my own, so to fight for MY sake seems silly. I am here to help establish ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. I agree with GOD for that, and realized a long time ago that I was born in to war – and it’s a war fought on our knees.
My biggest disgust is with the CHRISTO-POLITICAL regime. Jesus told us to beware the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod. It’s all completely defiled and they are folling themselves to think “God is in their pocket and on their “side.”
Right. I think we can and should fight for the rights of others, especially those who cannot fight for themselves or speak up for themselves.
That, I believe, is a valid action within the Kingdom of God.
Jeremy – I appreciate your work. Thank you for keeping us focused.
So thankful that I came across this article. Tgank you for sharing. You have confirmed my own convictions.
Blessings