Since I’m a die-hard political junkie and love current events, I jumped at the chance to read a book that discussed both of those issues as related to my faith. It was actually my boss who suggested this book to me, as he had read it as part of his small group and we have such differing views on the role of faith in politics. I will admit that books like these on my list of 3 most influential deeply impacted my swing from far right to far left, but I was still struggling with how my faith and beliefs meshed with my actions. God could have easily put the church in charge of ruling the world, but he instituted his Church for heavenly purpose and instituted governments as a separate structure to govern societies.
The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power Is Destroying the Church was the perfect book to address these issue and really gave me a great biblical basis to address the role of the church and Christians in modern politics. The author’s thesis: “I believe a significant segment of American evangelicalism is guilty of nationalistic and political idolatry…[they] fuse the kingdom of God with a preferred version of the kingdom of the world…rather than focusing our understanding of God’s kingdom on the person of Jesus.” My liberal slant and utter disdain for the all things “terror” related really opened me up to the idea that so many people *WORSHIP* America- wave the flags, never question wars or spending, undying allegiance that our way is the best, faithful devotion to unfettered capitalism, blinding service, maniacal arrogance towards the rest of the world, and simple idolatry that puts country before God. Dare question our wars and you are labeled a traitor who hates the soldiers. Support gay and lesbians people and you are contributing to the downfall of our great nation. Prefer the gentle and loving approach to reducing unwanted pregnancies and you are called a baby killer. Americans are no more just before God than Palestinians, we have sinned no less than radical Muslims who want to kill us, God isn’t up in heaven waving a star spangled banner rooting for us to kill all of our enemies- because they are still his children no matter what race, color, creed or language they speak.
The book talks at length about two kingdoms- the political kingdom of this world and the spiritual kingdom of God. The political kingdom is ruled by the sword through governments that seek to protect themselves and promote their own good. The kingdom of God is about sacrificial love, unselfish service and mercy as displayed by Jesus on the cross. Although God institutes governments, Satan was given authority on Earth as governments are easily corrupted away from their intended purpose of providing order and justice. At great lengths the author explains why the “power over” people model by the sword is the world’s way of exercising control and the “power under” love and service is the way of the cross that Jesus illustrated for us to lead people to Him. It is impossible to carry the sword of this world and the Cross of Calvary. “But the kingdom of the world, by definition, can never be the kingdom of God…however comparatively good it may be, can protect its self-interests while loving its enemies, turning hte other cheek, going the extra mile, or blessing those who persecute it.”
Many practical issues are addressed in the book, especially how dangerous it is for the church to get involved in politics- remember the Crusades?
- Although He had all the power of Heaven in his hands and an army of angels, Jesus didn’t come to exercise political or military power through force, but he came to peacefully serve humanity by exercising the power under the Cross.
- It’s NOT the role of government to point out sin and punish it, although it may do it to uphold order (murder and robbery are illegal, lying isn’t). Jesus never attacked sin or the sinners, He only displayed love, compassion and forgiveness.
- A perfect Christian society, with all the perfect laws and nobody sinning wouldn’t result in salvations because salvation isn’t based on sinning less, it’s based on God’s infinite grace and mercy.
- Many people begin to believe it’s the role of government to do many functions of the church- like taking care of the orphans, poor and elderly. These specific tasks are called out in the Bible and we are commanded to give anytime a brother is in need.
- The love of Christ isn’t visible through laws that govern a society; it’s only visible through the selfless and serving love that is given on an individual basis by changing hearts.
- “…the nationalistic religion if founded on individual self-interest, the ‘right’ to political freedom- whereas the kingdom of God is centered on self-sacrifice, replicating Calvary to all people at all times.”
I really enjoyed this book & it was extremely well written and well cited to hundreds of biblical verses. I’m extremely frustrated as how far the Church in America has strayed from biblical teachings and living out the message of the cross in service to others.”The radically counter-cultural and revolutionary movement that Jesus birthed has, in our country, (as in every Christian country), been largely reduced to little more than a preservation society for a national civil religion.” There were so many things in this book that really opened my eyes and made me think deeper about where I should focus my time and energy.
GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Survived flight delays from NY yesterday & I’m hopefully working a short day today before the weekend.
