Christian Citizenship (Biblical Reasons Why I Want to Be a Christian in a Multi-Faith Nation) Part 9

 

This post is part 9 of a series on Christian citizenship, and why I believe mixing Christian identity with American identity is bad for both. My intent in sharing these short Biblical reflections is not to "prooftext", or just compile a list of unrelated Bible verses to support my argument. Rather, I hope to give you little bite-sized thoughts, which I believe represent themes you'll find throughout the Bible and historic Christian teachings.

I hope they make you think.

  

Today's reason why I want to live as a Christian in a multi-faith nation: 

The “beast” of Revelation 13 is interpreted by most scholars to refer to Roman Emperor Nero, whose title in Jewish gematria (a code assigning each Hebrew letter a number) amounted to the number 666. John, the author of Revelation, was saying that being faithful to Christ, the Lamb of God, will sometimes bring violent opposition from one’s own government and nation. 

I am very, very hesitant to ever follow John's example and identify any leader or government with "the beast." Far too much blood has been spilled throughout Christian history by identifying one's foes with "the beast" of Revelation.  It's too easy to dehumanize others using apocalyptic language.

Yet John's coded reference to the Roman Empire,  and maybe all human empires,  is a stark warning never to identify our religious faith with our nation. Sometimes,  the two come into conflict. 

For some thoughts on welcoming foreigners from the law of Moses, check out Monday's post.

For more background information read this statement from the ELCA's presiding bishop, or learn about Christians Against Christian Nationalism.

Christian Citizenship (Biblical Reasons Why I Want to Be a Christian in a Multi-Faith Nation) Part 8

 

This post is part 8 of a series on Christian citizenship, and why I believe mixing Christian identity with American identity is bad for both. My intent in sharing these short Biblical reflections is not to "prooftext", or just compile a list of unrelated Bible verses to support my argument. Rather, I hope to give you little bite-sized thoughts, which I believe represent themes you'll find throughout the Bible and historic Christian teachings.

I hope they make you think.

  

Today's reason why I want to live as a Christian in a multi-faith nation: 

Daniel 3 is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego surviving the fiery furnace. They are thrown in there by King Nebuchadnezzar, a Babylonian ruler who set up a golden statue and ordered all Babylonian citizens to bow to it. When the three men don’t kneel, into the fire they go…and God preserves their lives. These three young men show us how to live faithfully as a minority religion in a nation that follows other gods.

There are some parts of the Bible that talk about how to practice faith as one cohesive community that all basically has the same beliefs. But the most powerful and inspiring stories are about God's people surrounded by those who do not share their faith, or even put pressure on them to follow a different faith. 

Being surrounded by a predominantly non-Christian culture or nation can actually clarify our values and strengthen our religious self-identity. Our Jewish neighbors can attest to that. But first, we have to accept that, if we ever did live in a "Christian nation," we don't now.   

For a New Testament example of how Christians reacted when their surrounding culture directly opposed God, check out tomorrow's post.

For more background information read this statement from the ELCA's presiding bishop, or learn about Christians Against Christian Nationalism.

Christian Citizenship (Biblical Reasons Why I Want to Be a Christian in a Multi-Faith Nation) Part 7

 

This post is part 7 of a series on Christian citizenship, and why I believe mixing Christian identity with American identity is bad for both. My intent in sharing these short Biblical reflections is not to "prooftext", or just compile a list of unrelated Bible verses to support my argument. Rather, I hope to give you little bite-sized thoughts, which I believe represent themes you'll find throughout the Bible and historic Christian teachings.

I hope they make you think.

  

Today's reason why I want to live as a Christian in a multi-faith nation: 

The author of 1 Timothy encourages prayers, supplications and thanksgivings “for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.” 

In the late first century, when this letter was written, there were no Christian kings, nor did any Christian occupy any “high position” in government. The leaders being prayed for were all pagans. All of them. Every single one worshiped Greek and Roman gods. 

Yet Timothy and his congregation are encouraged to pray for them “so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.” Early Christians did not see it necessary for their leaders to share their faith, much less set policies based on it, in order for their faith to flourish. To their mind, the task of leaders is to provide for “peaceable lives” for all their citizens, no matter their faith. They can do so sustained by our prayers, but they need not be sustained by a Christian faith of their own.

According to the New Testament, it is not the job of secular leaders to promote Christian values, even if those leaders are Christians themselves (though again, at that time, none of them were). It is enough that leaders protect the citizens and do justice. The spread of faith is the job of the Holy Spirit. 

For a good biblical example of living as a religious minority in a nation that does not share our faith, check out tomorrow's post.

For more background information read this statement from the ELCA's presiding bishop, or learn about Christians Against Christian Nationalism.

Christian Citizenship (Biblical Reasons Why I Want to Be a Christian in a Multi-Faith Nation) Part 6

 

This post is part 6 of a series on Christian citizenship, and why I believe mixing Christian identity with American identity is bad for both. My intent in sharing these short Biblical reflections is not to "prooftext", or just compile a list of unrelated Bible verses to support my argument. Rather, I hope to give you little bite-sized thoughts, which I believe represent themes you'll find throughout the Bible and historic Christian teachings.

I hope they make you think.

  

Today's reason why I want to live as a Christian in a multi-faith nation: 

The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7). The kingdom of Judah actually was a faith-based Kingdom that supposedly only worshiped the Lord, but they lost that kingdom and went into exile in Babylon. Jeremiah and other prophets actually thought that exile in a non-Jewish kingdom was a good thing for God’s people and would lead to greater covenant faithfulness. In the meantime, he asked people to pray for Babylon. 

The major theme of the book of Jeremiah--not just a verse here and there, but the thrust of all 52 chapters--is that sometimes God uses a kingdom that does not worship God (Babylon) to hold accountable a kingdom that claims to worship God (Judah). Sometimes exile in a faithless kingdom is a right and just punishment for not being true to our covenant with God. 

In our lives today, I wouldn't say that any person or group of people should call bad circumstances a direct "punishment" from God. But I would say that challenging times can help us grow, if we let them. If it is God's will that Christians have a lot less influence in Western culture (and I tend to believe it is), then this "exile" can teach us something. For one thing, according to Jeremiah, it can teach us how to pray for a city (or a country) that may not share our values. Not to pray that it will become more like us, but simply for its welfare, knowing that its welfare is connected to our own. 

 For some thoughts on praying for non-believing leaders, check out tomorrow's post.

For more background information read this statement from the ELCA's presiding bishop, or learn about Christians Against Christian Nationalism.

Christian Citizenship (Biblical Reasons Why I Want to Be a Christian in a Multi-Faith Nation) Part 5

 

This post is part 5 of a series on Christian citizenship, and why I believe mixing Christian identity with American identity is bad for both. My intent in sharing these short Biblical reflections is not to "prooftext", or just compile a list of unrelated Bible verses to support my argument. Rather, I hope to give you little bite-sized thoughts, which I believe represent themes you'll find throughout the Bible and historic Christian teachings.

I hope they make you think.

Today's reason why I want to live as a Christian in a multi-faith nation:

Martin Luther once wrote to a German prince, “it is out of the question that there should be a common Christian government over the whole world or indeed over a single country or any considerable body of people, for the wicked always outnumber the good.” (On Temporal Authority, 1523). Luther believed that before establishing any kind of “Christian government,” it was necessary first to fill the world with true Christians by sharing the Good News of Jesus and teaching people the way of Christ, without forcing anyone into faith. This was written in Europe in the Middle Ages, when virtually everyone was baptized and a Christian, at least in name. I suspect Luther would be even less optimistic about establishing a “Christian nation” today.

Luther believed that the heart of Christianity was faith: faith alone. He thought that creating more religious laws would not increase religious faith. I agree with him. 

For a reflection on the prophet Jeremiah and how to live faithfully without any political power, check out tomorrow's post.

For more background information read this statement from the ELCA's presiding bishop, or learn about Christians Against Christian Nationalism.

Christian Citizenship (Biblical Reasons Why I Want to Be a Christian in a Multi-Faith Nation) Part 4

 

 

This post is part 4 of a series on Christian citizenship, and why I believe mixing Christian identity with American identity is bad for both. My intent in sharing these short Biblical reflections is not to "prooftext", or just compile a list of unrelated Bible verses to support my argument. Rather, I hope to give you little bite-sized thoughts, which I believe represent themes you'll find throughout the Bible and historic Christian teachings.

I hope they make you think.


Today's biblical reason why I want to be a Christian in a multi-faith nation:

Psalm 33:12 says, “Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord,” and people often use that verse to prop up the idea of America “turning to God” and becoming more of a “Christian nation.” But in context, the verse continues, “the people whom he has chosen as his heritage,” meaning Israel, God’s chosen people. The previous verse in that psalm says “the Lord brings the counsels of the nations [meaning Gentiles] to nothing.” This psalm refers only to the historic people of Israel. At the time that it was written, it would never have occurred to any Israelite poet that any nation other than Israel would have Israel’s God as its god. It’s just not what the verse means.


You could do many lengthy Bible studies on the logic of the Hebrew Bible lifting up Israel (not the modern state, but the historic descendants of Jacob) as "chosen as his heritage." It's not always an easy job. Israel's biblical role is to be "a light to the nations," and show them God's faithfulness. But this much is clear: it is a status that belongs to Israel alone. It is non-transferable. Nowhere in either the Hebrew Bible or New Testament does any writer suggest that any nation other than Israel can be "chosen as God's heritage." That any nation could be "chosen" in Israel's place, or that any would even want to be, is utterly foreign to scripture.


For a look at Martin Luther's thoughts on Christian Nationalism, check out Tuesday's post.

For more background information read this statement from the ELCA's presiding bishop, or learn about Christians Against Christian Nationalism.

Christian Citizenship (Biblical Reasons Why I Want to Be a Christian in a Multi-Faith Nation) Part 3

 

This post is part 3 of a series on Christian citizenship, and why I believe mixing Christian identity with American identity is bad for both. My intent in sharing these short Biblical reflections is not to "prooftext", or just compile a list of unrelated Bible verses to support my argument. Rather, I hope to give you little bite-sized thoughts, which I believe represent themes you'll find throughout the Bible and historic Christian teachings.

I hope they make you think.


Today's biblical reason why I want to be a Christian in a multi-faith nation:

The apostle Paul writes, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20). Paul himself was a citizen of the Roman Empire, but he prized his citizenship in heaven above his national identity. At no point did Paul ever advocate for a Christian Roman empire, even though that happened a couple of centuries later.

In writing to the Church in Philippi, Paul is likely writing to some very patriotic Romans. Though the city itself is in modern-day Greece, at that time it was a Roman colony and military outpost. It is probable that some in this congregation were also Roman citizens, and some might even have been Roman military veterans. This only adds to the impact of Paul's statement that their first and most important "citizenship" was to the kingdom of Heaven, whose only ruler is Jesus Christ.

For an alternative reading of the often-quoted Psalm 33:12, "Happy is the nation whose god is the Lord," check out Monday's post.

For more background information read this statement from the ELCA's presiding bishop, or learn about Christians Against Christian Nationalism.

Christian Citizenship (Biblical Reasons Why I Want to Be a Christian in a Multi-Faith Nation) Part 2

 

This post is part 2 of a series on Christian citizenship, and why I believe mixing Christian identity with American identity is bad for both. My intent in sharing these short Biblical reflections is not to "prooftext", or just compile a list of unrelated Bible verses to support my argument. Rather, I hope to give you little bite-sized thoughts, which I believe represent themes you'll find throughout the Bible and historic Christian teachings.
I hope they make you think.


Today's biblical reason why I want to be a Christian in a multi-faith nation:

  Jesus’ first sermon, and the core of his message, was, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’ (Mark 1:15).

 Many of Jesus' parables concerned the Kingdom of God. Yet at no point did he make plans for any kind of earthly kingdom. He resisted the temptation of the devil, who promised him all the kingdoms of the earth (Matthew 4:8-10). Rather than raising an army, he cast out unclean spirits. Rather than raising money, he fed hungry people. Rather than praying to be king of Galilee or Judea, he taught his disciples to pray, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10).

The Kingdom of God is not, and was never meant to be, a certain piece of land, a certain nation, or a certain form of government. It's the people in every land and nation who seek to do God’s will. 

For the Apostle Paul's teaching about "Heavenly Citizenship", check out tomorrow's post.

For more background information read this statement from the ELCA's presiding bishop, or learn about Christians Against Christian Nationalism.

Christian Citizenship (Biblical Reasons Why I Want to Be a Christian in a Multi-Faith Nation) Part 1

This post is part 1 of a series on Christian citizenship, and why I believe mixing Christian identity with American identity is bad for both. My intent in sharing these short Biblical reflections is not to "prooftext", or just compile a list of unrelated Bible verses to support my argument. Rather, I hope to give you little bite-sized thoughts, which I believe represent themes you'll find throughout the Bible and historic Christian teachings.
I hope they make you think.


Today's biblical reason why I want to be a Christian in a multi-faith nation:

Jesus says, “My kingdom is not from this world.” (John 18:36)

When Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, asks Jesus, "are you a king?", this is his response. For the entirety of Jesus' ministry, there were expectations that he would raise an army to challenge Rome and win back the territory of Judea and Galilee for the Jewish people. People expected him to attempt to found a government in Jerusalem, with himself as king. Jesus disrupted this expectation at every turn.

If Jesus had wanted a kingdom on earth, he would have told his followers to fight for one, and he never would have willingly gone to the cross. We Christians believe and teach that Jesus going to the cross, rather than any earthly throne, is, to put it mildly, rather important for the world.



For more about Jesus' teaching about "The Kingdom of God", check out tomorrow's post.

For more background information read this statement from the ELCA's presiding bishop, or learn about Christians Against Christian Nationalism.

 

New Series: Christian Citizenship (Biblical Reasons Why I Want to Be a Christian in a Multi-Faith Nation)

 

It's been quite a while since I posted in this blog, although I've been sharing some devotions on my Facebook page in recent weeks. A lot has happened in my life, both on a personal, family, and professional level. In the fall, my wife received a diagnosis of breast cancer and began treatments. In January, I accepted a call as pastor of Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bay City, Michigan, and we moved to the east side of the state. The kids are all in new schools. It's been hectic, to say the least. But now that I'm able to come up for air, so to speak, I think it's time to start writing again.


Almost five years ago, the presiding Bishop of the ELCA, Elizabeth Eaton, released a Statement Against Christian Nationalism, which affirmed that "America has no second-class faiths" and that the government "should not prefer one religion another religion or nonreligion." This statement was rooted, not in any political platform, but rather in our commitment as Christians to love our neighbors as ourselves.


During that time, I wondered if such a statement was really necessary. In the U.S.,  we already have "separation of church and state," and the First Amendment, which says that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."


Still, over the last five years, I've seen more and more little signs that some Christians would rather the entire country be Christian: and not just Christian, but their specific kind of Christian. I've had people walk into our church buildings wanting to distribute newspapers bearing a cross and American flag together, and offering partisan political talking points next to prayers. I've heard from pastors serving in towns whose school boards were pressured to allow Christian groups to pick up students during the school day and teach them Bible lessons (from a particular Christian perspective) rather than art or music. I've fielded phone calls from local organizers asking our congregation to say the Pledge of Allegiance as part of our worship service. (What our pianist at the time, who is a Christian and a South Korean citizen, would have made of this, I don't know.)

It's little things like these that make me think it is time for Christian leaders to offer more teaching on Christian Citizenship.

Before I start, I want to make clear: I believe that faithful Christians can also be strong, passionate patriots in the nations where they live. In my work with the Boy Scouts of America, I have met many people who fill both categories admirably. I just think that mixing our nationality with our Christian faith, so that we think of Christians as "more American" than non-Christians, or that all Americans should be "more Christian," is harmful for both our faith and our nation.

And my thoughts on this don't come from my reading of our constitution or of American history. Those are not my areas of expertise.

I resist Christian Nationalism because of what the Bible says.

Merging our faith with any one nationality, treating it like the same thing, is both unbiblical and un-Christian.

So in the coming days, I'll be making my case in this blog. The series will be called Christian Citizenship, or Biblical Reasons Why I Want to Be a Christian in a Multi-Faith Nation.
I hope you will join me for this discussion.