Christian Citizenship (Biblical Reasons Why I Want to Be a Christian in a Multi-Faith Nation) Part 19

 

This post is part 19 of a series on Christian citizenship, and why I believe mixing Christian identity with American identity is bad for both. I hope to give you little bite-sized thoughts, which represent themes you'll find throughout the Bible and historic Christian teachings.

I hope they make you think.

Here is today's reason I want to live as a Christian in a multi-faith nation.

The apostle Paul writes, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). Christians have historically accepted that diversity within the Church is God’s will. We are different for a reason. 

So when Christians advocate that the Bible or prayer should be taught as an elective during public school hours, we should ask, “whose interpretation of the Bible? And what type of prayer?” There are over 200 Christian sects present in our country today. To suggest that there is one normative, “generic” version of the Christian faith that can and should be presented to all our kids, is not just inaccurate. It’s unbiblical.

For a word on our shared values across faiths, 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.