This post is part 12 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.
Happy Ascension Day! Today, 40 days after Easter, the Church through much of the world celebrates Jesus meeting his disciples on a mountaintop, sharing some final words with them, and ascending into Heaven. We believe he is now "seated at the right hand of the Father." Jesus rules, not from any land, city, or palace on earth, but from a throne beyond time and space. While we can only speak in images and metaphors about such a place, the Book of Revelation is full of deeply symbolic and creative imagery to help our holy imagination along.
Today's reason why I want to live as a Christian in a multi-faith nation:
Revelation 7 shows John’s vision of “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Rev 7:9).
The Christian movement has always been, and will always be, an international movement. Believers in Christ are united not by their nationality or ethnicity, but by their baptism into Christ. In God’s eyes, no nation takes priority. All are made in the image of God, and redeemed by God’s grace.
One day, our divisions based on nation, race and ethnicity will be gone. We won't stop being our unique selves, but we will realize that our true self is rooted in God, not in any nation.
One day, our divisions based on nation, race and ethnicity will be gone. We won't stop being our unique selves, but we will realize that our true self is rooted in God, not in any nation.
In anticipation of that day, Christian worship spaces should be treated like "international territory." In the same way that a U.S. Embassy in another country is treated like U.S. soil to all who enter, spaces where Christians are gathered for prayer in Jesus' name become "Heavenly embassies." When worship begins, we are no longer on the soil of any earthly country. We are united with the choirs of Heaven.
For a lesson in Christian education from Martin Luther, 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.
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