Christian Citizenship (Biblical Reasons Why I Want to Be a Christian in a Multi-Faith Nation) Part 22

 

Napoleon crowning himself king, in the presence of the Pope. 

This post is part 22 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's today's reason I want to live as a Christian in a multi-faith nation.

The Prophet Samuel is very skeptical when the tribes of Israel request that he anoint a king over them, “like other nations.” God counsels Samuel to agree to their demand, but says, “they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them” (1 Sam 8:9). Samuel warns the people of the many ways kings take advantage of their people, but the Israelites are adamant that this is still what they want. Samuel relents, and Saul becomes the first king of Israel. 

From the prophets’ perspective, any human king is at best only a stand-in for the direct Reign of God, and often a very poor imitation. Though some Christian nations in the past have anointed their monarchs as “defender of the faith,” from a Biblical perspective, we dare not entrust any human being with too much power or loyalty. 

There is a traditional Lutheran teaching about the "Two Kingdoms," which basically says that God reigns over us in two ways. On "the left hand," God reigns over our society through secular governments. On "the right hand," God reigns over our spirits through the Gospel, by means of the Holy Spirit and faith. The Lutheran reformers warned that these kingdoms should be seen separately.

No government will ever have God's full "stamp of approval," because governments are made up of people. Thankfully, the Reign of God can happen anywhere and everywhere there is faith, hope and love. 

In upcoming posts, I will begin to address a proposed social statement for my denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, on Civic Life and Faith.  You can find the draft statement HERE.

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