Christian Citizenship (Biblical Reasons Why I Want to Be a Christian in a Multi-Faith Nation) Part 40

 

This post is it: part 40 of 40. It's my last in a series on Christian citizenship, and why I believe mixing Christian identity with American identity is bad for both. Believe it or not, I could go on. Separating faith from national identity is so important to the scriptures, and to the Christian tradition, that I could easily put out another 40. 

But I've made my point and it's time to move on. I hope this has been good food for thought. I don't know too many scholars of the U.S. Constitution or of its framers. But I know quite a few people who view the Bible as a sacred text, and understanding it as their duty. If that describes you, I hope I've given you some strength and guidance in pushing back when people of faith try to glue the flag and cross together. 

Today's reason I want to live as a Christian in a multi-faith nation: Because Martin Luther, and many other Christian teachers, taught us to pray for a kingdom of God not within any national boundaries, but within ourselves. 

When Jesus teaches his disciples to pray in Matthew ch. 6 and Luke ch. 11, praying for the Kingdom of God is a very high priority. But when his critics ask where that Kingdom will be, he says, "The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed, nor will they say, 'look, here it is!' or, 'look, there it is!' For, in fact, the Kingdom of God is among/within you." Martin Luther used this concept as a guide when he was trying to explain the "Lord's Prayer" (AKA the "Our Father") for ordinary Christians. This wasn't an off-the-wall speculation, but an explanation grounded in Jesus' own words, about what he meant when he asked his followers to pray, "Your Kingdom come."

God's kingdom comes not from any war of conquest, not from any election won or lost, not from passing any federal law or local policy. God's kingdom comes to our hearts, by the power or the Holy Spirit, through faith in the Good News of Jesus. It's really that simple. There's no greater Kingdom to look for. The one we need most is within.   

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 39

 

This post is part 39, and my second to last, in 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.

Today's reason I want to live as a Christian in a multi-faith nation: Because as much as I appreciate the country where I live, my faith always has to come first, and when the two conflict, I had better know the difference. 

In my devotional reading for today, Jesus warns his disciples that if any part of you draws you into sin--even a hand, a foot or an eye--it's better to cut it off than risk your relationship with God.

Thankfully, no major Christian movement has ever taken this literally. It's hyperbole. Jesus doesn't really want his followers maiming themselves due to the tiniest mistakes. But he does challenge us to examine what we hold dear--the things that seem as essential to us as our own body parts--and question whether they are helping us or hurting us in connecting with God and our neighbor.

In our congregation's Bible study, we've been talking about civic life and faith. One of the terms we learned was "mega-identity," a combination of social and political factors that is causing people to increasingly identify their political affiliation with who they are at the deepest level. I've seen it in increasingly passionate language on flags, signs, and bumper stickers dotting the countryside, no longer just during election season, not even just in election years, but all the time. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say for many in our country, political partisanship has become a religion, as dear to us as any faith we find in the scriptures--or perhaps so entwined with our religious faith that we think of them as the same thing. 

Echoing my Lord, I'm going to ask: is it time to cut it off? 

I'm not saying we shouldn't vote. I'm not saying we should hold our tongues in matters of national significance. I'm not even saying it's inappropriate to give money to causes or candidates we believe in. I'm asking, have our mega-identities delved too deeply into our hearts? Can we see God's image in the faces of people who disagree with us? Can we still tell our faith and our national or political identity apart? 

This series began because I was looking back on my last ten years of ministry, and asking these questions, and I didn't like the answers I was seeing. You may think I'm blowing it all way out of proportion. I hope I am. But I care deeply for Christ's church. And I would much rather see it enter a new phase of life, cut off from some of its worst impulses, than make life more hellish because we didn't dare question them.     

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 38

 

This post is part 38 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.

Today's reason I want to live as a Christian in a multi-faith nation: Because this week, as Rosh Hashanah begins, I give thanks for my friendships with Jewish Americans.

I went to elementary school in Bexley, Ohio, a Columbus suburb with a large Jewish population. One of my best friends from 4th to 6th grade was the son of a Conservative rabbi (in Judaism, "conservative" is closer to the middle of the road in theology and practice). I had the honor of sometimes being a guest at sabbath meals and attending Saturday synagogue services. 

On Rosh Hashanah, a new year festival signaled by the blowing of a trumpet, school was out. I wasn't Jewish, so for me, it was just a nice early fall break. I didn't think anything of it. We never had school on Sundays, or Good Friday--half the time spring break coincided with Christian Holy Week--so why wouldn't we also give time off for Jewish holy days?

I valued my friendship with Jordan. He and I would imagine movie scripts together (which often involved him patiently listening to my long-winded pitches and providing notes. He was a great friend!). We shared life together. I was welcomed in his home, and I learned a great deal from his family. 

Though I'm a Christian and I always will be, my time in elementary school formed my worldview in important ways. Every child could benefit greatly from having friends who don't share their faith, and living in a community where more than one faith is honored. When I resist the idea of centering Christianity in the public sphere, I'm not doing it out of "political correctness". I'm doing it because inter-faith friendships and communities have blessed me, and I want that for all our kids.  

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