The Myth Of A Christian Nation?
I just finished reading a book by Gregory A. Boyd titled The Myth Of A Christian Nation: How The Quest For Political Power Is Killing The Church. It was a very interesting read, and you know what? I agree with his assessment that there is not nor has there ever been a "Christian Nation." To begin with the word Christian means to be Christ like.
To be Christ like that means that we are supposed to love unconditionally. I could stop there because there has never been a nation that has loved unconditionally. I will however quote one of my favorite paragraphs from the book. "Love is patient and kind; enslaving and torturing is neither. Love is never rude; burning people alive is. Love does not insist on it's own way and is not irritable or resentful when others disagree; compelling people to agree with you by using force is the direct antithesis. Love doesn't rejoice in wrongdoing, even if (especially if) those rejoicing credit God, who supposedly gave them the power to do it. love bears all things while believing the best in others and hoping the best for others; imprisoning, enslaving, and killing others in the name of your religious views is not bearing their burdens, believing the best about them, or hoping for the best for them. It's that simple." -Gregory A. Boyd, The Myth Of A Christian Nation. In it's quest for power the church is guilty of all these things. The author frequently talks about the kingdom of the world versus the Kingdom of God. All nations have a kingdom of the world "power over" frame of mind, which is that they use their power and influence to try to control you. While Kingdom of God people are supposed to have a "power under" mindset meaning that you are to serve and show love without condition. This includes homosexuals, people who get and/or perform abortion, terrorists, serial killers, gang members, your neighbor next door. That is the way of Christ. Not to use power over to try to force them to conform to your moral standards. We are not called to be their moral guidance, we are called to love them unconditionally. This includes the use of violence and wars. Even in a "just" war. (I'm not sure there is a such thing as a just war, cause doesn't everybody on every side think that their cause is "just"). Jesus never said to use violence, in fact he spoke against the use of violence (Matt 26:52). He spoke of turning the other cheek and loving your enemy. Now some of you may disagree with this, in fact I will guarantee some of you won't agree with this. You know what, I'm okay with that. Why you may say, because this is what I have been convicted of. I will say that even if you disagree, read the book. I will gladly lend it out to anyone who would want to read it. If nothing else it will get you thinking. Is this really what Jesus had in mind when he spoke of the Kingdom of God.
