The so-called Christian Nationalist movement has no actual foundation for existence short of embodying the metaphorical “wolf in sheep’s clothing”. This movement only seems to be embraced by a small number of followers, but that number could be increasing.
According to the Washington Post, Christian Nationalism is an ideology that says Christianity is the foundation of the United States and that government should protect that foundation.
Strangely enough, many of the participants in the movement are those identifiable as far right extremists whose attachment to the Kingdom seems tangential at most if not superficial.
A foundational truth that the promoters of this clique seem to miss is that we are not to be encumbered or tied down by politics or earthbound country. Those who consider themselves true citizens of the Kingdom, also considers themselves “strangers and pilgrims on earth” [Hebrews 11:13], but they are “not of this world” as Jesus said. [John 17:14]
Since the days of the Apostle Paul, we have heard it reiterated, these are the last days before the triumphant return of our coming King. How can we become so enamored of a country that is temporary and soon to fade away? How could the
concept of a Christian Nationalist not be an oxymoron?
It was Paul who reminded us that we are to be ambassadors for the Kingdom. Dictionary.com defines an ambassador as: a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative. The ambassador does not get involved in the affairs of the country in which s/he is stationed. How then, do we justify commitment and investment to the country where we’re stationed? And to what end?
Category Archives: Religious Right
The Man in the Voting Line [I wanna know what love is pt. 3]
My wife was skeptical from the first minute since the man was not wearing a mask. I checked the crowd to see who was missing a mask. No one was. Then I decided to ask if this guy had a mask to wear. I sincerely wanted to convey good will as a first impression to the mysterious stranger. He pulled out a mask saying he didn’t want to wear the mask while we were outside, but would when we entered the building.
He talked about how things are so bad now and how people are missing the point. Okay, this anonymous guy seems to want to go on and on, but my wife and I are both observant enough to know that this conversation won’t be comfortable or polite. I’m ready to clam up and ride it out as the line is moving pretty well and he’s stopped making comments.
All of a sudden, he has tuned his phone to a recorded sermon from some preacher but the sermon was not based on the gospel. The preacher was talking about the great accomplishments of President 45. I have nothing against preachers but this was too much and after about 15 minutes, I had heard enough.
We were about to enter the building and I asked “could you turn that off please?”
“Oh this is the best, I need it every day. It’s the word of God!”
I exhaled. “I am a man of the Word also and this is what I read today: Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not love, I am become as sounding brass . . . ” [1 Cor. 13:1 NKJV]. “Sir, the Love of God is stronger than the divisions between us.”
“Yeah, but the liberals are killing babies . . . ”
“Yeah, but Black people are being killed in the streets” I replied.
“Love is the greatest force in the universe; Love conquers all. We need love to stop all the petty squabbles so that we can evangelize the world”
His eyes darted as he opened his mind to possibilities. “We could do a lot more if we stopped pointing fingers at each other” he said.
He was quiet for the remaining time we were in the queue. I never asked his name. I did wonder if he thought his efforts were enough to change my mind. I’m sure he voted his heart, but fervently hope he caught a glimpse of the world from my shoes.
The Religious Right is Scared
photo: trinitychurchboston.org