|
|
 In April of 2004, as the religious buzz was escalating [prior to the elections], I felt it necessary to preach a series of sermons that would provide a biblical explanation for why our church should not join the rising chorus of right-wing political activity. I also decided this would be a good opportunity to expose the danger of associating the Christian faith too closely with any political point of view, whether conservative or liberal. The series was entitled, “The Cross and the Sword." The response surprised me.
– The Myth of a Christian Nation |
 As followers of Jesus Christ, we are citizens of the Kingdom of God; however, we live in the kingdom of the world. The Cross and the Sword sermons address this dichotomy head on by first distinguishing the two kingdoms from each other (the first uses "power under" to influence; the latter uses "power over") then covering five dangers of fusing them. Powerful illustrations of how we are to be of the Kingdom of God but live in the kingdom of the world are used throughout, including examples of how to respond to controversial issues like abortion and homosexuality.
|
Taking America Back for God?
In Greg's new book, The Myth of a Christian Nation, he argues from Scripture and history, that whenever the church gets too close to any political or national ideology, it is disastrous for the church and harmful to society. He contends that the American Evangelical Church has allowed itself to be co-opted by the political right (and some by the political left) and exposes how this is harming the church’s unique calling to build the kingdom of God. In the course of his argument, Greg challenges some of the most deeply held convictions of evangelical Christians in America – for example, that America is, or ever was, “a Christian nation” or that Christians ought to be trying to “take America back for God.”
The Path through Politics Is Not the Road to God
When the kingdom of God is manifested, it will wear the face of Jesus Christ. And that, says Greg, has never been true of any earthly government or power. Evangelical Christians who align themselves too closely with political causes or declare that they want to bring America “back to God” are actually doing harm—both to the body of Christ and society in general.
Power Over, Power Under
Jesus taught us to seek a “power-under” kingdom, where greatness is measured by supporting and "coming under" people through sacrifice and service. We have no human enemies because we are meant to embrace and love everyone. In The Myth of a Christian Nation, Greg challenges readers to return to the true love of Calvary and the message of the cross—setting the “power-over” politics of worldly government aside.
What is Greg not Saying?
Many people believe Greg is taking a liberal political stand or that he thinks Christians shouldn't be involved in politics at all. To clarify, here is an excerpt from the book where Greg addresses those very accusations:
For some evangelicals, the kingdom of God is largely about, if not centered on, “taking America back for God,” voting for the Christian candidate, outlawing abortion, outlawing gay marriage, winning the culture war, defending political freedom at home and abroad, keeping the phrase “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance, fighting for prayer in the public schools and at public events, and fighting to display the Ten Commandments in government buildings.
I do not argue that those political positions are either wrong or right. Nor do I argue that Christians shouldn’t be involved in politics. While people whose faith has been politicized may well interpret me along such lines, I assure you that this is not what I’m saying. The issue is far more fundamental than how we should vote or participate in government. Rather, I want to challenge the assumption that finding the right political path has anything to do with advancing the kingdom of God. |
