The Way of Christ and His Kingdom

Every once in a while someone will say or write something that really gets my attention, or reflects what I am feeling or thinking. It happens to me quite often and has played an important role in helping me clarify my ideas and my thoughts.

Such was the case recently as I reread Stuart Murray’s wonderful little book, The Naked Anabaptist. In the introduction Murray quotes several folks who discovered the Anabaptist way of life and offered brief testimonies of their discovery.

One in particular leapt off the page at me. It was the testimony of a lady in London who wrote:

I’d always felt uncomfortable with all forms of “civic religion.” I felt instinctively that Christians should not be ruling society but should be witnesses to it, and alternative society with different values . . . the church to me is not the glue of the establishment, but an outpost of the radical changes the kingdom brings.

I have experienced similar discomfort for a long time now. It was not easy identifying or even admitting the mental dissonance (conflict) that I felt over the active involvement of so many Christians in American politics these days. 

Equally disturbing was the entanglement of a large portion of the church in American politics. I sensed that we had lost our true identity; more tragically we had lost our “first love” similar to the church at Ephesus, as reported in John's Revelation.

In my last post I discussed the meaning of the word Ecclesia. I suggested that I believed it to be, as used in its original New Testament context, a very dangerous and provocative word. Yet historically it has been domesticated or tamed by its translation as “church." We all know the negative baggage that the word church holds for many today.

The root meaning of this Greek word is “called out ones.” Christians are called out by Christ to be his ambassadors to the world—representing Him and the values of His Kingdom.

Now the BIG question is: “What are we Christians called out from?”

Some will say we are called out from a life of sin or from darkness. Though there may be elements of truth in this understanding I believe it means that we are called out to live separately from those greedy, unjust and violent systems that rule this world and certainly one could include corrupt political systems into this category (2 Corinthians 2:17). At least this is how the early Christians understood the meaning of Ecclesia (before the era of Constantine that is).

Of course the issue then becomes: “What does it mean to live a “called out life” for Christ?

I have come to believe that a serious disentanglement of Christianity from American politics (nationalism) needs to occur in America before the church as a whole can reclaim its called out identity as ambassadors of Christ. I say ambassadors as opposed to legislators for whatever that’s worth.

The primary goal of the Moral Majority of the 1980s was to transform the American political system from within, once it obtained seats of power. Elect a Christian President or Congressperson who supported Evangelical (Fundamentalist) ideas and issues then America would be transformed into a nation under God, once and for all.

In fact this was about the time that I began to feel really uncomfortable with the church’s involvement in American politics.

Well it didn’t happen and quite frankly it won’t happen. America has not been turned back to God and perhaps never will. Just consider today's divisive and toxic political atmosphere. America will never be a carbon copy of the Kingdom of God no matter how many so-called Evangelical Presidents or elected officials there are in Washington or the State Houses.

So how might we Christians, who choose to live faithfully as Christ’s Ambassadors, live in Christ-following outposts of the American experience and effectuate any change at all on the political level?

Well the first thing that must happen is to recognize that we are called to be “witnesses” to Christ’s Kingdom first and foremost. In fact Jesus very clearly instructed his followers to “seek first the Kingdom of God.” Seeking “first” means just that, “seeking first.”

We must realize that we are called out to be active citizens of Christ’s Kingdom, first and foremost. Our allegiance is to Christ the King above all other rulers. As citizens of the Kingdom we live in obedience to our own Constitution: The Sermon on the Mount. 

I plan to offer subsequent posts that will explain how Christians might witness to this nation in which we live, witness in ways that disentangle us from the political system itself.  

I do encourage helpful and kind responses to these posts, responses that will further the conversation constructively beyond the hateful and toxic rhetoric that has exhausted us all. My goal is to offer an alternative way to live the Christian life in America, a way that is radical to be sure but joyful nonetheless. 

Living in Exile

The New Testament word Ecclesia is a provocative word—indeed a very dangerous word. Unfortunately it has been domesticated and tamed and  lost most of its edginess. 

It appears about 115 times in the New Testament and most of the time is translated into English as “church.” There are exceptions. Three times in the book of Acts the word is translated as “assembly” which probably comes closer to its original meaning.

So what’s so provocative and dangerous about “church?” 



Well that’s my point. 

I recently stumbled upon the following online source that clearly defines the meaning of Ecclesia as understood by early Christians:

A body of Christians called out of the Roman and Judean system to come together into a separate civil community. It meant a politically autonomous body of Christians under no king but Jesus; under no other jurisdiction but that of Jesus. No man ruled them! Only Christ. And that was the reason these same Christians ran into trouble with kings and rulers; were arrested, crucified and martyred. They dropped Caesar as their King and took up Christ.

Author Keith Giles has recently written a little book entitled, Jesus Untangled: Crucifying Our Politics to Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb. The basic premise of Giles book is that the Church (Christianity) in America has become so entangled with the affairs of the State that it is almost impossible to distinguish between the two anymore.

In other words, the American version of Christianity has become so nationalized and politicized that it has lost its unique identity as Christ’s ambassadors to the world. 

To be more blunt, American Christianity has lost its sense of "called out" identity. 

Moreover, its supposedly Kingdom politics has become entangled with national politics and in so doing much of the Church has been co-opted by political power (think the Moral Majority of the 1980s and a large swath of Evangelical Christianity today). 

Author Rance Darity offers an even bolder assessment:

There have been two opposite spirits that have been operative in American Christianity since the beginning of this nation. One is submission. The other is revolution. The one was learned from Jesus, the other from the Enlightenment. This dual spirit explains how guns, soldering,, and Old Glory are virtual sacraments in the life of the American Church. In fact, the average Christian may be more moved by tears by these symbols than they are by baptism, the broken bread and the poured out wine, and the preaching of the cross (Quoted in Jesus Untangled). 

Most recently author Diana Butler Bass posted a series of creative tweets I found interesting. Bass has concluded in her study of contemporary American Christianity, that there are two categories often listed by pollsters: the “dones” and the “nones”.  

The “dones” are those who simply have left the church and sought spiritual fulfillment elsewhere. The “nones” don’t profess any faith at all. 

Yet Bass suggests a third category that she calls the “exiles”.

Exiles are those Christians who have discovered a life of wandering in exile for more meaningful faith rather than being stuck in a church that is, for the most part, tethered to politics and  nationalism.

Exile is a prominent Biblical theme: Abraham and Sarah are great examples.

So maybe in the politically toxic time in which we Americans live we might consider rediscovering the original meaning of Ecclesia, that is to be “called out” from the systems of this world that are unjust, oppressive, violence prone, racist, and loaded with greed—not to mention being surrogates to so much untruth.

Perhaps if Christianity is going to survive and thrive in a postmodern America exiles are going to have to remain in exile and lead us all into a deeper and richer faith and theology.

Perhaps Diana Butler Bass is correct in suggesting that we need to stop trying to rescue these exiles and let them find their way in the wilderness. More importantly maybe we just might learn from them if we are brave enough to engage them in non-judgmental conversation.

Maybe they could teach us what it is like to live and thrive as exiled followers of Jesus in a world that is increasingly hostile to the Faith. Maybe they could teach us what it is really like to live as Christians being untethered to any nationalistic or political system. 

Maybe they could teach us a thing or two about what it’s like to be exiled from  a politically entangled church.

They definitely could teach us about the dangers of being in exile—to be "called out" from the comfort zones we have grown to depend upon as American Christians.

Love Drives Out Fear!

God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love (1 John 4:18).

A term I hear often these days is the politics of fear.

Politicians often utilizes fear as a prime motivator to garner support and votes, whether it is fear of the economy collapsing, fear of external threats to our safety, fear of the demise of the American way of life, and the list goes on and on.

Fear is one heck of a motivator my friends. 

But isn’t it interesting that the most frequently used warning in the Bible is: 

“Fear not!” 

Someone has actually counted the number of times this warning appears in the Bible and the number totals 365. 

I find it interesting that in spite of these repeated Biblical warnings against fear many Americans are eaten up with it today: They fear terrorists or when the next terrorist attack will occur, they fear being gunned down by some deranged person, they fear our country being overrun by drug running illegals, they fear our American way of life will be threatened in some way, and again the list goes on and on.

So what do we normally do in order to compensate for our fears (real or imagined)?

Well we beef up security by shielding ourselves from the rest of the world; we stock our gun cabinets with weapons and sufficient ammunition, we depend on hawkish politicians who promise to build a wall to protect us from the raping drug crazed Mexicans fleeing across our borders, we turn to our own tribe and turn our backs on those unlike us, and we resort to all the worldly security measures we think will protect us.

I actually understand why those living without hope can be so fearful.

But I have great difficulty understanding how any Christian, especially a pastor, whose life is grounded in the hope and security of Jesus Christ, can live with such mind boggling fear. I was appalled and shocked by the words of the pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. Pastor Robert Jeffress: 

“When I’m looking for a leader who is going to fight ISIS and keep this nation secure, I don’t want some weak and mild leader who’s going to turn the other cheek, I’ve said that I want the meanest toughest SOB I can find to protect this nation.”

These words move way beyond legitimate concern towards utter fear. But this is the kind of fear that has permeated American society at least since 9/11.

On the morning of 9/11 I was driving to a meeting when an elder in my church called me to ask if I had heard what had happened. She then said something that I have never forgotten. She said:

 “America will never be the same after today!”

I’m afraid she was right. Many Americans have been living in dreadful fear for the past sixteen years. 

In fact, the most compelling narrative in America today is the narrative of fear. The surrogates of fear are the news media, politicians, and yes even certain members of the clergy. Fear has gripped the American heart and many have succumbed to the hollow promises of politicians who promise to protect us all. 

Truth is: We’ve been duped.

The Christian is reminded repeatedly in the Bible not to allow fear to control us. The Scriptures are crystal clear in reminding us:

“There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear.”

This is something the world will never understand: God’s antidote to fear is love. Not just any kind of love, but rather the special brand of love called agape—the kind of love that is self-sacrificing and redemptive.

The kind of love that was able to overcome fear and be led innocently to a Roman execution.

So do a reality check the next time you hear some politician (or any person for that matter) attempt to exploit you by the use of fear to earn your support and vote. Ask yourself: “Is this person driven by the love (agape) of God embedded in his or her heart or is fear itself the prime driver.”

I close with the words of the author of 2 Timothy:

“For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Here’s a love driven narrative we all can live with my friends. 

"I Pledge Allegiance to . . . "

For the second test he led him up and spread out all the kingdoms of the earth on display at once. Then the Devil said, “They’re yours in all their splendor to serve your pleasure. I’m in charge of them all and can turn them over to whomever I wish. Worship me and they’re yours, the whole works” (Luke 4:6-7).

This second temptation of Jesus is one of the most alluring and powerful temptations any Christian or Christian leader will ever experience. The temptation to receive and wield power by political means has been a thorn in the church’s side, at least since the time of Constantine (4th Century CE). 

The not so subtle meaning behind this second temptation is the call to worship nationalism and patriotism instead of the God revealed by Jesus Christ. The sad effects of such an allegiance have been disastrously numerous throughout history. The cost of such an allegiance is the loss of our true Christian identity as citizens of God’s Kingdom.

The lure to power is intoxicating and awfully tempting for many Christian leaders who yearn for personal and professional validation. The benefits of such a relationship may appear worthwhile to the average Christian, but the demands placed upon us by the State, as followers of Christ, are enormously difficult and calls into question our allegiance to Christ and his kingdom.

This was Jesus’s big temptation!

But the important thing to know is that Jesus resisted the temptation. In effect, Jesus said “No!” to the lure of political power. He knew he had a better strategy for living and it simply did not match the goals of any kingdom no matter how powerful or wealthy that kingdom was; no matter how great a military it had (Rome's was one of the best of its time). 

He resisted the powerful urge to entangle the mechanisms and mission of his Father’s Kingdom with the kingdoms of this world (including modern Democratic governments).

This is a difficult thing for many Christians to hear today. Being an American and being a Christian mean the same thing to many Christians. There are so many Christians, in fact, who sincerely believe that America was founded as a Christian nation, and remains so even today. This belief is pervasive and powerful, yet it is erroneous.

Since the 1980s, at least, there is this perception that it is possible for Christians to take over the government and legislate morality and Christian values, thus creating an American theocracy (sort of like Iran but with a different named god). We may thank the Moral Majority for such a misguided ambition and perhaps even Franklin Graham and Pat Robertson for perpetuating it today.

Much of Evangelical Christianity, as well as many Mainline denominations, support the belief that Christianity and the State make great bedfellows. It is not uncommon to see the American flag prominently displayed alongside the Christian flag in the sanctuaries of many of these churches; not surprisingly this does not create any theological dissonance for those sitting in the pews. 

Even more tragic is the practice of many pastors involving themselves in political elections by encouraging their congregations to support one political party over the other or vote for one particular candidate. Some even pass out voter guides to help prepare their congregants for election day.

Not only does this mixture of Christianity and politics violate the intentions of the Founding Fathers (who knew firsthand the dangers of State controlled religion) but it also stands in opposition to the heart of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Nothing good will ever come of this marriage I am afraid, but there is hope.

I sense a moving of the Holy Spirit that is nudging many Christian leaders in a Gospel affirming direction. I have noticed for sometime now a shifting of the American-Christian paradigm that has dominated the landscape for sometime. Something is in the air. A new Reformation? Who knows but something is happening for sure. 

Young Christian authors and pastors alike are sounding the alarm of the dangers of mixing our Christian faith with partisan politics. They are warning us that the only winner in this relationship will be the State, as the Church will be reduced to being a puppet for the political apparatus and (mis) adventures of our nation (including her wars).

In fact, I would suggest that one of the reasons (and there are many) for the continued decline of Christianity in America may have a lot to do with the loss of our unique identity as citizens of God’s Kingdom.

I believe we are headed for a reset regarding the role of Christianity in America today. Indeed, unless we shift the State-Christianity paradigm away from such a cozy relationship Christianity will continue to be used and pushed into irrelevancy. 

This is a difficult message to hear I know. But is it worth losing our credibility, our  integrity, as well as our identity in order to reap the benefits of living in such a close relationship with the political powers of our nation in hopes of making them more Christian (like us). 

Quite frankly it is impossible to change a political culture that has already changed us.

Jesus refused this temptation to be drawn into such an intimate relationship with the kingdoms of his world. He flatly refused to become a supporter or a surrogate of the political agendas of the kingdoms of his day. 

He understood the importance of pledging his allegiance and energy to God’s kingdom and to no other. He refused the lure of the Empire in spite of its promised benefits. 

He resisted the temptation to advance his kingdom by political means.

He remained loyal to the Kingdom of God and to no other. 

It is not surprising then that the Christians of the first three centuries followed Jesus’s footsteps in this regard. 

Will we follow in Christ’s footsteps as well? 

For What It's Worth : How to Debate the Gun Issue

For What It's Worth : How to Debate the Gun Issue: There is a belief among Christians that we are in this world but are not of this world. It is firmly grounded in our Scriptures.  ...

How to Debate the Gun Issue

There is a belief among Christians that we are in this world but are not of this world. It is firmly grounded in our Scriptures.

 Check out John 17:14-15 and Romans 12:1-2.

Growing up in the Evangelical tradition I was taught that not being of this world meant not consuming alcohol, not using tobacco products, not dancing, not playing Bingo (gambling) at the local carnival, and not dining in restaurants that served alcohol. The list was longer but you get the point.

The lines between being in the world and not of the world seemed pretty clear to me—or so I thought.

But then life happens in broader and more complex ways. Black and white approaches to complex issues begin turning grey and the lines that once clearly separated my being in the world from my being of the world began to blur.

This past week our country experienced another tragic domestic terrorist attack (do we call it that?) in which some 58 (maybe more) innocent people died and countless others were wounded by a gunman using automatic weapons to create his field of fire. 

Let there be no doubt abut it: This senseless act was Evil personified.

As usual the Social Media was aglow with the same old tired debates and inflammatory rhetoric between gun/Second Amendment advocates and those pushing for gun laws reform.

Folks will continue debating as they have in the past and chances are nothing will be accomplished other than the usual societal reset as it anticipates the next senseless massacre— and make no mistake about it, it will happen. It’s not a matter of if but when and how many innocent people will be injured or killed.

“Should we Christians engage our world in this debate?” which is the way of asking: “Should we take sides?” 

Perhaps we should ask: “How are we to engage our world in this debate?”

“How shall we frame the issue in compliance with the Gospel?” would be an even better question.

In his letter to the Roman Christians Paul offers a clue to how we might engage our world:

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect” (italics mine).

Should Christians engage the world by participating in the so-called gun debate? 

Absolutely,  but with transformed thinking rather than conformed thinking. Conformed thinking is the way the world thinks. Transformed thinking is the by-product of the Gospel.

The values that frame this debate must find their origin in the Gospel rather than in the world. Participating in endless debates based on the world’s logic (or political affiliation) gets us nowhere and creates a pervasive sense of hopelessness. (not to mention it angers a lot of people). 

For the Christian, using arguments that are based on the world’s systemic logic is fruitless and leads one down dead end street. This is why I have never successfully won a debate over the gun issue by using confirmed thinking as my platform for debate.

But when I rely on transformed thinking to frame my argument I may not convince the one with whom I’m debating but I am witnessing to the non-violent peace loving Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

When the Apostle Peter cut off the Roman guard’s ear with his sword Jesus quickly reprimanded him for using violence even if it was meant to be in defense of his Lord (Peter was operating according to conformed thinking: the good-guy-with-a-gun logic). 

Jesus on the other hand provided the transformed approach to such violence: 

“Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”

The operative Gospel principle behind Jesus’ words to Peter is non-violent resistance (a principle found in several places throughout the New Testament). This does not make sense to the world but it should make sense to the Christian mind. 

So what I hear Paul saying is this: 

We can allow the world to frame our debates and opinions based on conformed thinking or we can allow the Gospel to frame our engagement with the world. 

This is why I consider debating the gun issue with conformed thinking as an exercise in futility—a waste of time. Conformed thinking is certainly of this world. Transformed thinking comes from an entirely different Source: Jesus Christ. Christians ought too understand this distinction. 

America loves its guns and in the words of pastor Brian Zahnd will “deserve the hell it gets” for such idolatry.

Let’s hope Brian is wrong but if this issue is not framed with transformed thinking then I suspect he may be right.

Time will tell.

Limping Into Forgiveness

Forgiveness is messy business.

Don’t let anyone tell you that extending or receiving forgiveness is easy. How can it be? Forgiveness takes place within the context of broken and messy human lives. 

But equally as difficult is to seek forgiveness from one you have wronged or caused harm. The following story illustrates this truth for us.

There were two brothers (twins) whose lives separated because of a combination of bad parenting, poor life decisions, deception and lying, and the usual sibling rivalry that so many experience. 

Esau was the first born and therefore inherited certain rights and privileges according to ancient Near Eastern traditions. Jacob, being the second born, was excluded from the expected paternal blessing reserved for his older brother. This was a big deal in that ancient culture (check out the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15).

Both brothers were very different: Esau was the rugged outdoorsman and hunter (probably athletic as well) while Jacob was more creative and loved to stay close to home. One was a father’s boy and the other a mama’s boy. 

This is never a healthy family dynamic but in this case it eventually led to a painful schism between the two brothers. My sense is that the entire family was at least borderline dysfunctional when it came to rearing their children. 

Jacob, with his mother’s help, deceived Isaac (the father) and stole Esau’s elder son birthright, which was bad juju back in that time and place. Esau was furious. 

So Jacob fled to another country to avoid his brother’s vengeful wrath.

With the passing of time however the human heart should soften a bit and the intensity of old family feuds should dim.

This is true of Jacob as he apparently sensed the need to reconcile with his  brother Esau.

So Jacob headed for home in hopes of receiving forgiveness from his brother Esau.

Along the way Jacob wrestled with God (Genesis 32:22-32). It was a life-changing experience. All night long Jacob wrestled with the Holy One. In the morning two things happened as the result of this all night WrestleMania: 

Jacob incurred a broken hip resulting in a lifelong limp. He also received a new name, Israel which appropriately means, “to wrestle with God”.

Biblical scholars are not real clear as to the meaning of this all night wrestling match between Jacob and God but there is a significant lesson to be learned from the incident:

Jacob had to limp his way into forgiveness.

To seek forgiveness one must take ownership and responsibility for his or her part in the broken and injured relationship.

Jacob’s lifelong limp was the tell tale evidence of a life dominated by lies and deception.

Such behavior as lying and deception always costs something. There is always a price to pay for the way we unjustly treat or talk about others, especially those close to us. 

It is costly to do unjust harm to another human being. 

Yet we all do it to one degree or another. We are human of course and our relationships are spiced with messiness.

So when we feel the need to seek forgiveness from an injured friend, or a co-worker, or a neighbor, or a spouse, or even a family member we will then have to limp into that forgiveness with a broken heart. 

There is of course a good chance that forgiveness will not be given. But we must take that risk and limp nonetheless.

No one comes to forgiveness with a clean slate, I don’t care who you are. Jacob knew what he had done. He wrestled with God because he had yet to find peace with himself or with his brother. He knew deep down that he had stolen something quite valuable from his brother. He knew that his lying and deception had finally caught up with him—it always does. 

Fortunately Esau forgave Jacob. He embraced him and kissed him as was custom for males to do in the ancient Middle East. 

Yes, forgiveness is messy but is so necessary to heal our broken relationships.