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?
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