In defense of real Christianity...

My response to Augsburger's 3rd issue.

If we try to use religion to aggrandize the self, we're on the wrong path. - Richard Rohr

If America ever becomes a "Christian Nation" again, I just might have to apply for citizenship in Canada. Don't get me wrong, there are many things about America that I do love (even as often as I say I don't). Free speech, the right to practice whatever religion I want etc... But I have a struggle with what Augsburger defines as "Traditional Conservatives" and their plight to mandate and sanctify the state. It is the mentality that America is this autonomous nation that is somehow divine in it's noble pupose. I've been told by folks from other countries that they cannot help but to chuckle when the phrase "God Bless America" is spoken or sung because of this hallucinatory image that God actually favors any particular nation. I would be interested in looking at the Hebrew language in the Old Testament and see how the word "nation" is actually translated. It is my understanding that the concept of a nation is something that really did not come into being until around 1648 with the Treaty of Westphalia. Any history folks out there please help me out here!

We are living in an age where Christianity is continually being shaped in the image of how we choose to define it. It is precisly what is happening in the U.S. as "actors, wrestlers, people who have no sense of public service, moneymakers and cowboys are the personalities who are elected heads of state..."1 It is a definition of Christianity that is far from Christ's example and is only pissing off more and more extremists. Quite simply, Traditional conservatives have blurred the true identity of the church. Why haven't we in the church stood up to say something in the defense of Christianity. We are moving away from a movement that sought to transform the lives of every human on earth to a nationalism that is neither healthy nor transformative.

When we in the church stand up for the biblical principles like pro-life issues (anti-abortion, anti-death penalty & anti-war) those in power choose to proof-text the scriptures and only identify with issue that Jesus doesn't feel the need to address. The U.S. who has a history of wars, seems to only really thrive on the emotion of patriotism when we are in a time of war... which seemingly has to occur about every 10 years.

Simply put, to be a Christian living in America today is to be living under a microscope... maybe just as much as our Muslim brothers and sisters. This God who is beyond our comprehensions yet present within our souls calls us into a compassion for the whole of humanity and to hold governments responsible for the fair treatment of all humanity. It is part of Jesus' call to repentance and transformation. If we are content to allow the Traditional conservatives in our churches and government to hi-jack Christianity then we will have to make do with an ever broadening expansion of a nationalist religion. If that should ever happen in my lifetime... then I can hear the sweet music... "O Canada!"

1 - from Richard Rohr's book Adam's Return, pgs. 75-76.

Quarter of a century

I am 25 years old today. If I have learned anything in my short 25 years, it is that I don't see the world as it really is... I only see it as I am. I'm working on that... trying to put on the mind of Christ in all that I do. I hope that you can help me because God knows I didn't make it this far on my own (really it's not that far) ... I had a little help... Will you continue to help me? I may only be 25... but I am.