Against Christian Nationalism
Another Hard Teaching For Today
“If you don’t know where you are going, any road can take you there.”
“Well, some go this way, and some go that way. But as for me, myself, personally, I prefer the short-cut.” — the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland
As we look closely at the various political movements with Christianity seeking to influence, there must be a deep dive into human nature to appreciate what’s at stake. This is critical for aggressive movements such as Christian Nationalism, composed of various denominations in Protestant Evangelical faiths and some in Orthodox/Roman Catholic views. The core centerpiece behind these issues is what drives or motivates human actions. This is as unseen as the supernatural realm that influenced the Bible’s creation. The Bible is a supernatural document with origins in an unseen world or reality. The test each believer must ultimately answer is — why do I do what I do?
When asked, many give canned answers or what they perceive as expected answers. These often include the following: God made me do it! However, God is saying minimally these days to anyone. This is precisely why there is such a web of discord and disagreement. Many voices, both without and within, are chatting in our psyches. But rarely are they from God. I can go into many examples in the Old Testament when so-called prophets of high reputation were, in fact, not speaking from God. I favor one example found in the book of Jeremiah in chapter 28. It’s appropriately titled, “Hananiah Opposes Jeremiah and Dies.”
This was a royal battle between two prophets, acclaimed for their abilities, but only one heard God’s word. Hananiah spoke that God had broken the yoke of Babylon and that the threat of attack from Babylon would not happen to the nation of Judah. His prophesies were of comfort and support of the status quo. Any articles that Babylon previously stole would be returned to Judah, including re-establishing the king’s son on the throne.
The effect of these prophecies was that no other views would be considered, and everyone’s guards would be down. Jeremiah, in opposition, started out hoping Hananiah’s words proved true, but he told Hananiah that when the word of a prophet comes true, only then will it be known that the prophet’s words came from the Lord. Hananiah reacted angrily towards Jeremiah, reaffirming that his words were valid. Jeremiah then predicted that all the bad things he and former prophets had said regarding Judah and pending captivity by Babylon would happen. But he had a more chilling word for Hananiah — that he would be dead within less than one year. Hananiah died within seven months.
My point is that many prophets today are not speaking on behalf of the Lord, although they may be highly regarded or even famous. The real test of prophecy is within the prophet’s heart — what drives the prophet to make predictions. Is there gain, greed, personal protection, or a desire for change? Are their old grievances stirring in the heart that blind the prophet? Is it the desire for a specific national agenda, a vision of a new order, or even a prediction of bloodshed if the prophet’s vision isn’t followed? I have written about the fruits of the Spirit versus the instinctual desires of people. It can be said very clearly that no one speaking from the Spirit of God incites violence, war, hateful speech, or attempts to conceal “hidden agendas” to convince the ignorant of their true intentions. No one living under the control of the Spirit of God agitates anger and rage or seeks to enflame old grievances or to divide a nation. No spiritual person wants revolution or enforcement of strict laws to control freedoms. These acts are not compatible in any way with the Spirit of Jesus.
For the Bible-knowing individual, it should be well-known that Jesus never challenged the power of the Roman government. It was as oppressive, evil, and corrupt as any nation has ever been. Jesus did not attack Rome or its rules. He even said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar's.”
He attacked the religious leaders — the Pharisees and Sadducees — the spiritual leaders of Israel. Why? Because they should have known better! They had the laws, the prophets, Moses, and prior examples of godliness and ignored them. Worse, they sought to gain wealth and status from the religious practices of the day. This is why Jesus drove the moneymakers out of the temple — the house of God had become a den of thieves.[1] Paul clearly stated that the church should govern itself but did not provide the authority to judge or change the world.[2] Paul is consistent with what was demonstrated by Jesus. It’s the world of churched spiritual believers who are under the church’s authority and the teachings of Jesus. It’s a total misapplication of God’s word to attempt by policies or force to expand the church’s authority upon the outside world or all of America.
Isn’t it noticed that it wasn’t Rome that desired the death of Jesus — it was the religious leaders? They arrested him and took him to Roman authority. They claimed he taught insurrection, but when questioned, the Roman governor found no grounds for charges. It was, again, the religious leadership that pressed for his crucifixion.
Is it not interesting that God chose Babylon and Assyria to attack Israel and Judah and take them into captivity? Wasn’t Assyria and Babylon more evil than Israel, yet God allowed those mighty evil nations to capture his chosen people — why? Because Israel and Judah knew better! They had the laws of God and repeated prophets warning them of their ways. They knew exactly what would happen if they rejected God — but they did so anyway.
God holds those with his covenant more liable for transgressions than the heathens who do not know better. This is the biblical pattern: Knowledge comes with more responsibilities and judgment. Obedience is more critical for the children of the kingdom than for those outside it. I again say that the church has no authority over those outside the kingdom — to force them to comply by blood or coercion is a sin. It’s selfish and does nothing to advance the kingdom of God. It actually chases many away from the church!
God judges the heart -the deep, hidden things of people. He isn’t impressed by outside appearances or laws that enforce rightness. Beware wolves in sheep clothes!
[1] Matthew 21:13
[2] 1 Corinthians 5:9–13
