Christian Nationalism: Leading A Church Discussion
... That Centers in Jesus
Many of our churches today are ensnared in division over politics. Christians, it seems, are caught up in the current waves of Christian Nationalism and an unhealthy allegiance to former president Donald Trump, or president Joe Biden. Churches will divide, shrivel up and possibly even die if we do not have good conversations about the Christian’s proper love for his/her country versus unhealthy expectations and even idolatry towards our nation’s government. In my opinion, the best of these conversations must ground our understanding of power, church and government in Jesus.
Reckoning With Power (available here) is a book that leads its readers to Jesus by starting out with a discussion of power, how it works, and specifically how God’s power works as revealed in the person and work of Jesus. It surveys the whole story of Scripture and arrives at Jesus, his life and his declaration, that when it comes to ‘worldly power’, power exercised “over” another person or group, “it shall not be so among you” (Mark 10:43). The rest of the book then describes what this means for our daily lives, how we tend to blur the power of the world and the power of God, and how we relate to the government, and participate or not in government (as Christians). It ends with several historic Christian practices of opening space for Christ to manifest his mighty power among us as we gather as His church and live our lives as witnesses to His Kingdom reign in our neighborhoods.
Does this sound like a conversation you would like to have as a pastor with leaders of your church? How about a book club conversation among interested members of your church who can become a calm influence among your church’s people as we enter the upcoming contentious times of elections? How about a pastor’s group that can meet in your town, city or neighborhood?
FREE STUDY GUIDE
If so, I offer this free STUDY GUIDE with a series of questions to lead your discussion. You can DOWNLOAD IT HERE (only your email is required). Feel free to make this study guide available to everyone in your study group. Also, if you have a larger group (20 people or more), Baker publishing offers you a 50% discount off the cost of the book by using the code PASTOR50 and buying it at Baker through this link HERE.
THE CHALLENGE
As we enter into the contentious times ahead, let us make space for God to work among us, to shape us as a people of His presence, witnessing to His power at work to heal and redeem the world. Let us pray that in these discussions our allegiance to national politics will be put in its rightful place, and that, in the process, we make space for Christ’s power to be manifest among us and in our neighborhoods where we live.
I pray that you might know … the immeasurable greatness of His power for those who believe …God put this power to work in Christ when he raised Him from the dead and seated him him at his right hand in the heavenly places .. far above all rule, and authority and power Ephesians 1:17ff.