Choosing between God and Country

I want to say a public thank you to Rev. Gregory A. Boyd, pastor of a conservative mega church in Minnesota.

When his flock continued to pester him to take political stands from the pulpit, to denounce gay marriage in sermons, introduce Republican candidates at service, have anti-abortion tables at the church, proclaim America a Christian Nation, and display an American flag next to the cross--he said no.

1,000 of his 5,000 member congregation left his church because of that stand.

What made them so angry wasn't just his refusal to bow to their political will, but that he practiced what he preached and preached what Jesus taught. Six times he preached a sermon called “The Cross and the Sword” in which he said the church should steer clear of politics, give up moralizing on sexual issues, stop claiming the United States as a “Christian nation” and stop glorifying American military campaigns.

Don't get the idea that Rev. Boyd is some activist liberal. He is not. He doesn't believe that God condones homosexuality and is opposed to abortion. He simply understands that Jesus meant what he said about being distracted by things of the world instead of matters of the spirit.

“When the church wins the culture wars, it inevitably loses,” Mr. Boyd preached. “When it conquers the world, it becomes the world. When you put your trust in the sword, you lose the cross.”

Why should that be controversial among Christians who claim to love Jesus and to follow his teachings? Where in the Bible does Jesus call for regime change through violence, bloodshed, torture, and the other means our born again president employs?

Where is it written, except in Republican propoganda, that the best proof of faith in Jesus is support for this president, his war, and his policies?

How can anyone read their bible and then believe that Christianity is in any way connected to American Nationalism and Republican politics?

They should remember that the thing that most angers their savior is hypocrisy. They should remember Christ's passion for peace, pacifism, forgiveness, and committment to avoid wealth in favor of giving aid to the poor, clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, and healing the sick.

These are the things Rev. Boyd was called to preach.

And because he did, he was accused of disrespecting the President and the troops, soft on abortion, and of telling them not to vote. Isn't it more important to them that he was telling them to respect Jesus, honor those who put into action the teachings of Christ, be forgiving, and to avoid the temptation to put the things of the world before the things of the spirit?

He is right to point out that for many Christians in this country, their passion for politics and patriotism has become a form of idolotry.

I am reminded of Galations 4:16.

Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

Find your way back to Jesus, people, and stop putting your faith in George W. Bush.

Sources:

Disowning Conservative Politics, Evangelical Pastor Rattles Flock, By LAURIE GOODSTEIN, The New York Times, 7, 30, 2006

Evangelicals militant when it comes to Israel, End of Days, By Zev Chafets, Contra Costa Times, 7,30, 2006

How far should Christian tolerance of other faiths go? The Rev. Robert Lee Hill of Community Christian Church, Kansas City Star, 7, 29, 2006

The Lure of Theocracy: As we flee decadence, we must watch where we step. By Philip Yancey, Christianity Today, 07/10/2006