I went to Canada last week and I will have to say I am always elated when I cross the border back into America. I found Ontario's Canadians quite pleasant and nice despite some criticisms I heard from others about Canadians. Hey, Canada even loves Elvis (since I was at Collingwood which I did not know hosts the largest Elvis festival probably in the world).
I have been reading Greg's Boyd's provocative book "The Myth of a Christian Nation." The heart of his book is covered in chapters 5 & 6 in 'Taking America Back For God" and "The Myth of a Christian Nation."
Here are a few excerpts from his book:
1. The thinking is that America was founded as a Christian nation but has simply veered off track. If we can just get more Christians in office, pass more Christian laws, support more Christian policies, we can restore this nation to its 'one nation under God" status (p.91).
2. If Jesus wasn't concerned about "taking Israel back for God" by political means, why do we aspire to "take America back for God" by these means? (p.92).
3. Most of our founding fathers were deistic than Christian nor did they have any intention of founding an explicitely Christian nation. It is significant that the Declaration of Independence proclaims truths that the founding fathers thought to be 'self-evident' to natural reason (a very deistic idea), not on truths that are scriptural. Also, our country's Constitution is based on reason, not the Bible (p.100-101).
4. When we try to 'take America back for God' by political means, we end up trying to gain power over others rather than trying to serve others (102).
5. As a result, global missions have been tremendously harmed by American nationalism . . . We have allowed our allegiance to the kingdom of God to be compromised by our allegiance to our nation. We have far too often placed our worldly citizenship before our heavenly citizenship (Phil.3:20) [p.111].
Has nationalism in America become idolatrous? Have Christians in America mixed their Christian faith with politics too much? And does worldly politics compromise biblical discipleship?
I have been reading Greg's Boyd's provocative book "The Myth of a Christian Nation." The heart of his book is covered in chapters 5 & 6 in 'Taking America Back For God" and "The Myth of a Christian Nation."
Here are a few excerpts from his book:
1. The thinking is that America was founded as a Christian nation but has simply veered off track. If we can just get more Christians in office, pass more Christian laws, support more Christian policies, we can restore this nation to its 'one nation under God" status (p.91).
2. If Jesus wasn't concerned about "taking Israel back for God" by political means, why do we aspire to "take America back for God" by these means? (p.92).
3. Most of our founding fathers were deistic than Christian nor did they have any intention of founding an explicitely Christian nation. It is significant that the Declaration of Independence proclaims truths that the founding fathers thought to be 'self-evident' to natural reason (a very deistic idea), not on truths that are scriptural. Also, our country's Constitution is based on reason, not the Bible (p.100-101).
4. When we try to 'take America back for God' by political means, we end up trying to gain power over others rather than trying to serve others (102).
5. As a result, global missions have been tremendously harmed by American nationalism . . . We have allowed our allegiance to the kingdom of God to be compromised by our allegiance to our nation. We have far too often placed our worldly citizenship before our heavenly citizenship (Phil.3:20) [p.111].
Has nationalism in America become idolatrous? Have Christians in America mixed their Christian faith with politics too much? And does worldly politics compromise biblical discipleship?
No comments:
Post a Comment