Yesterday in class we discussed that baptism is a political act. Especially when adults are baptized, it signals a radical change of allegiance. When we are baptized all other allegiances are rendered a distant second: family of origin, race, nationality.
This means that there is no room for 'civil religion.' The phrase "God and Country" has no place in the Christian community. The American flag (or any nationality's flag) has no place in the church. All of these allegiances have been left behind or at best are a distant second when we've entered into the the Kingdom that shall have no end.
This word is particularly needed in the South, where Christianity and being American have for so long been conflated that for many there is virtually no difference between the two. This should not be.
Of course today on the Fourth I'm particularly grateful for this country and the ridiculous number of rights and privileges given to me that by historical standards are dizzying.
But history shows us that all earthly kingdoms shall pass away: Rome was eventually sacked. So it shall be with the United States of America. I would certainly go to war to fight to maintain our liberties as we have experienced them, and I'm proud of my dad's twenty years of serving in the Navy.
But in the end, I have only one allegiance, one Lord, and one eternal hope. I must submit everything else around me to this allegiance. Otherwise, when those things pass away, I am in danger of passing away with them.
2 comments:
Alex -- Have you heard Derek Webb's King and Kingdom?
hlj
i've heard a recording of one of his house shows from 2-ish years ago, I think that was just after he'd released "She Must and Shall Go Free."
So to answer your q'n, I don't think so.
Sounds like it might relate?
ak
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