Christian tribalism is a renunciation of God's kingdom.
Ted Olsen | posted 4/18/2007 08:52AM
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But it rarely comes down to that. Being people of the kingdom of God is not a whatif question about choosing sides some day. It's something we do every day. And when we denigrate the image of God by bearing false witness or making ad hominem attacks—or by saying to other members of Christ's body, "I have no need of you"—we renounce and deny our true citizenship. We side with the wrong kingdom.
A version of this column originally ran in the May 2007 print edition of Christianity Today. The column "Tidings" was formerly called "Weblog in Print." Earlier columns by Ted Olsen include:
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Amen, Ted. Evangelicalism and Pentecostalism has become embarrassing movements in the Body of Christ, We are seen and/or have become too extremist, moralistic, anti-intellectual, hyper-emotional, traditionalistic, individualistic, political demagogues. We the Church catholic are to usher people into the presence of Christ and His soon coming kingdom. We confuse America with the Church and the kingdom. This country has never been a Christian nation. Since when is torturing people for over two hundred years in slavery Christ-like? As an African American and a Christian such a notion is offensive and insulting to the core.
Matt
Posted: April 20, 2007 9:04 AM
I could not agree more with Ted Olson. I would challenge Bob Cooger with saying the Pledge of Allegience. How is it possible for a follower of Christ to give his/her allegience to anyone but Christ? My citizenship is in the Kingdom of God, not in the Us or Canada or Brazil or Australia, etc. By making America the highest and noblest of all nations, what are we saying to our Christian brothers and sisters in other countries? Christ has already conquered all powers and authorities, we only need to obey him. I am afraid that political extremism on both sides is hurting our witness and opportunities to show the love of Christ. Should our churches not be full of homosexuals, drunks, addicts, pornographers and other sinners like you and I? We must stand firm in our beliefs and doctrines that condemn all sin, but we should not keep people away from hearing the gospel and experiencing the transformational love of Jesus Christ. That is an America I could be proud of.
Virginia Santoro
Posted: April 19, 2007 8:27 AM
As Christians, we are, ALL OF US, members of the Body of Christ. A house divided against itself cannot and will not stand. Ours is not to judge. As you sow, so shall ye reap. Remove the plank from your own eye before you attempt to remove the speck from your brother's. Need I go on? What are we to do? Plain and simple: we are to do what Christ instructed us, and emulate Him to the very best of our ability... every day, in every way. When we let our egos and our self-righteousness get in the way, not only do we complicate our very clearly stated responsibility, but we push away countless unbelievers ~ the very ones Christ instructed us to "go and make disciples of all nations." Let's get back to the business of being Christians and leave the rest to God.
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