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Christianity Today, May, 2007 |

Tidings

Jingo Jangle

Christian tribalism is a renunciation of God's kingdom.

Ted Olsen | posted 4/18/2007 08:52AM

When conservative Southern Baptist leaders recommended in late 2003 that the convention pull out of the Baptist World Alliance, they cited, among other concerns, "a decided anti-American tone [that] has ...

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Jason Evans

Posted: April 20, 2007 9:19 AM

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.

ST	Posted: April 19, 2007 5:26 AM


It seems to me that this article was addressing two issues rather than one. Not tolerating anti-American bigotry is NOT wrong. No. we should not consider ouselves seperates from the rest of the Christian world and practicing bigotry of our own is not the answer, but, I am really tired of being made to feel guilty for being an American.

Owen	Posted: April 19, 2007 1:20 AM


I don't know Bob, I actually think the United States does have a "belligerent foreign policy". I am not proud of what our country is doing in Iraq now - it is wrong. Continued evangelical support of our current foreign policy is jingoism.

Joelyn

Posted: April 18, 2007 10:08 PM


Hallelujah! Christ is the King of God's Kingdom and we serve and pledge allegiance to Him alone. Even if we are of different nationalities and race, americans, asian, africans, these are what we are called in this world. In God's Kingdom, we are all one children of God. Only in God's Kingdom there is true unity and harmony in Christ. Thank God for Jesus!

David

Posted: April 18, 2007 7:14 PM


Amen, brother!

Bob Coger

Posted: April 18, 2007 4:58 PM

Ted Olson is making some kind of point, but I don't know what it is. Is he saying one cannot belong to the Kingdom of God and be a patriot? I wonder if he participates in the Pledge of Allegiance (with his hand over his heart). Does he sing the Star Spangled Banner? And if he does, does he reflect on the words? I don't see anything in this article approaching 'jingoism.' The following is a definition of 'gingoism' from a late edition of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary: extreme chauvinism or nationalism marked especially by a belligerent foreign policy. I suggest Ted Olson choose his vocabulary more carefully. I commend him to David Barton's book, Original Intent. There he will discover the Godly heritage of our founding fathers. Maybe then he can expresss Christian love for his country.

so_free_me

Posted: April 18, 2007 3:49 PM

"Wallis loves to call himself an evangelical. But don't be misled. Wallis is a leftleaning socialist. … " Well he IS a left leaning socialist. All you have to do is read what he says. The unnamed speaker is warning unsuspecting types that not all evangelicals are conservatives. What is wrong with that? This isn't about judging other Christians; it is judging people with political views you don't agree with who might be using the term "evangelical" to gain adherents. I refuse to have Ted Olsen try to bully me into keeping my mouth shut when I see someone who I believe is dead wrong on all the issues as I think Jim Wallis is. What, can I only criticize non-Christians??? This makes no sense.

Brenda~

Posted: April 18, 2007 2:31 PM

It's shocking to hear these things about high-profile Christian spokespeople, but I have to admit that I've been VERY tempted to stoop to a clever put-down at times. We shouldn't judge them too harshly- they are only human, but it is embarrassing when they make this kind of mistake. What does name calling and making fun of others accomplish? It's sad that we have to ask this question of those we highly esteem. It destroys credibility and trust; repels people who we should be inviting;makes those who are struggling feel rejected. It is not glorifying to God. Pray that we'll learn from this and strive to lean on God to help us to put childish ways behind us. "slander no one, be peaceable and considerate and show true humility toward all men"Tit.3:2 "when we are slandered, we answer kindly"1Cor.4:13 "do not grieve the Holy Spirit; Get rid of all bitterness, slander and malice..."Eph.4:30-31 "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders..Let your conversation be always full of grace”Col.4:5

Brodie Taphorn

Posted: April 18, 2007 1:31 PM

Recently I read Gregory Boyd's, The Myth of a Christian Nation. For those looking for a more thorough opinion, as was expressed in this article, I would highly recommend it. I disagree with Craig's opinions about war being a "tool" and that "the war is not an outrage". He goes on to say that "if we weren't over there [US military in Iraq], we would be seeing on the news more American deaths on our soil..." I propose that we might see more deaths (American and otherwise) because of the action taken by our government in Iraq. There has not been any connection made between the former Iraq regime and the 911 terrorist tragedy. However, because of US military action in Iraq, there is much more terrorist activity in Iraq. It is important to note which came first.

Craig

Posted: April 18, 2007 12:59 PM

The article is alright, but not totally. I ask individuals who bash(I don't like the term) christian leaders where is your love for the brothers. Is the new thing, criticize the christians in the eyes of the world a new method? I have alot of respect for Dobson,Perkins,Campolo and Wallis. They have a track record that speaks for itself. Do they want us to follow them. not all the time. As for the war in Iraq? It's much bigger than you or me. It needs to be ended at the right time. Remember, war is an ugly tool, but a tool never the less. We should support the military in Iraq and elsewhere. And the war is not an outrage. And I'm not a prophet, and would never claim to be, but I will say this, if we weren't over there, we would be seeing on the news more american deaths on our soil, and the same over in other places in the world.

Jay Garrett

Posted: April 18, 2007 12:58 PM

Perhaps it is time that America begins to experience what the rest of the world has had to deal with over the past fifty, or so, years while Americans rejoiced in their liberty and abundance. Whether America remains the same or changes dramatically - God remains the same. In time, America may lose its influence and affluence and the mantle of God's blessing may shift elsewhere around the world. Isolating the American "church" will not change the will of God. Ted Olsen's observation deserves our serious attention.

Melinda

Posted: April 18, 2007 12:45 PM


One of the bravest things our proud-to-be American, very patriotic pastor ever said from the pulpit of our (evangelical) church: "If you are truly committed to Christ, there is NO politcal party which fully represents your values." Amen

Jay Chambers

Posted: April 18, 2007 12:40 PM


Jesus, not the Consitution or the Declaration of Independence, is the head of the Church. The Constitution is the road map of the USA. Thank God that it is a Christian document.

Krisesco

Posted: April 18, 2007 12:39 PM

Intriguing article; it's a bit of a stretch to switch from discussing Americanism amongst Christians to discussing the evangelical churches view of homosexuals. The author and the critics who are chiming in (like myself) clearly have more than one agenda they'd like to promote. The main idea is to point out that a Christian's allegiance should be to Christ and His present and coming kingdom and to that I say AMEN! Dear brothers and sisters please remember that when you use opportunities like this to push personal agendas you discredit you position on the main topic; Jesus the Christ. Let us join together to promote the Way, the Truth, and the Life even Jesus Christ. His true followers worship Him in Spirit and in Truth; Amen and Amen:o)

Steven McCloud

Posted: April 18, 2007 11:43 AM

I agree with Ted Olsen. It seems to me that too many Christians view their Christianity as being equivalent to their American citizenship. I get the impression that some would be willing to have Christianity declared the state religion in America, if it was their denomination that was in control. When that happened in ancient Rome the church almost didn't survive. Historically, the worst atrocities by Christians were performed by state sanctioned churches. I personally do not want to see the church in this country or any country tied to the state.

John	Posted: April 18, 2007 11:43 AM

Good Article. We should just follow the scriptures and our conscience-we don't need James Dobson, Tony Perkins, Tony Campolo, or Jim Wallis to tell us what we think. Christians should stop listening to all these christian media figures and pay attention to what is going on in the world. If they did, I am sure evangelicals would stop supporting the continued occupation of Iraq and the Neo-Con's policy of never-ending war. Look at how the media is playing the tragic senseless VA Tech shootings-nonstop coverage. This sort of thing has been happening every single day for the past 4 years in Iraq-where is the sense of outrage and tragedy for this in the media, or for that matter in our churches pulpits? Evangelicals as a whole still support the occupation of Iraq and the whole world know it too.

Bob Lindsey

Posted: April 18, 2007 11:38 AM

Too often, it seems, we confuse the Kingdom of God with the kingdom of Amercia as if they are one and the same. They are not. As Christ followers, our first allegience is to Him. We are citizens of His Kingdom first and of America second. And while America is a wonderful country; it certainly has its faults and failings as all human institutions do. Perhaps it would benefit us to listen to and appreciate the criticisms of our very materialistic society that come from our bothers and sisters in Christ around the globe. A Christian view is not, "America, Love It or Leave It" but rather "America, Love Her and Lead Her - Lead Her to be better than she is" which will only happen as American Christians seek to be true citizens of the Kingdom of God first and of America second.

Galgaron

Posted: April 18, 2007 11:10 AM


Excellent. We are called to be Christians first, and not only that, but World Christians. Not Americans first, but lovers of God first.

Doug	Posted: April 18, 2007 11:04 AM

Thank you. Amen and amen. His Kingdom seeks the repentant sinner and mercifully grants salvation to a creation that seems unwilling to abandon it's individual desire to see it's self as perfect ...and all other selves as imperfect...while holding the Word of God in one hand and a weapon in the other. Thank God we're not really in charge of anything. Thank you for the cool breeze in our American desert.

Andy Carlson

Posted: April 18, 2007 10:57 AM

Anti-American is today's anti-semitism. The same people who hate the Jews hate America and Americans. I think its because evil can't even stand people who actually strive for any ideals that are noble and true. Actually conservative Christian are fully aware of the faults of American society and government. How is it jingo-istic that American Epist. have placed themselves under an African bishop? More Hillarys would be bad for the country and Jim Wallis sure doesn't seem to value private property.

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