Taking Our Country Back is Not Christian

Sadly the national narrative of dis-content is growing stronger, with strong voices of anti-immigration and nationalism behind a megaphone. Worryingly, among the demonstrations seems to be a politically-right leaning Christian nationalism that is also becoming louder and more prominent. Characterised by St George flags with Christian or Bible quotes added, or by demonstrators holding upright large wooden crosses, or other placards with Bible quotes, the message seems to be something like: "Take our country back to being Christian again".

Worse is when language such as 'conquer', or even worse (evoking the St George cross) language of 'crusade' seems to be re-emerging.

The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed ...

As followers of Jesus trying our best to bear testimony to Jesus as Lord on a daily basis, I am convinced this rising tide of "Christian nationalism" is outright unhelpful. It harks back to a Christendom/conquer mindset ... which is NOT the Gospel. Jesus spoke of (and demonstrated) a completely different kind of Kingdom which, put simply, is not of this world, i.e. not about nation conquering, using any kind of earthly force or coercion. His Kingdom is characterised by righteousness, peace and joy (Romans 14:17) emerging from the love of God and His forgiveness and restoration. It starts with a tiny seed, which slowly grows ...

With so much noise out there, we have to carefully yet clearly up our game ... pointing people to the true Jesus alternative that starts with welcoming the stranger, being hosted by people quite different to us, and explaining/demonstrating the true nature of Jesus and His Kingdom. Our work is cut out for us ... being quiet is not an option.

Personality Cults

Personality Cults are nothing new - history is littered with them. Their folly, associated tunnel vision, and inappropriate adulation are all well captured by the 'Emperor Has No Clothes' fable. In today's culture, with bigger physical platforms multiplied by online platforms, the problem is ever more acute.

Sadly the Christian faith has its own sordid litany of cults led by personalities who have done unimaginable harm to those caught into their spheres of influence.

But in our current day we have an additional development that should surely concern us: the apparent rise of the Western Political Personality Cult. Again political personality cults are not new - Roman Emperor's claimed 'God status' for themselves, as effectively does a leader today in a Far Eastern dynasty cult. What is surprising is the apparent emergence of such cults in Western countries that, until quite recently, were considered to be stable Western democracies.

The true ministry of the gospel is as far away from all this as the East is from the West. It is to clearly but calmly continue to preach Jesus is Lord. For that we do not need any kind of platform, or a well-oiled social media machine. Instead we just need to be faithful and clear in our witness to whoever we find in front of us.

Paul gave wisdom to Timothy when he wrote:

preach the word ... for the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather round them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear - turning away from truth to myths.

[2 Timothy 4: 2 - 4]

Whilst we might find them surprising, abhorrent, and truly concerning, our call is not to try to other-throw such cults (God has that on His job description ...). Instead it is to continue to preach Jesus ('preach the word'), with great patience and endurance. That is to discharge our duties of ministry (verse 5). These cults will rise and fall - perhaps the bigger the platform the bigger the crash! But meanwhile and whatever, we point to the True King.

In the Potters Hands

Our Western culture tells us that each of us can be 'whatever we want to be'. Decide your goal and go for it! There are positives to this philosophy, but it risks leaving God out of the equation, and assumes everything is in our hands.

Jeremiah, in chapter 18, is instructed to go down to the Potter's House for a touch of prophecy through watching an artisan! The potter shapes the pot, and on discovering a defect goes on to re-shape it. God speaks to Jeremiah about the shaping of not just individuals, but whole nations.

Jeremiah learns that God can both shape and 'un-shape' nations as per His choosing - they are each like clay in His hands. So far this is not so surprising. But Jeremiah is also told that God's shaping/un-shaping plans can change, depending on a nation's response to God's announcements. Just as the potter can change approach, or re-shape part way through ... God can adjust depending on the people's response. The surrounding chapters of Jeremiah make clear that 'the response' includes their belief, loyalty to His covenant, and implementing God's compassion and justice.

Today at the national level we see nations arrogantly pursue their own agendas to shape and re-shape the governance of other lands and peoples as if they had some God-given right to be the potter. History repeats itself as a people-group of one nation - themselves once oppressed - are now led by a government that becomes oppressor towards others, propagating mass injustices. We watch with bewilderment as these atrocities unfold, wondering why God seems to be allowing such horror to play out for so long.

Dear God - just how are you shaping/un-shaping through these current times?

But the 'response' comes down to individuals - and which path they will take (Jeremiah 18:15). Do we choose a path - an ancient path of humble faith - that let's God shape us towards who we can be? Recognising that our life is in His hands, we can venture forward with ambition ... but an ambition that is subject to His shaping and re-shaping.

Meet Your Neighbours

Recently we were catching up with some friends and talking about settling in to the neighbourhood where we are living and ministering. Our friends remarked at how many neighbours we had met, and the fact that we already knew their names.

For us getting to know our neighbours is a fundamental aspect of our ministry, and we are intentionally pro-active about it. Yet the conversation got us thinking: why is it 'typical' for people to inhabit a dwelling but not meet or know their neighbours, even those just a door or two away? And why do Christ followers seem to accept this status quo for themselves? Of course we can say that this is just a 'British' phenomenon, or the outworking of an increasingly individualistic society ... but with every Christ follower an ambassador for Christ should we as Christians simply be the same? Are we not called to be different?

To be different is going to take some effort, however. That effort might be summarised as follows:

1. Be intentional - backed by prayer. Start by simply praying for openings, and pray blessing for the neighbours anyway. Then look for opportunities, and even if natural opportunities don't arise be ready to take initiative.
2. Make the effort to knock on the neighbour's door, or divert across to them if you see them on the street. Of course you cannot guarantee you will be well received, but you can still and try offer friendship.
3. Go ahead and break the ice! Introduce yourself, and ask for their name. In any case express welcome.

For us being new to the neighbourhood, the 'newness' affords opportunity. The natural fear for most people is that the more time has passed, the more awkward it is. If time has passed, then a little ingenuity might be required ... which basically means inventing an excuse to knock on their door! Using a festival or seasonal event can work, taking some chocolates or other simple treat as part of the seasons greetings. Any which way it still requires praying, the intentionality, the effort, and the willingness to go ahead and ring the bell in the hope of breaking the ice.

None of this guarantees becoming great friends, or being able to share faith, or anything like that. Yet it does communicate that you are there, and that you are there for them. That is surely among the most basic of building blocks for community, the most basic layer of salt, and is a step to live contrarian to an individualistic society that isolates and compartmentalises to everyone's detriment.