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.