5 MINUTE VIDEO: Why Nationalism Is Dangerous

Why can't Christians practice their faith and remain loyal to politics and nationalism? What's the big deal?

Take 5 minutes and listen as author Keith Giles explains why Nationalism and Christianity do not mix.

One reason is the "Nones and Dones" trend which is steadily growing in American churches today. This phenomena has been driving millions of young people [and some older ones] away from the church. Why? Because they're sick of politics in the church.

Another reason is the disturbing trends revealed in the "Early Warning Signs of Fascism" found in the Holocaust Museum which are:

EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF FASCISM

1. Powerful and continuing nationalism
2. Disdain for human rights
3. Identification of enemies as a unifying cause
4. Rampant sexism
5. Controlled mass media
6. Obsession with national security
7. Religion and government intertwined
8. Corporate power protected
9. Labor power suppressed
10. Disdain for intellectual and the arts
11. Obsession with crime and punishment
12. Rampant cronyism and corruption

Read the best-selling book "Jesus Untangled:Crucifying Our Politics To Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb" available now on Amazon.

CRUCIFY YOUR POLITICS

American Christians have lost sight of their identity in Christ. They are blinded by politics. They divide against one another over differences in political ideologies. They question the salvation of those brothers and sisters who vote differently than they do. They decide who is a true Christian based on whether or not they belong to the same political party as they do.

This is sin. This is an abomination.

Here’s what Jesus says about division the Body of Christ:

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” – Matt. 5:23-24

Here’s what the Apostle Paul says about divisions in the Church:

“Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.” – Titus 3:10-11

Here’s what the Apostle John says about divisions in the Church:

“If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” – 1 John 4:10

How are divisions in the Body of Christ over politics any different than the divisions that Paul warns against in 1 Corinthians where brothers were dividing over allegiances to Peter or to Apollos?

If we’re not to form factions based on preferences of Apostle, then we certainly cannot draw lines of division based on political opinions, can we?

As Paul said to those Christians in Corinth, I would ask Christians in America today:

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some have informed me that there are quarrels among you….Is Christ divided? Was Trump crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Hillary or Cruz?” [With apologies to 1 Cor. 1:10-13]

Ask yourself:

• Is your loyalty to a brother or sister in Christ dependent upon their political viewpoints? 
• Are you unable to see – and embrace – other members of the Body of Christ due to differences in politics?
• Do you get angry at your brothers and sisters in Christ over disagreements about political candidates?

If so, repent.

Crucify your politics.

Nail your Nationalism to the cross.

Remind yourself that you are an Ambassador of another Kingdom.

Remember that you are not of this world.


Recall the words of the Spirit of God who calls out to us all: “Come out of Her, my people!”

In the book of Revelation, there are two opposing forces: Those who follow the Lamb of God and The Nations of this World.

Which side are you on?

I beg of you, my brothers and my sisters in Christ:

Abandon the entanglements of Empire. Defy the status quo.

Refuse to be called anything but a child of God.

Return home to the Father who longs to see you walking back over the top of the hill.

If we are more American than Christian, then we are not Christian at all. We are Nationalists who dabble in religion.

If we belong to Jesus, then let’s resolve to love everyone and not to become entangled with the affairs of this world.

Let the nations rage. Our Jesus is King.

We already have the answer that everyone is seeking.

Now let’s follow Him in Spirit and Truth.

Please?

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My book "Jesus Untangled: Crucifying Our Politics to Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb" is available at Amazon on Jan.20th, 2017 (Inauguration Day) and features a Foreword by Greg Boyd, author of "The Myth of a Christian Nation".

Learn more at: www.JesusUntangled.com

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Read more in the Jesus Untangled Blog Series HERE

Part 1: "Jesus Untangled"
Part 2: "Who Are We?"
Part 3: "Why Do People Think I'm A Liberal?"
Part 4: "Still Embracing Constantine?"
Part 5: How American Evangelicalism Has Been Exploited, by Ross Rohde
Part 6: The Entanglement Agenda
Part 7: "What Would Jesus Say About The American Revolution?" by Chuck McKnight
Part 8: "Ambassadors of Contrast"

Part 9: “AWOL Christian Soldiers”
Part 10: "The Elephant In The Church"

Part 11: "Christian American Horror Story"
Part 12: "Our True Source of Liberty" by Ross Rohde
Part 13: "Welcome To Post Christian America"
Part 14: "What Would Wilberforce Do?"
Part 15: "Crucify Your Politics"

CHRISTIANS AND EMPIRE

[Subversive Radio Podcast] Star-Spangled Capitalist Christianity

I challenge you to crucify your Nationalism; crucify your Political affiliation; put to death anything that exalts itself against the Lordship of Jesus.

The Elephant In The Church

[Part 10 in the “Jesus Untangled” Series]

For many Christians, the idea of separating their faith and their politics is absurd. They see nothing wrong with having an American flag in the sanctuary. They have no problem pledging allegiance to the flag before the service starts. They sincerely believe that being patriotic and Christian is perfectly fine – even normal.

For the last few weeks I have been writing a series of articles aimed at helping Christians to untangle their faith from politics. Largely, my arguments have been centered on the words of Jesus, the writings of the Apostles, and early Church history. But now I’d like to take a slightly different approach. Let’s turn our attention away from Jesus and the New Testament for a moment and take a look at the other side of our coin – Politics.

In over 6,000 years of human history, how many of mankind’s basic problems have been solved by politicians? None of them.

How many of man’s sins have been dealt with by all the greatest politicians who have ever lived? None.

As stewards who must one day give an account of our money and time, why would we invest anything in a system with such a disappointing track record for success?

Politics is about writing and passing and enforcing laws. Even God’s Law wasn’t capable of transforming the hearts of men and women. Why do we still believe that we can do better?

Do we really need more laws? Do we need better people writing the laws? Is our problem the lack of law enforcement?

What does the Bible have to say about all of that? Do experts in the Law set us free? Is the Law capable of changing us into the image of God?

“For if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.” (Gal. 2:21)Oops. I used the New Testament again. Sorry.

Let me ask you this: What if there was something that could reform the convict? What if there was a formula for changing people into better citizens? What if there was hope for every broken marriage? What if every addict could find hope for life beyond their daily habit? What if there was a way to create an entire society of people who loved one another, cared for one another, and went out of their way to bless everyone around them?

Now, I’m not saying that there is something like that. But, what if? Just imagine it! Wouldn’t something that revolutionary – something with the power to change every human heart from within and make them a brand new creature – wouldn’t that be better than any political solution you had ever heard of in your life?

And if – just if – that sort of society-changing paradigm actually existed, wouldn’t it be foolish to waste your time on a political solution? Especially if, so far, not one single politician or ideology had ever once come close to something nearly so effective and powerful?

Several years ago I was in a Christian band. I wanted more than anything in the world to get signed to record deal. Why? So I could share the Gospel with more people, I told myself. But eventually I had to admit the truth: I wanted to get signed to a record deal because I wanted to be famous. I had to admit that if I really wanted more people to hear the Gospel, our band could play bars and clubs and street corners.

Mixing Politics and Christianity is no different. We may tell ourselves that we’re doing it because we want our nation to be more Christian. But if that’s what we really wanted, we’d spend more time preaching the Gospel and living out the commands of Jesus in our daily life.

Legislation will never change anyone’s heart. The Gospel is not spread through Political Initiatives or Laws.

Let’s just admit that when we seek political solutions to our problems it’s because we’ve given up on changing the world by sharing the Gospel and now we just want to pass laws to force people who are not Christians to act like we do so we’ll feel more comfortable in this society.

No political agenda, party, system, or politician will ever bring our nation any closer to the image of God. Only Jesus can do that.

Our core problems, as a human race, are spiritual in nature. The only solution is spiritual.
Jesus is our answer. He is the only answer.

No other additives or preservatives are required.

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READ THE ENTIRE "JESUS UNTANGLED" SERIES:

Part 1: "Jesus Untangled"
Part 2: "Who Are We?"
Part 3: "Why Do People Think I'm A Liberal?"
Part 4: "Still Embracing Constantine?"

Part 5: How American Evangelicalism Has Been Exploited, by Ross Rohde

Part 6: The Entanglement Agenda

Part 7: "What Would Jesus Say About The American Revolution?" by Chuck McKnight

Part 8: "Ambassadors of Contrast"

Part 9: “AWOL Christian Soldiers”
Part 10: "The Elephant In The Church"

Part 11: "Christian American Horror Story"

Part 12: "Our True Source of Liberty" by Ross Rohde

Part 13: "Welcome To Post Christian America"

Part 14: "What Would Wilberforce Do?"
Part 15: "Crucify Your Politics"

GOD BLESS AMERICA?

God bless America, who spies on your phone calls, email,and text communications.

God Bless America, who executes its own citizens without a trial or even formal criminal charges.

God Bless America, who imprisons journalists who attempt to expose their war crimes.

God Bless America, which has been at war for 214 years out of the last 235.

God Bless America, which hires, or threatens journalists in order to have them write false news stories, and even film fake execution videos that advance their propaganda.

God Bless America which currently imprisons more of its citizens than any other nation on the face of the planet.

God Bless America, where more than 50 percent of the children in your nation are living below the poverty line.

God Bless America, where large corporations have more power over the laws, the policies, the courts, and the politicians than you - a tax paying, registered voter.

“Hey, If you don’t like it here, please move to another country!”

Moving to another country is pointless since every country on this earth is suffering from the same sin and delusion and sets itself up as a rival to the Kingdom of Christ.

However, if I did move to another nation, at least I wouldn't have to suffer the additional insult of being a citizen of a nation that proclaims to the world that it is Christian while at the same time exploiting and impoverishing other nations, stealing their resources, plunging them into poverty, dropping bombs, flying drones over them, and killing thousands of innocents...all in the name of Jesus.

No, rather than to leave this sick, sinful and prideful nation that believes She is "Christian" I must remain here and continue to point to the One and Only Hope for this (or any other) nation - Jesus, the Messiah.

When, and only when, this nation fully turns to Jesus will there ever be any change of heart, or of mind, or of behavior towards one another.

"Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." - Jesus (Luke 13:3)

We must humble ourselves before God, and humbling ourselves involves repenting from our endless wars around the globe and exploiting the poorest nations of this earth for our own financial gain.

The best way to end the wars we are currently fighting and to bring peace to this earth would be to take the Trillions of dollars we are currently spending on our war machine and using it to bless our enemies, to feed them, to clothe them, and to enrich them.

Proactive love and Preemptive Agape disarms our enemies and transforms them into our friends.

We could do that if we wanted to. We have plenty of money available.

In fact, a truly Christian Nation would do exactly that.

This is what I am contending for. This is what I will continue to pray for.

This is what the advancing of the Kingdom of God looks like.

There is only one Christian nation on this earth. It is the Kingdom of God. It is global. It is eternal. It knows no national boundaries. It recognizes no border or rule of man.

My brothers and sisters - the vast majority of them - are not Americans. Therefore I do not see myself as an American either. I see myself as a child of the King who was, and is, and is to come.

As a Christian, and as a citizen of Christ’s Kingdom, I crucify my Nationalism. I put to death all those things that once defined the person I used to be before Jesus transformed me.

I now resolve to know nothing except Christ and Him crucified. The rest I count as trash and filthy rags.

Let His Kingdom come!

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The Difference

There's a difference between wanting America to be more "Christian" out of a desire to be more comfortable (as a Christian) and what it would actually mean to have a passion to see people's lives transformed by the Gospel.

From what I observe, most Christians who demand a return to Biblical values are more concerned with their own desire to be around people who are more like them, share their opinions, etc. and less about a genuine heart for people and a passion to see the Kingdom of God advanced.

In other words, most Christians in America are more concerned with their own comfortability than they are with the conditions of people's lives and hearts outside their home.

If you want America to value the Word of God, you'll have to preach and live out the Gospel.

If you really want to put "Christ" back into Christmas, you'll have to start spending more money on the poor than on yourself. You'll have to give up some of your comfort and let go of some of your wealth in order to share some of that abundance you have with those who have nothing.

This is as much true for me as it is for anyone else.

Death to my status quo. Let His Kingdom come.

Peace,
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Christian Oxymorons

In the Central African Republic there are men with machine guns who are killing other people. They refer to themselves as "Christian Militants" but don't you believe it for a minute.

There is no such thing as a "Christian Militant" who goes around shooting his enemies. Just as there is no such thing as "Open Secrets" or "A Fine Mess" and just as no one can ever be "Almost Pregnant" or "A Little Drunk", there can also never be any such thing as a "Christlike Killer".

Would Jesus throw a grenade into a Mosque? Would Jesus bust a cap into someone who didn't agree with his views? Would Jesus set a bomb to kill innocent people at a train station?

No, he would not. How could anyone ever imagine that he would?

That is why a "Christian" - which by definition is someone who follows the teachings of Jesus - can never take a weapon in hand and fire a bullet into their heart. Because once that person does such a thing, they cease to be like Jesus.

Certainly, Christians are capable of failure when it comes to following Him. We've all fallen short of the high calling of Jesus Christ. And for those who have killed others in war, or in the line of duty, can always repent of their sinful actions and receive the full and complete forgiveness of Jesus.

But what a Christian cannot do is to continually kill others in the name of nationalism, or political ideology, or "freedom" or anything else. Not even in the Name of Jesus. Especially not in the Name of Jesus.

So, when you read news stories like this one you can't accept the words "Christian Militant" at face value. There is no such thing as a "Christian Militant" who takes the life of other human beings who are made in the image of Christ.

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AMERICA, NOT BEAUTIFUL.

America is not the messenger of Jesus. America is the messenger of Death. She masquerades as an angel of light, but her hands are full of murder and bloodshed. She is the Angel of Death.

America kills more people around the world than Al Quaeda every day.

America spends more of its money on creating instruments of death than any other nation on Earth. More than the other fourteen largest nations combined.

No one loves death and war more than America.

America allows her own children to starve so that the most number of weapons can be built to kill as many people around the world as possible.

American is an Empire, and like all Empires, America rules by death and fear and the sword. All while pretending she is for freedom and truth and democracy.

America has more power than Rome ever had. America has the capacity to kill more people around the world than Rome ever dreamed of. She exploits more poor nations around the world and rules by intimidation and fear.

America is nothing like Jesus. She is not Christ-like. America is a bully.

America will kill children for financial gain.

America will exploit the poor to build greater wealth for herself.

America believes that if it can kill enough people, the world will become a better place.

America does not love freedom.
America loves money.

America does not love the poor.
America loves Herself, and money.

America's God is not Jesus. Her only gods are comfort, and safety, and luxury. War, and death and deception are in her heart.

America's God demands a human sacrifice, which Her citizens readily, even tearfully oblige.

We call them "Heroes". We say that they are fighting for our freedoms and defending our rights as American citizens. But the truth is, they are dying for none of those reasons.

Our dear sons and daughters are sent by the thousands to die on foreign soil so that our richest Corporations may earn Billions more in profits.

The rich get richer. The poor die, or get poorer. 

America is not beautiful. America is not christian. America is an empire that crushes, kills, exploits, destroys, and lies about with a smile.

"Behold, this was the guilt of your sister (America): she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. Thus they were proud and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them when I saw it." (Ezekiel 16:49-50)

"And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’ Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her." (Rev. 18:4-8)

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:13-15)

11/16/13; 4:45 a.m.
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Christian Values

Have you ever heard someone say that they wish America would return to Christian values?

There is a major difference between wanting America to become more "Christian" out of a desire to be more comfortable as a Christian and actually having a passion to see people's lives transformed by the Gospel.

From what I observe, most Christians who demand a return to Biblical values are more concerned with their own desire to be around people who are more like them, share their opinions, etc. and are less concerned for people around them who are desperate for the freedom and life found in Christ.

What I don’t see is a passion to see people’s lives transformed. I don’t see Christians weeping for the lost or driven to serve the outcast or hoping to see the Kingdom of God advanced.

Instead, what I see and hear are Christians who are judgmental, angry, and intolerant of people who threaten their lifestyle and do not share their specific set of values.

Here’s a kick to the head: If you really want America to be a Christian nation, you’ll have to preach the Gospel to the lost, and live out the Gospel in your daily life. That means sharing what you have with people in need. That means welcoming the stranger into your home. That means caring for the poor, and loving the unlovable, and being willing to put the needs of others above your own.

In the end, this is really all about comfort. You either love your own comfort more than you love people, or you’re willing to leave your comfort zone to share the good news of the Kingdom with people who are not like you.

As followers of Christ, we should not be motivated by selfishness. We're called to lay down our lives for others.

Let's pray for more grace to love people with the same love that Jesus has showered us with.

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Are You American or Christian?

The Church today is more American than Christian. We are largely unable to divorce our faith from our nationalism. This, to me, is very troubling because it means that we are unable to understand Jesus and His teachings apart from our own cultural context.

Those who follow Jesus know that the solution to society's problems will  never be found in politics. If we hope to change the hearts of men and women by laws and policies then we are both mistaken and misguided.

Jesus commands us to pledge allegiance to the Kingdom of God, not to a flag or a nation. I'm not saying it's a sin to love your country, or to vote, but I am saying that once we blur the lines between what Jesus is all about and our national pride we might have a problem. A big problem.

We are commanded by our Lord to seek first the Kingdom of God and to trust in Him alone – not the laws of our land, or our political parties.

It disturbs me that so many Christians I know are more acquainted with politics than they are with the Word of God or following Jesus in their daily life.

To try and help American Christians understand how this Americanized Christianity can blind us I have often tried to ask followers of Jesus to realize a few basic truths. The first being that the vast majority of our brothers and sisters on the Earth are not living in America.

This means that many of them are following Jesus in nations like Korea, Russia, China, and other countries with radically different political ideologies. So, if someone comes to Christ in China, for example, does that mean that they also – upon receiving Jesus – suddenly become a Capitalist? Of course not. The decision to surrender your life to Jesus and follow His teachings and example does not make you an American. We have to try to conceptualize - and practice - our faith apart from our patriotism.

So, we must realize that someone can be a Christian without pledging allegiance to the flag, or that nation for which it stands.

Even more importantly, we must strive to see Jesus apart from our cultural, political and nationalistic filters. This means our posture towards the poor and the outcast should be informed by our Lord Jesus, not by our political worldview.

Our hope is in the power of the Gospel to change hearts. It is not in the power of politics to legislate morality. If we’re not careful, we will end up succeeding in our quest for power and we will have only created another oppressive Theocracy like the one our founding fathers came here to avoid.

At best, if we succeed in creating the perfect Government we will still have failed to obey Jesus and make disciples of all nations.

The Governments of this planet are of this world, they are not of God. Our allegiance is to Jesus alone. His Kingdom is our only true homeland.

Are you an American, or are you a Christian?

 If you think you can be both, I urge you to carefully reconcile the widely divergent philosophies of Christ and those found in our Constitution.

Americans have the right to be treated equally and to pursue happiness. Christians have only the right to share in the sufferings of Christ, give up their individual identity, and love and serve others as Jesus did.

Americans have the opportunity to vote and chose their leaders. Christians have only One leader, and owe their allegiance to only one, true Holy Nation- the Kingdom of God.

Ask yourself: “Which of Jesus’ teachings were the basis for the American Government?” Was it turning the other cheek? Or loving your neighbor? Or doing good to those who hate you? Or blessing those who curse you? Maybe it was the Sermon on the Mount or the Great Commission? No, it was none of those things. Therefore, America is not a Christian Nation and it was not founded upon the teachings of Jesus.

There is only one Holy Nation on this Earth and it is us.

 “…you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:6)

 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation…” (1 Peter 2:9)

 Who is he talking to? To the Church. We are the Israelites who are now called “a holy priesthood” and“a holy nation”. Not just Jews, but anyone who is in Christ! As it says in Revelation 5:9-10:

“And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

Would you give up being an American to follow Jesus?

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