Christian American or American Christian

If you watch television news, read a newspaper, a news magazine, or basically just do not have your head in the sand, you are aware of the financial crisis the USA now faces. You probably have heard also that many other nations are in crisis as well. In this country, as is usually the case, the politicians have come out pointing the blame at the "other" party. Everyone pontificates about how "their" party could solve all the issues if the "other" party would not be so stubborned and bull-headed.

These discussions usually turn to all the other problems facing our nation and how the right political party (read "their" party) could fix all these things if they had complete control in Washington. This rhetoric usually reaches a crescendo right around election time as you see each candidate trying to rally the base of their party and woo swing votes.

This is also usually the time when you start hearing about the Religious Right or Evangelical Voters. In addition, we hear why each candidate is the right candidate because of where they stand on the "hot-button" issues. You will hear rhetoric such as "A Christian can't vote Democrat!" in hopes to guilt people into voting for Republican candidates. You might also hear statements such as "separation of church and state" in an effort to keep religion out of politics.

This raises a question that I feel with which many people struggle. Am I to be a Christian American or an American Christian? Now you might ask what is the difference and is it not just a matter of semantics, and you could be correct. Personally, I believe that there is a difference, and it is a big one. Basically, I am asking which term defines me the most.

We live in a time in which Christianity in America has become a social religion (at least in the South, which is my context). To be a good American means I love God, country, and mama. It means I work hard, raise a family, pay my taxes, and am a well behaved citizen. Is this the way the Christian faith is described in Christian Scripture?

Do not misunderstand me; I thank God I was born in the United States and that I have the freedoms provided to me. But with this privilege comes a great responsibility. I should not use this privilege as a rite of passage that allows me to look down on others in pride. Nor should I wear it as a badge of honor that exempts me from helping those around me here at home and globally.

I believe the Christian Scriptures call us first to be citizens of God's kingdom and then citizens of a sovereign nation. So while we should be concerned about the status of our nation and about providing a future for our descendants barring Christ's return; we should be more concerned with fulfilling Christ's command to make disciples among all the nations. That should be our chief business; it should not be getting a politician we disagree with out of office.

Our political landscape is not a black and white issue; it is much messier than that. As a friend of mine said to me last week, why can't Christians be concerned with saving unborn babies AND taking care of abandoned or under-provided children? Why can't Christians be concerned with cutting unnecessary spending AND providing services for those Have-Nots in our country?

Christians are called to love mercy, act justly, and walking humbly before God. Christians are called to be salt and light to a dark world. Christians are called to be in this world, but not of this world. Last time I checked, this does not fit neatly into any political party within this great nation of ours. It is time to stop the bickering and fighting, it is time to stop pointing fingers, and it is time to start praying if you have not already.

It was Billy Graham I believe that was quoted one time in regards to being asked if he had ever considered running for President. His reply was no, why should he take a step down. His point was that he had a higher calling, which I believe extends to all Christians.

I am tired of all the fighting and name-calling, I am tired of being a political chip to be used in someone's campaign, and I am tired of Christians becoming distracted from our true calling. This world is NOT my home, I'm just passing through. And on my way through, I'm going to tell as many people as I can about my Jesus.

A response to the death of Bin Laden

I went to bed Sunday night not aware of the news of Usama Bin Laden's death. It wasn't until Monday morning with the kids off to school that I finally turned the T.V. on to watch the morning news programs. It was then that I learned what the whole world seemed to be discussing. I watched in amazement and I was utterly speechless. I listened for details...the who, what, when, where, and the how. I watched as the programs cut from location to location showing the celebrations taking place across our country. And then I went to work.

I tried to listen to talk radio to get more details, picking up bits and pieces, but by mid-morning I was too busy to listen anymore. Late afternoon found me checking facebook and twitter just to see what people were saying. I found social media divided by response just as I found the traditional media divided. I have to admit, it has taken this long for my thoughts to come together, to be able to process all of the information. But what I keep returning to is this question: "How should a Christian respond to the news?"

Speaking personally, I am glad as an American that justice has been served, but as a Christian I am saddened by the fact that most likely Bin Laden left this world a unrepentant sinner. As I thought about my feelings, I thought back to that Sunday following 9.11.01. I stood in the pulpit facing my congregation; many who had raised a flag earlier that week in support of our nation. I stated to the congregation that as an American I was furious that this could happen. (Later on Toby Keith's song "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue" came out, summing up many Americans thoughts.) But, I told the congregation, as Christians we need to pray that Bin Laden (and other Muslims) have the opportunity to respond positively to the gospel message.

I have to admit that I probably didn't get a lot of "AMENS" from that response, but it was what I felt was the biblical response to the situation. All these years later, my thoughts remain the same. Without citing particular Scripture for my "proof-texting", let me say clearly that I believe the Bible teaches that God has ordained governments to carry out the punishment of criminals. If a law is broken, then justice is to be served. Clearly, Bin Laden was a mass-murderer who needed to be stopped. I am thankful that our military had the opportunity and that we had leaders who were willing to make the difficult decision to carry out the operation.

At the same time, my first allegiance is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who tells us to pray for our enemies, who tells us to take the gospel to all nations, and who tells us that He does not rejoice in the death of the wicked. No, God's desire is all of those who are created in His image (including terrorists) would respond in faith to His offer of salvation. Though, through human eyes, Bin Laden's sins might be more heinous than mine, I am just as much in need of a Savior as Bin Laden was.

That said, I don't believe Christians should be dancing in the streets over his death, nor should we be celebrating over his death. Let us as Christians find satisfaction that justice has been served, pray that his death opens the door for the gospel to be unhindered in being shared, and weep for those that leave this world apart from Christ.

A Different Christianity

Perhaps you have seen on a church sign somewhere these words, “Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words.” St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) is credited for that quote which many have misunderstood. The quote tends to be interpreted that one’s witness is carried out in deed and if one must then use words to share the gospel. The understanding is that the gospel is best proclaimed through one’s actions therefore speaking about the cross is unnecessary. Let me assure you that concept is far from the intention of the original author. The intended meaning of “Preaching the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words” is that our actions AND words should always point to Christ. It is not an “either/or” approach to the gospel but a “both/and” approach that will reach the nations, starting right outside our doors. As the church we are to boldly proclaim the gospel by ministering to people’s physical and spiritual needs. When we are committed to that goal, then will we see people come to Christ.

I must give credit to Daniel Akin, PhD, President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary for the following information that comes from sermon he delivered in chapel in December '09. Today there are at least 16,348 ethnic groups that comprise the 6.7 billion people on the planet (Joshua Project: 11-28-09). Today there are at least 6,647 ethnic groups who are unreached. Some missiologists would say there is, at present, 1.6 billion with no access to the gospel at all. That means there are 3.4 billion who have not heard the name of Jesus or have very limited access to the gospel. Add to that the reality that there are 255 million lost people in North America, 3 out of every 4 persons (On Mission, Special Issue, 2009, p.8). Did you know that more than one in four American Protestants give nothing to the work of the church and that the median annual giving for a Christian is 2.6% of their annual income? Did you know that only 27 percent of Christians give away 10% or more of their income? What could happen if committed Christians gave 10% of income to the work of the Lord?

Let me share with you what would happen: 150,000 new indigenous missionaries and pastors in nations most closed to foreign religious workers; triple the resources being spent by all Christians on Bible translating, printing, and distribution to provide Bibles in the native languages of 2,737 remaining people groups currently without Bible translations; eradicate polio worldwide; 1million new clear water, well-drilling projects per year in the poorest nations (25% of the world’s population drinks unsafe water); prevent and treat malaria worldwide; provide food, clothing, & shelter to all 6.5 million current refugees in all Africa, Asia, & Middle East; sponsor 20 million needy children worldwide, providing them food, education, and healthcare.

Oswald J. Smith said, “We talk of the Second Coming when half the world has never heard of the first.” It is time we commit ourselves to the task of bringing hope to a world that desperately needs some good news. It must start outside our doors and we must carry it to the nations. We must be concerned about their life here on this planet and in the afterlife. We must have the same compassion for the nations that our Savior displayed in the gospels. Only when we begin to weep for the nations will we really see a change take place.

Penn Jillette of the entertainment duo "Penn and Teller" can be found on 'Youtube' sharing about how someone gave him a Bible. He stated, “I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and hell and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life or whatever, and you think that it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward… how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that? If I believed beyond a shadow of a doubt that a truck was coming at you and you didn’t believe it and that truck was bearing down on you, there is a certain point where I tackle you, and this is more important than that. And I’ve always thought that.”

When will Christians wake up and begin to look beyond the church doors? When will Christians decide to engage a post-Christian culture with the Truth of Christ? When will we begin to show a different Christianity that is concerned about the whole person? I pray that it is soon.

It's the First One So Make It Count

I must say that the task of beginning a blog is a daunting one; who in their right mind would be even remotely interested in what I have to say. It seems to me that we live in a society that thrives on being in constant contact with the world around us; always "in the know" where it concerns our friends and neighbors. And yet I cannot help but sense the possible global impact one's thoughts could have particularly if it is used for the advancement of Christ's Kingdom.

Never before in the history of humanity have we been able to reach so many people with the gospel. Can you imagine what the Apostle Paul could have done if our technology had been available to him? And while all of this technology is at our fingertips we Christians cower and hide or insipidly pass along pointless emails that either are suppose to make us laugh or make us feel guilty.

My point in all of this ranting is to encourage and challenge to make it count...whatever we do, do it for the glory of God. The moment is right, the time is now, use every opportunity God gives you to impact the world around you with the gospel: Christ crucified, buried, raised.