Saturday, June 21, 2008
Tipping is not a city in China.
So I now work at iHop (thank you apple) and I have discovered that getting a good tip is not all that easy. I guess with the failing economy the first thing to go is good tipping, right? Higher gas prices, higher food prices and all that jazz really makes it hard to earn money. Not that money is everything or even eternally important, but I have found in this climate a chance to practice better stewardship (one of my many failing points). Jesus talked about money a lot, and using it for eternal things. I hope to be a person who gives generously not only from my pocket but also from my heart. He that is faithful in little will be faithful in much. I hope that I can be a faithful person in all my dealings. That is all for now, I guess.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
I don't love America...
But I don't hate it either. So that leaves me with a question; should I leave? You do know the old saying "America, love it or leave it!" But what about those who are mildly/more than mildly indifferent about the US of A? My reasoning for not being madly in love with America is not from a disdain for the Bush campaign, but out of the love for the only eternal nation (the Kingdom of God).
I am currently home in California, and I have been amazed at the ardent nationalism found within the church of America. I don't pledge allegiance to a flag of any nation, I pledge allegiance to Christ, hence I say that Jesus is Lord. This does not mean that Jesus is only a personal Lord, it means that Jesus is the LORD (ie King) of everything. I could see how saying Jesus is my personal Lord is saying that Jesus is the Lord of their life, or that she/he has recognized Jesus' Lordship.
All of this leads me to one question of many, should Christians say a pledge of allegiance (similar to saying, "Caesar is Lord")? One could argue that the pledge of allegiance to the US is not at all similar, however, I would remark that the words in the pledge argue against its dissimilarity to saying Caesar is Lord. Why should I give my allegiance to a country if I have already pledged "All to Jesus I surrender?" I remember someone saying that, "you cannot have two masters, you cannot serve both God and country" (okay I know the verse says money, but I think that this is a clear implication from the first part of the statement).
What about the US being a "Christian" nation, that has to count for something, right? I don't really think so. I have heard it said that this country was founded on Christian principles, however, I do not see them. This country was founded in rebellion to another empire. As I look through the pages of the New Testament I don't find any reason for a rebellion of force against a persecutor/tyrant. Remember the context of the New Testament, crazy Roman emperors, some who decided to physically and financial persecute the people of God. Amidst such a bad climate, never does Paul, Peter, James, John or any New Testament leader encourage a rebellion of force, even in "self-defense." The advice from these Apostles was "honor the king," "pray for the king," "submit to the government." Thus, I feel it is a presumptuous to assume Christian heritage of the USA. Especially considering the fact that in the face of financial and some physical persecution the founders of the USA fought in a rebellion of force, something that contradicts the advice given from the Apostles in a similar situation.
Now, I really am ambivalent about the USA, but I am adamant against nationalism in the church. Churches should rid themselves of the American flag. Churches should emphasize political action, but not in the manner of a Chuck Colson. (ASIDE: Breakpoint ministries, or whatever they are called, try to get Christians involved in keeping Christian values prominent in American society. What this translates to for me is they try to get every Christian to actively promote a republican agenda. This is nice in the sense that this ministry is attempting to get Christians involved in the political world. However, I find the methods and means of doing so are poor. Jesus was political, but not a republican. Jesus was political in a politically charged environment, but he was not a part of any of the political parties. So I suggest that the church be political in a manner like Jesus was. Jesus was not a republican or a democrat or even a third party. Jesus didn't vote, he acted political. So maybe rather than just voting against abortion [as if it is the only political issue] maybe Christians should start crisis pregnancy centers. END OF ASIDE)
So I will continue not to pledge allegiance to a country that is not the Kingdom of God, I will continue not to sing a national anthem that doesn't emphasize the LORDSHIP of Christ over all, and I will continue to be upset and baffled when Christians say that the soldiers have given us the peace we experience in this country (as if God had nothing to do with it). I am a Resident Alien, I don't belong in the US or in any country that isn't the Kingdom of God. My citizenship is in heaven from where I wait the Savior the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change my vile body like unto His glorious body.
I am currently home in California, and I have been amazed at the ardent nationalism found within the church of America. I don't pledge allegiance to a flag of any nation, I pledge allegiance to Christ, hence I say that Jesus is Lord. This does not mean that Jesus is only a personal Lord, it means that Jesus is the LORD (ie King) of everything. I could see how saying Jesus is my personal Lord is saying that Jesus is the Lord of their life, or that she/he has recognized Jesus' Lordship.
All of this leads me to one question of many, should Christians say a pledge of allegiance (similar to saying, "Caesar is Lord")? One could argue that the pledge of allegiance to the US is not at all similar, however, I would remark that the words in the pledge argue against its dissimilarity to saying Caesar is Lord. Why should I give my allegiance to a country if I have already pledged "All to Jesus I surrender?" I remember someone saying that, "you cannot have two masters, you cannot serve both God and country" (okay I know the verse says money, but I think that this is a clear implication from the first part of the statement).
What about the US being a "Christian" nation, that has to count for something, right? I don't really think so. I have heard it said that this country was founded on Christian principles, however, I do not see them. This country was founded in rebellion to another empire. As I look through the pages of the New Testament I don't find any reason for a rebellion of force against a persecutor/tyrant. Remember the context of the New Testament, crazy Roman emperors, some who decided to physically and financial persecute the people of God. Amidst such a bad climate, never does Paul, Peter, James, John or any New Testament leader encourage a rebellion of force, even in "self-defense." The advice from these Apostles was "honor the king," "pray for the king," "submit to the government." Thus, I feel it is a presumptuous to assume Christian heritage of the USA. Especially considering the fact that in the face of financial and some physical persecution the founders of the USA fought in a rebellion of force, something that contradicts the advice given from the Apostles in a similar situation.
Now, I really am ambivalent about the USA, but I am adamant against nationalism in the church. Churches should rid themselves of the American flag. Churches should emphasize political action, but not in the manner of a Chuck Colson. (ASIDE: Breakpoint ministries, or whatever they are called, try to get Christians involved in keeping Christian values prominent in American society. What this translates to for me is they try to get every Christian to actively promote a republican agenda. This is nice in the sense that this ministry is attempting to get Christians involved in the political world. However, I find the methods and means of doing so are poor. Jesus was political, but not a republican. Jesus was political in a politically charged environment, but he was not a part of any of the political parties. So I suggest that the church be political in a manner like Jesus was. Jesus was not a republican or a democrat or even a third party. Jesus didn't vote, he acted political. So maybe rather than just voting against abortion [as if it is the only political issue] maybe Christians should start crisis pregnancy centers. END OF ASIDE)
So I will continue not to pledge allegiance to a country that is not the Kingdom of God, I will continue not to sing a national anthem that doesn't emphasize the LORDSHIP of Christ over all, and I will continue to be upset and baffled when Christians say that the soldiers have given us the peace we experience in this country (as if God had nothing to do with it). I am a Resident Alien, I don't belong in the US or in any country that isn't the Kingdom of God. My citizenship is in heaven from where I wait the Savior the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change my vile body like unto His glorious body.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)