I wish that instead of "pledging" to a flag we would pledge to the U.S. Constitution. Without that, the flag can mean anything you want it to. (And often does).
Great idea! I never thought of that, but still my only allegiance is to Jesus. If one believes in the Constitution, they will not harass or judge people who don't want to say the Pledge.
Oh yeah, this is an important issue to get right. Found this video researching the term Christian Dominionism, which I discovered in a Vox video talking about the storming of the Capitol.
Thank you for delineating Christianity and nationalism. My husband and I have been feeling very uneasy at church as my pastor has begun leaning more toward nationalism than Christianity in his sermons. In this age of divisiveness, Christ unites us; nationalism divides and judges those unlike the predominant figures. I want no part of that. I love my country (America), but I love Christ more. My allegiance is to both, but where nationalism divides, Christ unites all nations and tongues.
I think you completely missed Dr. Mohler's point. The nationalism is good on it's original definition. The nationalism defined by the new left is bad. The left defines nationalism differently than conservative Christians.
@@thomasc9036 I do think that Sheryn Ngofa did miss Mohler's point, but I do not think I did in my comments. I'm curious - what do you think of what I wrote, if you can find it.
@@fullerming While I agree with some of your points, I think my foundational premises and yours differ. Modern pastors are just pale imitations of the Reformation pastors. In Act 17:26, God reveals that He created nations and set boundaries. The boundaries are good because they limit the amount of evil within their boundaries (read Daniel and empires). Nations are God's GOOD plan and are under His providence as necessary separations in the fallen world. Christians defined nationalism as GOOD while secular intellectuals’ version is the twisted version of the Christian concept. Modern Christians confuse theonomy with ecclesiarchy. The Bible clearly teaches that Christian nationalism should be “the theonomy is good” while “the ecclesiarchy is bad”. When Jesus said "go and make disciples of all nations", most "modern" Christians only think of sharing the gospel to build churches. That's a 20th-century missionary concept. That’s not how our ancestors approached missions and they were right. They didn’t just target commoners but followed the FULL command of Jesus “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel”. They boldly preached to kings and chiefs just as Paul was commanded to do by Jesus Himself. Modern missionaries go to remote villages completely giving up on targeting leaders. They already gave up on preaching to leaders before they started. Just to give you a perspective as a Korean American, when missionaries from the UK and US came to Korea in the 19th century, they asked for audiences with the king and leaders. Some of them were martyred but their mission efforts were bold and fully trusting in the command of Jesus. They preached to all people and many leaders and scholars were converted. These converted leaders and their children became future leaders of independent Korea. All men are religious. You serve the one true God, serve imaginary gods, or serve yourselves as gods. In a nation, whoever has the most influence will dictate the law and morality. In Israel, God said child sacrifices are evil and he will punish those who commit these abominations. Molech and Baal said child sacrifices are good and will be rewarded with rain and fertility. That sounds awfully like America. This whole multiculturalism or multi-religion coexisting peacefully within a nation is a farcical imagination. Modern America lives under the law of secularism and liberal Christianity/Reformed Judaism. They are imposing their laws on true Christians. In Matthew 28:28, Jesus also commanded “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you”. Is that just within the Church or are Christians commanded observe and follow this into the nations as leaders as well?
@@thomasc9036 uh uhhh!! Nationalism isn't Biblical in The Church and there are no Scriptures that commands christian's to be nationalists. We are citizen's of Heaven says Scripture! Jesus told us to Love our neighbor and to Love our enemies. Jesus told His disciples that what you do the least of these (the sick, the hungry, the stranger) you did it unto Jesus. One cannot be a disciple of Christ and be Politcal because they would be double minded and fall into hypocrisy. The Apostles Peter and Paul were not republicans or democrats or patriots or any such false worldly identity. They were too focused on The Great Commission and didn't involve themselves with the worlds problems and concerns.
@@andrewortiz5797 Really? Nations are ordained by God himself (Genesis 11). God called Abraham to build a nation. God gave the OT to the nations of Israel. Jesus taught us to give Caesar what is Caesar's. Do you pay taxes to Russia or your own country? God bound people to nations because we need order and laws to flourish. Jesus commanded Paul to take the good news to Kings. Paul called upon his Roman citizenship. Nationalism is good for human flourishing. It contains our evil, gives us order, and bounds us to structures.
In order for all citizens to belong, they must all have equal rights. This is what the constitution attempts to do. Particularly with respect to religion. The constitution gives no preference to any religion. A christian nationalist, whether they state it or not wants the christian to have more importance. Christians should respond by being grateful for their freedom to practice their religion and accept any other (legal) religious practice. Forcing the nation to be christian infringes on the rights of other religious group.
Congrats! Your now a radical Socialist/Communist/Anti-Theist/Satanist/Liberal/Groomer/Child-Molesting Anti-Christian. Who wants to persecute Christians.
That is NOT what Christian nationalists believe. Your position is very much influenced by Godless, Christian hating secularists views. How well is that going for us? It’s a ridiculous idea that tyranny prone, idol-maker unbelievers hold to a neutral position that will allow the religion Scripture teaches that they hate to operate “freely” in their society. How naive and anti-Biblical it is to believe Christianity should not be the influential source of law-making and a sense of national pride.
I think Jesus might have a different definition of “neighbor” than many of us in the US. Jesus once said, “love your neighbor as yourself”. Then, when asked “who is my neighbor?” he told a story about someone from a different, hated, and marginalized ethnic group (Samaritans) acting mercifully to one of their own after others had passed him by. Jesus then finished off by saying, “which of these was a neighbor?” Jesus flipped the question asked him on its head, and the man who was looking for self-justification (“who am I required to be a neighbor to in order to fulfill the Law?”) was instead left with a story that asked, “What if you were the one hurting and desperate? Would you want someone else to help you? Then be that to others, even across cultural lines.”
The Jews, being a stiff necked people; had taken the ceremonial laws to extremes. They wouldn't help the guy who had been beaten because it would have made them ceremonially unclean. Love your neighbor does not mean you have to have open borders and anti-natal policies that make you a minority in your own country.
@@russellfrankland7335 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ How fucking stupid can Christians get its right here you god damn ignoramus. YOUR GOD CALLED YOU TO LOVE EVERYONE ALL THE TIME EVEN TOO YOUR OWN DETRIMENT. IF A STRANGER ASKS FOR YOUR COAT HGIVE HIM YOUR BEAT ONE. IF YOU WANT TO FOLLOW ME, GO SELL ALL YOUR BELONGINGS, GIVE THE POCEEDS TO THE POOR, THEN COME AND FOLLOW ME. YOU PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN THE LORDS NAME AND PERVERTED IT INTO A HATEFUL SEXIST, RACIST, IMPERIALISTIC THING OF EVIL AND PAIN.
@@russellfrankland7335 How dense are you? "I was a stranger and you invited me in" "‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ You are too treat the stranger and immigrant the exact same as you would if your god himself walked in and asked.
@@berryblackwater3406 There really is not much political advice in the bible. Nothing about if we should be a Republic or a Monarchy, or a Democracy. There is nothing about what the tax rate ought to be, how fast the speed limit should be or anything about a nation's ideal immigration policy.
As a pastor I oppose nationalism and it is disturbing how common this is in America. I did my PhD work on this topic and concluded all nationalism is idolatrous. I do not fully agree with Mohler-he is more political than I feel is right, but more thoughtful than most. Jesus said no man can serve two masters, and believers are to be fully committed to His Kingdom. Importantly, the marks of a faithful church include multiethnic unity. This s supra-cultural. If you emphasize any national identity you are excluding others. What a shame so many Americans are blind to this, and eve worse that so many Christians are being deceived to follow Trump, who seems demon possessed, and White Nationalism, which is completely unbiblical. The influence of Catholic nationalists on Fox News is the main reason. The so-called Christian flag does not solve this problem in any way.
@Samwell You can start by reading “One Nation under God” by John Wilsey-a Baptist theologian. He writes more on the notion (false) that America is or ever was a Christian nation, and explains the actual separation of church and state our Constitution set up (what my ancestors came to America for), but he does a good job getting to the problem as it exists in America, where conservative pundits have convinced many that we “lost” something we once “had.” But the idea of nationalism as idolatry and the theology of nations is something I am working on for later publication.
The work of the Gospel is to make peace between men and God, and wherever a heart surrenders to God the spirit of militarism and nationalism must go. {November 26, 1896}
Dr. Mohler, you said that “We owe something to everyone. Everyone in the world is our neighbor but we owe more to our neighbor next-door in terms of proximity.” (6:24). I totally agree with you. However, proximity is very dynamic. You said you travelled to lots of countries in Europe. I believe, while in Europe, your ‘direct’ or ‘next-door’ neighbors were the Europeans you came into contact with, not necessarily the fellow Americans you had left in the United States during your visit to Europe. Thus, proximity is very dynamic. You owe more to everyone, depending on where you find yourself at any time. In addition, John Piper says, “Whatever form your patriotism takes, let it be a deep sense that we are more closely bound to brothers and sisters in Christ in other countries, other cultures than we are to our closest unbelieving compatriot or family member in the fatherland or in the neighborhood. That is really crucial to feel, I think. Otherwise, I think our patriotism is drifting over into idolatry.”
Bravo. This is an insight to continue to hear as much as possible to better assure one is only beholden to the Gospel of Christ if a Disciple of Christ. To the unredeemed, Constitionalist - to be beholden to that law-abiding fairness established through Christ-centered principles that one offers selfless service and accountability to that municipal residence, that city, state, country and then closest neighbor.
Interpretation. "Render unto to Caesar what is Caesar's and render unto God what is Ceasars and under God what is God. ". " A man cannot have two masters.(God and nation)". "My kingdom is not of this world but the next." Jesus was crucified as a rebel. Are we a nation of Christians or a Christian nation? Or a Secular nation?
Which is more important, the Bible, wisdom of Jesus or the Constitution, the wisdom of men? A Christian nation or a Judeo Christian nation? In God We Trust or in Jesus some of us? Which should be "our" motto? In God We Trust or E Plugins Unium? 😇😎
America was founded on some fundamental Judeo Christian principles and virtues. John Adams himself said that the constitution was written for a good and religious people, and that it would not work for any other form of government. As such, Christians must weigh the decision to be nationalistic based on whether our culture and founding principles are worth preserving. As such, nationalism should never take the place of God in our lives, but we can express our faith in Christ as American citizens, if we believe in the virtues of our republic's founding principles. This allows us to defend the constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic; fight and even die for our country.
Look around. If you're willing to what a Reformed partial Preterist Calvinist might say then there are a bunch of interesting voices Doug Wilson for instance.
Maybe we should be Christian Localist? Can there be a Christian who is concerned with his city, county, & State even more so than the Nation? Is it not part of loving one's neighbor to do what we can to ensure we live by just laws, honest weights and measures, truth, etc. While at the same time, keeping our gospel focus primary and the Great Commission as chief and our identity as ultimately "in Christ"? Can it not be both/and? Everyone is arguing for either/or? Paul was a Christian and a Roman. He had dual citizenship and yet the earthly one did not drown his heavenly citizenship with worldly concerns. Jesus was a Nazarene and a Galilean and foremost He was of heaven.
We must understand, everyone don't share my understanding of the bible. We have many different religions in America because we believe in religious freedom. And the government can't tell me my interpretation of God is wrong and yours is right. America laws, can't tell me how to worship God and obey God. America has laws that govern it's citizens no matter if you're religious or not and God has laws to govern his citizens. I can live in this world but not be of it. I'm a foreign, I respect this country laws but in my home jesus is president. The loss of so many lives in America due in addition to the pandemic reminded me that my faith is my individual guide. A lot of Christians died that I know but God hasn't taken me yet because it's not his time to draw me out. This isn't a team sport, God takes us at different time, and has called us to different purposes here. We can't force our beliefs on others we are to share our beliefs with those who can receive only. God will deal with the rest, trust.
You can certainly be both Christian and an American Nationalist. Unfortunately you can't be both and be the two things that defines American government as spelled out in the Constitution. America is a republic (citizens are represented by their agents (representatives) and a democracy (all citizens vote). The Bible dictates that God is in charge of the law (not your representatives) and you don't get to choose alternatives (democratic principle). Anyone who places Christian doctrine in governance above the Constitution's prohibitions is violating the 1st Amendment's establishment clause. What does "Congress shall make no law establishing religion" mean to you? Christians are unrestrained in their belief, but highly restrained in government. America's highest law prevent it from being a Christian nation.
How can your clarification reach the mind of MAGA followers, especially those in Congress? They are making one disastrous decision after another which affects all of us. I pray that your words will reach their ears, hearts and minds for the good of the country.
The stability that Mohler speaks of is in jeopardy because of the doubt in the accuracy of US voting made by a man many claim to be a "baby Christian." A strong biblical argument can easily made that stands against the idea that Christians should emphasize their patriotism over their faith and Mohler would probably agree. Yet, in practice, many evangelicals do not emphasize their faith over their patriotism but instead there is an unconscious syncretism occurring, and those on the left and those on the right have embraced it. There is no teaching of Jesus nor the Apostles that support the ideas promoted by many evangelical nationalists. Christians are called to be passionate and committed to God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. For example, read 1 Corinthians 15 : 1-58, noting in context verses 1-4, 19, and 58. What are we to give ourselves fully to or always abounding in (verse 58) and how often? What then should we be steadfast, immovable, and standing firm in? How did Paul USE his Roman citizenship (5:32-5:52)? Mohler misses the context of what's happening in Acts 22. Which part of the NEW Covenant commands or advocates nationalism, even in a balanced way as Mohler tries to present? This presentation is before January 6, 2021, but the stability Mohler speaks of has eroded. Finally, Mohler quotes Aristotle, not Jesus in the beginning of his talk (0:19) and then he condemns ethnic and ancestry-based divisions and prejudices (what most call "racism") around time 0:28 - 0:58. Yet, he takes no ownership and rejects his own identification with those he condemns. I don't know Dr. Mohler personally, but his and many other men who think this syncretistic way about patriotism and Christianity sound uncomfortably like those Jesus condemned when he said, "So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started!" (See Matt 23 : 29-32) I don't mean to sound overly critical, I have just do not seen an overtly biblical way, especially when considering the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, to elevate nationalism. I am a US Citizen and according to Romans 13 : 1-7, I live accordingly, but ultimately, my real citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3 : 20). Christianity is overtly eschatological with a clear call to be fully engaged while in the world with people and with the work of the gospel, but not fully engaged with the work of the nation unless your job is to be a public servant; and even if your job is mayor or senator or staffer, your faith in Christ must call us to stand firmly and be unmovable about the cross of Christ. Don't get me wrong - those on the left also miss this, promoting social values and often sentimental feelings over the truth. I just don't see much of what Mohler has said about nationalism as overtly biblical., even as he tries to be balanced and even references some of the same passages I did.
so having Police & Military in Spain to arrest Cataloians is peaceful? Comeon who we kidding, the Tribalism of conflict hasn't changed it's still the same just under different mediums which don't technically call every act qualified. This is double speak of highest mental gymnastics.
We live in clown world and the clowns are starting to break out the chainsaws. Believe me, we're not going to enjoy physical persecution. The vast majority of us will just fold and deny Christ. For the rest I'll say this. With a little creative decorating you can make your catacomb feel like you're living above ground.
Very well-balanced answer; and, most importantly, BIBLICAL. Let us not forget that there are "beasts" mentioned in Bible prophecy. Dan. 7 speaks of four "beasts" that "rose up out of the sea"; four "beasts" means four EMPIRES: Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian, Roman...then the "little horn" (Antichrist, would arise out of the fourth, and fallen, Roman Empire). There are TWO BEASTS mentioned in Revelation 13: a Sea Beast, and an Earth Beast. Where does the United States come in? I think it's pretty obvious. *Soli Deo Gloria*
Well, you were mostly spot-on. I hesitate though to fall in with the pressure to try to ground patriotism in the Bible as you did. It might well be true that the nation state state has valuble in the ways you describe. The New Testament does not really deal with this question though. Given that christian lived under the thumb of Roman rule and also expected the immanent return of Christ it was not considered important to "fix" society. Arguably the statement that God gave authority to the goverment was an admonition to avoid conflict with a very harsh Roman ruling system. The overbearing message was that one should model virtue by living in peace and love with others thereby witnessessing to the glory of God. You will be hard pressed to find a treatise anywhere in the New Testament to that effect. Also the idea that the family is the basic building block is not really under discussion. The family is taken for granted, predictably. The Church is really the the bigger unit that is being talked about and that is tied up with Christ and the new humanity. Since christians lived under an oppressive government it is also predictable that there would not be love lost for the Roman empire. It is clear though that they were pacifists. It does not mean we have to be or that we should not have different views. It is just that it is not there. We should refrain from using the Bible to justify what we belief in. I say fine: love your country. It is just not Christian or unchristian as long as you do not transgress on the law of love to God and others, including your enemy. The pressure to be a patriot is high though and might lead people to accuse one of disloyalty and even treason at times. I can see why people almost always justify patrotism. In a sense it seems a bit idolatrous from New Testament perspective given the shift away from a land based religion to a universal one, I do not suggest though to challenge a concept that you can fill with whatever you want. It is a no issue unless support of it leads to crimes against aliens or minorities. Then it becomes a pressing responsibility to fight it.
No one mentioned race in the question. So what the hell is the first part of your question. You just equated nationalism with racism and that's a manipulation. Nationalism does not equal racism necessarily. You use a few glittering generalities in your speech also to make yourself a standard for "Christian". I really wish you would just answer the question rather than campaign for an office. Come on Al.
Nation is the Blood. Even among the tribes of Israel the tribes kept their unique identities even though they were the same ethnicity. Racial/Ethnic Nationalism is Biblical. From the beginning to end. Separation is Not hate it's Love for your own people and culture. Amen
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. Revelation 7:9-10 KJV
*In the Bible the "nations" are the heathen* [unbelievers]. The Hebrew word which is often rendered "nations" is the identical word from which the word "heathen" always comes. Perhaps Psalm 96:5 makes the case as clear as may be to the English reader. "For all the gods of the nations are idols; but the Lord made the heavens." Here it is very evident that the "nations" are heathen. In Psalm 2:1 where we read, "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?" The Revision has it. "Why do the nations rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?" Such an idea as a "Christian nation" is as much a contradiction of terms as a "Christian heathen." A "nation" in God's use of the term, when speaking of earthly nations, is a collection of heathen. So what the Jews really said was this: "We will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the heathen." That was what they wanted, because all other people acknowledged other gods than Jehovah, and all the people on earth, with the exception of Israel, had kings over them. The Danish Bible renders 1 Sam. 8:20 plainly, "We will also be like all the heathen;" and the German of Luther still more pointedly has it, "That we also may be like all other heathen." {1900, EVCO}
@@russellfrankland7335 Excellent observation! Context is always important, of course. When Jesus says "nation will rise against nation" it's not saying the USA against another nation as we know it, but "ethnos [race/tribe] will rise against ethnos [race/tribe]" (Matthew 24:7). Yet the world has boundaries, usually won by wars of destruction and death--not the Christian way since Christ is the Prince of Peace. Jesus is clearer than sunlight since He is the Creator of the Sun: "Love your enemies, do GOOD to them which hate you" (Matthew 5:44). If any say that national governments can't be managed on that principle (love your enemies, NOT kill them) they are quite right. It's only another way of saying that Christ's kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). Let's realize that we are "strangers and pilgrims on the earth" and our "citizenship is in heaven" (Hebrews 11:13-16; Philippians 3:20). Is the Savior of the WORLD a nationalist? Of course not. Let's have the "mind of Christ" and "walk just as He walked" (Philippians 2:5; 1 John 2:6). And Jesus said, "They [us as Christians] are NOT of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth" (John 17:16-17). ...blessings.
@@JohnJakeWilliam Thank you. The way I see it, we are not OF the world but we are in it; so I do not feel that there is any reason we should not engage in politics.
@@russellfrankland7335 I respect your decision. Yet it's important to be clear about this. If one votes for a candidate that is PRO-DRONE BOMBING then that person has voted for that policy. They now have taken the position of bloodshed, killing the enemy. We are called to love, feed, and give drink to the enemy (Romans 12:9-21). Christ says, "For the Son of man is NOT come to destroy men's lives, but to save them" (Luke 9:51-56). We are also called to be a "witness" (martyrion in the Greek). This is the squeeze, if you will, how many politicians are for feeding and sharing Jesus with the enemy, not killing them? We have somehow legitimized politics as if Jesus is taking sides. Jesus is looking for disciples, not politicians who never say the name of Christ. "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden" (Matthew 5:14). ... blessings.
@@JohnJakeWilliam I feel there are justifiable wars as a general principle; however at this time I am for peace, I do not feel that our nation is fighting wars for our benefit but for that of the nation state of Israel. In terms of politics, I would support an agenda of banning gay marriage, abolishing abortion as an institution, censoring pornography, and establishing pro-natal and anti-immigration policies to ensure a White majority in America in perpetuity. Generally I keep religion and politics separate but I do think it would be wise to have prayer in schools, and I would like America to be a Christian country.
Firstly, the story of Jesus addressing the taxation trick question objectively DOES NOT endorse obligation to Caesar or a nation! The trick question was meant to either elicit a yes to taxes= Jesus's support for a idolatrous theocratic oppressor of Jews. Or a no to taxes= grounds for provoking Roman punishment for dissent. The answer Jesus gave was "Give all things to whom they belong!" By forcing the choice back on those who knew the God of Israel and KNEW all things belong to the Lord alone, they walked away stunned. HOW could anyone claim that a Holy figure such as Jesus, who spent much of his ministry hiding from the Romans supported their taxes?! As a theocratically blended government, the taxes went DIRECTLY to the temples of false Gods! FURTHERMORE, Jesus asks the inquiring spies who pose the taxation trick to read the coins inscription. Almost to drive HOME the point here, Caesar foolishly had a message on the denarii claiming he was divine. How much more blasphemous could it get??? The modern Christian marriage to government and the afforded worldly niche it enjoys therein rots away any attempts to even question the human "masters". Jesus said "A man can only have one master, for if they attempt more they will surely for sake both in time and please none," (paraphrased) this DOES NOT mean a Earthly master and Heavenly one as those who would like to get creative with scripture claim! ONRE MASTER! The acceptance of status quo complacency and rhetorically diluted biblical readings within the church has made a lap dog of the multitudes whose duty is to establish the Kingdom of Our One True Lord. shame on this. The semantic truth to secular incorporated entities (corporations, Nations, institutions, contractually formal organizations, etc) is that of an conceptually abstracted "person" imbued by it's creator (men) with profound rights which God gives exclusively to humanity. In humans partaking in a perverse mockery of creating a "living" entity which shares our unique God Given privileges, these imaginary friends with paperwork become impactful and oppressively ubiquitous secular machines of Worldly priority. All nations forsake the tenets of our Lord God, and Paul was only a man who often foolishly errors in contradicting Jesus. His letters were not even understood to be scriptural by him! It is clear that he is appealing to make peace with the false powers in the respective regions by shoehorning flimsy mouth service to "authorities" he claims God supports. You mean to say that GOD supports heretically pagan polytheistic war-thirsty nations against each-other and HIMSELF! yet the authority of virtually every commandment in the OT is just arbitrarily null? This IS NOT what Jesus taught! When it comes to the Christ Jesus vs the man Paul, I chose Jesus EVERY TIME
If you reaad the Old Testament it often portrays God as using another nation to punish the people of God. If God is almighty it is to be understood that even foreign reign is allowed by God for his puposes. This idea is a frequent theme in the Old Testament. When Jesus teach his disciples he prays that God will let his kingdom come, not for courage to overthrow the Roman government. Also tithing was taxation. So taxation is not against the bible. Also the biblical text does not tell us that Jesus actually did not agree that taxes should be payed to the Romans. You can speculate but it is not in the text or context. Yes the text suggests they were trying to get him to say something that would get him in trouble. But so what? He states that you should pay taxes because the emperor has authority (his image is on the coins). Also the obsession with possible enslavement by men is an American thing. Enslavement in the New Testement is that by sin. You are either slave to the Devil wo gets you to follow the flesh/sinful human nature or you are slave to God who gets you to live according to his will. Another verse says you can not have Mammon as master as well as God, which is to say you that you should not be consumed by greed. The New Testament says nothing about resistance to the Romans. It would not pay off in any case and have lead to unneccasary suffering. Here is the thing: you can hold your political views. Just understand the New Testament does not talk about that. It is a very old library. When it was written the United States nor its politics did not exist. Wanting to get an opinion on that from the Bible would be like trying to find out what brand and model of car is best from the Bible. It is an anachronism. If you look at the cleansing of the temple the major issue here is that business people made pofits out of poor people. The doves were sold so poor people coud make an offering and people who needed coins to pay taxes bartered for the coins paying more than its value. That is why He called them robbers. People who did not have coins would be punished so they did not have a choice but to buy coins so they could later pay taxes. The fact that He called them robbers is pivitol in understanding the text. The sin was bringing sin right on the footsteps of the meeting place with God. Where there should have been prayer there is a disrespect for the law of God which states that Israelites should not be charged interest for borrowing money. In a sense that was like challenging God. Of course the religious leaders were cooperating with the Romans for benefits. Power operates in a similar fashion throughout history. The violent, the brute usually wins. Few people resist when five people come and punch them in the face. That is axactly the danger of hate politics. Whether you are right or not, people will cooperate from fear and then because benefits and power will come to the ones that cooperate it will quickly perpetuate. "Christian" nationalism is exactly that. It is a perversion of biblical christianity. It is taking the name of Christ in vain - trying to use the authority of God for your own purposes. However hard people try to make Jesus look like Rambo, he never killed a person even though as Son o God he could destroy people with a word. That is not the message of Christ. He is servant, healer, moral teacher and Savior of all nations. And he does that by his death not by killing. When he cleanse the temple his anger is much less than fits the crime. The holy place where God meets men should be sacred place. Yet men directly made it unholy. But as with the rest of his ministry He shows forgiveness and patience and humility. He judges the religious leaders for being self righteous and not showing mercy to the man that was helped by the hated and despised Samaritan. He declared that God lets his sun come up over good and evil men and that our love should be lik that because that is what perfect love is. The fact that the Bible contradicts the teachings of the political hate doctrine is so obvious that it is surprising that people fall for it. If only christians actually read the New Testament in its entirety much of the christian nationalism would have fallen away. Those who lead astray bet on the lack of knowkedge or maybe people just do not care about truth. Who knows.
I don't practice Christian nationalism. I'm a Christian but I'm also a nationalist as far as patriotic and believing in my country's borders and traditions.
Anyone is welcome to argue that a country's border should be secured. It is not a biblical idea though. Not caring at all about people who are looking for asylum would definitely be against Old and New Testament thought. The Old Testament specifically says Israelites must love the alien because the were once slaves in Egypt. The text adds: "I am the Lord Your God" thereby indicating that it is God's direct command and thus that no one dares contradict it. Also there is nothing wrong with traditions as long it is not against christian ethics. Of course forcing specific traditions on others is another story. Lastly it is not only a biblical law but an international law that people should be helped. Now you might not like this or agree with it but it is what the Bible says.
Jesus is indeed Lucifer the Morning Star, which is why Isaiah 14:12 lists Lucifer as the Morning Star and then Jesus calls himself the Morning Star in Rev 22:16. The reason Christards fail to see the obvious is because they are brainwashed by their churches into reading the Bible BACKWARDS and reading the New Testament BEFORE the Old Testament. We read books from FRONT TO BACK for a reason, and that is because you can't possibly understand the end of a book that you don't understand the beginning of. And it is not even possible to fully understand a book from reading the LAST QUARTER of it. With that being said...----> Adam and Eve were NOT first, and the 2 stories of Creation in Genesis are NOT about the same Creation as the Christian church teaches. GOD makes people on the 6th day of Creation in Genesis 1:26. Then in Genesis chapter 2 God rests, God sanctifies the 7th day, and then the LORD God of Israel creates Adam and Eve on the 7th day of Creation. To work on the 7th day that God has blessed and sanctified is BLASPHEMY, which is what makes the LORD God SATAN the LORD of this world. That also makes clear that Adam and Eve were NOT FIRST, they were made second. Doesn't the 6th day of Creation come BEFORE the 7th day of Creation?----> The family lineage that begins with Adam and ends with Jesus is the family lineage made by SATAN the LORD God, not God. That's why Isaiah 14:12 lists Lucifer as the Morning Star, and then Jesus calls himself the Morning Star in Rev 22:16. Jesus was Lucifer in the flesh, not God in the flesh. Jesus is Lucifer the Morning Star! Go to my channel for more details... That NEW WORLD Order that Alex Jones and other GOP Christards pretend to fight is really the goal of Christianity otherwise known as the NEW EARTH (Isaiah 65:17, Isaiah 66:22, 2 Peter 3:13, Rev 21:1) to be ruled by the New Jerusalem. The New Earth is where the nations are destroyed and massed together for a world government that will be on the shoulders of Jesus. Well, isn't the New World Order a world government as well? And gee, New Earth even sounds exactly like New World, doesn't it? That is not a coincidence, the New Earth is indeed the New World Order. It's all right there in your NEW WORLD Translation Bible if you actually bothered to read it...
If you're referring to Hitler as being the past form of racist nationalism I invite you to consider who Getmany allied themselves with. Italy (not white), Japan (not white), the Muslims ( not white) and on and on non whites fought with Hitler. Research my man, research.
Having a common enemy is the best way to make an alliance. Like Germany turned on the Soviet Union, the other axis powers would have eventually waged battle on each other.
I wish that instead of "pledging" to a flag we would pledge to the U.S. Constitution. Without that, the flag can mean anything you want it to. (And often does).
Great idea! I never thought of that, but still my only allegiance is to Jesus. If one believes in the Constitution, they will not harass or judge people who don't want to say the Pledge.
Mr. Mohler, I did not think you would nail this one, but you absolutely did. Thank you for that great answer.
Oh yeah, this is an important issue to get right. Found this video researching the term Christian Dominionism, which I discovered in a Vox video talking about the storming of the Capitol.
Thank you for delineating Christianity and nationalism. My husband and I have been feeling very uneasy at church as my pastor has begun leaning more toward nationalism than Christianity in his sermons. In this age of divisiveness, Christ unites us; nationalism divides and judges those unlike the predominant figures. I want no part of that. I love my country (America), but I love Christ more. My allegiance is to both, but where nationalism divides, Christ unites all nations and tongues.
I think you completely missed Dr. Mohler's point. The nationalism is good on it's original definition. The nationalism defined by the new left is bad. The left defines nationalism differently than conservative Christians.
@@thomasc9036 I do think that Sheryn Ngofa did miss Mohler's point, but I do not think I did in my comments. I'm curious - what do you think of what I wrote, if you can find it.
@@fullerming While I agree with some of your points, I think my foundational premises and yours differ. Modern pastors are just pale imitations of the Reformation pastors. In Act 17:26, God reveals that He created nations and set boundaries. The boundaries are good because they limit the amount of evil within their boundaries (read Daniel and empires). Nations are God's GOOD plan and are under His providence as necessary separations in the fallen world. Christians defined nationalism as GOOD while secular intellectuals’ version is the twisted version of the Christian concept.
Modern Christians confuse theonomy with ecclesiarchy. The Bible clearly teaches that Christian nationalism should be “the theonomy is good” while “the ecclesiarchy is bad”. When Jesus said "go and make disciples of all nations", most "modern" Christians only think of sharing the gospel to build churches. That's a 20th-century missionary concept. That’s not how our ancestors approached missions and they were right. They didn’t just target commoners but followed the FULL command of Jesus “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel”. They boldly preached to kings and chiefs just as Paul was commanded to do by Jesus Himself. Modern missionaries go to remote villages completely giving up on targeting leaders. They already gave up on preaching to leaders before they started.
Just to give you a perspective as a Korean American, when missionaries from the UK and US came to Korea in the 19th century, they asked for audiences with the king and leaders. Some of them were martyred but their mission efforts were bold and fully trusting in the command of Jesus. They preached to all people and many leaders and scholars were converted. These converted leaders and their children became future leaders of independent Korea.
All men are religious. You serve the one true God, serve imaginary gods, or serve yourselves as gods. In a nation, whoever has the most influence will dictate the law and morality. In Israel, God said child sacrifices are evil and he will punish those who commit these abominations. Molech and Baal said child sacrifices are good and will be rewarded with rain and fertility. That sounds awfully like America. This whole multiculturalism or multi-religion coexisting peacefully within a nation is a farcical imagination. Modern America lives under the law of secularism and liberal Christianity/Reformed Judaism. They are imposing their laws on true Christians.
In Matthew 28:28, Jesus also commanded “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you”. Is that just within the Church or are Christians commanded observe and follow this into the nations as leaders as well?
@@thomasc9036 uh uhhh!! Nationalism isn't Biblical in The Church and there are no Scriptures that commands christian's to be nationalists. We are citizen's of Heaven says Scripture! Jesus told us to Love our neighbor and to Love our enemies. Jesus told His disciples that what you do the least of these (the sick, the hungry, the stranger) you did it unto Jesus. One cannot be a disciple of Christ and be Politcal because they would be double minded and fall into hypocrisy. The Apostles Peter and Paul were not republicans or democrats or patriots or any such false worldly identity. They were too focused on The Great Commission and didn't involve themselves with the worlds problems and concerns.
@@andrewortiz5797 Really? Nations are ordained by God himself (Genesis 11). God called Abraham to build a nation. God gave the OT to the nations of Israel. Jesus taught us to give Caesar what is Caesar's. Do you pay taxes to Russia or your own country?
God bound people to nations because we need order and laws to flourish. Jesus commanded Paul to take the good news to Kings. Paul called upon his Roman citizenship.
Nationalism is good for human flourishing. It contains our evil, gives us order, and bounds us to structures.
In order for all citizens to belong, they must all have equal rights. This is what the constitution attempts to do. Particularly with respect to religion. The constitution gives no preference to any religion. A christian nationalist, whether they state it or not wants the christian to have more importance. Christians should respond by being grateful for their freedom to practice their religion and accept any other (legal) religious practice. Forcing the nation to be christian infringes on the rights of other religious group.
Don't forget the irreligious.
Congrats! Your now a radical Socialist/Communist/Anti-Theist/Satanist/Liberal/Groomer/Child-Molesting Anti-Christian. Who wants to persecute Christians.
That is NOT what Christian nationalists believe. Your position is very much influenced by Godless, Christian hating secularists views. How well is that going for us? It’s a ridiculous idea that tyranny prone, idol-maker unbelievers hold to a neutral position that will allow the religion Scripture teaches that they hate to operate “freely” in their society. How naive and anti-Biblical it is to believe Christianity should not be the influential source of law-making and a sense of national pride.
I think Jesus might have a different definition of “neighbor” than many of us in the US. Jesus once said, “love your neighbor as yourself”. Then, when asked “who is my neighbor?” he told a story about someone from a different, hated, and marginalized ethnic group (Samaritans) acting mercifully to one of their own after others had passed him by. Jesus then finished off by saying, “which of these was a neighbor?” Jesus flipped the question asked him on its head, and the man who was looking for self-justification (“who am I required to be a neighbor to in order to fulfill the Law?”) was instead left with a story that asked, “What if you were the one hurting and desperate? Would you want someone else to help you? Then be that to others, even across cultural lines.”
The Jews, being a stiff necked people; had taken the ceremonial laws to extremes. They wouldn't help the guy who had been beaten because it would have made them ceremonially unclean. Love your neighbor does not mean you have to have open borders and anti-natal policies that make you a minority in your own country.
@@russellfrankland7335 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
How fucking stupid can Christians get its right here you god damn ignoramus. YOUR GOD CALLED YOU TO LOVE EVERYONE ALL THE TIME EVEN TOO YOUR OWN DETRIMENT. IF A STRANGER ASKS FOR YOUR COAT HGIVE HIM YOUR BEAT ONE. IF YOU WANT TO FOLLOW ME, GO SELL ALL YOUR BELONGINGS, GIVE THE POCEEDS TO THE POOR, THEN COME AND FOLLOW ME. YOU PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN THE LORDS NAME AND PERVERTED IT INTO A HATEFUL SEXIST, RACIST, IMPERIALISTIC THING OF EVIL AND PAIN.
@@berryblackwater3406 What does any of that have to do with the country's immigration policies, and policies around the birth rate?
@@russellfrankland7335 How dense are you? "I was a stranger and you invited me in" "‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ You are too treat the stranger and immigrant the exact same as you would if your god himself walked in and asked.
@@berryblackwater3406 There really is not much political advice in the bible. Nothing about if we should be a Republic or a Monarchy, or a Democracy. There is nothing about what the tax rate ought to be, how fast the speed limit should be or anything about a nation's ideal immigration policy.
Thoughts on the American and Christian flags displayed in Baptist churches?
Jon Wellman: It is difficult to picture any type of government flag in either a Jewish or Messianic Jewish synagogue in New Testament times.
I am put off by seeing national flags in houses of worship.
@@Time_Chance they fly israeli flags all the time
As a pastor I oppose nationalism and it is disturbing how common this is in America. I did my PhD work on this topic and concluded all nationalism is idolatrous. I do not fully agree with Mohler-he is more political than I feel is right, but more thoughtful than most. Jesus said no man can serve two masters, and believers are to be fully committed to His Kingdom. Importantly, the marks of a faithful church include multiethnic unity. This s supra-cultural. If you emphasize any national identity you are excluding others. What a shame so many Americans are blind to this, and eve worse that so many Christians are being deceived to follow Trump, who seems demon possessed, and White Nationalism, which is completely unbiblical. The influence of Catholic nationalists on Fox News is the main reason. The so-called Christian flag does not solve this problem in any way.
@Samwell You can start by reading “One Nation under God” by John Wilsey-a Baptist theologian. He writes more on the notion (false) that America is or ever was a Christian nation, and explains the actual separation of church and state our Constitution set up (what my ancestors came to America for), but he does a good job getting to the problem as it exists in America, where conservative pundits have convinced many that we “lost” something we once “had.” But the idea of nationalism as idolatry and the theology of nations is something I am working on for later publication.
The work of the Gospel is to make peace between men and God, and wherever a heart
surrenders to God the spirit of militarism and nationalism must go. {November 26, 1896}
Yes. Thank you.
Dr. Mohler, you said that “We owe something to everyone. Everyone in the world is our neighbor but we owe more to our neighbor next-door in terms of proximity.” (6:24). I totally agree with you. However, proximity is very dynamic. You said you travelled to lots of countries in Europe. I believe, while in Europe, your ‘direct’ or ‘next-door’ neighbors were the Europeans you came into contact with, not necessarily the fellow Americans you had left in the United States during your visit to Europe. Thus, proximity is very dynamic. You owe more to everyone, depending on where you find yourself at any time.
In addition, John Piper says, “Whatever form your patriotism takes, let it be a deep sense that we are more closely bound to brothers and sisters in Christ in other countries, other cultures than we are to our closest unbelieving compatriot or family member in the fatherland or in the neighborhood. That is really crucial to feel, I think. Otherwise, I think our patriotism is drifting over into idolatry.”
This guy listened to Christ. The point of 'the good summation' isnt that YOU should help others, it is that EVERYONE is your neighbor.
Wow....😢 God is Awesome oh how great are the bonds of Christ! This is why I'm happy to be an American!!!
Bravo. This is an insight to continue to hear as much as possible to better assure one is only beholden to the Gospel of Christ if a Disciple of Christ. To the unredeemed, Constitionalist - to be beholden to that law-abiding fairness established through Christ-centered principles that one offers selfless service and accountability to that municipal residence, that city, state, country and then closest neighbor.
Good morning, fam.
Interpretation. "Render unto to Caesar what is Caesar's and render unto God what is Ceasars and under God what is God. ". " A man cannot have two masters.(God and nation)". "My kingdom is not of this world but the next." Jesus was crucified as a rebel. Are we a nation of Christians or a Christian nation? Or a Secular nation?
Which is more important, the Bible, wisdom of Jesus or the Constitution, the wisdom of men? A Christian nation or a Judeo Christian nation? In God We Trust or in Jesus some of us? Which should be "our" motto? In God We Trust or E Plugins Unium? 😇😎
America was founded on some fundamental Judeo Christian principles and virtues. John Adams himself said that the constitution was written for a good and religious people, and that it would not work for any other form of government. As such, Christians must weigh the decision to be nationalistic based on whether our culture and founding principles are worth preserving. As such, nationalism should never take the place of God in our lives, but we can express our faith in Christ as American citizens, if we believe in the virtues of our republic's founding principles. This allows us to defend the constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic; fight and even die for our country.
This is the single best defense of Christian Nationalism anywhere on the internet.
Look around. If you're willing to what a Reformed partial Preterist Calvinist might say then there are a bunch of interesting voices Doug Wilson for instance.
Maybe we should be Christian Localist? Can there be a Christian who is concerned with his city, county, & State even more so than the Nation? Is it not part of loving one's neighbor to do what we can to ensure we live by just laws, honest weights and measures, truth, etc. While at the same time, keeping our gospel focus primary and the Great Commission as chief and our identity as ultimately "in Christ"? Can it not be both/and? Everyone is arguing for either/or? Paul was a Christian and a Roman. He had dual citizenship and yet the earthly one did not drown his heavenly citizenship with worldly concerns. Jesus was a Nazarene and a Galilean and foremost He was of heaven.
We must understand, everyone don't share my understanding of the bible. We have many different religions in America because we believe in religious freedom. And the government can't tell me my interpretation of God is wrong and yours is right. America laws, can't tell me how to worship God and obey God. America has laws that govern it's citizens no matter if you're religious or not and God has laws to govern his citizens. I can live in this world but not be of it. I'm a foreign, I respect this country laws but in my home jesus is president. The loss of so many lives in America due in addition to the pandemic reminded me that my faith is my individual guide. A lot of Christians died that I know but God hasn't taken me yet because it's not his time to draw me out. This isn't a team sport, God takes us at different time, and has called us to different purposes here. We can't force our beliefs on others we are to share our beliefs with those who can receive only. God will deal with the rest, trust.
You can certainly be both Christian and an American Nationalist. Unfortunately you can't be both and be the two things that defines American government as spelled out in the Constitution. America is a republic (citizens are represented by their agents (representatives) and a democracy (all citizens vote). The Bible dictates that God is in charge of the law (not your representatives) and you don't get to choose alternatives (democratic principle). Anyone who places Christian doctrine in governance above the Constitution's prohibitions is violating the 1st Amendment's establishment clause. What does "Congress shall make no law establishing religion" mean to you? Christians are unrestrained in their belief, but highly restrained in government. America's highest law prevent it from being a Christian nation.
Basically it means there will never be a state religion, like the Church of England.
How can your clarification reach the mind of MAGA followers, especially those in Congress? They are making one disastrous decision after another which affects all of us. I pray that your words will reach their ears, hearts and minds for the good of the country.
Nationalism isn't about racial superiority. Loving your own race isn't about hating others
The stability that Mohler speaks of is in jeopardy because of the doubt in the accuracy of US voting made by a man many claim to be a "baby Christian." A strong biblical argument can easily made that stands against the idea that Christians should emphasize their patriotism over their faith and Mohler would probably agree. Yet, in practice, many evangelicals do not emphasize their faith over their patriotism but instead there is an unconscious syncretism occurring, and those on the left and those on the right have embraced it. There is no teaching of Jesus nor the Apostles that support the ideas promoted by many evangelical nationalists. Christians are called to be passionate and committed to God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. For example, read 1 Corinthians 15 : 1-58, noting in context verses 1-4, 19, and 58. What are we to give ourselves fully to or always abounding in (verse 58) and how often? What then should we be steadfast, immovable, and standing firm in? How did Paul USE his Roman citizenship (5:32-5:52)? Mohler misses the context of what's happening in Acts 22. Which part of the NEW Covenant commands or advocates nationalism, even in a balanced way as Mohler tries to present? This presentation is before January 6, 2021, but the stability Mohler speaks of has eroded. Finally, Mohler quotes Aristotle, not Jesus in the beginning of his talk (0:19) and then he condemns ethnic and ancestry-based divisions and prejudices (what most call "racism") around time 0:28 - 0:58. Yet, he takes no ownership and rejects his own identification with those he condemns.
I don't know Dr. Mohler personally, but his and many other men who think this syncretistic way about patriotism and Christianity sound uncomfortably like those Jesus condemned when he said, "So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started!" (See Matt 23 : 29-32) I don't mean to sound overly critical, I have just do not seen an overtly biblical way, especially when considering the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, to elevate nationalism. I am a US Citizen and according to Romans 13 : 1-7, I live accordingly, but ultimately, my real citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3 : 20). Christianity is overtly eschatological with a clear call to be fully engaged while in the world with people and with the work of the gospel, but not fully engaged with the work of the nation unless your job is to be a public servant; and even if your job is mayor or senator or staffer, your faith in Christ must call us to stand firmly and be unmovable about the cross of Christ. Don't get me wrong - those on the left also miss this, promoting social values and often sentimental feelings over the truth. I just don't see much of what Mohler has said about nationalism as overtly biblical., even as he tries to be balanced and even references some of the same passages I did.
so having Police & Military in Spain to arrest Cataloians is peaceful? Comeon who we kidding, the Tribalism of conflict hasn't changed it's still the same just under different mediums which don't technically call every act qualified. This is double speak of highest mental gymnastics.
We live in clown world and the clowns are starting to break out the chainsaws. Believe me, we're not going to enjoy physical persecution. The vast majority of us will just fold and deny Christ. For the rest I'll say this. With a little creative decorating you can make your catacomb feel like you're living above ground.
Very well-balanced answer; and, most importantly, BIBLICAL.
Let us not forget that there are "beasts" mentioned in Bible prophecy.
Dan. 7 speaks of four "beasts" that "rose up out of the sea"; four "beasts" means four EMPIRES: Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian, Roman...then the "little horn" (Antichrist, would arise out of the fourth, and fallen, Roman Empire).
There are TWO BEASTS mentioned in Revelation 13: a Sea Beast, and an Earth Beast.
Where does the United States come in?
I think it's pretty obvious.
*Soli Deo Gloria*
@Response to Nationalism, what's to be done with "Social Justice " the Abolitionist had a spoken Voice for that.
Well, you were mostly spot-on. I hesitate though to fall in with the pressure to try to ground patriotism in the Bible as you did. It might well be true that the nation state state has valuble in the ways you describe. The New Testament does not really deal with this question though. Given that christian lived under the thumb of Roman rule and also expected the immanent return of Christ it was not considered important to "fix" society. Arguably the statement that God gave authority to the goverment was an admonition to avoid conflict with a very harsh Roman ruling system. The overbearing message was that one should model virtue by living in peace and love with others thereby witnessessing to the glory of God. You will be hard pressed to find a treatise anywhere in the New Testament to that effect. Also the idea that the family is the basic building block is not really under discussion. The family is taken for granted, predictably. The Church is really the the bigger unit that is being talked about and that is tied up with Christ and the new humanity. Since christians lived under an oppressive government it is also predictable that there would not be love lost for the Roman empire. It is clear though that they were pacifists. It does not mean we have to be or that we should not have different views. It is just that it is not there. We should refrain from using the Bible to justify what we belief in. I say fine: love your country. It is just not Christian or unchristian as long as you do not transgress on the law of love to God and others, including your enemy. The pressure to be a patriot is high though and might lead people to accuse one of disloyalty and even treason at times. I can see why people almost always justify patrotism. In a sense it seems a bit idolatrous from New Testament perspective given the shift away from a land based religion to a universal one, I do not suggest though to challenge a concept that you can fill with whatever you want. It is a no issue unless support of it leads to crimes against aliens or minorities. Then it becomes a pressing responsibility to fight it.
We belong to Christ, and our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).
Therefore, we are "strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (Hebrews 11:13-16).
Mohler is wrong. I have an ultimate allegiance to my God. To make my nation Christian.
If Jesus Christ came down from the Heavens, would you become a Christian Nationalist?
Jesus wouldn't be a Christian Nationalist, so no.
nationalism is your ally
No one mentioned race in the question. So what the hell is the first part of your question. You just equated nationalism with racism and that's a manipulation. Nationalism does not equal racism necessarily. You use a few glittering generalities in your speech also to make yourself a standard for "Christian". I really wish you would just answer the question rather than campaign for an office.
Come on Al.
Nation is the Blood. Even among the tribes of Israel the tribes kept their unique identities even though they were the same ethnicity. Racial/Ethnic Nationalism is Biblical. From the beginning to end. Separation is Not hate it's Love for your own people and culture. Amen
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
Revelation 7:9-10 KJV
The latest update from god came from jesus. Maybe you should bounce your pitch of division against the sermon on the mount.
All Scripture is God-breathed. The latest update is the entire N.T. Christian Scriptures.
@@maxstrange7606 Unless you're Mormon. Or Jehovah's Witness. Or Muslim. Or...
*In the Bible the "nations" are the heathen* [unbelievers]. The Hebrew word which is often rendered "nations" is the identical word from which the word "heathen" always comes. Perhaps Psalm 96:5 makes the case as clear as may be to the English reader. "For all the gods of the nations are idols; but the Lord made the heavens." Here it is very evident that the "nations" are heathen. In Psalm 2:1 where we read, "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?" The Revision has it. "Why do the
nations rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?" Such an idea as a "Christian nation" is as much a contradiction of terms as a "Christian heathen."
A "nation" in God's use of the term, when speaking of earthly nations, is a collection of heathen. So what the Jews really said was this: "We will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the heathen." That was what they wanted, because all other people acknowledged other gods than Jehovah, and all the people on earth, with the exception of Israel, had kings over them. The Danish Bible renders 1 Sam. 8:20 plainly, "We will also be like all the heathen;" and the German of Luther still more pointedly has it, "That we also may be like all other heathen." {1900, EVCO}
What about the word "ethnos"?
@@russellfrankland7335 Excellent observation! Context is always important, of course. When Jesus says "nation will rise against nation" it's not saying the USA against another nation as we know it, but "ethnos [race/tribe] will rise against ethnos [race/tribe]" (Matthew 24:7). Yet the world has boundaries, usually won by wars of destruction and death--not the Christian way since Christ is the Prince of Peace. Jesus is clearer than sunlight since He is the Creator of the Sun: "Love your enemies, do GOOD to them which hate you" (Matthew 5:44).
If any say that national governments can't be managed on that principle (love your enemies, NOT kill them) they are quite right. It's only another way of saying that Christ's kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). Let's realize that we are "strangers and pilgrims on the earth" and our "citizenship is in heaven" (Hebrews 11:13-16; Philippians 3:20). Is the Savior of the WORLD a nationalist? Of course not. Let's have the "mind of Christ" and "walk just as He walked" (Philippians 2:5; 1 John 2:6). And Jesus said, "They [us as Christians] are NOT of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth" (John 17:16-17). ...blessings.
@@JohnJakeWilliam Thank you. The way I see it, we are not OF the world but we are in it; so I do not feel that there is any reason we should not engage in politics.
@@russellfrankland7335 I respect your decision. Yet it's important to be clear about this. If one votes for a candidate that is PRO-DRONE BOMBING then that person has voted for that policy. They now have taken the position of bloodshed, killing the enemy. We are called to love, feed, and give drink to the enemy (Romans 12:9-21). Christ says, "For the Son of man is NOT come to destroy men's lives, but to save them" (Luke 9:51-56). We are also called to be a "witness" (martyrion in the Greek). This is the squeeze, if you will, how many politicians are for feeding and sharing Jesus with the enemy, not killing them? We have somehow legitimized politics as if Jesus is taking sides. Jesus is looking for disciples, not politicians who never say the name of Christ. "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden" (Matthew 5:14). ... blessings.
@@JohnJakeWilliam I feel there are justifiable wars as a general principle; however at this time I am for peace, I do not feel that our nation is fighting wars for our benefit but for that of the nation state of Israel. In terms of politics, I would support an agenda of banning gay marriage, abolishing abortion as an institution, censoring pornography, and establishing pro-natal and anti-immigration policies to ensure a White majority in America in perpetuity. Generally I keep religion and politics separate but I do think it would be wise to have prayer in schools, and I would like America to be a Christian country.
Firstly, the story of Jesus addressing the taxation trick question objectively DOES NOT endorse obligation to Caesar or a nation! The trick question was meant to either elicit a yes to taxes= Jesus's support for a idolatrous theocratic oppressor of Jews. Or a no to taxes= grounds for provoking Roman punishment for dissent. The answer Jesus gave was "Give all things to whom they belong!" By forcing the choice back on those who knew the God of Israel and KNEW all things belong to the Lord alone, they walked away stunned. HOW could anyone claim that a Holy figure such as Jesus, who spent much of his ministry hiding from the Romans supported their taxes?! As a theocratically blended government, the taxes went DIRECTLY to the temples of false Gods! FURTHERMORE, Jesus asks the inquiring spies who pose the taxation trick to read the coins inscription. Almost to drive HOME the point here, Caesar foolishly had a message on the denarii claiming he was divine. How much more blasphemous could it get???
The modern Christian marriage to government and the afforded worldly niche it enjoys therein rots away any attempts to even question the human "masters".
Jesus said "A man can only have one master, for if they attempt more they will surely for sake both in time and please none," (paraphrased) this DOES NOT mean a Earthly master and Heavenly one as those who would like to get creative with scripture claim! ONRE MASTER! The acceptance of status quo complacency and rhetorically diluted biblical readings within the church has made a lap dog of the multitudes whose duty is to establish the Kingdom of Our One True Lord.
shame on this.
The semantic truth to secular incorporated entities (corporations, Nations, institutions, contractually formal organizations, etc) is that of an conceptually abstracted "person" imbued by it's creator (men) with profound rights which God gives exclusively to humanity. In humans partaking in a perverse mockery of creating a "living" entity which shares our unique God Given privileges, these imaginary friends with paperwork become impactful and oppressively ubiquitous secular machines of Worldly priority. All nations forsake the tenets of our Lord God, and Paul was only a man who often foolishly errors in contradicting Jesus. His letters were not even understood to be scriptural by him! It is clear that he is appealing to make peace with the false powers in the respective regions by shoehorning flimsy mouth service to "authorities" he claims God supports. You mean to say that GOD supports heretically pagan polytheistic war-thirsty nations against each-other and HIMSELF! yet the authority of virtually every commandment in the OT is just arbitrarily null? This IS NOT what Jesus taught! When it comes to the Christ Jesus vs the man Paul, I chose Jesus EVERY TIME
If you reaad the Old Testament it often portrays God as using another nation to punish the people of God. If God is almighty it is to be understood that even foreign reign is allowed by God for his puposes. This idea is a frequent theme in the Old Testament. When Jesus teach his disciples he prays that God will let his kingdom come, not for courage to overthrow the Roman government. Also tithing was taxation. So taxation is not against the bible. Also the biblical text does not tell us that Jesus actually did not agree that taxes should be payed to the Romans. You can speculate but it is not in the text or context. Yes the text suggests they were trying to get him to say something that would get him in trouble. But so what? He states that you should pay taxes because the emperor has authority (his image is on the coins). Also the obsession with possible enslavement by men is an American thing. Enslavement in the New Testement is that by sin. You are either slave to the Devil wo gets you to follow the flesh/sinful human nature or you are slave to God who gets you to live according to his will. Another verse says you can not have Mammon as master as well as God, which is to say you that you should not be consumed by greed. The New Testament says nothing about resistance to the Romans. It would not pay off in any case and have lead to unneccasary suffering. Here is the thing: you can hold your political views. Just understand the New Testament does not talk about that. It is a very old library. When it was written the United States nor its politics did not exist. Wanting to get an opinion on that from the Bible would be like trying to find out what brand and model of car is best from the Bible. It is an anachronism. If you look at the cleansing of the temple the major issue here is that business people made pofits out of poor people. The doves were sold so poor people coud make an offering and people who needed coins to pay taxes bartered for the coins paying more than its value. That is why He called them robbers. People who did not have coins would be punished so they did not have a choice but to buy coins so they could later pay taxes. The fact that He called them robbers is pivitol in understanding the text. The sin was bringing sin right on the footsteps of the meeting place with God. Where there should have been prayer there is a disrespect for the law of God which states that Israelites should not be charged interest for borrowing money. In a sense that was like challenging God. Of course the religious leaders were cooperating with the Romans for benefits. Power operates in a similar fashion throughout history. The violent, the brute usually wins. Few people resist when five people come and punch them in the face. That is axactly the danger of hate politics. Whether you are right or not, people will cooperate from fear and then because benefits and power will come to the ones that cooperate it will quickly perpetuate. "Christian" nationalism is exactly that. It is a perversion of biblical christianity. It is taking the name of Christ in vain - trying to use the authority of God for your own purposes. However hard people try to make Jesus look like Rambo, he never killed a person even though as Son o God he could destroy people with a word. That is not the message of Christ. He is servant, healer, moral teacher and Savior of all nations. And he does that by his death not by killing. When he cleanse the temple his anger is much less than fits the crime. The holy place where God meets men should be sacred place. Yet men directly made it unholy. But as with the rest of his ministry He shows forgiveness and patience and humility. He judges the religious leaders for being self righteous and not showing mercy to the man that was helped by the hated and despised Samaritan. He declared that God lets his sun come up over good and evil men and that our love should be lik that because that is what perfect love is. The fact that the Bible contradicts the teachings of the political hate doctrine is so obvious that it is surprising that people fall for it. If only christians actually read the New Testament in its entirety much of the christian nationalism would have fallen away. Those who lead astray bet on the lack of knowkedge or maybe people just do not care about truth. Who knows.
You have just given your own opinion without any quotes from scripture lol.
He literally is quoting Jesus and Paul!
I don't practice Christian nationalism. I'm a Christian but I'm also a nationalist as far as patriotic and believing in my country's borders and traditions.
But you don't use your bible to justify it? I find that hard to believe.
Anyone is welcome to argue that a country's border should be secured. It is not a biblical idea though. Not caring at all about people who are looking for asylum would definitely be against Old and New Testament thought. The Old Testament specifically says Israelites must love the alien because the were once slaves in Egypt. The text adds: "I am the Lord Your God" thereby indicating that it is God's direct command and thus that no one dares contradict it. Also there is nothing wrong with traditions as long it is not against christian ethics. Of course forcing specific traditions on others is another story. Lastly it is not only a biblical law but an international law that people should be helped. Now you might not like this or agree with it but it is what the Bible says.
Jesus is indeed Lucifer the Morning Star, which is why Isaiah 14:12 lists Lucifer as the Morning Star and then Jesus calls himself the Morning Star in Rev 22:16. The reason Christards fail to see the obvious is because they are brainwashed by their churches into reading the Bible BACKWARDS and reading the New Testament BEFORE the Old Testament. We read books from FRONT TO BACK for a reason, and that is because you can't possibly understand the end of a book that you don't understand the beginning of. And it is not even possible to fully understand a book from reading the LAST QUARTER of it. With that being said...----> Adam and Eve were NOT first, and the 2 stories of Creation in Genesis are NOT about the same Creation as the Christian church teaches. GOD makes people on the 6th day of Creation in Genesis 1:26. Then in Genesis chapter 2 God rests, God sanctifies the 7th day, and then the LORD God of Israel creates Adam and Eve on the 7th day of Creation. To work on the 7th day that God has blessed and sanctified is BLASPHEMY, which is what makes the LORD God SATAN the LORD of this world. That also makes clear that Adam and Eve were NOT FIRST, they were made second. Doesn't the 6th day of Creation come BEFORE the 7th day of Creation?----> The family lineage that begins with Adam and ends with Jesus is the family lineage made by SATAN the LORD God, not God. That's why Isaiah 14:12 lists Lucifer as the Morning Star, and then Jesus calls himself the Morning Star in Rev 22:16. Jesus was Lucifer in the flesh, not God in the flesh. Jesus is Lucifer the Morning Star! Go to my channel for more details...
That NEW WORLD Order that Alex Jones and other GOP Christards pretend to fight is really the goal of Christianity otherwise known as the NEW EARTH (Isaiah 65:17, Isaiah 66:22, 2 Peter 3:13, Rev 21:1) to be ruled by the New Jerusalem. The New Earth is where the nations are destroyed and massed together for a world government that will be on the shoulders of Jesus. Well, isn't the New World Order a world government as well? And gee, New Earth even sounds exactly like New World, doesn't it? That is not a coincidence, the New Earth is indeed the New World Order. It's all right there in your NEW WORLD Translation Bible if you actually bothered to read it...
If you're referring to Hitler as being the past form of racist nationalism I invite you to consider who Getmany allied themselves with. Italy (not white), Japan (not white), the Muslims ( not white) and on and on non whites fought with Hitler. Research my man, research.
Having a common enemy is the best way to make an alliance. Like Germany turned on the Soviet Union, the other axis powers would have eventually waged battle on each other.
Nationalism is awesome.