“Nationalism” new culture split for churches, says prof
"Terry York sees Christians in the United States splitting into two camps -- those who want to try to re-establish Christendom and those who refuse to wrap the cross in the flag." [→ READ ]
Culture wars threaten to divide churches in ways that make worship wars pale in comparison. …
“Fighting over what songs we sing pales beside the clash of kingdoms, and this is a kingdom clash,” he said. …
That’s indeed my view after soaking for several years in seminary study: Extolling the state-as-kingdom, which is what Christendom is, causes us to miss the whole point of the “kingdom of God” metaphor.
Many Christians who reject the nationalistic approach to worship are fiercely patriotic, said York, an ex-Marine who grew up in a military family.
“If a military officer came in the room, I would stand up. But if Jesus walked in, I would fall down on my face,” he said. “It’s all about knowing the difference between what we stand up for and what we bow down to.”
Boldface mine. This is the lesson of a lifetime.
[via Jules]
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