t is not the general nature of this blog to speak on political events or idealogies. However, from time to time, I find myself compelled to address certain things of a political nature from a Christian perspective.
Sometimes that results in a very unpopular view. There are certain things that are “fashionable” for Christians to hold to here in America. Speaking out against those things is often misconstrued as speaking out against Christianity itself. Or, at best, one is viewed as a political liberal, and therefore not a good Christian.
The “War on Terror” is one such issue. It has the ability to polarize people so quickly. And while I don’t seek to make a case for or against the current military action, I do think it is high time that those of us who are citizens of the Kingdom of God consider the tightrope that we must walk in balancing our American citizenship with our Heavenly citizenship.
Recently, someone sent me one of those ubiquitous “forwards” in email. You know exactly the type of thing I’m talking about. The type that ends with “If you believe this, send it on to everyone you know.” The email was entitled “Could Not Be Said Better”, and is quoted here only in part:
Written by a housewife from New Jersey and sounds like it! This is one ticked off lady.
“Are we fighting a war on terror or aren’t we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001?
Were people from all over the world, mostly Americans, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan , across the Potomac from our nation’s capitol and in a field in Pennsylvania ? Did nearly three thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn’t they?
And I’m supposed to care that a copy of the Koran was “desecrated” when an overworked American soldier kicked it or got it wet?…Well, I don’t. I don’t care at all.
I’ll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11.
I’ll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere possession of which is a crime in Saudi Arabia
I’ll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of nirvana care about the innocent children within range of their suicide bombs.
In the meantime, when I hear a story about a brave marine roughing up an Iraqi terrorist to obtain information, know this: I don’t care.
When I see a fuzzy photo of a pile of naked Iraqi prisoners who have been humiliated in what amounts to a college-hazing incident, rest assured: I don’t care.
When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank: I don’t care.
When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and fed “special” food that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being “mishandled,” you can absolutely believe in your heart of hearts: I don’t care.
And of course, the email finished with these “noble” statements:
If you agree with this viewpoint, pass this on to all your e-mail friends. Sooner or later, it’ll get to the people responsible for this ridiculous behavior!
If you don’t agree, then by all means hit the delete button. Should you choose the latter, then please don’t complain when more atrocities committed by radical Muslims happen here in our great country!
…Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American G. I.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.YOU MIGHT WANT TO PASS THIS ON, AS MANY SEEM TO FORGET BOTH OF THEM. AMEN
Now, I realize that these types of sentiments are very popular. However, after giving it a lot of thought and prayer, I composed a reply to person who had sent it on to me. I didn’t touch on the idea that I found equating the death of an American G.I. with the death of Jesus quite offensive. But at any rate, here was the reply I sent to my friend:
Greetings! It’s been quite a while since we corresponded personally. I have felt for several days, however, since receiving this particular forwarded email from you, that I needed to share something on my heart with you. After much prayer, and attempts at writing that have been abandoned, I am finally taking the plunge to share these thoughts with you.
I pray that you will receive them in the spirit in which they are intended. Having said that, feel free to test my words yourself and accept or reject them as you feel led by the Spirit of God.
Since 9/11, it has become increasingly difficult to see our Christianity as anything but enmeshed in our American citizenship. In other words, our patriotism and feelings of support for our country have blurred the lines between our citizenship in the USA and our citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven.
One very unfortunate side effect of this is that the War on Terror (among other things) has become a “religious war”, as evidenced by the email you forwarded below.
I can only assume, based on the closing remarks in the email, that you forwarded it on because you agree with the contents of it. And it is those contents to which I am responding.
It is very easy to get passionate about our country. It is very easy to see this war as something that is not only necessary, but right. And overall, the point of my response is not to question that. However, I think it is vitally important that we who claim the name of Christ are willing to evaluate our thoughts and feelings alongside the teachings of the very Christ whose name we bear.
Jesus spoke about how we should view our enemies. And what He spoke was pretty direct. He said that we should love those who hate us. Consider this passage (Matthew 5:38-48):
“You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Many of the statements included in the email you forwarded are in direct opposition to these words of Jesus. Would you agree?
“I’ll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in….”
“I’ll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Bible….”
“I’ll care when these thugs tell the world they are sorry….”
I think you can see my point. The sentiments expressed in these statements that I’ve referenced are of the nature of “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth”. This is starkly contrasted by the words of Jesus. If I could paraphrase the words of Jesus a tad, “if you only care about those who first care about you, what reward do you have?”
Give it some thought. I’d be open to any disagreement or discussion that you have regarding this. I know the forwarded email said to just delete it if I disagreed, but I feel like my relationship to you as a brother in Christ calls for something different.
I sincerely hope and pray that my words here are not offensive to you. And I deeply regret that my first “personal” email to you in several years is to take issue with a forwarded email that you have sent on.
May God bless you, and may His Spirit allow whatever truth may be in my words here to be seen, and the grace to identify and correct whatever I may have spoken in error.
“Finally…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
What do you, my readers, think?Until next time,
steve 
Thanks for sharing that, Steve. I’ve received that particular “forward,” along with several others which express similar sentiments. Each time I shake my head, think of a response along the lines of yours (though not nearly so polite and well thought out), then shake my head again and opt not to “get into it” with whichever well intentioned (I assume) but misguided (IMHO) friend passed along the email.
Steve -
Well-said! **applause**
Between the intense hatred of Muslims and the ever-increasing hatred of the Latino and Hispanic community, I am more than just a little irritated. Just the other day I read where someone seems to think that the problem Americans have with undocumented workers is that they will take over the US and make this a Catholic nation. How absurd! I think these issues are just excuses people come up with for plain, unadulterated hatred, not to mention political grandstanding at the expense of people. I wonder what will be next?
~Heather
Steve,
Thank you for expressing your thoughts on this matter, and in doing so, my own heart.
I well remember the wrath of a deacon in a local church who become unbelievably angry because I suggested that Osama B.L’s. greatest need, and that of those he represents, is a saving encounter with Jesus Christ, and that they need our prayer rather than our hatred.
We, in the Western world have had the privilege of free access to God’s word, as well as freedom to abuse the precious offer it presents. For most of the Muslims, they have not had such freedom, and when the Spirit of God does enter their life, they risk losing their very life.
When Christians take upon themselves a secular state’s view of war, or enmity, they literally sell out to Satan.
Aren’t the deceived Muslim “martyrs” more to be pitied than hated, dying for a promise which will never be fulfilled?
In a situation which is more about revenge than just retribution, we are well advised when God says,”Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY, says the Lord. BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
I have to agree. There is a godly form of nationalism that is found when Christians seek to spiritually steward the nation (as an extension of stewarding the family, the neighborhood, the city, and the region). And then there is an ungodly form of nationalism that is idolatrous in nature. It is idolatrous because it puts our nationalism ahead of God’s ways and His nature. Jesus never preached an “us and them” mentality. And I see a lot of that “us and them” mentality in the American church. I think partly, this is a racism issue. And partly, it’s a revenge issue. From heaven’s perspective, the life of a muslim Iraqi man is equally as valuable as the life of a World Trade Center worker (regardless of their faith). The only response I would have to the author of the email is, “God cares.” It is sad that we don’t care about what He cares about. How can we say we are “Christians” (Christ followers, little Christs) when we do not reflect His values, or His nature?
Great post Steve!
I’m tired of getting these forwards from well meaning Christians too. I think the problem is that we (I) don’t think before we (I) speak. You’re dead on, Jesus would never have sent a message like that. Hopefully the brother that sent this to you will receive it as you sent it and not take it as an offense. You’re response to him was well written and full of grace.
Blessings to you…
Brandon
Brilliant, Steve! I especially appreciate the heart and tone of your response. Does the person who sent this to you have a family member or close friend in the military? We receive these kinds of emails (though not this particular one) from my husband’s cousin (whose husband is in the military) and from a dear friend (whose son is currently serving overseas in the military). Both are believers, but I really have no idea how to respond to them because it’s such a deeply personal issue to them. We haven’t talked about it, and I guess they assume I agree with them – hence the emails. Will you share what kind of response you receive from your friend?
Thank you all for your good responses. I did receive a very gracious response from my friend. That was a relief to me.
All of you have made excellent points here, and I’m unable time-wise right now to respond to each of them. But please know that I appreciate all that was said here, and appreciate the remarks.
Aussie John’s comments made me think of Ananias and Saul. Can you imagine God saying to one of us to do what Ananias did for Saul to one of America’s enemies? It’s not so much how it would be for us, but what a majority of Americans would think of the act. I think that is pretty telling.
Steve,
Great post. This certainly is a common issue. I recall a previous post regarding PACs (Political Action Committees) a while back. Same kind of thing. These e-mails can have a certain appeal to our “Americanism” but you’re right Steve, we must be true to Christ first. I too am encouraged/impressed by the graciousness of your response. It was to the point yet in a very Christ honoring way.
Thank you for sharing things like this. Thank you for being a brother in Christ!
-marty
“As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.”
Ezekiel 33:11
Obviously our Father doesn’t get any delight from the death terrorists, murderers, or anyone else. Why then should we? If we long to be like our Father then the passage that you quoted in your post should point us in the right direction…
“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
The death or hurt of any of God’s image-bearers is a terrible and tragic thing that is not to be celebrated, but rather mourned.
Amen.
Steve,
I have actually written and deleted (a couple of times) a post about patriatism, politics, and christianity. I have not made any further attempts at writing one, but it has remained in the front of my mind for a couple of weeks. I just haven’t been able to write it in such a way that didn’t make me sound like a total butt. Having read this post, I have a feeling we lean in similar directions. I thank God for those who have the boldness to stand up with Christ and for Christ.
God’s Glory,
Lew A
Steve,
This post has really resonated with me. I am sorry it has taken me a while to respond. Its amazing the racist and bigoted tendencies we varnish over with God-speak.
I think we are talking basic human rights here and the prevalent “not for America you’re against her” attitude (which is tantamount to being anti-Christian) of these types of forwards is indicative of the general sentiment of many people who I like to call anti-patriots. I think patriotism has more to do with courage, strength, wisdom, sobriety, and certainty. The forwarded email drastically misunderstands those things. Celebrate racial inequity? Celebrate torture? Celebrate bravado? Celebrate a lack of compassion? Celebrate murder? No, this email proves that its not about who they are–its about who we are as a people.
I have never received that particular email, but dozens just like it (most from church members!). As many times as I have thought about responding as you did, I just didn’t have the courage.
Mike, the story of Saul and Ananias is a great example. I often think of how Barnabas vouched for Paul, but Ananias also deserves a lot of credit.
marty, you are very kind. Thank you for your words of encouragement!
Raborn, great to see you here, bro! You are correct about the need to mourn, rather than celebrate. I think you and I had a similar discussion here in our home shortly after Saddam was executed. As I recall, we were agreeing with Tony’s post on the issue.
Good words, my friend!
Lew, I have yet to see anything in your writing that makes you look like a total butt!!
You are an encouragement to me, and I am always glad to know when my writing meets other people’s thoughts.
Glad to have you here.
Tony, I’m glad it resonated with you. Maybe you’ll have the courage to respond to others now.
Responding to stuff is always a tricky issue, so I certainly understand the comments from several here about not knowing how to respond, or not being able to respond graciously.
One only need check out my more recent post on “Manipulation in the Name of Christ?” to see a response that takes a bit of a harder line on an issue.
Glad to have you here, Tony. You’re a blessing! I hope we get the chance to enjoy some Starbucks together again someday soon!
I appreciated your response to your friend. When I look at the ways in which many Christians have reacted to the mess in the middle east, I am reminded of Jonah, and the object lesson God gave him. “Should I not be concerned?” has been a call for me since the 1987 Urbana conference. That Ninevah was across the river from modern day Mosul has brought that object lesson home to me in the evening news.
Christians fail miserably when we seek retribution, returning evil for evil. Today we face a very difficult object lesson in just what it means to turn the other cheek.
Thanks.
Thank you for your wonderful response. I am not a Christian, or even a theist, but I still find a lot of wisdom in the word’s of Jesus. It saddens me that so many purported followers of his do not seem to get his message. I have, unfortunately, received many forwards like that housewife’s that end in a “agree or shut up”-style message. It is hard to reply to those, especially when they are sent by friends and family. And, it is especially saddening and disappointing in those cases. It is so wonderful to see someone standing up for what is right, particularly when it is not the popular stance. While neither those forwards nor your response affect my theological beliefs, you have given me just a bit more hope for humankind. Thank you again.
Anonymous,
Thank you for your very kind response. Feel free to read and comment anytime here. One is not required to be a Christian or a theist in order to participate in conversations here, especially when they have the tone that you have in this comment!
steve
David R.,
Thank you, as well, for your response. Sorry I did not respond sooner. I actually managed to have a discussion with you on another blog before getting back to my own blog to respond to you!!! hehe
Today we face a very difficult object lesson in just what it means to turn the other cheek.
This gets my vote as the understatement of the day!