How Would Jesus Celebrate Independence Day?

Chris —  July 4, 2011

Jesus does not often address the State, except for his famous words on taxes “render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.”  It seems that Jesus is drawing a clear line between the State and the Kingdom of God.  The State is an unavoidable part of life, with its requirements, but it is neither from God nor for God.  Notice that Jesus did not say “when you serve your country, you are serving God.”

Paul and his contemporaries continued to undermine the state.  Phrases salted throughout the New Testament like “Jesus is Lord” are a direct mockery of the political slogans of the day such as “Caesar is Lord.”

The church of the next few centuries saw itself as it’s own nation.  Origen said that  “in each city” the church formed “another sort of country, created by the Logos of God.”  Tertullian pulled no punches saying, “Nothing is more foreign to us than the State.

It’s easy to see why the early church found themselves in direct opposition to their host.  They were worshipping Jesus in a empire that mandated the worship of many gods, including Caesar.  They were actively breaking down barriers such as Jews, Greeks, slaves, free, male and female.  Looking to Jesus teachings, they refused violence, and shied away from military service.

But aren’t there drastic consequences if we don’t love our country?  When Origen was hit with the accusation that if everyone acted like Christians the entire empire would go to rot, he responded “If everyone were the same as I, the barbarians would also be converted to the word of God, and would be the most law abiding and mild.”  It wasn’t a question of being anti-Rome.  They just believe all the answers were found in Jesus.

So how would Jesus celebrate independence day?

I won’t pretend to speak for him on the matter.  But for me, I’m going to work like every other day of the week.  I’ll grill with some friends, because they happen to have a day off.  I’ll join with Abraham, Jesus, Paul and Tertullian, and unknown writer of Hebrews:

“They were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”

The quotes from the ancient fathers were drawn from Gerhard Lohfink’s excellent book Jesus and Community, which I read as part of the MAGL.

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