Category Archives: Citizenship

A Theology of Foreignness

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1930_Jewish_immigrants_to_PalestineI’m working on a summary of the biblical teachings on “foreignness.” Here are some initial thoughts. I’d really like your feedback:

The theme of aliens and strangers courses throughout the biblical narrative. Many of God’s people lived as aliens. Some emigrated to other countries for economic reasons (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob); some were taken forcibly (Joseph, Daniel, Ezekiel, Esther, Ezra, Nehemiah); some moved from a desire to form part of God’s people (Rahab, Ruth); others went seeking refuge from violence (Moses, David, Jesus’ family). The willingness to live as an alien is a praiseworthy trait in the Bible (Hebrews 11:13–16). In fact, all Christians are called to live in such a manner (1 Peter 2:11).

In the same way, the Bible praises those who welcome strangers. To this day, nomadic cultures value highly the norm of hospitality, the receiving of guests. People like Abraham, Rahab, Boaz (edited 9:47 a.m.) and Abigail show the value God places on treating strangers well. The Law forbids the mistreatment of aliens (Exodus 22:21; 23:9) and actually demands that God’s people love aliens (Leviticus 25:23; Deuteronomy 10:19). The alien was to be cared for and provided for (Deuteronomy14:29; 16:11, 14; 26:11).

Jesus mentioned the treatment of aliens as one of the points of judgment applied to the “sheep and the goats” (Matthew 25:35, 43). The concept of “hospitality” in the New Testament is related to the receiving of strangers, both linguistically (xenodocheo, philoxenia) and by example (Hebrews 13:2).

Is our citizenship a big deal?

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I shared some thoughts on citizenship yesterday. I mentioned that I view this as an extremely important topic, even as some of my fellow Christians see it as a novelty issue, a footnote to be pondered and forgotten. Others, however, see it as a vital topic, even as they take a view opposite my own. The discussion on Facebook centered around a new book and video series, done by a Church of Christ group, focusing on returning America to the principles of the Founding Fathers. In fact, it’s common to find Christian groups teaching on what America needs, how to keep America great, and how to promote the ideals of America around the world.

So is the topic of our citizenship important? I’m convinced more and more that it is. One reason why is the response I get to things like what I wrote yesterday. I’ve seen Christians literally shake with anger after hearing the suggestion that nationalism and patriotism are not Christian values. Loving believers turn hateful when I talk about churches of Christ returning to their pacifistic roots. Refusing to say the pledge or sing the national anthem are reason enough to question one’s spirituality. [As a side note, did you notice that you don’t even have to explain which pledge? “The pledge” is a sacred ritual among us.]

The reactions show me that this is no side issue. This is a heart issue. It touches us deeply. It touches our churches deeply.

That’s why I’m becoming more radical in my stances. There is a very real danger of serving two masters. There is a real danger of syncretism. There is a real danger of idolatry.

And I will flee from such.

Thoughts on citizenship

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The question of citizenship has come up again, this time in a group on Facebook. For some, it’s a minor issue. For me, it’s a major one.

The thread quickly spun out of control, in my opinion, and I’ve done my best to refrain from making it longer. The discussion is occurring in a group that seeks to focus on practical ministry issues, not ideological debate.

So I’ll post some random thoughts here. Some I’ve expressed before, some I haven’t.

  • The Bible never says that we should live as good citizens, at least not of any earthly country. I grew up hearing that and believing it to be true. But it’s not there. We are told to live as aliens, strangers and ambassadors… and citizens of heaven. (OK, Philippians 1:27 actually says to live as citizens, but I think the context shows Paul isn’t talking about living as good citizens of Rome)
  • Opposing American exceptionalism isn’t being anti-American. Christians should be pro-America, just like we are pro-England, pro-Afghanistan and pro-Mexico. Our desire should be to treat all nations of this world equally, since we are equally aliens to all and ambassadors to all.
  • Yes, Paul claimed to be a citizen of Rome. I’ve offered ideas on this, but recognize that those who want to grasp at straws will grasp at straws. I’m a citizen of the U.S. by birth. I can’t change that, at least not as far as the world is concerned. When forced to declare citizenship in official situations, I don’t state, “Citizen of heaven.” Yet my heart knows which is true, and I want my life to declare the same.
  • I won’t kill for this country, nor any country. I find especially abhorrent the idea of taking the lives of fellow believers, yet many have told me they would freely do so in the name of country. I can’t picture it.
  • I understand somewhat the idea of country as an extension of family, as merely a larger community we are a part of. Yet I find countries acting as “the powers” described in the New Testament, coming to have a drive for self-preservation that puts them in competition with the Kingdom of God.
  • I won’t pledge allegiance to a flag or a country. I won’t treat national icons as sacred, nor use religious terms in reference to military nor political entities nor their members. If I’m going to err in this matter, let it be on the side of avoiding idolatrous behavior. Let me be accused of too much loyalty to God.
  • I refuse to stand in judgment on those who come to different conclusions. I’ve journeyed long to reach the point where I am; how can I condemn those who stand where I once stood? And I’m quite aware that I am a fallible man who could be wrong in these judgments.
  • I won’t be ashamed of my convictions in this matter. I won’t be apologetic for making the choice to value my heavenly citizenship so highly that I won’t share it with other entities.

Lots of thoughts. Each of those statements could spark a flurry of responses in the original context, so I’ll post my views here. If I can’t stand the heat, I shouldn’t write in The Kitchen.

Citizen Paul: trying to make myself clear

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With ACU’s Summit going on this weekend, I probably won’t be able to write much the next few days. We’ll see.

My friend Don Neyland wrote a response to my post last week about Paul and citizenship. He chose to not participate here, so I’ll refrain from analyzing his arguments here. He did show me, however, that I failed to make clear the biggest point I wanted to make.

I was talking about using Paul as an example or an excuse when it comes to claiming citizenship. I mentioned how we’ve made a mountain out of that biblical molehill, but I obviously didn’t explain that thought well. Paul using his citizenship in two instances is mentioned in passing by Luke. It shouldn’t be an example of anything, one way or the other. It’s not the point of the story, it’s not elaborated on and it’s not referred to anywhere else.

If we were to use it as an actual example… my post stands. Since people tend to insert lots of meaning in between the lines, I have to feel that they aren’t seeking an example, they’re seeking an excuse.

That’s the point I wanted to make. Sorry to have been unclear before.

Citizen Paul: Example or excuse?

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But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.” (Acts 16:37)

As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?” (Acts 22:25)

I’ve written before about Paul’s citizenship (Like this post, this one and this one). Given how often it gets mentioned in relationship to topics like patriotism and nationalism, I thought it worth another look.

When we take minor points out of two stories in the book of Acts and use them as the justification for broad areas of activity, I can’t help but think that we are using Paul for an excuse rather than an example. Look at some points about what happened:

  • Paul had to tell people he was a citizen. Admittedly in each of these stories we are dealing with people that didn’t know Paul well. Still, it should be noted that in these only two cases we have, Paul had to point out that he was a citizen. There was nothing about what he was doing or saying that made that obvious.
  • People were surprised to learn that Paul was a citizen. Again, we’re dealing with people who didn’t know Paul. But it’s telling that he wasn’t acting the way they would expect a citizen to act. He wasn’t doing the things that most Roman citizens did. There was nothing about his life, his dress, his choice of companions, etc. that pointed to him being anything but a Christian.
  • Paul wasn’t doing most of the “citizeny” things that we talk about. When we talk about being good citizens, we often look at political activity, support for the military, etc. These examples show none of that. Paul mentions his citizenship in legal settings, much the way he used his status as a Pharisee.

Scholars are divided as to why Paul mentioned his citizenship. In Acts 22, it saved him from a beating. In Acts 16, Paul allowed himself to be beaten and imprisoned, then mentioned his citizenship after being released. Some say it was for the advancement of the gospel. Some say it was to protect others, the jailer in Acts 16 (who still could have gotten in trouble for “fraternizing” with Paul) and the Roman soldiers in Acts 22, who would have been legally liable had they beaten Paul. We don’t know for sure. But we do know that it was for none of the reasons that people appeal to today in citing these examples.

If we follow Paul’s example, we’ll live in a way that others will know we are Christians, but won’t know we’re citizens unless we tell them. We’ll only use our citizenship in extreme situations, for legal purposes. And we’ll focus our attention on our heavenly citizenship. (Philippians 3:19-20)