Christian Nationalism
Brenna started off the sermon yesterday talking about how so many (White) evangelical Christians have been surprised about the mob violence/coup attempt at the Capitol building last Wednesday. After pointing out that members of the mob carried Confederate flags and crosses, nooses and Jesus Saves signs, she quoted one prominent Christian magazine that talked about “white supremacist assumptions that snaked their way into church pulpits and pews.” Brenna pointed out that this is the sort of thinking that is exactly the problem.
White Christians think that this is new, that this is an aberration, that this is some subversive new element to our culture. But it’s always been this way. Consider this from formerly enslaved person and notable abolitionist Frederick Douglass in the 1800s:
“Between the Christianity of this land and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize the widest possible difference—so wide that to receive the one as good, pure, and holy, is of necessity to reject the other as bad, corrupt, and wicked. To be the friend of the one is of necessity to be the enemy of the other. I love the pure, peaceable, and impartial Christianity of Christ; I therefore hate the corrupt, slave-holding, women-whipping, cradle-plundering, partial and hypocritical Christianity of this land. Indeed, I can see no reason but the most deceitful one for calling the religion of this land Christianity…”
The prophet Amos cries out for an integration of our faith - for us to acknowledge the injustices we participate in and to make them right. Sit with these words that God speaks today - just like in the day of Amos - and lament, grieve, and pray.
I hate, I despise your religious festivals;
your assemblies are a stench to me.
Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
I will have no regard for them.
Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!
Amos 5:21-24