Politics and Jesus

Give to Caesar what is Caesars and to God what is God’s. - Jesus, quoted in Matthew 22:21

Reflect on these insights from a contemporary author about the tensions around patriotism, capitalism, and faith. Do you agree with his conclusion? What is the parallel for you?

The early Christian’s had to live in Caesar’s world, and Caesar always demanded top allegiance. You know, I’m sure, that the early Christians were killed not for being Christians but for being unpatriotic: they wouldn’t worship the gods of Roman civil religion (including Caesar). Have you ever wondered who or what our Caesar is? In my mind–and I feel quite certain about this–it’s our economy of consumption, greed, materialism.

- Brian D. McLaren, A New Kind of Christian