"I pledge
allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for
which it stands; one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for
all."
During the height of the cold war of 1954 between Communist
Russia and this country President Eisenhower attended a sermon that changed the
pledge of allegiance forever. The Pastor speaking about the pledge of
allegiance said, "Apart from the mention of the phrase 'the United States
of America,' it could be the pledge of any republic. In fact, I could hear
little Muscovites repeat a similar pledge to their hammer-and-sickle flag in
Moscow." This preacher urged the inclusion of "under God" in the
pledge to denote what he felt was special about the United States. (Especially
compared to communist Russia which had no God) President Eisenhower agreed. In
1954 “under God” was added to the pledge of allegiance. As Eisenhower signed it
into law he said, “This day forward, the millions of our schoolchildren will
daily proclaim, in every city and town, every village and rural schoolhouse,
the dedication of our nation and our people to the Almighty.” [1] Even
though the word “God” or “the Almighty” could mean just about anything
depending upon who is speaking at the time it was a given that the US was a
Christian nation. Most surveys today will still tell you that the United States
is by percentage (79%) a
Christian nation. [2]
If in fact statisticians are accurate and this nation is
Christian, what are we showing the world about Christ? Because honestly, when people see a CHRISTian they see
Christ. What kind of reputation has he received through us?
You can look to the religious opposition to get one view of
CHRISTians. In Sam Harris’ book “Letter to a Christian Nation” he gives his
atheistic view of Christians. He says, “Thousands of people have written to
tell me that I am wrong not to believe in God. The most hostile of these
communications have come from Christians… The truth is that many who claim to
be transformed by Christ’s love are deeply, even murderously, intolerant of
criticism.” This is one mans response to his interactions with Christians. It
hits close to home.
The worldview from other religions is even worse. Consider a
Muslim view of Christians. Joseph Mattera, a leader of a church in Brooklyn,
New York, regularly interacts with Muslim families and had this to say about
what they see in Christians.
“Since most Muslims view Western
Europe and the United States as Christian, they equate the moral decadence of
these nations with the morality of the average Christian. With the
preponderance of pornography, scantily-clad women, abortion, homosexuality, the
use of foul language on television, and the overall corruption of society, they
believe it a reflection on Christian ethos.” [3]
I’m not sure if you’ve heard this Christian reputation
before but for me it opens my eyes pretty wide. There are so many supposed
Christians preaching thousands of sermons with their actions that are
misrepresenting Christ. Those people out there drag Jesus’ name through the
mud.
I’m glad I’m not like that. Or, do I contribute to the
reputation being formed by the masses. When someone looks at me do they get an
honest representation of what Christianity should be? When they look at me do
they see someone that exudes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self control?
We can’t pass the blame solely to those radicals out there when
Christianity’s reputation starts with us. Try as we might in our own little
ways we’ve added to the reputation of fakeness, empty actions, religious and
biblical ignorance, and the hypocritical reputation of Christianity. It makes me wonder if it is all that
bad of an idea to hide our CHRISTian affiliation as a nation.
Of course there is a better solution to foster a positive
Christian reputation. It starts with the
basic rhythm of your life. With the cross in full view every day, I know that I
am forgiven and empowered to live and interact differently. My sin is not my defining
characteristic before God.
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the
praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you
had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter
2:9-10)
Over this next week as you celebrate our nations
independence live such a good life that you make Christianity look good to your
neighbors. Even if they don’t get your God yet, you do. You know what he has
done for you. Remember: Chosen, priest, holy nation, possession of God. When
you own that there is no way people will mistake a life of honesty, hard work,
respect for others, and love for one’s family for being anything but Christian.
It’s the people living in a nation that make a nation what it is. CHRISTianity’s reputation starts with you.
-Pastor Eric
Hansen, Discipleship Pastor
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