While listening to a teaching by Andy Stanley the other day I was struck by a statement he made regarding our connection with God and His parameters for us. The Atlanta-based pastor noted that “rules without relationship lead to rebellion.” As his sermon illustrated, that has certainly been the case in many of the stories contained in the Bible and throughout human history.
His statement caused me to think about the condition of our nation today. As I consider the data regarding the perceptions, values, behavior, and dreams of Americans, especially younger Americans, it seems clear that while we love the remaining freedoms and benefits of living in the United States, many citizens lack a real relationship with this nation and thus rebel against its rules and traditions. We are eager to take advantage of what’s available but are substantially less willing to sacrifice and invest for the good of the nation. The “common good” is a foreign concept to many Americans. Despite many politically correct speeches about “community,” “sharing,” “serving,” “tolerance,” and sensitivity, there often seems to be more lip service to bonding with America than behavior that supports it.
Think about the education our children receive these days. Gone are stalwart classes such as Civics or practices such as saying the pledge of allegiance or singing the national anthem. Perhaps in your area many community organizations that fostered a pro-country attitude or worldview have receded or closed down. Turn on the television or radio and you may encounter a mainstream media that seems more intent on challenging America’s foundations and heart than helping to build a sense of national spirit. Even in this year’s presidential campaign, when several candidates have spoken movingly about their love for our country, the response was to have their motives questioned, their personal lives attacked, and their sentiments dismissed.
I wonder how much longer the United States can withstand such a deficit of investment in upholding the foundations of our country, and thinking about the meaning of and commitment to the common good. And it is concerning that the two youngest generations of Americans seem to view society’s rules as barriers to overcome rather than legacies of love and wisdom.
As supporters and beneficiaries of those standards and historic commitments, I believe that America’s Christians have a special role to play in defending, conveying, and strengthening the foundations of our country.
Am I the only one who worries about our fading sense of loyalty to and connection with our republic? Do you sense that we have a problem regarding our individual relationships with the United States? How well do you think we, as Christians, are adequately protecting, explicating, and restoring the foundations of the U.S.? What else could we do? What have you done that you are proud of in this regard?
January 11, 2012
This is a GREAT message, that many need to hear and take heed – our Founders set forth Christian principles in the Declaration and in the Constitution. So, as Christians, we need to stand up, speak up and be willing to defend not only our Faith, but also our Country. We have wallowed in apathy for too long. Great patriots believe in God and Country. One does not have to be a decorated soldier to qualify. We should be willing to share our Faith with family, friends, co-workers and strangers. But, we should also be willing to explain our Christian values on political positions so the same folks.
Modern media has influenced an entire generation of cynics to believe lies. Skeptics investigate to find truth. My purpose is to reach as many cynics as possible, and try to turn them into skeptics, so they will seek Truth – not just about God, but about our great country, as well.
Thank you, Mr. Barna, for opening this subject up and inviting the comments. I pray that this discussion will be fruitful.
January 13, 2012
Looks like all of the “citizens of the world” are avoiding this topic like the plague.
Why be loyal to the United States of America when we have all been trained like a good little doggy in this present zeitgeist, to be world citizens?
Question of the hour: “How well do you think we, as Christians, are adequately protecting, explicating, and restoring the foundations of the US?”
Were not. We don’t even know what the foundations are, let alone restoring them.
I think one of the best things that could be done is reestablish the military draft.
Every American serves, men and women. No deferments, no free get out of military cards, no excuses.
We wouldn’t be so likely to spend ten years in Iraq, and ten years in Afghanistan, if everyone had to participate. We also wouldn’t be likely to venture into Libya/Iran/Pakistan/Syria/Yeman/Somalia/Algeria/Egypt/Sudan/Nigeria/Kuwait/South Korea/Japan/Australia/Philippines/Israel-Palestine we have our nose and our military/CIA in all of those places. We wouldn’t be urinating on Taliban corpses, or doing the Iraq prison AbboGirabe fun stuff. The average US citizen has no concept that the US is even involved in two ten year wars, it hasn’t affected or involved them in the least little bit. Why are we still over there anyway? Does anyone know? It is the same with Christianity. The average Christian goes on Sunday to the nice comfy, cozy, pretty, religious building and is entertained and sermonized for a couple of hours sitting dumb mutes in the pew. But is untouched by the spiritual war raging around them that they don’t participate in, or don’t know about, or don’t care. They (Christians) are to busy paying the mortgage on their 3,000 sq ft house or $45,000.00 SUV, or contributing to their 401k plan that is about to be stolen by the Govt. that they were told that Jesus provides for them (come to Jesus He will provide your every need, the Santa Claus doctrine). There is nothing left over to help fellow Christians (in your church), who are unemployed and can’t find a job and have no health insurance, and may be living in their car. They (Christians) are over extended due to the Jesus is Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny doctrine.
I have written what to do about it in 20 other topics in this blog. Just click on one and read, if your interested, or have the time in your busy schedule.
Instead of moving into the above mentioned countries with superior, exotic, overwhelming, military force that you are paying dearly for in taxes. Christians are supposed to be moving in there with the Gospel of Peace and the Prince of Peace. But were too scared, holed up in America afraid of our shadow, afraid to get on an airplane, patting down 5 year old blonde hair and blue eyed little girls and 85 year old grandmas in the airport. We are afraid of our shadow.
Christians have also been hoodwinked by the republican party. That bunch of greedy, money grubbing clowns are what is wrong with America. The republican party is not restoring the American “foundation”!
IMHO.
January 18, 2012
So weird to see this post. I didn’t pick you guys to be the type that write this sort of stuff. As a person from outside of the states. I would regard Americans as being the most patriotic of any country I know – to the detriment in fact. I dont think America need more pride. Why is it so important to “have a relationship with your nation” why not be global citizens? Global poverty, injustice. These are things that need global citizens to engage with. American pride to easily leads to the negative behavior attached to any proud people with the biggest weapons/fists.
I genuinely don’t think Jesus would affirm this post. There are other reasons why your kids are rebelling.
January 19, 2012
Nigel,
A Brit I assume? “What type” do you so ever mean?
Define “sort of stuff” that you are refering to?
Define “detrimental American patriotism” praytell?
You state: “I don’t think America need more pride.”
I would tend to agree with you, but, I surely don’t believe that America has the corner on pride nor continental hubris. I would remind that, since a nation decide to do something (foreign policy), it doesn’t necessarily mean that the whole of the people of said nation agree nor sanction the something (foreign policy).
You asked (I didn’t take it facetiously or rhetorically): “Why is it so important to ‘have a relationship with your nation” why not be global citizens?”
I can understand your seeming confusion, being a somewhat member of the EU, given that all of the nations of the EU are looking out for one another so well? Perhaps being a member of the UN is equally important to you? Speaking purely for myself, my relationship with my nation is important to me because, a) I pay a lot of taxes here, I don’t pay taxes to the “global” b) I live here in relative peace c) My children and grandchildren live here in relative peace, d) No one else (nations) is going to look after my nation, e) I vote for the politicians that govern this nation I don’t vote for the global politicians, f) my nation sends the Gospel of Jesus out more so than any other nation, g) my nation translates and prints Bibles in every nations language on the earth and sends those Bibles around the world, h) I was told in the Bible by Jesus to pray for my nation and politicians so peace would prevail so I can live in peace, i) companies and individuals in my nation print most of the Bible companion study materials and books than any other nation, j) the greatest number and finest universitys and colleges are located in my nation educating the globe, k) companies and individuals in my nation are coming up with the greatest inventions on the globe to advance civilization by medicine, communications, computers, science, religion, transportation, etc.
l) my nation is the most benevolent nation on earth by far no other nation comes close. A couple of recent examples, Haiti earthquake, Indonesian Sunami, Japanese Sunami, Libya civil war, Yeman civil war, etc.
I could go on for a while but won’t.
As to the “global citizen” part of your question.
I thought my nation was the single most important influence for good on the globe presently? I help supply that influence. Is it perfect? No. Could it be better? Yes.
But it’s better than all the rest.
Nigel says: “American pride to easily leads to the negative behavior attached to any proud people with the biggest weapons/fists.”
I assume you mean Iraq?
Nigel, you assume that everybody always agrees with everything their country does in every instance.
You assume wrongly.
Nigel, I don’t think I caught which country your from? Perhaps you could inform us all which country your from and you and I could debate the merits of yours and mine?
Nigel says: “I genuinely don’t think Jesus would affirm this post.”
I genuinely think you have totally misunderstood this post.
Nigel says: “There are other reasons why your kids are rebelling.”
I’m sorry? My kids aren’t rebelling.
But just for the sake of dialogue, why don’t you inform us as to why?
January 20, 2012
Nigel,
I ran out of time yesterday and would like to tackle your question:
“…why not be global citizens? Global poverty, injustice. These are things that need global citizens to engage with.”
From that aspect of being a “global citizen” I think that the US generally is at the forefront of being a good “global citizen”. Relatively speaking.
There is another aspect of the approaching “global” zeitgeist that my post speaks of, or at least that was my intent.
Earlier in the history of man is a historical record in Genesis 11:1-9. In this brief record is the account of the whole of man gathering in one place and sharing a common language and a common goal of building with their hands a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and to make a name for themself, lest they be scattered over the whole earth. It’s name was Babel.
God was very displeased with that spirit and intent, a rebellion from His command to man to be fruitful and multiply and subdue the earth.
So He confused their common language and scattered them abroad from there over the face of the whole earth; and they stopped building the city.
Why?
“Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them.”
The present spirit and intent of man worldwide now, is that exact spirit in Genesis 11:1-9. It is called “Globalization.”
God later calls it “Babylon” through the prophet Daniel, and tells of it’s rise and fall, again, at the “end of the age.”Daniel 2:31-45; 7:15-28; 8:15-27;
From the aspect of a “Globalization citizen” wanting and becoming the one world power/one world government, I am not nor will be one, I stand and remain a citizen of the US, and of heaven.
From the aspect of being a good “global citizen” fighting injustice and poverty and war and starvation, I am one.
There is a name for this spirit of globalization, it is called the spirit of anti-christ.
I seperate the spirit of world domination, from the Christian Spirit of benevolent love to the world.
The Bible clearly shows in Daniel and Revelation that a King is coming in His Kingdom and His Name is Jesus Christ or Jeshua Homachiach.
January 19, 2012
Good thoughts, Nigel. Let me suggest, however, that being a good citizen of your homeland is instrumental to being a good “global citizen.” I fully agree that Americans need to be careful not to be prideful, but at the same time would argue that increasing numbers of Americans lack sufficient pride in and appreciation of our nation to develop and maintain a healthy relationship with our republic. Finally, we are at core citizens of Heaven, where our primary allegiance is to God and His kingdom. But I do not see an inconsistency between being an uncompromising citizen of Heaven and taking those core values into our relationship with and support for our earthly nation.
January 28, 2012
Great comment and very much needed. We need to care when decisions are allowed to be made by our government which cause the Light of Christ to be put ‘under the bed’, instead of being put out where all have opportunity to see the Light. It is just sickening that in some military hospitals it is ‘forbidden’ to have a Bible. I’m looking to vote for those who are willing to work effectively to reverse all these types of sad situations. “If we are not one nation under God, we are one nation gone under”.
January 23, 2012
Check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY
January 24, 2012
Mr. Barna, I have a great appreciation for the work your organization does to quantitatively reveal important patterns of behavior and belief both within and outside the church in America. I offer one thought regarding your current post. My perception is that generationally we tend to react against what are perceived as the excesses of the preceding generation. A frequently cited paradigm in my peer group is that the alignment of christian identity with very specific moral causes (which I happen to support) and political direction (which I support with qualification) have been a primary trigger for divestment in both christian identity (a fully Christ-centric life) and patriotic duty/citizenship. Can you tell me if 1) You data support the idea of generation pushback and 2) if alignment of identities viewed as competive or perhaps incompatible (Christian/American) by some would cause reactionary withdrawal from both? Thanks for your faith-honoring work to encourage submission to Jesus Christ and a transformational life of discipleship. THBTG
January 31, 2012
Good thoughts, Joel. There is some evidence to suggest that each generation seeks to make its own place by rejecting or correcting some of the pillars of the prior generation. This is visibly evident in relation to cultural matters such as musical style of preference as well as some of the pendulum swing in factors such as political party of choice, ideological self-descriptions, favored theological constructs, etc. It becomes problematic when a given generation abandons key principles or philosophies simply to stand out as different or to “make their mark” on a culture, regardless of the consequences.
February 2, 2012
A new king?
http://www.religionnewsblog.com/26498/rabbi-declares-eddie-long-king
What do you think about that “Relationship, Rules & Rebellion?
February 3, 2012
Yikes, I’m pretty happy to serve the “old” King, Jesus…
February 6, 2012
George,
Me too! Not sure how a rich clergyman from peddling the Gospel on TV, Bentely driving, diamond pinky ring wearing, homosexual, just divorced, supposed bishop, with a young nubile male only private fellowship called the “long-fellows”, suddenly becomes a king? Reminds me of some earlier pope’s.
I was in one of the three original church’s from which the term “mega-churches”, was originally coined.
The mega-church world is a bizarre place. There seems to be be a lot of worship of rather effette pastors in mega-world. Not all are, but most.
The TV clergy seems to like to bring the Old Law back into vogue, “strike the pose”.
February 15, 2012
George,
Have you given up on the blog?
I notice that you don’t advertise on your site anymore? Why?