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[Odd]

I have no religious affiliation, but I’ve read the Bible. I was raised in a politically conservative, but somewhat religiously liberal Christian home during the 60s and 70s. I’m 58.

In what I’ve come to understand about the words and teachings of Jesus, versus the way those same words teachings are discussed today, I see a huge ideological shift. Meaning that I believe Jesus would be quite shocked by the way his teachings have been adopted and morphed into the exact opposite philosophy.

With very few exceptions, the American politically right-leaning Christians focus on a unique brand of Christianity that promotes a worldview (I feel) Jesus would be diametrically opposed to. From universal healthcare to the flag worship and even guns, I think Jesus was pretty clear on these kinds of issues. However, the one big ideological oddity that jumps out the most is the American Christian wrapping of Jesus in with patriotic fervor.
Would Jesus be patriotic?

[jimwalton]

Jesus never showed any devotion to governmental powers o r a governmental entity. In biblical understanding, the governmental powers are "fallen." Though governmental authority was ordained by God (Rom. 13.1)—since anarchy is destructive and self-defeating—any particular government is filled with sin, power grabs, and a misuse of authority. Jesus would not pledge patriotically to any of them.

John Yoder writes, "Yet even in this fallen and rebellious state the working of the Powers is not simply something limitlessly evil. The Powers, despite their fallenness, continue to exercise an ordering function. Even tyranny (which according to Rom. 13.1 is to be counted among the powers) is still better than chaos, and we should be subject to it."

At the same time, writes Manfred Brauch, "The Gospels make clear that Jesus did not accept all legal and governing authorities as ultimate dispensers of God’s will. Wherever He went, He bucked the system, He upset the status quo, He challenged the authorities’ claim to the right and the truth."

In the Bible, God does not dictate the shape of society. He does not seek to form a “perfect” society, because no society is perfect (since it is a society of fallen humans). He rather speaks into the shape of society as it exists in those times and encourages his people to live holy lives in that society. He does not dictate an ideal kind of government (monarchy vs. democracy) or a certain sort of economy (market economy vs. barter). Every social structure is flawed.

I am confident that Jesus would never vigorously support or pledge any allegiance to a particular government. He would say that our allegiance should be to God alone.

[Odd]

Great points! I agree with your breakdown.

What are your thoughts on how this modern Jesus is being depicted in artwork holding flags, or guiding Trump’s hand as he signs a bill?

[jimwalton]

It gives me the creeps. It's a terrible distortion, and just a way of mischaracterizing God as being on "our team." Yikes.