The author’s critique of Christian nationalism as a term falls flat. So much of this reads as a Boomer, blackpilled disconnect with history and the reality of the moment.
I just have to ask if the author really believes this: “This blending into a harmonious whole of people of differing ethnic origins and skin colors would have been inconceivable had not the United States and Canada been shaded and shielded by the protective tree of “Christendom.”” Harmonious? Really?
What really got me laughing was the appeal to George Orwell on the distinction between a patriot and a nationalist. An Englishman using “nationalist” as a slur against the Scottish and Welsh because they weren’t sufficiently supportive of the war against Germany and pretending that it is due to their sense of superiority making them anti-English rather than perhaps the historic experience the Scots and Welsh have had with the English. I’m not sure this example really makes the point intended. It does highlight that the terms are essentially synonyms, but (particularly after WWII and the fact that they were the Nazi party) one term began to be used pejoratively. One man’s patriot is another man’s nationalist as it were (freedom fighter v. terrorist, and so on).
I agree Christendom and Christian nationalism are not entirely the same, but I have no problem embracing both. I couldn’t care less that the latter might strike fear in the heart of some or cause some Christians to squirm. The author is correct that it words are powerful signs, and Christian nationalism is the powerful term that will lead to North American Christendom.
And now is not the time to say, “North American Christendom is in frail and harassed condition and certainly not poised with any surety to become once again a dominant cultural force.” Why is it that so many Christians, and particularly Lutherans, are so dead set on being naysayers and defeatists? I can’t help but picture them as Eeyore saying “might as well not try, we lose down here, don’t want anyone to say anything mean about us”. Makes me thankful we have the Reformed, who not worrying about accepting the label are actually working to revive North American Christendom. And that is God-pleasing.
Why do you feel Christ Jesus needs your help with anything concerning His Kingdom? I'm sure you've read the Parable of the Leaven? A woman of great stature being about to knead 120 pounds of dough and water, yet the key is the leaven. It cannot be stopped by man and frankly man never knows the progress of said Kingdom. Our triune God creates from nothing and yet we trifle over a title as individualistic as Christian nationalism. Christendom on the other hand is a word that tears out all nations making us one body. And the ordinary divine service delivers Jesus Christ for you in Word and Sacraments. That is Christendom, not bothered by the constant turning of a nation.
Do you believe that Christ Jesus has no need of you? Do you really think He thinks so little of you? That he has not given you vocations in your life to serve His purposes? Including for you to do good works concerning His Kingdom? Do you really think he wants you to just sit around thinking He will do all apart from you? That you shouldn’t be part of His body and a member of His host, His army? I’m sure you’ve read the Parable of the Three Servants? You do know the about the two kingdoms? Christian nationalism is neither individualist, nor inconsistent with Christendom. But if you think you are above it all, then okay.
I apologize to you Justin. Obviously you know more in my heart than God does. I trust Christ Jesus for my everything and frankly care not about man's labels. Nothing new under the sun.
I agree with John on his assessment. He's a brilliant tactician of words.
Weird. I’m getting notices for more comments than show up on this thread. Did you delete some? But along with my objection to doing the typical “conservative Lutheran” thing of talking about how much better than everyone else we are, an objection to the post was of being a “tactician of words” or otherwise word policing. And most importantly, I submit that it won’t work.
I deleted one because it was basically a circle-jerk on the same old discussion. Again, we as Lutherans will be divided on certain subjects and the blessings is that it doesn't matter to Christ Jesus. All those who are baptized and confess Jesus is Lord and believe He was raised from the dead will be saved. It's objective justification at its finest because it all centers around Jesus Christ and what He's done. End of story.
I think it was right to delete that post regardless for why you did it. And not only we as Lutherans, but we as Christians, can be divided on certain subjects, and still be saved as a matter of subjective justification.
The author’s critique of Christian nationalism as a term falls flat. So much of this reads as a Boomer, blackpilled disconnect with history and the reality of the moment.
I just have to ask if the author really believes this: “This blending into a harmonious whole of people of differing ethnic origins and skin colors would have been inconceivable had not the United States and Canada been shaded and shielded by the protective tree of “Christendom.”” Harmonious? Really?
What really got me laughing was the appeal to George Orwell on the distinction between a patriot and a nationalist. An Englishman using “nationalist” as a slur against the Scottish and Welsh because they weren’t sufficiently supportive of the war against Germany and pretending that it is due to their sense of superiority making them anti-English rather than perhaps the historic experience the Scots and Welsh have had with the English. I’m not sure this example really makes the point intended. It does highlight that the terms are essentially synonyms, but (particularly after WWII and the fact that they were the Nazi party) one term began to be used pejoratively. One man’s patriot is another man’s nationalist as it were (freedom fighter v. terrorist, and so on).
I agree Christendom and Christian nationalism are not entirely the same, but I have no problem embracing both. I couldn’t care less that the latter might strike fear in the heart of some or cause some Christians to squirm. The author is correct that it words are powerful signs, and Christian nationalism is the powerful term that will lead to North American Christendom.
And now is not the time to say, “North American Christendom is in frail and harassed condition and certainly not poised with any surety to become once again a dominant cultural force.” Why is it that so many Christians, and particularly Lutherans, are so dead set on being naysayers and defeatists? I can’t help but picture them as Eeyore saying “might as well not try, we lose down here, don’t want anyone to say anything mean about us”. Makes me thankful we have the Reformed, who not worrying about accepting the label are actually working to revive North American Christendom. And that is God-pleasing.
Why do you feel Christ Jesus needs your help with anything concerning His Kingdom? I'm sure you've read the Parable of the Leaven? A woman of great stature being about to knead 120 pounds of dough and water, yet the key is the leaven. It cannot be stopped by man and frankly man never knows the progress of said Kingdom. Our triune God creates from nothing and yet we trifle over a title as individualistic as Christian nationalism. Christendom on the other hand is a word that tears out all nations making us one body. And the ordinary divine service delivers Jesus Christ for you in Word and Sacraments. That is Christendom, not bothered by the constant turning of a nation.
Do you believe that Christ Jesus has no need of you? Do you really think He thinks so little of you? That he has not given you vocations in your life to serve His purposes? Including for you to do good works concerning His Kingdom? Do you really think he wants you to just sit around thinking He will do all apart from you? That you shouldn’t be part of His body and a member of His host, His army? I’m sure you’ve read the Parable of the Three Servants? You do know the about the two kingdoms? Christian nationalism is neither individualist, nor inconsistent with Christendom. But if you think you are above it all, then okay.
I apologize to you Justin. Obviously you know more in my heart than God does. I trust Christ Jesus for my everything and frankly care not about man's labels. Nothing new under the sun.
I agree with John on his assessment. He's a brilliant tactician of words.
Weird. I’m getting notices for more comments than show up on this thread. Did you delete some? But along with my objection to doing the typical “conservative Lutheran” thing of talking about how much better than everyone else we are, an objection to the post was of being a “tactician of words” or otherwise word policing. And most importantly, I submit that it won’t work.
I deleted one because it was basically a circle-jerk on the same old discussion. Again, we as Lutherans will be divided on certain subjects and the blessings is that it doesn't matter to Christ Jesus. All those who are baptized and confess Jesus is Lord and believe He was raised from the dead will be saved. It's objective justification at its finest because it all centers around Jesus Christ and what He's done. End of story.
I think it was right to delete that post regardless for why you did it. And not only we as Lutherans, but we as Christians, can be divided on certain subjects, and still be saved as a matter of subjective justification.