http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/november/16.34.html
"Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!" (Philippians 3:17 - 4:1, NIV)
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. 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. Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (1 Peter 2:9-12, NIV)
They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated-- the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. (Hebrews 11:37-38)
I miss Duke, especially during election season. I miss the theological conversations with classmates and professors who stretched my mind to consider other possibilities and sharpen my own thoughts and convictions.
Reading an article like the one above calls me to remember the importance and place of the church in the world, the relationship of the church to the world, and the mission of the church - to be the church.
Elections are over, finally. I am excited that I can get on with the work of ministry. I will pray for Barack Obama, just as I prayed for George W. Bush, and his father, along with Bill Clinton.
However, the church should no longer sell herself short. We do not change the world by votes, loud talking, picket signs, but by shed blood.
Someone's blood was shed, and the world has never been the same. The church followed suit. They lived peaceably among the First Century World. They contributed to society, but they lived to the beat of a different drum. Their citizenship was elsewhere. They heard a different voice. That voice called. They answered. They lived for it, and died for it. They were strangers in a new community, aliens in a foreign land, living a foreign way of life. It was the life of a different world.
They died for it. Martyrs, church-goers, radical reformers, charismatics. They died for the faith that led them to call home "Heaven."
Christians are political people. We speak with our life. I appreciate Jordan Hylden, a Duke student, for speaking up in Christianity Today. Thank you for reminding me of the lesson I learned so well at Duke - that the first responsiblility of the church is to be the church, regardless of the world around.
Maybe there is a way beyond conservative and liberal, Republican and Democrat, Capitalism and Socialism. May we open our eyes, and join Jesus on the way (Mark 10:46-52). Maybe that way will lead us home.
Grace and peace,
Tim
