> General Discussions
Patriotism, nationalism, and statism as forms of idolatry
lareli:
Nationalism definitely can become idolatry. Anything can become an idol. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich can become an idol.
When does nationalism become idolatry?
We can't serve two masters.
Christ said love your enemies.
Nationalism says kill your enemies. Christ died to give us freedom. Nationalism says kill others for your freedom.
Christ said don't just hear and agree with His words but do them. So if we agree with His words but then with our actions we do the opposite out of loyalty to Nationalism, then isn't it clear where our loyalties lie? Isn't it clear who we serve and who/what our god is?
Is there a difference between bowing down to a golden calf or putting my hand over my heart as I pledge my allegiance to a piece of cloth?
Scripture says we are not of this world, do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, do not love this world, if you're a friend to this world you're an enemy of God.
Nationalism says we are of this world and in particular this geographical land mass, and we must love or at the very least be loyal to this worldly kingdom or nation. And if we aren't going to kill and/or die in service to this worldly kingdom then we should at least be thankful and supportive of those who do.
repottinger:
You make an interesting point, Largeli, that anything, such as food, can become an idol if we put it first in our lives. I think that nationalism is different in one respect, because there is a proper place in the life of a Christian for things like eating, which are normal, necessary activities if not done to excess, but we are specifically told not to practice to any degree such things as promoting the interests of our own culture and nation above other those of other nations of this world. Thus, there is no room at all for nationalistic feelings or practices in the lives of God’s people.
Thanks a lot for your comment,
Randy
lareli:
--- Quote from: repottinger on September 15, 2015, 05:39:25 PM ---You make an interesting point, Largeli, that anything, such as food, can become an idol if we put it first in our lives. I think that nationalism is different in one respect, because there is a proper place in the life of a Christian for things like eating, which are normal, necessary activities if not done to excess, but we are specifically told not to practice to any degree such things as promoting the interests of our own culture and nation above other those of other nations of this world. Thus, there is no room at all for nationalistic feelings or practices in the lives of God’s people.
Thanks a lot for your comment,
Randy
--- End quote ---
I agree with you on this. I have a question though.. Several times in the book of Acts we read about Paul declaring his Roman citizenship. He did not promote Roman culture above any other culture but he did claim his roman citizenship in order to avoid being wrongly mistreated.
What do you make of this?
Dennis Vogel:
--- Quote from: largeli on September 17, 2015, 09:52:19 AM ---
--- Quote from: repottinger on September 15, 2015, 05:39:25 PM ---You make an interesting point, Largeli, that anything, such as food, can become an idol if we put it first in our lives. I think that nationalism is different in one respect, because there is a proper place in the life of a Christian for things like eating, which are normal, necessary activities if not done to excess, but we are specifically told not to practice to any degree such things as promoting the interests of our own culture and nation above other those of other nations of this world. Thus, there is no room at all for nationalistic feelings or practices in the lives of God’s people.
Thanks a lot for your comment,
Randy
--- End quote ---
Don't know.
But one of the things Ray taught me is every word has a meaning and that statement means something.
I agree with you on this. I have a question though.. Several times in the book of Acts we read about Paul declaring his Roman citizenship. He did not promote Roman culture above any other culture but he did claim his roman citizenship in order to avoid being wrongly mistreated.
What do you make of this?
--- End quote ---
John from Kentucky:
--- Quote from: largeli on September 17, 2015, 09:52:19 AM ---
--- Quote from: repottinger on September 15, 2015, 05:39:25 PM ---You make an interesting point, Largeli, that anything, such as food, can become an idol if we put it first in our lives. I think that nationalism is different in one respect, because there is a proper place in the life of a Christian for things like eating, which are normal, necessary activities if not done to excess, but we are specifically told not to practice to any degree such things as promoting the interests of our own culture and nation above other those of other nations of this world. Thus, there is no room at all for nationalistic feelings or practices in the lives of God’s people.
Thanks a lot for your comment,
Randy
--- End quote ---
I agree with you on this. I have a question though.. Several times in the book of Acts we read about Paul declaring his Roman citizenship. He did not promote Roman culture above any other culture but he did claim his roman citizenship in order to avoid being wrongly mistreated.
What do you make of this?
--- End quote ---
It shows how smart Paul was.
In one place in the Book of Acts, Paul being in the Temple had produced a riot of the Jews in Jerusalem.
The Roman commander took Paul into Fortress Antonia to be beaten with a whip in order to find out the cause of the riot.
It was illegal under Roman law for a Roman citizen to be beaten without a trial.
Paul told the Roman commander that he was a Roman citizen, which caused the Commander not to beat Paul.
Paul used his legal rights in order not to suffer a beating. It shows Paul was intelligent with a sound mind.
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