A netfriend wrote:

Rowland Croucher posted someone else’s quote, saying: A Muslim American Patriot….an oxymoron

The thing that struck me about this piece of writing was how easily it could have been written about Christians. Is a “Christian patriot of a western democratic nation” any less of an oxymoron?

Can devout Christians be patriots and loyal citizens?

Theologically, no. Because their allegiance to Jesus the Messiah takes precedence over the claims of any nation.

Scripturally, no. Because their allegiance is to the God made known in the scriptures, not to the appropriations of scripture made by any nation.

Geographically, no. Because their allegiance to the kingdom of God will not allow them to show partiality on the basis of which side of a border a person originates from.

Socially, no. Because their allegiance to Jesus comes with the promise that it will result in hostility and persecution from one’s own kindred and neighbours.

Politically, no. Because their allegiance is to Jesus as Lord and King, and they are called to be suspicious of those who exalt themselves and preach one thing while doing another.

Domestically, no. Because their allegiance is to one who said that their foes would be members of their own households, and that they were to acknowldge only one as father, their father in heaven, and that their true family are those who do the will of God.

Religiously, no. Because Christianity is incompatible with the dominant established religion of the western world – subservience to “the market” and the pursuit of economic nirvana.

Intellectually, no. Because they cannot reconcile the pursuit of national self-interest with the pursuit of justice, freedom and peace for all the world’s peoples.

Philosophically, no. Because the Christian measure of greatness in humble service of others and willingness to lay down one’s life for the world, is incompatible with the expression of greatness sought by our nation.

Spiritually, no. Because the Christian commitment to the ways of simplicity, fidelity and community are at odds with the spirit of consumerism, self-gratification and competition which is cultivated and promoted by our nation and its leaders.

Written by a former patriotic citizen who converted to Christianity –