Loving Jesus and the origins of America

by Paul Smith

I am becoming ever-so wary of generalized statements condemning America and, in the same breath, an affirmation of the kingdom of God. I have heard the clichés and I believe them (“I am in this world but not of it”). Fundamentally, we have an identity found not based in this temporal world but in an eternal reality.

Nevertheless, we are here. In America.

We have a driver’s license. We vote, pay taxes, and follow laws. We obey stoplights and drive on the right side of the road.

The profundity of the statement that “all men are created equal” or “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son”…

If you want to understand America, you look at the origins and original intent. Similarly, if you want to understand Christianity, you look at the origins and original intent. You don't look at the Inquisition to know Christianity or the KKK to know America. Those groups and events diverge from the original intent and do not define it.

We live in a time where we like having our own titles. Here are a few:

(and I have used these for myself, so they are simply self-deprecating)

I am an independent (yet ironically dependent on that title).

I am a follower of the teachings of Jesus (not a Christian because of negative connotations).

We are afraid of being tied to a more generalized title, as we are unique and have our own perspectives on issues. But we think if we just get the title right, then we can actually do what is right and just. The title becomes then a hindrance and distraction rather than a call to belief and action. The most mature people I can imagine are so unconcerned with image and title, with fame or fortune. It’s not that they might consider them, but they have dived into something so much deeper and more important. They don’t deserve their time. The two that come to mind are Mother Teresa and Abraham Lincoln. Business needs to be done and these trivialities can be dealt with later.

As a younger member of the church, I have a hesitancy to closely associate myself with America. It’s messy. Our nation has done great things and has done terrible things and tying myself to both is, well, a bit uncomfortable. I have this same frustration with the church. I wonder if I stop spending time defining my personal ideology and start doing, this will be a better life lived?