by Christopher Schouten
Throughout history, there has been a recurring tension between the Jesus of the Gospels and the “Messiah” people want him to be. This disconnect wasn’t just a problem in first – century Judea – it is a central struggle in modern American faith today.
The Ancient Expectation: A Lion of Judah
In biblical times, the Jewish people lived under the crushing weight of Roman occupation. Naturally, their expectations for a Messiah were shaped by their immediate suffering. They looked for:
- A Military Conqueror: A second King David who would lead a violent revolt to overthrow Caesar.
- Nationalistic Superiority: A leader who would restore Israel to geopolitical dominance and judge the surrounding nations.
- Political Power: A king who would sit on a literal throne and enforce Jewish law through state power.
The Jesus we know delivered on none of those expectations.
The Reality: The Suffering Servant
Instead of a general on a white horse, they got a carpenter on a donkey. Jesus did not come to replace one earthly empire with another; he came to subvert the very concept of “empire.”
- Power in Weakness: He chose a cross over a sword.
- Inclusivity: He ate with the “unclean,” the tax collectors, and the enemies of the state.
- The Upside – Down Kingdom: He taught that the last shall be first and that true greatness is found in service, not domination.
The Modern Distortion: Christian Nationalism
In modern America, we see a striking parallel to those ancient, erroneous expectations. The rise of Christian Nationalism has essentially “repainted” Jesus to fit a narrative of power, exclusivity, and domination.
The “Americanized” Jesus
This movement has traded the humble Galilean for a figure who mirrors the very Roman authorities Jesus resisted. This distorted version of Christ is used to justify:
- The Lust for Power: The belief that Christians are entitled to control the mechanisms of the state to enforce their worldview.
- Exclusivity: Moving away from “love your neighbor” toward a “us vs. them” mentality that marginalizes immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, and those of other faiths.
- Domination: Using the Gospel as a tool for cultural supremacy rather than a message of liberation for the oppressed.
By wrapping the cross in the flag, this movement attempts to turn a global message of radical love into a narrow tool for nationalistic control.
Reclaiming the Prophetic Voice
As progressive Christians, our task is not just to point out these distortions, but to actively reclaim the identity of Jesus in the public square. Here is how we can begin to shift the narrative:
1. Centering the Marginalized
Jesus consistently moved toward the edges of society. To reclaim his message, we must ensure our theology and our activism center the voices of those whom the “Empire” seeks to silence.
2. Embracing Radical Non – Violence
In a culture obsessed with “might makes right,” we must proclaim the power of sacrificial love. This means standing against policies of dehumanization and violence, even when it is politically unpopular.
3. Using Our Prophetic Voices
The prophets of the Bible didn’t just comfort the grieving; they “afflicted the comfortable.” Using our prophetic voices means speaking truth to power in the public square – whether through protest, policy advocacy, or community organizing.
4. Redefining “Kingdom” as “Kindom”
We must remind the world that the Kingdom of God is not a territory to be conquered, but a way of treating others characterized by justice, mercy, and humility. Jesus came not to dominate and rule in the traditional sense, but to create a “Kindom” where all people matter and their fundamental dignity as beloved children of God is recognized by all.
The Jesus of history was a threat to the status quo because he refused to play the game of domination. By returning to that radical, inclusive roots, we can offer a weary world a glimpse of the true Christ – the one who heals rather than hurts, and who invites all to the table instead of excluding and demonizing those who are marginalized.
