Came upon this commentary while browsing recent news stories this morning.
quote…
By Mark Schloneger, CNN (Mark Schloneger is pastor of Springdale Mennonite Church in Waynesboro, Virginia)
I choose to belong to a strange tribe. Goshen College, my alma mater, made national news this month when its board of directors decided that the “Star Spangled Banner” would not be played before athletic events. As could be expected, the decision was met with confusion and contempt.
Wasn’t this just another example of our traditional values being trampled by the unrelenting march of political correctness? What sort of ingrates object to our nation’s anthem, anyway? Fluffy-headed campus philosophers? Lazy latte-sipping liberals? The decision not to play the national anthem reversed last year’s decision to play it for the first time in Goshen College’s 116-year history. That, too, caught the media’s attention.
It also caused widespread concern and confusion among the college’s students, professors, alumni, supporters and, yes, donors – many of whom felt like playing the anthem compromised the college’s Christian values.
Goshen is a small school in northern Indiana that’s owned and operated as a ministry of Mennonite Church USA. I am a Goshen graduate, a longtime member of the Mennonite Church and the pastor of a Mennonite congregation. Mennonites live in countries all over the world. Though we speak many languages, have different ethnic origins, and express our faith in diverse ways, we all claim the Anabaptists in 16th century Europe as our spiritual ancestors.
The Anabaptists agreed with most of the ideas of the Protestant Reformation but felt that reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin didn’t go far enough. Anabaptists rejected the practice of infant baptism, for instance, believing that water baptism should be reserved for believers who confess a faith in Jesus.
Because they understood the exercise of state power to be inconsistent with the church’s identity and mission, Anabaptists also advocated for the strict separation of church and state. This then-radical stance was prompted by both theology and necessity: Anabaptists had the distinct notoriety of being tortured and killed by both Catholics and Protestants wielding the power of the state against them.
Instead of compromising their core convictions about what it means to follow Jesus, thousands of Anabaptist men and women adhered to their freedom of conscience even as they were mocked by neighbors, burned at stakes and drowned in rivers.
Although there certainly are diverse viewpoints among individual Mennonites today, we continue to advocate for the strict separation of church and state. Most Mennonite churches do not have flags inside them, and many Mennonites are uncomfortable with the ritual embedded in the singing of the national anthem.
That’s because we recognize only one Christian nation, the church, the holy nation that is bound together by a living faith in Jesus rather than by man-made, blood-soaked borders.
To Mennonites, a living faith in Jesus means faithfully living the way of Jesus. Jesus called his disciples to love their enemies and he loved his enemies all the way to the cross and beyond. Following Jesus and the martyrs before us, we testify with our lives that freedom is not a right that is granted or defended with rockets’ red glare and bombs bursting in air. True freedom is given by God, and it is indeed not free. It comes with a cost, and it looks like a cross.
It’s a strange tribe to which I belong, and sometimes it’s hard to be strange. We struggle to be inclusive in our welcome yet passionate in our identity. Our desire for acceptance, for approval, is strong, and we don’t always live up to the convictions that we set before us.
We must repent of that, for the world cannot know of its brokenness and hopelessness without a people who show a holistic way of life. The world cannot know that there is an alternative to violence and war without a people of peace making peace. The world cannot know that the weak and the vulnerable are cared for by God without a people practicing an economy centered on sharing and mutual aid. The world cannot know the unsurpassable worth of human life without a people who consistently work to protect it – in the fetus, in the convict, in the immigrant, in the soldier, and in the enemy.
These convictions do not reflect ingratitude or hatred for our country. Rather, they reflect a deep love for the church and a passionate desire for the church to be the church. Mennonite beliefs and practices seem bizarre to some and offensive to others. But it’s life in this strange tribe that keeps me faithful to what I believe. I love my country, but I sing my loyalty and pledge my allegiance to Jesus alone.
My Faith: Why I don’t sing the ‘Star Spangled Banner’
Very interesting article. I have studied the Mennonites only on a surface level.Also I have heard Professor David Calhoun say in a course on Reformation history that some of the allegations against the Anabaptist by the Reformers was based on misguided information.
This is more or less the same kind of reasoning why I no longer say the pledge of allegiance. I would have to argue that a lot of the exercises of nationalism are idolatry … which we would all have to argue is not endorsed by Christianity.
Great post.
Ive come to believe in Not pledging my allegiance to a “flag”, a piece of cloth, I pledge my allegiance to my Abba! He is the reason for everything….
I was called for jury duty last week. They began the process with the pledge of allegiance, which I went along with before I realized what I was saying. But I refused to say the oath they make you swear, and I voiced my objections to the judge about judging others, which got me excused. These are things that I have begun to follow for myself, but have wondered how many other christians grapple with these so-called civic duties.
Davo, I understand the concept about not pledging allegiance to the flag, but the concept of not judging others to get out of jury trial is unbiblical.
Matthew 7 is not against jury trial judgment but is against judging hypocritically. Jesus told the Jews in John 7:24 to not judge according to appearances, but when they do judge, judge righteous judgment.
Paul even confronts the Corinthians in 1 Cor. 6 for taking a brother to court before unbelievers. He said that we should instead appoint one in the church to judge the matter.
Yet when it comes to crimes committed against society and individuals of it, we must remember that the government is ordained by God and if we resist the government, then we are resisting God. (unless the government ask you to renounce God or Christ).
Paul explains in Romans 13 that the rulers who reside in goverment offices are there to bring God’s vengeance on evil doers. Therefore we should not expect the government to be filled with nothing but unbelievers. Christians also can be judges, police officers, and such. Also as citizens of this country we can be called on to judge whether or not an individual is guilty of certain crimes.
If God had not ordained the government then crimes would go unpunished until the end of the world and society would be in total chaos. (Of course some crimes do go unpunished because imperfect men are running the government.)
What most christians lack is an understanding of our role in this world. This begins with our acceptance as disciples of Jesus as our example. We are to learn His ways. Enforce His doctrine. His doctrine is mercy, not judgment, that is clear. He said He did not come to judge, period. “Tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me” Simply a civil matter. Jesus says, “Who made me a judge or arbiter over you?”
Judgment is enforcement of justice upon others, which is the application of law. We are not under law, we are under grace. Under grace we enforce mercy, that is our role, the role of the church. Grace is that capacity of God given to us for us to function this way. This does not undermine the role of government which Rom 13 addresses, but never are we instructed to participate. Rom 13 is teaching us that government is conducive to our role as the church. NOT that our roles are the same. We hold forth mercy as a counterpoint to the justice that the world dispenses. This is salt and light, what is distinct among God’s people as compared with being just like the world.
Jesus said we are to be merciful as our heavenly Father is merciful. How merciful is that? The three most prominent men in the Bible as to space devoted to their lives, apart from Jesus Christ were Moses, David and Paul. These men are most prominent of all men, and yet these three were all murderers. If I was to judge these three I would condemn them to death (here in Texas at least) Is that what God did? Did He not have mercy? Is it not just this simple. To follow Christ’s example in simplicity and purity of devotion to Him.
This is the log that is in our eye as christians. It is HUGE and yet we do not see it. We want mercy from God and yet we practice judgment(justice) on others. “Freely you have received, freely give” “Should you not have had mercy on your brother as I had mercy on you?”
Well done Pastor Mark, from fellow soldier (2 Timothy 2:3-4) for Lord JESUS, we order by the 1st Commandment of the I Am that I Am that we as the Church/Bride, must not bow down to any strange gods or to worship them
http://jcemmanuel.wordpress.com/ and http://www.myspace.com/jeremiah333ministries
Lord JESUS Loves U Regards David Dennis Fisher the Lord JESUS talking donkey
I live less than a mile from Goshen College and their stand is not very popular with many people in this community. According to a friend of mine he attended a basketball game at GC several years ago and during warm-up they play the song, “Highway to Hell” by AC/DC. He approached the coach and asked him if he thought that was an appropriate song to be played by a Christian college. The coach, according to the friend of mine, just rolled his eyes and walked away. He thought that was a bit odd and so do I.
Maybe having the first verse mentioning war and squeezing God into the last, fourth, verse was a sign of things to come?!
Cain was asked by God, Where is your brother Abel? Cain asked God, Am I my brothers keeper?
God has made everyone on this earth each others keeper. If I walk bý an alley and see a woman getting raped and I say as Davo did, “I am not to judge these men.” and I refuse to help her,then I will be accountable before God’s throne for the rape of that woman because by my non-action I am just as guilty as those who raped her.
So I leave you with this link on judging others
http://m.crosswalk.com/news/judge-not-cases-child-murder.html?utm_source=Crosswalk_Daily_Update&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=07/06/2011
If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing, he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words… 1Tim 6:3,4
Here’s the deal, you’ve got to prove your doctrine by the words of Jesus, that’s what Paul said. We must apply ourselves to His wisdom, not try to outmaneuver His message based on hypothetical events. You are to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, which coincides with “loving others as yourself.” It’s the same thing. Do I want mercy from others, do I want pardon from others? Why, yes I do.
Since I don’t want to be raped I would likely take the side of the rapee, to defend them. To defend someone from harm doesn’t imply that I would condemn the perpetrator for their actions nor can you find any new testament admonition to do so. But you do find this:
Luke 6:38-42
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.
“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over.
For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.
“And He also spoke a parable to them:
“A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit?
“A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.
“Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
“Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.
Mercy doctrine is so important that Jesus teaches it both ways, “Be merciful and judge not.” Paul says, judge nothing before the time (the Lord comes back), what do I have to do with judging outsiders, those who are outside(the church) God judges. James says, who are you to judge your neighbor? All judgment has been turned over to the Son!! Vengeance is His(not mine), He will repay.
Nobody is getting away with anything. Payday is coming we can all be sure.
“But if you had known what this means, ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION(MERCY), AND NOT A SACRIFICE,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. Matt 12:7
Beware of the justice of men. Many innocents have been condemned by a justice system that is fraught with corruption and compromise. Judgment at the hands of sinful men. It’s scary. Do christians have a duty to participate in such a system where literally thousands of innocent people have been convicted? How many christians have been party to condemning innocent people out of civic duty? Who knows, likely very many. Be warned christian, this is the gist of Jesus meaning. “Do not judge, lest you be judged”
Davo you do twist Christ words to your own destruction because again you misunderstand Christ words in Matthew 7. We are to be merciful to others, yet this has nothing to do with those who have broken God’s laws and man’s laws. Jesus told the Pharisees to judge righteous judgment when they do judge 7:24.
According to your method you are espousing a system of chaos. Paul stated that the things of which he spoke were the commands of the Lord. Paul in 1 Cor 6 commands that we judge. What know you not that we shall judge angels how much more things pertaining unto this life? 1 cor 6:3
I thank God folks like you do not sit on jury trials because we would have no law and order in this world.
They called me back for jury duty again. They tend to recall a second time if you don’t get placed on a jury at first. Then they released the panel, why I don’t know, guess they settled it. Got to thinking…
This is a news item in regard to the same district court that I was called to serve on.
http://www.bccourier.com/Archives/News_detail.php?recordID=100506N3
This is the former district judge on that court(who resigned) and the former DA, both convicted of financial impropriety. Small potatoes for sure, but still an example of the nature of the system.