The only Christian nation is the Kingdom of God

Let's try some word substitution and see what it stirs up.

But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Christian nation has come upon you. (Matthew 12:28)

I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the Christian nation ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him. (Matthew 21:32)

Therefore I tell you that the Christian nation will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. (Matthew 21:43)

The secret of the Christian nation has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables. (Mark 4:11)

He also said, "This is what the Christian nation is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. (Mark 4:26)

I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the Christian nation like a little child will never enter it. (Mark 10:15)

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Christian nation. (Mark 10:25)

Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Christian nation. (Luke 6:20)

Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The Christian nation is near you.' (Luke 10:9)

Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the Christian nation would come, Jesus replied, "Christian nation does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the Christian nation is among you." (Luke 17:20-21)

While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the Christian nation was going to appear at once. (Luke 19:11)

I tell you the truth, no one can see the Christian nation unless he is born again. (John 3:3)

We must go through many hardships to enter the Christian nation (Acts 14:22)

Boldly and without hindrance he preached the Christian nation and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 28:31)

For the Christian nation is not a matter of talk but of power. (1 Corinthians 4:20)

I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Christian nation, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. (1 Corinthians 15:50)

Synchroblog

This post is part of a synchroblog on the theme of The Kingdom of God. You may see other posts on this theme at:

• Susan Barnes (Christian currently attending a Baptist church) of Abooklook on My kingdom goes
• Timothy Victor (Christian) of Tim Victor’s Musings on The reign of Godde
• Ronald van der Bergh (Dutch Reformed) of Ronalds Footnotes on Notes on “the Kingdom of God” in the New Testament
• Nic Paton (fundamentalist, charismatic, liberationist, apophatic, heterodox) of soundandsilence on The “Kingdom”: of God?
• Beth Patterson (Non churched follower of Christ) of Virtual Tea House on What it’s like rather than what it is
• Jeff Goins (Non-denominational Christian) of Pilgrimage of the Heart on The Kingdom of God: Now and Not Yet
• Phil Wyman (Non-denominational Christian) of Square No More on Jesus as the Archetype Shaman (Part 2): A Nostalgia for Paradise
• Stephen Hayes (Orthodox Christian) of Khanya on Kingdom, power and glory
• Matt Stone (Christian) of Glocal Christianity on The only Christian nation is the Kingdom of God

Comments

[Steve Hayes]

I posted a note about the synchroblog on some of the Christian newsgroups on usenet, and got some interesting replies.

Said that sine there aren't many monarchs arund nowadays, we should drop the monarchist imagery. One atheist troll wrote the usual stuff about rejecting lordship, ending up by saying that "It's 2009 after all", and I couldn't resist adding "In the year of our Lord".

But it's the most amazing kind of reasoning (or rather unreasoning) that people seem to think the giving the date clinches the argument.

[Beth Patterson]

Pretty distressing, Matt!
Thanks for the literary cup of coffee today--

[Sally]

hmmm not sure about this, although as a gut reaction I dislike patriachal language I find it difficult to find a substitute for kingdom...

[Angela Harms]

Matt, this is really beautiful. Beautiful! Thanks!

[Matt Stone]

Sally, my intention is twofold. Not only to provide a contemporary substitute, but more importantly, to subvert the inappropriate conflation of American national interests with Christian missional interests.

[Phil Wyman]

Nice use of scripture bro, but why do you think that you are subverting only America? ;-)

[Matt Stone]

Oh, not only America Phil, I'm trying to subvert false "Christian nationalism" everywhere. America is just the most prominant and outspoken example. The wannabes are also on my hit list.

[alouw]

I like it! I think that other working synonyms for kingdom could be God's dream, story, culture, vision, etc,. Christian nation does not really work for me, but it would not have the same impact otherwise.

[Tim Victor]

Matt,

This simple word substitution is a pretty neat challenge. It really reminds me that the Church is not the Kingdom.

[Matt Stone]

Hey, if you connected with this post in any way you should all read Greg Boyd's review of the Patriot's Bible on Out of Ur.

http://blog.christianitytoday.com/outofur/archives/2009/05/book_review_the.html

Newly released from Zondervan, he flat out outs it as idolatrous.

[Ellen Haroutunian]

It makes me long for it - the true Christian Nation, that is. :-)

[Matt Stone]

Yes, let's not be satisfied with fakes.