Jesus, not nationalism

A paraphrase of the Barmen declaration

Fellow Pilgrims,

In the last few weeks in the United States, we’ve seen:

• A member of the U.S. house of representatives seek to have the House condemn a Christian sermon.

• Sudden orders to stop aid work, including the work of specifically Christian organizations.

• Interpretations of scripture, offered by the Vice President, which do violence to the text and Christian teaching, including the social teaching of his own Roman Catholic Church.

• The President blame a tragedy on diversity and inclusion, with utter disregard for truth or for the dignity of all human beings.

In 1934, a group of church leaders drafted the Barmen declaration in resistance to the German Church’s allegiance to the Nazi Party.

Below, I offer a paraphrase of the declaration: a bit shortened, some names changed. There’s a lot more to be said. I don’t mean to draw a direct parallel between 1934 and today, but Christians in the United States right now can stand to hear the theological declarations of Barmen directed at us.

Barmen, paraphrased.

I. An Appeal to Christians in the United States

If we confess faith in the one Lord of the one, holy, apostolic church, we must speak to the needs and temptations of the church in our day. The church in the United States is being courted by false doctrine and insincere practices, but we can only be the church of Jesus Christ if we find our identity in him.

Let us join in prayer and to support pastors, churches, and teachers who are faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us examine our hearts for self-deception. Scripture urges us to test the spirits to see if they are of God.

II. Theological Declaration Concerning the Present Situation

Our confession of faith in the one Lord, Jesus Christ, is in peril, as is the unity of the church. We are threatened by the teaching and actions of “Christian nationalists” and those who would claim core aspects of Christian faith can be thrown overboard for political reasons. Nationalism subverts Christian identity, which is being attacked by principles alien to biblical faith, on the part of political leaders who would use the name of Christ for purposes alien to Christ. If we validate those alien principles, Christian witness becomes impossible, and we turn the gospel we claim to proclaim into a lie.

Against these errors, let us face these gospel truths:

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one comes to the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6).

Jesus Christ, as we meet him in Holy Scripture, is the one Word of God. He is the one from whom we hear the truth and in whom we trust and obey in life and in death.

We reject the false teaching, that the church should acknowledge other sources, besides the one Word of God, as authorities for what we proclaim. No president, events, powers, or figures besides Jesus can change the message of the Christian church.

“Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” (I Cor. 1:30.)

Jesus Christ claims our whole lives. He delivers us from the chains of this world, and sets us free to love God, others, and all creation.

We reject the false teaching that there could be any areas of life that do not belong to Jesus but to other lords—national, political, racial, financial, or otherwise. We reject the idea that there are any areas of life not in need transformation through him.

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body [is] joined and knit together.” (Eph. 4:15, 16.)

The Christian Church is the family in which Jesus Christ acts as Lord in Word and Sacrament through the Holy Spirit. We must testify—by faith, obedience, message, and action—that we belong solely to him.

We reject the false teaching that the church could change its identity and message to assuage prevailing ideological and political claims.

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” (Matt. 20:25, 26.)

Leadership in the church is not about power and domination; leaders are there to minister to and serve the body and the world.

We reject the false teaching that the church could be permitted to give itself, or to accept, special leaders with ruling powers.

“Fear God. Honor the emperor.” (I Peter 2:17.)

In a sinful world, government should provide justice and peace.

We reject the false teaching that the State could go beyond that task and claim to become the single and totalitarian order of human life, replacing Christ. We reject the false teaching that the church could become an organ of the State.

“Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” (Matt. 28:20.) “The word of God is not fettered.” (II Tim. 2:9.)

The church’s task is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, the message of the free grace of God to all people, regardless of age, race, nation or status, working to embody the righteousness, justice, love, and mercy of the kingdom of God.

We reject the false teaching that the church could surrender the Word and work of the Lord in service to any national desires, purposes, and plans.

Grace & peace,

BFJ

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