For many Christians, we are home. America is home. And politicians are our prophets. But let there be no doubt, my friend, we are not home. We are in exile. We are in Babylon.
Some of my friends are caught up in the current political rhetoric and love to quote the Old Testament to support their positions. Perhaps the New Testament, when read afresh, is too counter-cultural and goes overboard with sacrificial living, Christ’s example is being overrun by self-seeking theologies and politics. But Christ made it clear that even the Old Testament, when read through the lens of his life, is full of sacrificial living. It foreshadows his life.[1]
Brian McLaren (thanks to a post by Richard Rohr) says it succinctly: “In Christ, we see an image of a God who is not armed with lightning bolts but with basin and towel, who spewed not threats but good news for all, who rode not a warhorse but a donkey, weeping in compassion for people who do not know the way of peace. In Christ, God is supreme, but not in the old discredited paradigm of supremacy; God is the supreme healer, the supreme friend, the supreme lover, the supreme life-giver who self-empties in gracious love for all. The king of kings and lord of lords is the servant of all and the friend of sinners. The so-called weakness and foolishness of God are greater than the so-called power and wisdom of human regimes.”[2]
But if what you want is the old paradigm, then let us look at an often and selectively quoted Old Testament text: Jeremiah chapter 29. Typically, verse 11 is quoted: “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (NIV) It is indeed a purposeful and hopeful passage. But by itself ignores the message that comes before it. (We are so selective in our hearing.)
Some of the Israelites were in exile in Babylon. They were also following false prophets. Verses 8-9 read, “’Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,’ declares the Lord.” (NIV) Notice the circular nature of this text: the false prophets pleased the people because they were speaking what the people wanted to hear. The people were feeding their own ears. Jeremiah admonished Israel to ignore these puppets, dreamers and do-gooders. So it is in with our false Christian prophets today. They know how to please the people, and ultimately themselves. But their words are contrary to the words and life of Christ.
Jeremiah encouraged the people to “seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jer. 29:7, NIV) A Christ-follower acknowledges that our country is following self, not God. A Christ-follower knows we are in exile. A Christ-follower prays for peace and compassion in the midst of the exile.
What are the take-aways of this post? There are three . . .
- Ignore the false prophets. Interestingly, the false prophets Jeremiah referred to were not Babylonians. They were from within the ranks of the Israelites. So it is with our false prophets: they are from within the ranks of Christianity. As popular as they may be, if they are not speaking and living according to Christ’s life and teachings, they are false prophets. Their words will perish.
- Live sacrificially. Contrary to popular opinion, Sodom was destroyed because it did not care for the poor, the needy, and the immigrant. (Ezekiel 16:49-50, Leviticus 25:35) So it will be with America if we treat unkindly and deport said people. We must live as Christ lived. We must love as Christ loved: sacrificially.
- Pray for peace. We need the Prince of Peace, not the prince of the people.
Let there be no doubt, my friend: we are not home. We are in exile. We are in Babylon. Pray for peace in Babylon.
– Sam Augsburger
[1] Luke 24:13-27
[2] Brian D. McLaren, The Great Spiritual Migration: How the World’s Largest Religion Is Seeking a Better Way to Be Christian (New York: Convergent, 2016), 92–93.
