The Myth of a Christian Nation by Greg Boyd
The Myth of a Christian Nation is a book that presents ideas that argue against Christians’ belief that engaging in politics is a God –assigned mission. Greg Boyd argues that American Christians have gotten carried away by political ideas trying to justify unchristian- like actions all in the name of trying to spread Christian values and glorify God (Boyd, 10). This article will focus on the ideas and thoughts in this book by analyzing the author’s main purpose of writing this book, the key issue being addressed, evidence the author has to solve this problem, the author’s conclusions and key concepts the reader must understand to understand the author’s argument. It will also verify if the evidence provided by the author supports his conclusion, analyze the assumptions that form the author’s line of thought and the consequences if the reader accepts or rejects the author’s reasoning.
The main purpose of Greg Boyd writing this book is to warn Christians from incorporating certain political ideologies and associating with politics, its parties and candidates with the false belief that they are taking the American nation back for God. Instead, the focus for Christians should be on following Jesus and his teachings as this is the way of God’s Kingdom. The key issue being addressed by Boyd is the false belief America has that it is a Christian nation because its founders and the ideologies it was founded on are rather religious but not Christian. He argues that the ethics and foundations among Christians in the world do not align with those of God’s Kingdom. Christians have been sucked into the ideology of American exceptionalism which is based on democracy and achieving things through force while trying to justify it as a means towards achieving the spread of Christian ideologies. This is contrary to God’s Kingdom that operates in love, forgiveness and fairness (Boyd 45).
The evidence the author uses to solve this problem is Jesus’ way of life while on earth as portrayed in the New Testament. Boyd explains that while on earth, Jesus is not shown anywhere in the Bible as having mobilized or suggested to the Israelites to take over power from the leaders. He also never brought forth any issues on the reign of the government during his time. He never made laws or fought for the protection of His and His followers’ rights. He instead upheld humility, served and fellowshipped indiscriminately with others. Also, none of the Bible authors ever showed that engaging in politics associates with God’s Kingdom in any way. Boyd further quotes from the book of Philippians, a verse that explains that our citizenship is in God’s Kingdom and not earthly (Boyd 53).
Boyd’s main conclusion in this book is that America is rather a religious nation but not a Christian one and that the belief of otherwise is a misunderstanding. He further explains that America has borrowed ideas from the Israelites that are not Christian –like as they do not uphold the values that form the foundation of God’s Kingdom. He also concludes that Christianity is all about what one does and Christian values should be upheld at all times. He further explains that the Kingdom of God is in heaven where our citizenship is and not earth as it is simply a passage way. He concludes that those who uphold God’s teachings and values even atheists are more Christ- like than Christians who are sinful and try to justify their actions (Boyd 203).
One of the main ideas that the reader must understand so as to understand the author’s thinking is that it is a disaster for Christians and the church as a whole to engage in politics as it poses a risk of aligning themselves with political ideologies. Also, we should not dwell on earthly things because we are citizens of God’s kingdom. Another main idea brought out by Boyd is that the word of God does not encourage us to fight for change but rather encourages the bringing of change through the spread of love. Change through love is the only way the word Christians will receive its true meaning of being Christ- like. Finally, being a Christian is no assurance that one is of God’s Kingdom if you do not yearn to live up to righteousness and love as these are the foundations of God’s Kingdom (Boyd 180-201)
The evidence provided from the Bible and in explanation truly supports the author’s conclusion that Christian’s mission to take America for God is based on false ideologies. This mission is not in any way related to God’s Kingdom as the Bible clearly does not in any way indicate encouragement for Christians to take power from leaders. Also, the teachings and values of Christ condemn the actions aligned with political values and their justification bringing them out as unchristian- like (Boyd, 45).
An assumption that the author makes that underlies his thinking is that domination by Christians and Christian ideas does not guarantee a victory against cultural war. He explains that lack of victory is because Christianity is based on one’s actions and God’s love is the key to God’s glorification. He also assumes that the reason why the U.S. tries to justify its actions is as a result of the ideology of Judeo- Christianism began by the forefathers that embrace some ways of the Israelites such as military wars. Boyd explains that despite being in the Bible, this is not the way of God’s Kingdom and the Israelites were imperfect as any other nation (Boyd, 54).
In conclusion, readers who reject the train of thoughts and ideas in this book will miss out on the purpose of Christianity which is becoming more Christ- like by upholding Godly values and living a blameless life. They may also get carried away in fighting over the nation’s rule yet this is a passage way and our true citizenship is in heaven. Also, as depicted, the author is not condemning the idea of Christians engaging in politics but rather simply laying out that it is not a God- given mission.
Works Cited
Boyd, Greg. The Myth of a Christian Nation: The quest for Political Power is Destroying the Church. Michigan, US: Zondervan Publishers, 2007. Print.
