The following article is definitely worth a read for one to understand a fundamental movement in the church. Click below to read about some essential components in the conversation of the emerging church. I am not suggesting that the subversive reformation movement that is in progressing will be fueled by or founded upon the “emergent.”
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/011/12.36.html

I attended a celebration service at Mount Vernon High School (or Middle School) today. The service was held in the school cafeteria. It was very laid back with people of all ages but only one race (at least that I noticed). The musical reflection was a tremendous moment for me to connect more intimately with God and I was deeply encouraged to continue thinking differently (appropriately) about the church. The experience did not redeem in my mind the current practices of “churchdom” but the pastor spoke prophetically saying what seemed to be some of my thoughts about recovering who we are as followers of Christ. The term “prophetically” may have many interpretations oppossing that which is intended in the preceeding sentence. While the service was more “led by the Spirit” than what I am used to, it was by no means what some may describe as “charismatic” (a word which is overly and heavily misused). I applaud the efforts of those who call themselves the Vineyard of Knox County for engaging themselves within the community. If only they were not working on the construction/remodeling of a new place to gather…
http://www.knoxvineyard.org

Iran rejects U.N. nuclear deadlne
Tehran has until end of Aug to suspend program or face sanctions
Tuesday, August 1, 2006; Posted: 11:48 a.m. EDT (15:48 GMT)

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday rejected a U.N. Security Council resolution that would give his nation until Aug. 31 to suspend uranium enrichment.
Instead, Ahmadinejad insisted Tehran would pursue its nuclear program.
“My words are the words of the Iranian nation. Throughout Iran, there is one slogan: ‘The Iranian nation considers the peaceful use of nuclear fuel production technology its right,”‘ Ahmadinejad said.
The Security Council passed a resolution Monday calling for Iran to suspend uranium enrichment by the end of August or face the threat of economic and diplomatic sanctions.

Why does the United States always think that it is bigger and better than everyone else? Does the U.N. Security Council demand that the United States cease operation at its Uranium Enrichment Plant? Why is it okay for the U.S. to have a nuclear program but no one else can?

The preceeding rhetorical questions reveal my attitude toward the U.S. It is an attitude of disgust and disgrace due to the practice of Nationalism and religious worship of an earthly empire. For most “conservative evangelicals,” along with many others, America has become an idol. The starred and striped flag and displays of red, white, and blue have become religious icons – symbols revealing allegiance. My allegiance is to God and God alone. I will not pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America nor to the republic for which it stands. I will not pledge allegiance to Iran. I will not pledge allegiance to Angola. I will not pledge allegiance to any earthly empire. My allegiance is to God and God alone. May we become aware of our idolatry. May we cease to inadvertantly pay homage to an eartly empire.

The subsequent picture is from an article from the New York Times. Click the link for full story.

The Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, Minn., lost about 1,000 of its 5,000 members after Rev. Gregory Boyd urged in June an end to sexual moralizing and military glorification and said America should not be proclaimed a “Christian nation.”

http://articles.news.aol.com/news/_a/disowning-conservative-politics-is/20060729195809990004?ncid=NWS00010000000001

My father-in-law operates an amature radio from his study on the second floor of his home in northwestern Ohio. He connected with a man in Norway who asked, “Why does America always have to be in everyone else’s business? Why did you go to Iraq? Why are you still in Iraq? Why do you guys have to have our hands in everything?”
My father-in-law responded, “If you had some bunch of terrorists fly planes into major economic buildings in Norway, killing thousands of innocent people, wouldn’t your country retaliate as well?”
“Maybe so. But what were you doing there in the first place? In Norway, we use our own oil. We don’t depend on Middle Eastern oil. You guys were over there for oil, money, for financial gain.”
My father-in-law didn’t know how to respond.

My responsibility as a follower of Christ is to love the Lord with my heart, soul, mind, and strength – to become as much like Christ as I possibly can (that’s what the disciples did in 1st Century Israel). In doing so, I am able to love my neighbor. My neighbor is not just the white, middle-class guy that lives across the street. My neighbors live in Lebanon, Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, North Korea, Oklahoma, India, Portugal, New Zealand, and Norway. I have a global responsibility as a follower of Christ. Let’s now assume that this guy from Norway has heard that America is the “Christian Nation.” He sees how America operates and begins to associate Christ with retaliation. He begins to see Christ as someone who is intersted in obtaining more oil for his own consumption and financial gain. Christ then becomes someone who the Norweigian veiws as arrogant, power-hungry, selfish, and materialistic – someone who does not love his neighbor – who does not care about the death of so many innocent people.

Along with Gregroy Boyd, I cannot claim America as a Christian nation. Sometimes I don’t even like to say that I’m a Christian because of all the negative, non-biblical connotations that go with it. It is not a matter of being ashamed of being a Christ follower, it’s being ashamed of what Christianity has become. Too many Christians support war – and for what? For our religious rights? What religious rights? Christ never promised religious rights? He only promised and taught a better way to live: a life of forgiveness and reconciliation. May we consider our tactics and polical positioning and consider our global responsibily to love our neighbors.