SDAS and Christian Nationalism

[Gregory Matthews]

The following link will take you to a 3 1/2 hour discussion of an issue of current concern in the SDA Chruch:

NOTE:  This is sponsored by the North American Division of SDAs, other SDA groups and includes some non-SDAS.

(20+) North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists | Facebook

In the recent political climate there has arisen a new level of cooperation between evangelical and civil leaders that appears to place Christianity at the center of political influence. This kind of Christian Nationalism is the type Adventists have spoken of prophetically. Unfortunately, many Adventists are caught up or involved in it.

The challenge of placing one’s Christian identity ahead of one’s faith is the same one the church faced when German Adventists were attracted to Hitler, or more recently, with the Rwandan genocide when Adventists killed fellow Adventists. The challenge remains a perpetual danger for Christians, including Adventists, thereby blurring the distinction between Christian and American identities. Christian Nationalism moves beyond merely being patriotic, to a distinctive worldview that prioritizes, or seeks to impose, Christianity upon the public sphere. It furthermore creates boundaries and hierarchies that promote authoritarian control, racial insensitivity, militarism, and more. This conference, jointly sponsored by a number of denominational and professional entities, seeks to better identify, describe, and prescribe through thoughtful papers and discussion what this means for the Seventh-day Adventist Church today and into the future.

[RonCorson]

On 4/24/2021 at 7:16 PM, Gregory Matthews said:

In the recent political climate there has arisen a new level of cooperation between evangelical and civil leaders that appears to place Christianity at the center of political influence.

Was there ever a time when Christianity was not part of political influence? I really can't think of any time prior to the Roman empire accepting Christianity as a religion that they no longer persecuted. How could not the principles of Christianity not be a part of any political structure? I don't think it could and certainly in America it was central to the founders Ideas. There is today a big reaction from the Progressive Left politically which is very anti-Christian. It is interesting because there is very much a replacement of Christianity with leftist politics though the political left seems to always assume it is the conservative side. But think about it when was the last time you read an article on Adventist Today or Spectrum that presented a political conservative presentation. Unless someone one presents some letter it is Progressive politics all the time.  See https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/04/america-politics-religion/618072/

[Gregory Matthews]

Ron:  Contrary to your listing me as the author, I was not the one who said that.  That was a quote taken from a Conference sponsored in part by the North American Division of SDAs.   It was made by one of the participants in that Conference.

   

[RonCorson]

Sorry I just highlighted the quote and the program did the rest!