I was just reading an article about the relationship between Obama and the Catholic Church. Although I ignored much of what the article had to say, one question did pop into my mind: why do many Christians so oppose globalism?
In reading authors, like the one who wrote this article, I see a common assumption that somehow, pursuing multilateral intervention, or seeking to increase support for the U.N. is "unchristian." For some reason people tend to think that any centralization of power in the world is unbiblical and evil. In fact, within many evangelical circles simply the word "global" carries negative connotations. While I will refrain from stating my ideas about globalism (that could become a very lengthy discussion), I do find this "conservative Christian" aversion to it fascinating.
In particular, I think this attitude is due to two main factors of evangelical Christianity in America today. First, the prominence of dispensationalism provides a major source of motivation. After all, if the Antichrist is going to come to power via a "world order," then any attempt to centralize power on the global level must be in direct opposition to God. It's the work of the Antichrist, right? However, as a side note, I find this quite confusing. Shouldn't we want this since it means we'll get "raptured" sooner? Why don't we pray for this global power to arise so we can get out of here? But anyways...
Second, I think this attitude is a byproduct of our worship of America. We're so nationalistic that we hate seeing power go to other authorities or countries besides our own. Yet, while I love America, I cannot find where in the Bible I'm to place her sovereignty above the purposes of God. Sadly, many Christians today believe that U.S. sovereignty should be protected at all costs. But, what if we could lessen violence by sacrificing some sovereignty? Isn't peace one of the characteristics of the Kingdom? Perhaps we love U.S. sovereignty because of the benefits it gives us. After all, if no one limits our power, then we can always go to war and crush by might any power that might oppose our way of life. Maybe we as Christians find comfort in that kind of power.
Whatever the exact reason(s), we need to examine our assumptions. Is globalism evil de facto? If we think it is, why do we feel that way? Regardless of our conclusions about the kingdoms of the world, it is imperative that we at least recognize that the Kingdom of God is global:
"After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes..." (Rev. 7:9)
I'll heartily "amen" both your points.
ReplyDeleteI'd take your second one even further, or at least closer to home. I don't know who wrote the article you read, but for Southern Baptists there has always been an unhealthy relationship between assumptions about what it meant to be "Southern" with what it meant to be Christian. The localized-sectarian nature of so much of SBC history makes it very hard for many SBCers to be open to anything beyond those regional distinctives.
In a way, the increasing Fundamentalism (marked by anti-ecumenicism, anti-globalism, and reaffirmation of traditional southern aristocratic cultural norms such as abstinance from strong drink and card-playing) following WWII is a result of culture shock. After the war, demographics shifted all across the country. Northerners moved south and Southerners moved north. The rural denizens who made up the backbone of the SBC increasingly moved into urban and suburban settings. The shock that occured when these people encountered whole new worlds of cultural and intellectual norms created a hostile defensiveness, which organized into Fundamentalism. And not long after that, Southern Baptists were firing women from teaching positions and demanding missionaries sign a creed - one which was as committed to certain theological truths as cultural truths.
In shock, anything "outside" was labeled evil. Some things never change.
Thanks Chris,
ReplyDeleteAn interesting point that I had not really thought about before.