The Futility of Trying to Impose Faith

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An opinion piece in a recent edition of Rolling Stone magazine by Tim Dickinson was about Lance Wallnau, whom he describes as “a self-styled ‘prophet’ and one of America’s most strident Christian Nationalists.

“Wallnau,” says the article, “is a leading figure in the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR, whose followers believe that we are living in an age of new apostles and prophets, who receive direct revelations from God. NAR believers hold that the second coming of Jesus is fast approaching, and that it is the destiny of Christians to accelerate the End Times by exerting ‘dominion’ over the world.”

I’m not a regular reader of Rolling Stone and have never heard of Wallnau, but I do know that the idea that Christians should impose their beliefs on the rest of society, and even promote a “Christian” state, has been a continual thorn in the side of Christianity, and indeed, of religion in general, for centuries.

Papal States

Historically, my own Catholic Church has been among the worst offenders. The Papal States, a series of territories in present-day Italy that was headed by the pope from 756 until 1870, is a prime example of an attempt at “theocracy.”

It all seems to have started with the conversion of Constantine. He was the Roman emperor from AD 306 to 337 and the first emperor to convert to Christianity. Because the empire still controlled a vast territory, Christianity was eventually imposed on much of the population and that became the norm for centuries.

But Christianity is far from the sole perpetrator of the idea that religion and states should be one. It seems to have been common among the world’s various religions in east and west.

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As for Catholicism, it has changed its position, recognizing that faith cannot be imposed, either by the state or by individuals. Though some American Catholic clergy and laity may still yearn for the union of church and state, the official position of the church - and I believe the majority of Catholics - oppose that approach.

That’s evident, among other sources, in “Joy and Hope: The Church in the Modern World,” one of the documents of the church’s Second Vatican Council, held in the early 1960s.

It declares that the Church is not identified with or bound to any one political system and respects and encourages political freedom and responsibility. Also, that the Church and state are autonomous and independent from each other.

It brings to mind Jesus’ words during his trial before Pontius Pilate.

Not of This World

In answer to Pilate’s question, “Are you King of the Jews?” Jesus answers, “My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight that I might not be handed over to the Jews.”

That’s not to say that the life of faith should be limited to the “afterlife.” Our commitment, in my view, is to love God AND neighbor and that’s done in this world.

So, the kingdom of God is not, ultimately, about the world’s power and authority, nor should Christians “fight” for it in those terms. Instead, imitating God, believers should invite people to faith.

Regardless of the veracity of the Rolling Stone article, it’s easy to see that the temptation of power and authority is alive and well in today’s world. It’s unfortunate that many believers continue to reject God’s way of loving and inviting love in return.