As we get into Hebrews, and as the political climate heats up, let’s remember that it was specifically written to counteract \u201cChristianity and\u2026\u201d Eugene Peterson\u2019s introduction to Hebrews in The Message contains this sentence:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the letter, it is Jesus-and-angels, or Jesus-and-Moses, or Jesus-and-priesthood. In our time it is more likely to be Jesus-and-politics,\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n C.S. Lewis said much the same thing, way back in 1942. In\u00a0Screwtape Letters<\/a>\u00a0(highly recommend!), senior demon Screwtape is writing to junior demon Wormwood on how to get a new believer off track. In letter VII, Screwtape asks Wormwood to find out whether the new believer is a \u201cPatriot\u201d (in favor of the war against Germany) or a \u201cPacifist,\u201d and Screwtape really doesn\u2019t care which. Screwtape writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whichever he adopts, your main task will be the same. Let him begin by treating the Patriotism or the Pacifism as a part of his religion. Then let him, under the influence of partisan spirit, come to regard it as the most important part. Then quietly and gradually nurse him on to the stage at which the religion becomes merely part of the \u2018Cause,\u2019 in which Christianity is valued chiefly because of the excellent arguments it can produce in favour of the British war effort or of pacifism. \u2013<\/em>\u00a0C.S. Lewis,\u00a0Screwtape Letters<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The application to our day is clear. I wrote on July 28, 2020:\u00a0Where are our loyalties?<\/a>\u00a0that no political party has the five elements the early church had.\u00a0Four years ago<\/a>\u00a0I made the point that we ought to be loving each other regardless of where we are on the political spectrum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our focus needs to be Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regarding angels he says, The messengers are winds, the servants are tongues of fire. But he says to the Son, You\u2019re God, and on the throne for good; your rule makes everything right. (Hebrews 1.7, 8, MSG)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities\u2014all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (Colossians 1.15 \u2013 20, ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Parts of this blog were originally published October 20, 2020<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As we get into Hebrews, and as the political climate heats up, let’s remember that it was specifically written to counteract \u201cChristianity and\u2026\u201d Eugene Peterson\u2019s introduction to Hebrews in The Message contains this sentence: In the letter, it is Jesus-and-angels, or Jesus-and-Moses, or Jesus-and-priesthood. In our time it is more likely to be Jesus-and-politics,\u2026 C.S. … Continue reading Not “Jesus and…”<\/span>