In, But Not Of
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. “ (I Peter 2:9 )
I have often said, “ I don’t do politics . . . I am not political . . . I do not weigh in on political matters” and other such statements. There is a reason for that . . . I am a “traditional” Mennonite. Not Conservative and not Fundamental, but traditional. When I was growing up, there was good bit of discussion around our supper table as to whether Mennonites should vote or take part in other political actions. It was an evolution from being “the quiet in the land” to demonstrating for and on peace issues. But peace issues and politics issues, while having many intersection points, are not the same thing.
The confession of faith says, “We believe that the church is God’s “holy nation,” called to give full allegiance to Christ its head and to witness to all nations about God’s saving love. The church is the spiritual, social, and political body that gives its allegiance to God alone.”
If we speak out on peace issues (which I have done – 2009 being a year that I spoke on peace for nearly 365 days) it is to witness to God’s love and shalom. Within my lifetime, the question as to whether Mennonites should vote was a hot topic – of course, that was in Canada and not in the United States. Let me say that on several issues Canadian Mennonites and United States Mennonites do not use the same perspectives, although we are covered by the same confession of faith.
So what does it mean to be a Mennonite and be a citizen of a nation? The phrase “in but not of” covers a good deal of ground. We live in a nation, that is are born and raised in a country, state/province, town, and are subject to the laws and guidelines of all citizens. But if a law conflicts with God’s law, God’s law takes precedence. Now, Mennonites do not seek to break laws, and for the most part the “laws of the land” and God’s laws both seek to protect and keep the peace. But at times, God’s law calls us to a higher standard and accountability. We respect governments if the government seeks to protect its citizenry, but when governments to not seek the good of all people, we are compelled to raise above that seek the good of all people according to God’s laws.
I have not yet spoken about the “commentary” that accompanies the articles of faith. Perhaps it would be help to excerpt some of that here to help explain what I mean. “We believe that Christ is Lord over all of life. Church and state are separate and often competing structures vying for our loyalty. We understand that governments can preserve order and that we owe honor to people in government. But our “fear” [meaning reverence, awe, and love] belongs to God alone. When the demands of the government conflict with the demands of Christ, Christians are to “obey God rather than any human authority.”
So there you have it . . . I am a Canadian citizen living in the United States but pledge my allegiance first and foremost to God.
May you gentle reader pledge your loyalty to God, and may that pledge guide all your other decisions and actions. Selah!
