The Questions We’re Asking: Acts 1:6 and the Church in North America
In Acts 1:6, the disciples ask Jesus, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel” (NIV)? This question reflects a desire for a physical, visible solution to their struggles and longings. Today, many in the church in North America echo this sentiment, desiring political power to be the solution to their struggles instead of relying on God. This blog post explores how the church's shift toward Christian nationalism can lead to idolatry and distract from Jesus’ mission of redemption, restoration, and reconciliation.
The Allure of Political Power
People often want something tangible to believe in, leading to idolizing things we desire more than God. One of the most prominent case studies of this idolizing tendency is found in political figures. I argue this because the white evangelical church supports leaders who do not embody Christian ethics. Many see political figures as messianic, believing they will restore the morals and ethics of Christian belief, but it is impossible to legislate the heart. This reliance on political power can undermine faith in God and God’s mission. We have missed the kingdom of God in pursuit of this cultural dominance.
In missing the kingdom of God, idolatry of politics is found in the church. When political leaders lacking the imitatio Christi (imitating Christ) take precedence over the prophetic imagination of the people of God, the church risks losing its way.
When political leaders take precedence over Christ, the church risks losing its way.
The allure of political power can be seen in many ways in the private and public spheres of missiology and society. Still, I want to highlight three ways this idolatry manifests:
1. Blind Loyalty: Many support leaders based on party affiliation rather than their embodiment of Christian values. Previously, unquestioning loyalty would become embodied by ignoring and denying behaviors that do not align with Christ-like actions, but it has developed in the motus Trump with the blatant acceptance of behaviors that go against the way of Christ.
2. Divided Church: Political allegiance can create divisions within congregations, undermining unity in Christ. Paul quickly addresses this in 1 Corinthians 1:12-13 by asking, “Is Christ divided?” We are in a time now where people who disagree theologically worship together because it is easier for a Calvinist and an Arminian to worship together than a Democrat and Republican. These identifiers hold local churches together rather than Christ. This leads to the third way idolatry manifests.
3. Misplaced Confidence: Confidence should be rooted in God, not a political figure or party. This misplaced confidence can lead to disillusionment when political leaders fail to deliver on their promises. Suppose you allow me to generalize for just a little bit. In many cases, it is easier to tell who someone voted for than if that person loves Jesus, which brings us back to the disciple’s question in Acts 1:6. Are we placing our hope and restoration in an earthly kingdom or God’s kingdom?
The Danger of Christian Nationalism
Christian nationalism emerges when faith intertwines with political agendas, often prioritizing dominance over redemption, restoration, and reconciliation. This movement can lead to a false sense of security, where the church believes it can achieve God's mission through earthly power and politics. The biblical witness shows time after time that the way of God’s kingdom is a different kind of power and completely defies worldly power. Followers of Christ must recognize that not every expression of power aligns with the kingdom's values.
There is a big difference between dominance and transformation, and God calls us to the slow and sacrificial work of redemption, reconciliation, and restoration. The church’s mission is not to impose beliefs through legislation but to embody the love and way of Christ. In Acts 1:6, the disciples ask for the Kingdom of God to be embodied through a political movement. Jesus responds in the following verses, 7-8,
He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (NIV, emphasis added).
Jesus says that the work of God’s kingdom is through you. While the disciples were looking for God’s kingdom to advance through the restoration of political power, Jesus tells them that is not how it advances.
It is not how God’s kingdom works.
It is not how the missio Dei, the mission of God, operates.
It is through you that redemption, reconciliation, and restoration happen.
Jesus says to stop looking.
To stop waiting for a political movement.
Jesus tells them to get to work once the power of the Holy Spirit comes upon them.
Isn’t this wild?
Isn’t this scary?
Isn’t this so beautiful?
But is the church in North America asking the same question? The wrong question?
When we recognize what is happening in this text, we realize that the motus Dei (movement of God) looks different from the motus politicus. It looks different from seeking power, leading to a misalignment with God’s mission. The church must focus on its role in God’s mission rather than aligning with political movements that diverge from its core values. Consider the following: theological implications and historical context.
Christian nationalism neglects the biblical call to serve others and pursue justice. It ignores the reality of imago Dei. It refuses to see the “other” as image bearers of the Divine, which can be seen in the church's historical context. The church has often aligned with political power, leading to compromises in its mission.
In "The Trouble I've Seen," Dr. Drew Hart emphasizes that the church must confront its complicity in power systems that contradict Christ's teachings. The aim should not be to impose beliefs through political means but to embody Jesus's love and grace in everyday life.
The Call to Motus Dei
Christianity thrives not as an institution but as a movement. The question the disciples asked Jesus in Acts 1:6 is the same question being asked in the movement of Trump. Because of this, it cannot be equated to the movement of God. The church's true calling is to engage in grassroots efforts that foster community, justice, and transformation.
Grassroots efforts to foster community, create spaces of hope, and be conduits for the mission of God to be embodied.
We can do this by looking at our own homes.
Our own communities.
The issues that keep our neighbors up at night.
We can do this by asking: What local efforts around me reflect God’s love and mission of redemption, reconciliation, and restoration?
Wrestling with this question invites leaders and followers of Christ to get involved in local conversations and programs outside the church's four walls that serve the community's actual felt needs.
The call to a movement is a call to education and dialogue. Often, the church is not a place where vulnerable discussions can happen, and that is not the way God designed the church to be. The church should start conversations and facilitate dialogue with its community, actively participating in the social sphere of missiology and society.
The call is to equip and empower disciples (the whole vision and mission of Herewithin). Individuals must be equipped to lead, serve, and foster a culture of reproducible disciple-making within the church. The church’s strength lies in mobilizing people to live out their faith in practiced and practical ways. This requires a shift in perspective, moving from seeking political dominance to embracing God’s mission to be communities of hope.
The church has an important role to play in society, especially as it relates to justice and mercy. It should be a voice for the voiceless and advocate for those marginalized by the systems of power. Today is the time for churches to engage in conversations about justice and giving voice to the marginalized.
Are you still asking the wrong questions or engaging in the redemptive, reconciling, and restoring work God has called you to?
The movement of God is alive and active through each of us, and it is time to reclaim God’s mission.