I don't think anyone would disagree that we (followers of Jesus) have been called to be warriors of light in dark places. Warriors have difficulty with being domesticated. We struggle in civilization. Although we are comfortable living in community with other warriors, don't expect warriors to simply go with the flow.
I was thinking about this while looking through Erwin McManus' book "The Barbarian Way." On page 109 he states: "We build churches that become nothing more than hiding places for the faithful while pretending that our actions are for the good of the world. Or we choose political and secular vehicles to try to advance our cultural values, strangely attempting to make unbelieving people act like civilized believers." The contrast of this concept comes from Jesus as He calls us to a different way. He calls us to an engagement with the darkness around us so that we may shed the light of the kingdom of God.
Why is it that when we see people saved they often retreat into the walls of nice church buildings? Salvation must be seen as enlistment into the mission of God. The Spirit of God within us will never be content simply sitting in a Bible Study or attending some special services. In fact, He will often stir up a discontentment within us that cries out for a greater engagement in the battle around us.
Some well meaning Christians have thought that this engagement means that we must be fully submerged in the culture wars in our nation. We arm ourselves with right-wing philosophy, strong conservative theology, and anything else that will help advance our causes in the world's systems. There's one problem: Our kingdom is not of this world! We can work, fight, protest, and try our hardest but we can never guarantee that America will reflect the fullness of God's kingdom. Instead of a political or sociological approach, let's take a spiritual approach.
The Bible teaches us that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but spiritual. Their use is pulling down strongholds and every thing that would exalt itself against the knowledge of God. America will never be right until Americans get right! Look at the history of Israel. They had all the commandments. The possessed the great teachers of theological truth. They also had a statewide religious system. Yet in all their structure they did not do the thins that the Lord had commanded them. In fact, they loved their civilized religion so much that they were bothered by the Messiah who sought to change it. What we should learn in Israel's example is that you can have all the right laws in place and the people will still do what they consider right in their own eyes.
The true change that needs to take place in our country happens per individual, per home, per community. One by one as the kingdom of God advances we find that God actually changes our environment. Our children become a product of a radical faith that is handed down to them which alters the next generation. Churches stop being social clubs for the gospel and become mission centers that send out their people rather than trying to hold on to them. It's nothing short of wide-open faith that hears a divine call to "Go."
I agree with McManus: "I am convinced that even now there are multitudes of followers of Jesus Christ who are sick and tired of the church playing games and playing down the call of God." (P.114) We are realizing that Christianity isn't the religious wing of the Republican party. We are tired of social activism and seek to be used in kingdom activity. We recognize that our kingdom is not of this world and the impact we need to have focuses on the salvation of the world. It's not that we don't love the church - we do - we just can't handle the packaging.
This Barbarian Way is a deep and intense burning for something greater. We aren't fighting with clubs and swords but with the Word of God and grace. The Spirit of God is our guide into the arena of conflict. We don't care what it looks like - barbarians were never concerned about looking good. We aren't as concerned with what it sounds like - barbarians are sort of a loud bunch. What we care about is seeing God's kingdom become a reality where we live. We want to see an impact NOW. We can no longer wait for the world to come to church. We have chosen to take Jesus to the world.
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