This is the sermon I wish I heard in church, back when they were handing out flags instead of bread and wine.
You're right. Empire doesn’t need faith. It just needs a stage and a script. And too many pulpits are willing to provide both. Wrap the missiles in a prayer, call it defense, and suddenly Jesus is wearing camo and waving from the cockpit.
You named the liturgy. Not peace, but power. Not love, but loyalty to nation instead of neighbor.
What hit hardest was this: maybe it’s just nationalism in a clerical collar. Yes. That’s the counterfeit gospel so many of us swallowed without question. A gospel where Jesus blesses bombs but not the people they fall on. A gospel that crucifies peacemakers and calls it security.
Thank you for reminding us that the Bible is a library, not a weapon rack. And that Jesus didn’t come to justify war. He came to unmask it.
We don’t need better arguments. We need better stories.
You just told one.
Let’s keep telling it until swords become plowshares and "We love you, God" actually means something other than we just bombed someone.
Joe you are in rare form. Speaking the truth while questioning everything. You once said "Every story problem requires a story solution." And I use that all the time in my business because it's true. It's true. Tell a better story.
The pull of empire is strong, power, influence, process, organisation, control, status and reward. It is not just religion that falls. In my opinion the whole monetarist society we live in is based on empire, it has been since Roman times, Jesus called it out (love of money is the root of evil). So what is the new story? One that puts money back to being a servant and puts first being good inhabitants of our early home with our non human neighbours. I'm waiting to hear it
This is why I pray the Second Coming happens in my lifetime. I come from a long line of military men in my family and would have enlisted had my disability not prevented me from doing so. The older I get though, the more I do question the need for war. But I will forever be proud of my family members for their service, holding onto the belief that they did it for what they felt were the right reasons. If I ever have kids and they want to enlist, I won't discourage it. But I will make sure they know what they're actually signing up for.
Thanks. I was so, so angry at Trump invoking God at the end of that announcement. I have calmed a little now. If I believe that God created all things, then GId created Trump too. I’ll let God deal with this flawed, ill and unstable human being. If I hold onto my anger, and allow it to live in me without reflection, then there is not room for an alternative story of peace and hope. I will breathe, listen and align myself with those who love and speak with thoughtfulness and discernment.. blessings to you.❤️
Empires collapse eventually. Rome collapsed. I believe the USA is heading towards economic and spiritual collapse. Maybe out of the debris an authentic expression of what Jesus lived and taught can re emerge and teach us again how to love. I believe seeds of such a movement are already present in the many beloved communities around this nation. But the voices of the marginalized MUST be the wisdom that grows such a movement. Rinse and repeat will fail. Jesus knew this. I am holding on to hope, because I don't believe that Jesus is a lost cause.
If you want a new narrative, let the WOMEN tell it. If you want a new narrative, let the people of color tell it. If you want a new narrative, let the children tell it. When we listen to the words of those on the outside, the marginalized, the outcast, we don't hear the martial drum beat or the rattle of sabers. When we look at those without power, we see equality, fraternity and sorority. We see color and light.
I got chills when reading the quote about a more powerful alternate story for our time.
It must be something worth sacrificing for.
I have long thought that story is one of the most powerful forces psychologically, spiritually, and now politically.
I don't know what is needed for our time, but it will resonate and must resonate to be effective.
i agree...
This is the sermon I wish I heard in church, back when they were handing out flags instead of bread and wine.
You're right. Empire doesn’t need faith. It just needs a stage and a script. And too many pulpits are willing to provide both. Wrap the missiles in a prayer, call it defense, and suddenly Jesus is wearing camo and waving from the cockpit.
You named the liturgy. Not peace, but power. Not love, but loyalty to nation instead of neighbor.
What hit hardest was this: maybe it’s just nationalism in a clerical collar. Yes. That’s the counterfeit gospel so many of us swallowed without question. A gospel where Jesus blesses bombs but not the people they fall on. A gospel that crucifies peacemakers and calls it security.
Thank you for reminding us that the Bible is a library, not a weapon rack. And that Jesus didn’t come to justify war. He came to unmask it.
We don’t need better arguments. We need better stories.
You just told one.
Let’s keep telling it until swords become plowshares and "We love you, God" actually means something other than we just bombed someone.
If you were a young Alexander Hamilton after this I'd say, "Let's get this guy in front of a crowd!"
This is so spot on Pastor Joe. A balanced thoughtful approach to the problems of empire and war. Thank you.
Thanks, Steve!
Joe you are in rare form. Speaking the truth while questioning everything. You once said "Every story problem requires a story solution." And I use that all the time in my business because it's true. It's true. Tell a better story.
Thanks, buddy. MIss ya.
The pull of empire is strong, power, influence, process, organisation, control, status and reward. It is not just religion that falls. In my opinion the whole monetarist society we live in is based on empire, it has been since Roman times, Jesus called it out (love of money is the root of evil). So what is the new story? One that puts money back to being a servant and puts first being good inhabitants of our early home with our non human neighbours. I'm waiting to hear it
I don't know either. I just know it's the only hope.
Clarity
"Jesus tried to tell a new story.
And the gravitational pull back to empire was so strong that within just a few generations, even his early followers were back worshiping power."
Thank you for making the obvious apparent
:)
This is why I pray the Second Coming happens in my lifetime. I come from a long line of military men in my family and would have enlisted had my disability not prevented me from doing so. The older I get though, the more I do question the need for war. But I will forever be proud of my family members for their service, holding onto the belief that they did it for what they felt were the right reasons. If I ever have kids and they want to enlist, I won't discourage it. But I will make sure they know what they're actually signing up for.
It sure does get complicated when it entangles with our family history. I know there are no clear and easy answers to it.
"If your version of Christianity never challenges violence…
If it never asks hard questions of your government…
If it never wonders whether Jesus would bless the bombs—
Then maybe it’s just nationalism in a clerical collar."
YES. THIS.
🙏🏼
Thanks. I was so, so angry at Trump invoking God at the end of that announcement. I have calmed a little now. If I believe that God created all things, then GId created Trump too. I’ll let God deal with this flawed, ill and unstable human being. If I hold onto my anger, and allow it to live in me without reflection, then there is not room for an alternative story of peace and hope. I will breathe, listen and align myself with those who love and speak with thoughtfulness and discernment.. blessings to you.❤️
Empires collapse eventually. Rome collapsed. I believe the USA is heading towards economic and spiritual collapse. Maybe out of the debris an authentic expression of what Jesus lived and taught can re emerge and teach us again how to love. I believe seeds of such a movement are already present in the many beloved communities around this nation. But the voices of the marginalized MUST be the wisdom that grows such a movement. Rinse and repeat will fail. Jesus knew this. I am holding on to hope, because I don't believe that Jesus is a lost cause.
If you want a new narrative, let the WOMEN tell it. If you want a new narrative, let the people of color tell it. If you want a new narrative, let the children tell it. When we listen to the words of those on the outside, the marginalized, the outcast, we don't hear the martial drum beat or the rattle of sabers. When we look at those without power, we see equality, fraternity and sorority. We see color and light.
Just sayin'.
I would like to think we are creating an alternative story in this time we are in. Love your insights!!