think on this...
So we watched Munich last night. If you haven't seen it have some friends over and after the movie engage in some lively discussion...
I hope we would all agree that taking innocent hostages for any cause is wrong.
* should we (Israel in the movie) ever launch an offensive to kill others (the operation in the movie came to be called Operation Wrath of God)
* is it ok if it is determined self-defense vs revenge?
* is it ok if they are "God's chosen people?"
* is it a governments place to carry out the "wrath of God"?
* the old testament is full of examples of nations rising up against nations; often unprovoked
* did Jesus usher in a "new Kingdom" when he came to Earth?
* what are the tenants of this "new Kingdom"?
* does this replace the ways of the old testament?
* do you think God is honored by nationalistic pride? do you think God blesses or curses nations?
If you didn't see the movie (it is based on actual events with creative license--not a documentary) you can click here for a summary of the events: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munich_Massacre.
I tell you, these things keep me up at night thinking...
POSTMODERN CHURCH
-engaging culture with a Christian worldview; breaking down secular/sacred separation
CELEBRATING
Community- yesterday our friends Jessica and Danny stopped by unexpectedly to drop something off while they were out. We have become a society of planning and such individualism that you rarely get someone just stopping by. I was reminded that this results in missing divine appointments such as yesterday. What a gift it is to just hang out with good friends! We raided the fridge (Jessica is 8 mos pregnant) and just talked for hours. Don't be too busy to just hang out sometimes!
posted by kristi c @ 2:29 PM
2 Comments:
Love the blog, Kristi! Great thoughts you posted. I love this sort of thing, so I thought I would serve up an extended reply:
My justification for nationalism is closely related to my justification for a belief in God.
As a man of science, everything I know tells me that God does not exist. By most logical reasoning, God is just a figment of the collective imagination of mankind and has no basis in scientific fact. By that thinking, the worship of a higher power is actually quite unreasonable and even a bit silly!
However, a prima facie argument can be made that the existence of a massive collective belief in God is the exact reasoning for God's existence. Such massive belief in God is not the result of some weird "fad" that started centuries ago and just refuses to fade away. It is the collective expression and evidence of a thing that cannot possibly be denied. Because it defies rational explanation on such a complete and widespread scale -- there MUST be validity to it's existence in the first place!
I know that argument loops back upon itself, but so do scientific explanations of the origins of the universe. My reasoning is beyond reasoning -- if that makes any sense at all. Personally, I don't really care if anyone agrees with me or not. It gets me through the night, and that's all that really matters in my little corner of the universe.
That explanation for God, is similar to my defense of nationalism.
I think nationalistic pride is good, healthy, natural, and along the path of God.
Some people believe nationalism is the byproduct of a disconnected society. They think national borders and cultural differences will be broken down as information is distributed more effectively and close communication and contact expands on a global scale. As we progress into the future, we will move to a single world-nation not hindered by primitve concepts like "nationalism".
Sorry, but I don't buy into that either.
Nations exist and they always have. They have defied proximity, communication, and technology. Mankind tends toward nation-building because it is the natural order. That natural order is dictated by God, and nation-building is along God's path.
As such, I think there are good nations and bad nations -- just like there are good people and bad people. It's up to God to make the final call -- but I certainly have ideas as to what is a good nation and what is a bad nation. I think you can look to the Good Book for a little guidance there. But, I think America is truly one of God's countries and I think we are among the chosen.
That's why I have no problem with prayer in schools, God in the pledge of allegiance, and every other thing that make most people brand me a George W-loving, card-carrying member of the religious right. Personally, I don't think I'm nearly that conservative, but people can think whatever they want.
It's hard to cram all this ideology into a blog response, but that's my take on it. Like I said, I love this sort of thing. If we ever get together over a few beers, I'll REALLY lay it on thick. Or you can say you don't want to hear it and I'll keep it to myself. But it's a lot more fun than talking about the weather or the latest sports scores.
Wait... I take that back... sports scores are more fun.
But, this is a clear second place, which ain't bad.
Doug Daugherty
Preach on my brother!
I follow your reasoning which I am quite please about. That shows maybe I am becoming a grown up. Many years I have tried and now "I did it!". Of course I don't agree with some of it.
I don't think America is any more chosen and even if it was, look where that left the Isrealites!
I really think the movie highlighted that righting a wrong with another wrong didn't do anyone any good.
I also think as Christians we are called to a radically different world order. That may require us to set aside some of the nationalistic mess. See my post for today about the poor!
Great to hear from you!
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