There’s a new documentary from Dan Partland and Rob Reiner, God and country, which seeks to sound the alarm about Christian nationalism as a political movement. The film has sparked controversy, not only because some prominent evangelicals appear in it, but also because Reiner has long been a champion of left-wing causes and some of his statements reflect a distorted view that considers the involvement of Christians in politics as a threat. to democracy (except when the Church supports progressive causes).
In a recent podcast for Christianity today, Mike Cosper interviewed Partland and Reiner about the documentary, sometimes gently pushing back and giving voice to the concerns of conservative evangelicals. There are many things I could say about this documentary, the interview, the role of Christians in politics, and the increasingly meaningless catch-all phrase “Christian Nationalism.” But I want to highlight one aspect of the conversation because of an undisputed assumption: an assumption that goes to the heart of the gospel.
Christianity and world religions
The hypothesis I am referring to appears in the context of a broader conversation about politics and world religions. Reiner says the Christian nationalist movement (as he defines it) is “completely divorced from what (he understands) Christianity is and the teachings of Jesus.” Reiner, who grew up in a secular Jewish home, outlines his spiritual journey and his epiphany linked to world religions:
I read about Buddhism, I read about Islam, I read about Christianity. I even read about Judaism. I read about all these religions. . . and I came away looking at what Jesus taught, namely “love your neighbor” and “do unto others”. This struck me more than anything I’ve read. If you look at other religions, it’s essentially the same thing. All religions essentially talk about loving one’s neighbor, about peace, about wanting to help one’s neighbor.
Reiner contrasts this focus on the “interdependence” of humanity with political extremism that advocates the use of force or coercion. Partland echoes a similar view of Christianity. He hopes the documentary will inspire American citizens to “return to the true teachings of Jesus.” If that were to happen, he said, “What a great country it will be and what a great world we will have!” »
The true teachings of Jesus?
Listening to this interview, it is clear that Partland and Reiner are inspired by the moral vision of Jesus loving his neighbors and his enemies. They admit that “the Christian message” surprised them, prompting them to think about their own responses to criticism: how to turn the other cheek, how to imitate Jesus, how to love their enemies and show compassion to their critics, etc. The interview ends with Reiner saying his hope for the documentary is that viewers take away “the true teachings of Jesus.”
It’s heartening to hear two Hollywood liberals extolling the virtues of Jesus’ call to love the enemy. When even non-Christians aspire to treat others with kindness and compassion, it is a sign of the uplifting effect of Christianity on society and culture.
But it is telling that Reiner and Partland equate these aspects of Christian morality with the central Christian message and the “true teachings of Jesus.” This is an uncontested hypothesis. It’s as if they were enjoying some of the sun’s rays but missed the flaming ball in the sky.
The center is Jesus
Here we must be clear. The Christian message is not “do unto others.” The Christian message is Christ. The central teaching of Jesus is not “love your neighbor.” The central teaching of Jesus concerns Jesus. The essence of Christianity is not to show compassion to your critics or to love your enemies. The essence of Christianity is Jesus Christ, and the center of his message is the kingdom of God which he inaugurated as the Son of God, Messiah of Israel and King of the world.
Reading the Gospels reveals the reductionism of Reiner and Partland’s assumptions about the core of Christianity.
First, the Gospels counter the filmmakers’ truncated understanding of Jesus’ moral and ethical vision. For example, from this interview and the documentary, it is clear that these men see the pro-life cause as an example of Christianity gone wrong, of Christians who do not love their neighbors well, as if the reversal of Roe v. Wade is a threat to democracy. But it is the teaching of Jesus that inspires Christians to widen, not narrow, the circle of humanity so that the unborn are included among our neighbors whom we are called to love.
Reiner and Partland would also view opposition to same-sex marriage as a threat to democracy. But Jesus’ unflinching moral vision, which reserves sexuality for lifelong marriage between one man and one woman (and for the natural family as the fundamental unit of society), inspires Christians to uphold and maintain the traditional view. The Jesus who calls us to love our enemies is the Jesus who, in the same sermon, prohibits lust, divorce, and extramarital sexual behavior.
Second, the Gospels reveal something else: Jesus’ message is surprisingly, frequently, and unapologetically about himself. His teaching about himself is what caused the consternation of his opponents. His works indicated that he stood in God’s place. His understanding of himself and the statements he made about his identity scandalized the religious leaders of his day. Unless he was truly the Son of God, his words about himself were the selfish ravings of a madman.
You can’t get the “true teachings of Jesus” or the “central message of Christianity” without a Jesus who says he is the only way to God, who gives his life in sacrifice and resurrects in power, calling everyone everywhere to repent and believe in his name.
Instrumentalize faith
I’m glad that Reiner has devoted time and attention to the world’s religions, but it’s unfortunate to see him come to the condescending conclusion that the major world religions are fundamentally the same.
This perspective fails to properly honor distinctive religious beliefs and practices, while reducing their essence to a generic principle of love of neighbor. Not only does it fail to do justice to the cultural influence that Jesus had on the world, but it also fails to account for why Jesus’ teaching is so scandalous. The basis of enemy-love is the cross where Jesus died for his enemies. The power of enemy love comes from faith in ultimate righteousness, manifested on the cross and ratified by His bodily resurrection.
Ultimately, these filmmakers are right to spot the danger of a political movement that exploits and instrumentalizes the Christian faith for other ends. Unfortunately, they don’t see that they are doing the same thing. They want to exploit and instrumentalize the elements of Christianity that interest them as a way to improve society according to their core left-wing values.
But Jesus is not an instrument to achieve anyone’s political goals, whether right-wing versions of nationalism or left-wing versions of pluralism. The only reason his message of loving our enemies and doing good to others still matters today is because he is a king and he is alive.
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