Born In The USA is a song by American singer-songwriter, Bruce Springsteen for his 1984 album of the same name. The album produced seven top 10 singles including Dancing In the Dark, I’m On Fire, Glory Days and Born In The USA.
The song describes a veteran of the Vietnam War returning home to desperate circumstances and limited options. The original title of the song was Vietnam.
If you only hear the chorus, you will likely assume that it’s a patriotic anthem. That it’s a song about American pride. It’s not. In fact, the song may be one of most misunderstood, misinterpreted songs of all time. It’s not a song about American pride. It’s a song about Vietnam pain and shame.
As for the triumphant chorus, Springsteen explained in 2005, “In my songs, the spiritual part, the hope part, is in the choruses. The blues and your daily realities are in the details of the verses.” [1]
Ideologically, Springsteen and I are often at different ends of the spectrum, but in terms of the poignancy and power of many of his lyrics, he is one of the most gifted songwriters of my generation. Here are just a few lines from that song.
Born down in a dead man’s town,
The first kick I took was when I hit the ground.
You end up like a dog that’s been beat too much,
‘Til you spend half your life just coverin’ up.
Born in the U.S.A
I was born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
—Bruce Springsteen
The song feels like the voice of one of the Old Testament prophets railing against injustice and crying out for something to change. I want to use the song as a springboard to take on one of the most challenging subjects to address, especially in the last several years. Let’s talk truth about politics.
Mark Twain once wrote, “I am quite sure now that often, very often, in matters concerning religion and politics a man’s reasoning powers are not above the monkey’s.”
Twain is probably correct.
Few subjects cause people to become more heated, frustrated, agitated and opinionated than the subject of politics. In fact, the last several years have been some of the most divisive I’ve seen in my life.
A few days ago I heard a pastor who is a prolific author, one of my favorite speakers and about 10 years or so my senior, indicate that the last two years have been the most intense years in terms of spiritual warfare that he has ever experienced. In fact, he said that the intensity is probably at least ten times greater than any period of spiritual warfare he has ever lived through. Honestly, I can see why he would feel that way.
I’m convinced that part of the current spiritual warfare taking place has been targeted at dividing our world and God’s church along the lines of political issues. Over the past several years people inside and outside the church have become more and more polarized.
Michael O. Emerson, is a sociologist at the University of Illinois at Chicago and an author of numerous books on American religion. He described the polarization taking place in the church like this:
“I’ve been studying religion and religious congregations for 30 years… This is a level of conflict that I’ve never seen. What is different now? The conflict is over entire worldviews — politics, race, how we are to be in the world, and even what religion and faith are for.” —Michael O. Emerson[2]
Social media has only exacerbated the divides.
I loved reading this post shared by Scott Sauls in his book, Jesus Outside The Lines. Sauls writes that a friend of his posted this to his Facebook in the days before the 2012 election.
Dear person passionately pushing your political agenda on Facebook,
Congratulations! You have convinced me to change my vote.
Thank you for helping me see the light.
Appreciatively yours,
No one. [3]
During my time in ministry, I’ve had people became frustrated with me because they felt I was too liberal. I’ve had others frustrated because they felt I was too conservative. By the way, sometimes people have said those things about me after listening to the very same message.
According to Sauls, Tim Keller once indicated that,
“…the longer it takes people to figure out where we stand on political parties [I’ll add, and issues], in all likelihood the more faithfully we’re preaching Jesus.” —Tim Keller quoted by Scott Sauls [4]
A Story from Jesus About How Kingdom Citizens Relate To Government and Politics
Mark 12:13-17
In Mark 12, an interaction takes place between Jesus and an interesting cross section of religious and political power players. The action begins in verse 13.
13 Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. —Mark 12:13
The alliance between the Pharisees and the supporters of Herod is fascinating. The Pharisees were the religious conservatives of the day. The supporters of Herod were Jewish people who were working in collusion with the Roman Government. In other words, they were the liberals. But these two very opposite groups of people were so united in their hatred for Jesus, that they decided to work together to trap Jesus. The story continues in verse 14.
14 “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us—is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay them, or shouldn’t we?” —Mark 12:14-15
This coalition believed that Jesus couldn’t answer their question without either, 1) losing His grassroots popularity with the people, or, 2) losing his life at the hands of Rome. In their minds, they had Him between the proverbial rock and hard place. The brilliance of Jesus shines through in His response.
Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin, and I’ll tell you.” 16 When they handed it to him, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
17 “Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” —Mark 12:15b-17 NLT
Mark closes the story with this commentary, “His reply completely amazed them” (NLT). The MSG reads, “Their mouths hung open, speechless.”
BOOM! Once again Jesus silenced His critics with insight that honored God and challenges us all in terms of the way we live.
At least three principles come out of this story that serve as challenges for Christians living in a political world.
Three Challenges For Christians Living In A Political World:
1. Model what it means to be a good citizen.
Jesus didn’t answer the question the way the religious leaders expected Him to. Instead, He elevated what it means to be a good citizen, while also establishing what it means to be a citizen of His kingdom. Check out verse 17.
Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” —Mark 12:17 NLT
These are some of Jesus’ most famous words. Read the first part of Jesus’ statement again. Slowly.
“…give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar…”
In other words, be a good citizen.
As followers of Jesus we can’t afford to forget that our relationship with God and our faith in Christ gets put on display by the way we live and love. This includes the way we engage and interact with government and the world of politics.
Just in case you feel I’m reading too much into Jesus’ statement, check out the following two passages from Paul and Peter, who were both likely influenced by Jesus’ statement.
Paul wrote these words in Romans 13:1. I love the way Eugene Peterson translates the passage in The Message.
Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it’s God’s order. So live responsibly as a citizen. If you’re irresponsible to the state, then you’re irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible. Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you’re trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should have nothing to fear. —Rom 13:1 MSG
The NIV is very straightforward, as well.
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. —Rom 13:1 NIV
In case you think that’s a one off and that this kind of challenge and exhortation doesn’t get mentioned again, check out the words of Peter in his first letter. Once again, I’ll quote from The Message.
13-17 Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God’s emissaries for keeping order. It is God’s will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you’re a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government. —1 Pet 2:13-17 MSG
What a passage! It’s so challenging and practical we could spend the rest of our lives attempting to put this single passage into practice.
Let’s take some time here to look at this passage. It’s interesting that Peter’s challenge in Verses 13-17 actually begins back in Verse 9 with Peter reminding us of our identity in Christ. 1 Peter 2:9-10 is a passage you’re probably familiar with and we love to quote.
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God… —1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV
Just two verses later, Peter challenges this group of believers to not get so focused on our earth side existence — we could safely add politics, preferences, possessions or stuff — that we forget eternity side priorities and realities.
Check out Verse 11.
11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. —1 Peter 2:11
The same author who reminded us of our identity in Christ back in Verse 9, now reminds us that we are strangers, immigrants and exiles. In other words, this world is not our home. All of this earthside stuff is temporary.
In the next verse he lets us know why it’s important for us to stay focused.
12 Live such good lives among [your neighbors who don’t know Christ] that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God…
—1 Peter 2:11-12 (Personal Paraphrase based on the NIV / NLT)
God wants our lives to be compelling evidence for the transforming power of the Gospel! People should see our “good deeds and glorify God.”
All of these verses set up what follows in 1 Peter 2:13-17. Peter challenges people who are “foreigners” and “exiles” — in other words — they are citizens of another kingdom — to be good citizens on earth.
Let’s break down and bullet each of the challenges Peter shares:
- “Respect the authorities.”
The NIV and NLT render that phrase, “Submit to human authority” (NIV/NLT)
Peter understands that the way I submit to, respect and honor those who are over me is a reflection of the way I submit to, respect and honor the Lord.
The way I submit to, respect and honor those who are over me is
a reflection of the way I submit to, respect and honor the Lord.
- Live “honorable lives…”
The NIV and MSG translate the phrase, “…it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people…”
The word for “honorable” or “doing good” is a word that means “…to do something that profits or benefits someone else.” It means that we should live in such a way that our life benefits the people around us.
Notice, there are no asterisks by this verse. The text doesn’t say, “…do good to those who do good to you…” Or, “…do good to those with whom you agree.” It simply says, “Let the quality and character of your life benefit everyone around you” — which implies, the people you agree with and the people you don’t.
Peter is reminding these believers to live The Golden Rule.
“Do to others what you would like them to do to you…” —Matt 6:12 NLT
I love the way it gets translated in The Message.
12 “Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them.”
—Matt 6:12 MSG
“Grab the initiative!” Do something good for the people around you. Do something that benefits someone else, just for the joy of doing it!
- Serve God by serving others.
The MSG reads, “Exercise your freedom by serving God…”
“…you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t [misuse your freedom] or use it as an excuse to do evil…” —Paraphrase of NLT/ NIV
Once again, Peter is going all the way back to the example of Jesus and the mission He shared in places like Mark 10:45 when He said,
“…the Son of Man didn’t come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a sacrifice for many…” —Mark 10:45
If you want to make a mark in this world, “Serve God by serving others…”
- Don’t break the rules.
Christians can be some of the most challenging people on the planet to lead. I’ve been serving the local church in some capacity for more than 30 years, and I can tell you from experience that leading Christians can sometimes be like herding cats.
There’s a reason I’m a dog person, not a cat person. Dogs are loving, loyal, dependable and often want to be led.
Cats are… Well… Not loving, loyal or dependable. “Be led…?” A cat responds, “Who said anything about being led…?”
Two memes I ran across a few years ago sum up the difference between dogs and cats. The first read as follows:
“Dogs have owners. Cats have staff.”
The second one is even better. Do you know the difference between dogs and cats? A dog thinks: “They love me, pet me, care for and feed me. They must be a god.” A cat thinks: “They love me, pet me, care for and feed me. I must be a god.”
Christians can be difficult to lead. There are probably a variety of reasons this can be the case. But instead of exploring the reasons Christians often resist leadership, Peter just challenges us, “Don’t break the rules.” The implication is, “Stay teachable and be leadable.”
Stay teachable. Be leadable.
- Treat everyone you meet with dignity.
The NIV and NLT read something like, “Show proper respect to everyone…”
The biblical ideas of respect and honor are very similar. Honor means, “deciding to place high value, worth and importance on another person by viewing him or her as a priceless gift.”
According to Peter, this is our assignment. To walk through life viewing every person we come into contact with as a person of high value, worth and importance. As someone who was created in the image of God.
That includes former President Donald Trump.
It includes current President Joe Biden.
It includes politicians like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
It includes Senator Ted Cruz.
It includes conservative talk show host, Glenn Beck.
It includes liberal talk show host, Bill Maher.
It includes people who align with the Democratic party.
It includes people who identify themselves as Republicans.
It includes people who are Auburn Tiger fans.
It includes people who are Alabama Crimson Tide fans.
It even includes people who are Tennessee Volunteer fans.
Get this:
You’ve never locked eyes with a person that doesn’t matter to the heart of God. Ever.
People matter to God and they ought to matter
to you and me!
This doesn’t mean we have to agree with their positions, policies or platform. It doesn’t mean we can’t share our opinions on the same. But it does mean that when we share our opinion about their positions, policies and platforms we accurately represent their views — we don’t build straw man arguments that are easily torn down for the sake of proving our point. Further, when we comment, we dismantle their position, policy or platform while honoring and valuing their personhood. Yes, this is actually possible! According to Peter, it’s also essential.
- Love your spiritual family.
In other words, “Stay committed to the local church!”
It’s interesting that Peter connects “being a good citizen” with being a vibrant part of a spiritual community. Evidently, the two go hand in hand.
Unfortunately, this has been one of the casualties of the pandemic. People have allowed themselves to become disconnected from the local church. They have drifted into apathy and complacency in regard to their physical connection with the body of Christ.
It’s interesting that people will go to Wal-Mart, Target or a packed stadium to watch a college football game and apparently never give COVID a second thought, but mention gathering with the body of Christ and you would think that COVID is only and especially contagious when Christians gather for worship.
If you’re looking for a risk-free opportunity to re-connect with your church family, you’ll likely keep looking. COVID is apparently here to stay. At some point it will transition from a pandemic to an endemic, but it’s here. Take every precaution necessary to protect yourself, but for heaven’s sake don’t neglect gathering together with your church family. It’s essential.
Evidently, in Peter’s mind, building a strong church is part of what it takes to build a vibrant world! We are actually partnering with God in His plan to redeem the planet when we connect with and become a vital part of a local church.
The writer of Hebrews gives us this important challenge in Hebrews 10:2.
25 This is not the time to pull away and neglect [or abandon] meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing. In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning. —Heb 10:25 TPT
I know what you’re probably thinking. “But Christ, you don’t have to go to church to be a Christian.” You’re right. You don’t have to go home to be married, either. But you aren’t going to have much of a relationship if you don’t.
I love the way Martin Luther described the importance of gathered worship. He wrote:
“At home, in my own house, there is no warmth or vigor in me, but in the church when the multitude is gathered together, a fire is kindled in my heart and it breaks its way through.” —Martin Luther [5]
The local church is “the hope of the world.” God has bet the fulfillment of His redemptive plan on the local church! So, whatever you do, “Love your spiritual family!” Stay connected to your church family.
Peter wraps up the entire passage with two final challenges.
- Revere God.
In other words, “fear God.”
This is something that we need to recover in 2021. There’s something about the holiness, justice, power, judgment and sovereignty of God that ought to stun and overwhelm us.
Proverbs 9:10 still says,
“The fear of the Lord [being consumed with awe as you worship – TPT] is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
- Respect the government.
The NIV and NLT translate that phrase, “…honor the emperor…” (NIV) and “…respect the king…” (NLT)
If you are challenged by honoring our current president or any former president because of ideological differences, character issues or any number of other issues, consider who was in power when Peter wrote this letter.
It’s likely that Peter wrote the letter we call 1 Peter somewhere between AD 60-65. Nero Claudius Caesar was leader of the known world.
“Nero Claudius Caesar. Really? Honor him?
Are you kidding?”
This dude was bad to the bone.
For instance, He had his own mother stabbed to death for what he considered treason. He had his first wife beheaded, charging her with adultery. He murdered his second wife by kicking her to death while she was pregnant.
Some believe that he was behind the great fire that destroyed seventy percent of the city of Rome, so he could rebuild the city center. He blamed the fire on Christians and used it as an excuse to begin the first state-sponsored persecution of Christians by the Roman Government. On top of that, since Nero had accused them of setting fire to Rome, he burned them alive as punishment for their crime. Nero even eventually and ultimately ordered the execution of both Peter and Paul.
If you’re ever challenged to honor and respect those who serve at any level of leadership in government, it’s important for you to remember that Peter wrote these words when Nero occupied the throne. Yet, he gives us at least nine challenges.
- Be a good citizen…
- “Respect or submit to the authorities…”
- Live “honorable lives…” “Do the ‘good’ thing…”
- Serve God by serving others…
- Don’t break the rules…
- Treat everyone you meet with dignity…
- Love your spiritual family.
- Revere God. “…fear God…”
- Respect the government. “Respect the king”
The question is, “Why? What’s the main reason Peter wants us to live in such a counter cultural way?”
He shares the answer in Verse 15.
It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. —1 Pet 2:15 NLT
Peter knows that our actions speak so much louder than our arguments.
Our actions speak louder than our arguments.
Let me break down what all of this means.
Christians ought to be the most honorable, respectful, dependable, trustworthy, faithful, diligent, encouraging, law-abiding, prayerful and engaged citizens in the country.
We ought to be models of civility, integrity, dependability and honor.
We ought to be informed, engaged, in prayer, active and full of grace, compassion, mercy and love.
We ought to pay our taxes and live in peace (by refusing to be part of divisive message boards, social media pages and comment sections on blogs).
We ought to live responsibly, obey the law, vote our conscience as informed by the Word of God and prayer, and refuse to give in to fear.
We ought to be known by our love, informed by truth, distinguished by our character and integrity, guided by the Word of God, led by the Spirit of God, formed by the fruit of the Spirit and always speak the truth in love.
When we speak out on issues that need to be addressed — whether it’s the sanctity of life, the Equality Act, vaccine mandates, social justice issues, etc. — we should address the issue and dismantle the arguments while valuing the personhood and dignity of the people who hold the opposing viewpoint.
We ought to be salt and light (Matt 5:13-16). Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world…”
The quality and character of our lives ought to give people a glimpse of what it means to live life in the kingdom of God — under the rule, reign and power of God. Our lives should present a compelling case for the goodness, kindness, crazy love and amazing grace of Jesus to a watching world.
The first challenge for Christians living in a political world is for us to model what it means to be a good citizen.
In our next post, we’ll share the next two challenges.
[1] https://www.npr.org/2019/03/26/706566556/bruce-springsteen-born-in-the-usa-american-anthem
[2] https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2021-02-21/after-trump-america-s-churches-are-more-polarized-than-ever
[3] Scott Sauls, Jesus Outside the Lines, p 3, Kindle Edition
[4] Scott Sauls, Jesus Outside The Lines, p 4, Kindle Edition.
[5] Martin Luther quoted by Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, page 164