One of the key reasons I use the name “Apprentice2 Jesus” is the deep need I see for American evangelicals, especially conservatives, to separate themselves from being Americans who happen to be Christians and identify themselves as Christians who happen to be American. I should say “WE” need to do this, since I would fall into that category.

Over the years we have become so politically motivated we have lost sight of the Kingdom of God in many ways.

In the past 24 hours my attention was drawn to just how hard it is for us to separate ourselves from nationalism. A post by Greg Boyd on his blog commented on yet another forthcoming study Bible. This one is called The Patriots Study Bible. For one, I am hardly EVER in favor of yet another Study Bible. It just makes Christians more lazy. We are always wanting to be spoon fed, and niche study Bibles just feed that beast.

But Greg’s comments on the make up of THIS study Bible were even more disturbing.

Then, I was pointed to an article on CNN where a survey was done on opinions concerning torture. I want to say it’s shocking to find out that conservative Christians really have very little problem with “some forms” of torture. It SHOULD shock us. Sadly, it does not. I know this because I’m a talk radio junkie. I listen to the same shows (though less and less) as many conservative Christians. The overwhelming opinion favors torture in “some form.”

Boyd is probably correct in saying about the Patriots Bible it is “one of the most disturbing things I’ve ever witnessed coming from a Christian publishing house.”

Sadly, this again doesn’t surprise me because “Christian” publishing is like any secular publishing any more. It’s about the dollars. Thomas Nelson KNOWS there is a market for this stuff, so out it comes!

We could debate the use of torture, but my thought is this: It’s not a debate. It’s a shouting match. Those who shout louder win. That’s not a debate.

And for the most part, those who are in favor of torture don’t really articulate their arguments. They refer to Jack Bauer and episodes of “24” or something else.

This is simply another sign of how we have allowed nationalism to infiltrate our theology. It is one thing to support torture as a national security issue. It is quite another to use THEOLOGY or a “study Bible” to support such an argument. Quite honestly, I don’t think THAT is is the Kingdom of God.

It is not unChristian to be against torture. Nor is it anti-American. There are simply times when our deepest beliefs need to override our nationalistic fervor. Thomas Nelson publishing is not helping in this matter. They are harming it.

Good people can disagree. But I don’t think we have solid ground if we justify torture from an OT perspective. Politically, there are certainly conservatives who oppose torture as well. It’s not a slam dunk.

It is my longing that we learn to think more biblically and learn to discern the differences between nationalism and Kingdom living.