The Bible & Politics - How to Spot the Misuse of Scripture by Politicians & Activists

[@stephengoetsch349]

This is good. It wasn’t until I had the opportunity to live outside the United States that I began to see that my faith had to be separated from my patriotism. I had to learn to identify whether any of my values were held because I am American, or because I am a believer in Christ. This was and continues to be a struggle. In recent years I have attended a church where the leadership refuses to acknowledge American holidays in our worship services, (be assured that it also does not malign America, either). This church is one of the healthiest, most ethnically and nationality diverse congregations I have ever been involved with. The Spirit moves there, people are coming to repentance and new life regularly. My friends include people from Iran, Haiti, Rwanda, Shanghai, El Salvador, and the Congo. America established freedom of religion as a basic right, it is a good place with many good values. But it is not at all faultless!

[@Justanotherconsumer]

The book of Amos is probably my favorite structure of an argument in the Bible. It starts with condemning all those evil heathens and then… oops, Israel’s doing the same thing and gets lumped in with the same judgment. Very much echoed in Romans 1 and 2, and in Christ’s command about the “mote and the beam.” As a Christian, I am frustrated by the country that I, in some tiny part, am responsible for governing, and I know that as much as I’d like to blame “THEM” for the ills and woes, I’ve got a beam to deal with.

[@ValerieAlford]

I will be sending this video to friends I’ve had this discussion with. Thank you Kaitlyn!❤

[@xjarheadjohnson]

The American founding fathers deemed *ALL* religions unfit for modern governance. _“The United States is not a Christian nation any more than it is a Jewish or Mohammedan Nation.”_ *- John Adams* (American statesman, attorney, diplomat, writer, Founding Father and 2nd president) The *1st Amendment's Establishment Clause* prohibits the government from making any law, _“respecting an establishment of religion.”_ This clause not only forbids the government from establishing an official religion, but also prohibits government actions that unduly favor one religion over another. It also prohibits the government from unduly preferring religion over non-religion. *Constitution Article VI Supreme Law - Clause 3 Oaths of Office* _"The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; _*_but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."_* This means nobody is ever required to swear on the Bible, or any other religious book for an oath of office. They may choose a religious book, but none is required. _“...the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion."_ *-Treaty of Tripoli - June 7, 1797. Signed by President John Adams & Ratified UNANIMOUSLY, by the United States June 10, 1797* ....only a few times in history the Senate unanimously agreed on anything. _“This would be the best of all possible Worlds, if there were no Religion in it”_ *-Letter From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 19 April 1817* _"The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the Supreme Being as his father, in the womb of a virgin, will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter."_ *-Letter from Thomas Jefferson to John Adams 11 April 1823)* _"The way to see by Faith is to shut the Eye of Reason."_ *-Benjamin Franklin* (Poor Richard's Almanack) _“The study of theology, as it stands in Christian churches, is the study of nothing; it is founded on nothing; it rests on no principles; it proceeds by no authorities; it has no data; it can demonstrate nothing; and it admits of no conclusion....and as this is the case with Christian theology, it is therefore the study of nothing.”_ *― Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason (1794)*

[@stevenslaughter8473]

Well done Kaitlyn! Concise and balanced. When we think of the concept of ‘Babylon’ and ask, “What countries most exemplify the values of Babylon?” it’s funny that we don’t think of ourselves.

[@davidlafleche1142]

All countries are like Babylon.

[@stevenslaughter8473]

@@davidlafleche1142 Historically, only a handful have been what we would call empires. A lot of Americans feel proud that we are the dominant military and economic force in the world.

[@duncescotus2342]

I have no problem with thinking of the All Seeing Eye as Babylon, but don't go quoting the Founding Fathers as your defense.

[@jerryaustin4311]

Well done. Appreciate your clear, thoughtful and balanced words.

[@stanleygoodwin3933]

Absolutely fantastic timely video! We Americans are so proud, self centered, and in love with ourselves. We think that we are a favorite nation of God and everyone else is secondary. Try living or doing some world travel, and you will formulate a different perspective. Our sins are immense and numerous, but we don’t recognize them. Ask the Lord to search your heart and come to repentance and to walk humbly with the Lord. God have mercy on America.

[@ConnorMarc]

This is exactly why Reverend Wright said "God damn America" during Obama's first run for Office. The Christian right of America all, but crucified him for it.

[@duncescotus2342]

Yes, and it's possibly the height of self-centeredness to think a little foreign vacay should do one nicely. Repent yourself, and teach the holy unified Christian faith.

[@lynnmarie1381]

Very well expressed God does not love Americans more than His other children.

[@CasanovaGreen0813]

This video is so good that I had to watch it twice. I am so encouraged by this video. I pastor a church nestled in a very conservative area and I have been saying this for years. However, it has not been received well, and my church has suffered greatly because of it. Honestly, I have been thinking about closing the church because of the lack of support even though people say our presence is vital. I am glad that I am not crazy and that I am truly hearing from God. Please pray that my church recovers numerically and financially because I have some hard decisions to make.

[@shbr8369]

STAY STRONG!!! 💪🏼💯🙏🏾 -1 Peter 4:12&13

[@duncescotus2342]

Brother, preach the Gospel. Preach it better than the Baptist hypocrites. Preach it better than the Pharisees. Cast out devils, heal the sick. Do the word of God. and they will come. Neither left nor right is of God, but both are hands of the same beast.

[@aljirou29]

This video is so disgustingly full of lies and misrepresentations. Not a single Christian conservative supports racism, sexism or xenophobia. What a joke. Stop projecting your Democrat Party values of slavery onto everyone else, and stop pretending you're the arbiter of truth when it comes to Christianity. YOU didn't end slavery. WE did. YOU manipulate the Bible and Scripture to your own ends. WE do not. Give me a break. YOU tell one side of American history. WE acknowledge the problems but don't define America by them. We were founded by Christians and espoused the values for a long, long time whether you like it or not.

[@xjarheadjohnson]

The American founding fathers deemed *ALL* religions unfit for modern governance. _“The United States is not a Christian nation any more than it is a Jewish or Mohammedan Nation.”_ *- John Adams* (American statesman, attorney, diplomat, writer, Founding Father and 2nd president) The *1st Amendment's Establishment Clause* prohibits the government from making any law, _“respecting an establishment of religion.”_ This clause not only forbids the government from establishing an official religion, but also prohibits government actions that unduly favor one religion over another. It also prohibits the government from unduly preferring religion over non-religion. *Constitution Article VI Supreme Law - Clause 3 Oaths of Office* _"The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; _*_but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."_* This means nobody is ever required to swear on the Bible, or any other religious book for an oath of office. They may choose a religious book, but none is required. _“...the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion."_ *-Treaty of Tripoli - June 7, 1797. Signed by President John Adams & Ratified UNANIMOUSLY, by the United States June 10, 1797* ....only a few times in history the Senate unanimously agreed on anything. _“This would be the best of all possible Worlds, if there were no Religion in it”_ *-Letter From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 19 April 1817* _"The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the Supreme Being as his father, in the womb of a virgin, will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter."_ *-Letter from Thomas Jefferson to John Adams 11 April 1823)* _"The way to see by Faith is to shut the Eye of Reason."_ *-Benjamin Franklin* (Poor Richard's Almanack) _“The study of theology, as it stands in Christian churches, is the study of nothing; it is founded on nothing; it rests on no principles; it proceeds by no authorities; it has no data; it can demonstrate nothing; and it admits of no conclusion....and as this is the case with Christian theology, it is therefore the study of nothing.”_ *― Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason (1794)*

[@duncescotus2342]

@@xjarheadjohnson Yes, sort of. John Adams is only speaking for himself. As is Jefferson. Both were Unitarians. Paine was clearly and vociferously anti-Christian. Franklin was sympathetic, but not a believer in what they called "revealed religion." There were only two that were, Hamilton and Jay. However, it would be the height of disingenuousness to suggest that America is as much founded on Islam and Christianity. That is simply not the case. Adams liked to spout off and be controversial. He wasn't handsome like Jefferson. Christianity infused the Colonies. That part is history too. But by the time of the 1760s the revivals of the Methodist period had died down and worldliness had set in. The lack of unity amongst Christian groups was antithetical to the brotherly visions of Freemasonry. French enlightened ideas, as well as Scottish rationalism, were popular. Both of these schools came out of long decades of religious war in their own countries. But thank you for blowing the lid off the idea that the Founders were Christians. They simply weren't (except for the 2 mentioned). Read their writings! However, read also the writings of Augustine, Aquinas, and Abelard. Read the giants of the faith, the little ones, the Bible. You will not be held up by Jefferson and Adams.

[@shbr8369]

"Baptizing our culture's values"... "Elevating ourselves to power without the character to use it"... & "Harming others"..."History should chasten our ambitions "👏🏽💯🙏

[@kathierezek3515]

Must share this widely. Starting with my church, which may not be my church much longer afterwards. "Standing on the truth" doesn't always mean what it should! But the time for shrinking back because I will be "rejected" is over. Thank you, Kaitlyn, for making it so clear!

[@missrobin2088]

I left my church of 24 years in 2020. I don't wish that experience on anyone.

[@duncescotus2342]

It's not your church. It's his. You are part of the bride or not. It's your choice. But you can't divide her.

[@pyrovania]

Good for you for addressing this topic. I am a Christian and this has been bothering me for decades, all the way back to Jerry Falwell.

[@geneshifter]

yes

[@josh8494]

My personal favorite passage from the Conservative Bible: “And I show thee how profits shall be held in looked upon by the lord as your love for me. You shall never see thine shareholders suffer for righteousness or the care of the poor. Should the meek perish in order to preserve thine bottom line, the lord shall see this and deem it just.” -Jesus

[@karmar22able]

Heresy. Don't even joke about this.

[@kicsms_science3729]

Thank you so much, Kaitlyn - your words are a blessing!

[@MegaDiva1999]

This is so thoughtful, well delivered and convicting. Christian nationalism is in deep error . The responses and reflection require this sort of calm because those folks can rile us up..

[@Cherice420]

YES 🙌🏽 THANK YOU!! Finally a video that’s calls this out!! Great job Kaitlyn!! This definitely what I’ve been thinking but didn’t know to put it into words!! AMEN 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@timothy_james_lee]

Thank you Holy Post and Kaitlyn. The Ballot and the Bible is pre-ordered!

[@spankydave7758]

💯. Timely, wise, desperately needed.

[@SonofMrPeanut]

While it is essential to distinguish where the threat of Christian Nationalism differs from what Christ and the scriptures would have us do, as well as how Christian social reformers differ from those who inspired the storming of the capital in 2021, we must be careful not to "other" the problem away from the whole of Christianity too much. The "not a real Christian" approach doesn't clarify how said Christofascists don't align w/ the values of the more progressive end that seeks to emulate the Jesus in the Bible, but rather seeks to deflect blame when the issue is within the house. The issues Christian Nationalists cause are our own, whether we like it or not, and properly dealing w/ that is the way Christianity should be moving forward. Granted, this channel's done a great job of putting focus on these problems, but I felt this was worth addressing.

[@jonathonpolk3592]

Although I don't think she was trying to pull a No True Scotsman defense here, I wholly agree that, regardless of the sincerity or accuracy of their faith, we are responsible for them. Those outside the church have no means of distinguishing between us and them. We all (reasonably) look the same in their eyes. How else are they supposed to figure out who the Real Slim Sh.. I mean, Christian is supposed to be? And if we don't counter them, they will continue to poison the younger generation against the Church, Jesus, and the Gospel.

[@maryhamric]

Kaitlyn, this is sooo good! I can't wait for your next book! 👏👏

[@bdanielnikolich1]

WOW! What an incredible and informative video. Thanks Kaitlyn for your boldness!

[@sfperalta]

Good words. I hope Christians out there are listening. The louder a Christian preaches at others, the less likely they will be to hear their own conscience or the actual teachings of Jesus.

[@corybanter]

This was excellent. Kaitlyn is a top-notch thinker, and I am always so impressed at her grasp of the impact of theology on social realities.

[@WIUBenny35]

There is no words to the perfection of this presentation and vulnerability of this channel.

[@Wittmason]

Well done video on differentiating the differences. Thanks so much.

[@calebklauzer3171]

Great video. I'm so grateful my pastor told me about the podcast. Your team and the work you do has really helped give me back some optimism about a lot of things.

[@jonhilderbrand4615]

I sure wish your messaged reached a larger audience. Well done and God bless!

[@Keithers82]

Thanks Kaitlyn. Important message.

[@stevencsmith7644]

This entire video… Bullseye! Thank you!

[@lucycoppes4256]

This is a very well done video. Love your balanced approached to very difficult political issue(s).

[@ibablo]

Kaitlyn... You're indeed a God-sent at this very crucial time. Thank You!!😊

[@jricardotorres8192]

THANK YOU!! Kaitlyn! For your strong faith in God's truth... your generation is giving hope to us older believers!

[@jonathanbartolomey248]

This an awesome video very well put together great job

[@kisslena]

Truly Amazing! Thank you so much for this thoughtful and powerful commentary! What a blessing to hear the truth🙏🏽

[@rebeccahayhurst442]

This was excellent! I will be sharing it with family and friends.

[@MichaelBCoats]

Thank you, Kaitlyn!

[@sojournerandtheson]

Thank you for this wonderfully thoughtful video. 🙏🏽 Keep up the great work!

[@abepafford1615]

A lot of these Holy Post discussions about "Christian Nationalism" are frustrating because (as far as I know) there are very few people who identify themselves as "Christian Nationalists", or claim that "Christian Nationalism" accurately describes a political movement they are part of. So it becomes a little hard to understand precisely what beliefs or advocacy are being criticized or attacked. The only definition I heard here was at 6:00 - "Scholars agree that the 'Christian' in Christian Nationalism is a distinct form of Christianity bound up with racism and sexism." This seems (a) not terribly precise, and (b) not the way those who are being critiqued would understand or describe their own beliefs. This gets especially confusing when juxtaposed with the idea (9:40-10:15) that "We should not stop working to see Biblical standards for justice and human flourishing enacted in the present." Because I suspect most people who the Holy Post would critique as "Christian Nationalists" would probably say they are doing exactly that (according to their own views of what constitute "justice" and "human flourishing"), and would likewise agree with the cautionary point toward the end, namely, that people should not misuse the Bible for "baptizing our culture's values, elevating ourselves into positions of power without the character to use it well, and harming other people on the way to our own warped version of a Christian nation."

[@makejesusgreatagain7220]

German citizens that supported the Nazi party probably didn't identify as Nazis either. At a certain point, actions need to be given more weight than self identification when it comes to political analysis.

[@Wren_Farthing]

Keep in mind that this is a promo for a book. What seems imprecise in the video may be fleshed out in the book.

[@abepafford1615]

I was not around in WWII, but my understanding is that lots of Germans (including almost the entire German government) indeed identified loudly and proudly as Nazis. They might have disagreed about what Nazism meant, whether the tenets of the Nazi party were good or bad, etc., but I do not think there is any dispute that the Nazis were a real political party, operating openly under that name. There is nothing similar for "Christian Nationalism," which as best I can tell is deployed as kind of an all-purpose insult rather than a neutral descriptive label. It would be like if Christians with conservative politics looked at those who invoke their Christian beliefs as a predicate for supporting liberal or leftist policy goals (for example, some of the contributors to the Holy Post), and consistently called them "Marxist Christianists" or something along those lines. It might be a clever insult to complain about "Marxist Christianists," but it would not be as though there was some readily identifiable political movement within Christianity that had embraced and was operating under that label.

[@Wren_Farthing]

@@abepafford1615 Respectfully, I disagree that there is nothing comparable to the Nazi party here. Consider what any political movement looks like in its nascent phase. Arguably, they all begin as disparate vocal minorities with enough overlap in their ideas to be willing to join forces, or at least with enough “useful idiots” to strengthen their numbers. I do recognize that labels are weaponized- or sometimes thoughtlessly misused- in our political discourse. I believe it would be a mistake to say CN is merely a slur when a significant number of people refer to THEMSELVES as Christian Nationalists, not just random citizens, but prominent, influential voices in multiple spheres of society. To be sure, there are different groups, and they haggle over particulars, but they are actively organizing, and they do embrace the label. Obviously, Christians should not draw attention to CN to gin up fear; we know God is ultimately in control. I do believe we have a responsibility to guard against any movement we know will cause oppression, especially one attaching itself to the name of Christ.

[@makejesusgreatagain7220]

@@abepafford1615 I wasn't around for WW2 either. Certainly the actual Nazi politicians identified as Nazis. It was the name of their political party. A more useful analysis would be how the German citizens identified and why. I'm sure there were some who were on board with the Nazi agenda, but I'm also sure that many weren't. The issue here is that it took years for the Nazis to enact their "final solution". They didn't start by building death camps and committing genocide. They started with years of scapegoating and propaganda. In addition to that, the horrors of the Holocaust took years to be fully discovered, and even longer for it to be accepted and taught within Germany (to be clear, they've renounced it and taken much greater steps to learn from their history and move on than many others have, including America). So, the average German citizen, even if they had been or were supportive of the Nazi party, wasn't necessarily informed of the extent of the evil of their political program and activities.

[@BenjaminSmith78]

Thank you Kaitlyn! I enjoy your perspective.

[@brianarbenz1329]

You have included a nuanced analysis missing in this era’s hot button absolutist culture. I was a member of the Fellowship of Reconciliation for 25 years and active with many religious peace and justice organizations. That experience brought home to me the sharp difference between Christianity as a call to examine and discern, and a self-centered belief that one is right and empowered to dominate and never listen. The difference is whether one understands that the Christian religion has done good in the political sense when it has blended with the secular, and comfortable combining with multi-religious and humanist activism that is also based on discernment and love.

[@lanremodele180]

when i watched about 3 quarters of the video, i told myself , i shall subscribe immediately only to see myself already subscribed.

[@hitzfeldb]

Right on. Thank you, Kaitlyn.

[@UpNorthica]

Just how many “AMEN”s will KZbin allow me to type before I’m flagged?

[@czvnwd]

Awesome video, Kaitlyn!!! Definitely need to get your book now.

[@Magnulus76]

Seriously, the game Bioshock Infinite got something about American religion and nailed down the mixture of nationalism, bigotry, weaponized nostalgia, and redemption myths. There's a nexus of religion, racism, and xenophobia in our society that is perverse.

[@duncescotus2342]

Good, now connect it to English Calvinism.

[@JelaniGNatural]

Great game! And yes, I picked up on those themes too, which surprised me greatly. That game was ahead of its time in many ways.

[@MandK-i9x]

OK, Kaitlyn!! 🙌🏾 Great job! Your role at the Holy Post is flourishing, and I love it!!!

[@Cyrribrae]

Was just watching the Phil videos yesterday and wondering whether you guys would make any more. Didn't expect this one. But glad to see Kaitlyn in this format!

[@seriela]

¡Gracias! as I wipe my tears. I needed this message.

[@yvettepitts5467]

Great post! Thank you for being "honest". 🙏🙏

[@abaneyone]

Excellent!

[@lisacawyer6896]

Good job! I look forward to the book. Something that might be interesting would be to have Amanda Tyler on from the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty to discuss the historic Baptist perspective (folks like Roger Williams, Issac Backus, John Leland). Not all early American Christians were Puritans. Baptists and Quakers were turned off by the religious wars in Europe and supported separation of Church and State based on the Golden Rule.

[@duncescotus2342]

Baptists (you're correct to point to Roger Williams) and Quakers were arguably Puritans. You may make a distinction between 1. Puritans: Those who desired to purify the Church of England further than Elizabeth, Cranmer, King James et al had. 2. Separatists: Those who figured the only answer was to split with the Church of England There's so many labels to choose from and all of them are potentially misleading, having lots of cross over, blurry boundaries and colloquial usages: 1. Independents/Congregationalists 2. Non-conformists/Presbyterians 3. Roundheads 4. Pilgrims 5. Calvinists 6. Reformed 7. Evangelical 8. Radicals 10. Low Church etc. Separation of church and state was in fact a Baptist value that was picked up, along with believer's baptism, from Anabaptists.

[@calvinbrown8344]

That was so awesome.

[@michaelbrowncando]

Well done!

[@charlottewenzel2005]

Someone needs to send this to Mike Johnson, Lauren Bobart, MTG & Tommy Tubberville ASAP!!!

[@doggodoggo3000]

I mean they know what they are doing. They wouldn't care.

[@lisahannah3175]

I wasn’t sure what to expect, I’m impressed, thank you

[@norenemanning4686]

Great video! Ordering your book. I always enjoy listening and learning from you. Your voice is needed to lead your generation. Open their heart and minds to truth. You are doing a great job! 🎉

[@teresahorton2071]

Thank you so much for this, Kaitlyn!! Well said

[@sheilbwright7649]

It always brings a smile to my face when people say "that's not my religion".

[@duncescotus2342]

All religion is internal and universal to mankind in so many ways, as an impetus, in archetypes, in social structures and celebratory rites, in values and counter values, laws, customs and countless hard to name things. All of that is natural, "carnal" subject to error, even demonic error, as the scriptures attest.

[@eyesofthecervino3366]

Thank you. Every time I hear someone say they're proud to be American, I find myself thinking, _but pride goes before destruction, tho._ It's like both Christianity and American government are supposed to run on the understanding that we're deeply flawed people -- hence the need for forgiveness in Christianity, and for checks and balances in government. Any ideology that wants to claim to already be perfect and above criticism is I believe antithetical to both.

[@jayhiggins5239]

I know it was hard boiling that down. Well done!

[@alvinjohnson773]

A brilliant and timely video. As a Christian from Australia is is nice to hear an American point out that God is not only interested in what happens in America. I should point out that Australia (and New Zealand) are actually mentioned (although not specifically named) in the Bible, see Acts 1:8 😀

[@eyesofthecervino3366]

I had to look it up X'D

[@MelanieNLee]

But wouldn't that really be Antarctica?

[@alvinjohnson773]

@@MelanieNLee If Jesus meant us to "witness" to the penguins then yes you would be right 😁

[@MelanieNLee]

@@alvinjohnson773 Actually, I heard that there were Native Antarcticans--probably related to Native South Americans--on the continent when White people first arrived. However, the Native people were susceptible to White people's diseases, having no immunity, and they all died off.

[@MelanieNLee]

I'm reading internet sources that say that Antarctica never had a native human population. However, they also say that Maori and/or Polynesians discovered the continent some 1,000 years before Europeans arrived there.

[@sofoniasgonzalez3615]

Thank you for telling the truth .

[@Cinnjerm24]

Great video. Only just recently found this channel, but it's fast becoming my favorite Christian channel.

[@chrisjwilson]

Finally I understand the behind the scenes preview Skye shared a few weeks back.

[@tyoungjjr]

This was an awesome video!

[@sporedoutofmymind]

Keep fighting the good fight

[@misspat2944]

You are in the right place at the right time. Thank you ❤

[@bobcatsmith808]

I know how to spot this misuse - ANYTIME a politician references anything religious or biblical.

[@chappellroseholt5740]

Good evening from the beautiful SF Bay Area. I am so impressed with your mind, Kaitlyn. I only recently discovered CT and the other podcasts which I have been listening to every day. I grew up with the CT magazine in our home in the 60's and although a born dyed in the wool liberal, I have had a vital walk with God since I was about 15, no atheist me. You will not be punished by a loving God for seeking higher truth and knowledge.

[@jayhiggins5239]

discernment, patience, and hope.

[@MichaelJohnson-vi6eh]

Such a wonderful video!! Making the bible current poliitically is really tough. At the time that every single event in both Old an New Testaments, all humans were under the near 100% authority of people they did not elect or do not have to support. Democracy is a total game changer and People like King, Obama, Trump - they did not receive the blessing of God like David and Solomon of old.

[@fireriffs]

Also important to note, we can't legislate people into faith in Jesus. If we want to see change in our nation, or even our world, we must be salt and light and lead people to Christ. When hearts change the nation will change with them.

[@tracyvandelden3402]

EXACTLY!!! 👏👏👏

[@patrickcorcoran3287]

I always ponder two thoughts with other people; Does the American dream fit within the Kingdom of God; and Look in the Gospels for who Jesus called hypocites, vipers, and whitewashed tombs.

[@Cherice420]

YES 🙌🏽

[@holyfreak86]

Amazing how some of these topics can start to adjust to my country and other countries in Latin America, specially when part of the protestant church is turning right wing. :(. Here the protestant church was and still is a minority in a mostly catholic society, we know how to struggle on the outskirts of society. With the arrival and acceptance of laws like abortion, gay marriage and gender identity, and a constant economic crisis, many portestant feel that we are departing from traditional values and are starting to drift to the extreme right. My fear is that we will forget our core values like love, solidarity and unity just for the sake of return to twisted idea of a "gloriuos/simpe past". We protestant have always stayed apart form politics, you would never hear a pastor telling to their congregation who to vote and how, now that is changing. We are christians and also citizens, we must vote how our conciences see fit, not mixing politics and religios. That experiences brought historical failures to the church in the USA and Brzil and I don´t want that for Argentina.

[@ann-charlotteholman7843]

Thank you!!! The way that right-wing US politics gives Christianity a bad name, is really worrying.

[@Wren_Farthing]

Great promo for what I expect will be an insightful book. Nice work Kaitlyn and Holy Post!

[@bill_automated1226]

Well done

[@funwaakinmade]

Thank you Thank you Thank youuuuuu 🎉🎉🎉🎉 This is balanced Biblical Exposition!

[@710moz]

It is good this subject is being discussed, although I think you need to discuss how Christianity has been used to justify many evil ideologies in American politics for centuries

[@bunabear]

🔥🔥🔥 thank you, Kaitlyn.

[@luvnlife3332]

Great video!

[@timzwicker]

This video makes excellent points, but I'm struggling to contextualize it for my Facebook friends and family, many of whom, sadly, have been swept up in the tribal thinking of Christian nationalism (whether they know it by that name or not). Many of them have only heard the term defined by its political defenders. It jumps from "scripture taken out of context is bad" to "Christian nationalism is bad and should be rejected" without connecting the dots between the two. Again, it does all make sense, but it may be difficult to follow for someone without all of the context that it takes for granted.

[@timzwicker]

Here's the description I went with: This is a good video, though it also has a glaring problem. It's an excellent reminder that scripture (and the righteousness it calls us to, and the evils it condemns) cuts both ways. We need to be willing to see and repent of the past and present sins of our own tribe, as well as praise the virtues of our perceived enemies through biblically informed lenses, with biblically informed priorities. We must not use scripture as a shield or a bludgeon. The problem with the video is that it doesn't properly introduce or define the term "Christian Nationalism", which it assumes its audience to already been familiar with, and to condemn. The video material is taken from a book, and probably the book does a better job providing the necessary context, but attempting to watch it from the perspective of someone unfamiliar with the term, or seeped in the cultural soup of conservative politics, it's extremely jarring, and might be more likely to elicit a knee-jerk defensive rejection than thoughtfulness. So be warned.

[@makejesusgreatagain7220]

​@@timzwicker start by defining nationalism. Christian Nationalism is that with a coat of paint.

[@organo3112]

I watched from the UK. I thought it a wonderful video. I preached on Matthew 7:15-21 a couple of weeks ago and referenced Christian Nationalism. It is of course not the same context in the UK but we also have a big blind spot about ourselves (our imperfect Imperial past which of course included the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Deception often works because to start with we are not truthful about our sin - only the sins of others.

[@lovehope3753]

Refreshing!

[@thomasmiddlebrook9541]

Amazing my clear!

[@terrancevestal4927]

Whenever I beat my slaves, no matter how many times I've done it, I always read my Bible first and follow God's rules to the letter. Thanks God!

[@Diana.DSWMinistries]

Well said

[@adamrshields]

@holypost The ad that I was shown for this was from Epoch Times advertising their book, suggesting that Jan 6 wasn't an insurrection but full of bad actors to make the right look bad. It was exactly the type of thing that Kaitlyn is speaking against. If you have any methods of opting out of that type of advertising, you should do that.

[@makejesusgreatagain7220]

Pretty sure they don't choose which ads play.

[@adamrshields]

@@makejesusgreatagain7220 I am sure they did not choose that particular ad. But there generally are settings on ad systems which allow you to opt out of certain categories of ads. This may have been oddly classified, for instance as a journalism or newspaper ad and so snuck by their current filters of what ads to show. But I am posting about it, because it may be that Holy Post can tweek their current ad settings to get rid of it. If they can, they should because even if they lose a few dollars, not passing on propaganda through youtube ads is a good thing.

[@makejesusgreatagain7220]

@@adamrshields absolutely. I use Premium, so I never know which ads are being used. Keep up the good work.

[@jsharp3165]

@@adamrshields The algorithm assumes that most viewers of Christian content are right wing zealots. It was taught that by the viewing habits of Christians. That's on us.

[@bobtheredskin123]

Because they make christian content the algorithm automatically puts that with any right wing content

[@noybnoyb356]

He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD (HalleluYAH). Ps.147.19-20

[@VinceOConnor]

I’ve preordered the book and am really looking forward to reading it.

[@dalevonthun5257]

Wow this really good.

[@deborahbogle1302]

Excellent Kaitlyn!

[@davidwilkins5932]

I’ve been a Believer since 1970, and I am so sick and tired of the perverse deification of America. And I’m thoroughly convinced that there are vast numbers of such people who are nothing more than “cultural Christians” only. Too often it’s reduced to a “badge”, a “totem”, or a “logo”. It’s not my place to judge on an individual level, but I fear for the long term (read eternal) futures of many of these people. And if that’s not enough, they are doing massive damage to the Gospel of Christ, in much larger terms.

[@Magnulus76]

I am convinced you can't understand Christianity through "American" eyes. Because our culture is so relatively isolated from the rest of the world, we live in a religious echo-chamber.

[@ks-mh2gi]

Seems like Christians are always ready to throw old testament condemnation at others. But claim new testament grace and forgiveness for themselves....

[@merthsoft]

Just because you agree with the politics of the person wielding the bible this way doesn't make its use any better than when someone whose opinions you disagree with does it. A politician using the bible to justify universal healthcare has good ends, but is using means that ultimately go against the ideals of separation of church and state, and keeps the door open for more extreme religions/political synergies. ALL use of scripture as political justification is a misuse of scripture. ONLY material reality should be used to justify policy, not supernatural. Justifying policy with scripture is anathema, and as an atheist I don't want Christian exegesis to be what drives our laws, even if it drives some laws I agree with.

[@darrennolan9107]

I don’t have a problem with anything you said, the only thing I take exception to is you are coming at this as a Christian, so you see a place for mixing the Bible and the country , I don’t think the Bible should ever be considered when it comes to country, America has to many different religions, atheists, agnostics, why should they be forced to live under a Christian theology? Christian Americans wouldn’t stand for a Muslim citing the Koran and America in the same sentence. Saying there is a place for the Christian Bible is saying there is no place for any non Christian Americans

[@heronimousbrapson863]

Someone said (I can't remember who) that the left leaning British Labour party had its origin in the chapels of the nation. The founders of the left wing CCF here in Canada ( the predecessor of the modern NDP) were J.S. Woodsworth, a methodist minister, and Tommy Douglas, a Baptist.

[@lanbaode]

I’ve just encountered the most promising and important American theologian to be celebrated and followed in the near future.

[@2serve4Christ]

"...there are times when the most instructive question to bring to the [#Bible] is not 'what does it say?', but 'what am I looking for?' I suspect #Jesus knew this when he said, 'ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened.' If you want to do violence in this world, you will always find the weapons. If you want to heal, you will always find the balm." - Rachel Held Evans (RIP)

[@randyhamm270]

Astute thinking, communicated clearly and powerfully. I did keep feeling like Kaitlyn was continually "blipped" as she'd disappear. ;)

[@shaynewhite1]

Any form of Christian political activism should be viewed through this lens -- from John 18:36-37 (WEB): Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my Kingdom is not from here.” Pilate therefore said to him, “Are you a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I have been born, and for this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” In reading this scripture, you will learn that there is no "Christian nation" on Earth, nor should anyone attempt to create one. We are simply called to believe, share the gospel, and serve others. Jesus said the sheep (believers) and the goats (unbelievers) will live together until His second coming, at which point we'll be separated. That's why we have Democracy now. We are not, in this present age, called to have superior power over everyone else. That was never Jesus' intention.

[@deborahdtw]

I am so glad to hear a Christian talking like this!