Is this really who we are?

I read an article in Newsweek today that really disturbed me (http://www.newsweek.com/2010/12/09/one-nation-under-god.html).  It wasn't the quality of reporting.  It wasn't that I felt bias was at work.  It was that I felt like the author might be right.  I would really encourage you to read the article before continuing to read my thoughts.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)

The joke goes in the classic comedy The Blues Brothers that "We're on a mission from God".  But if you are a follower of Christ, this is no joke.  We truly are on a mission from God.  And honestly, it has nothing to do with preserving America as an "exceptional place".  Now don't get me wrong,  I believe America is and I praise God for the freedoms He has offered us here.  

But read Matthew 28 again.  You find nothing about creating an exceptional nation or government.  Actually to the contrary, the Good New was to be brought to all nations.  

Read it again.  You find nothing about democracy.  As you read the Bible, it will become abundantly clear that God's prescribed system of governance is almost always hierarchical (http://esv.to/Ep5.22-6:9) and not democratic in an effort to make you realize that you answer to the person above you and in the end that person is always God.  Whether we ascent to it or not, we live in a dictatorship (http://esv.to/Rm14.10-12).

Read it again.  You find nothing about free market capitalism.  As I read the Bible, it becomes clear, not that any form of economy is preferred but, that we are to care so little for possessions and cling so loosely to them that it matters not whether fully control them, give them to the government (http://esv.to/Mk12.13-17), give them to our God, give them to those in need (http://esv.to/2Co8.1-15) or have them forcible taken from us (See Job and Joseph).  Our view is that they are not ours any way.

We are a people on mission backed by all the authority of the creator of the universe.  But that mission is one of Good News and discipleship: to America, to immigrants (legal and illegal) (http://esv.to/De1.16-18, http://esv.to/Jr22.3), to foreigners, to allies and enemies (http://esv.to/Mt5.43-48).  To any one who is lost.

But I fear, if this article is right, we, who are found, could be most lost of all.