On page 10 of his book, Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul, by John Eldridge (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2001, 2010), the author asserts, “God is a warrior; man is a warrior.” The God of the Old Testament was a warrior and, when Jesus returns, he will reappear as a mighty warrior. The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New Testament, but the way he interacts with his creation has been vastly different since the Incarnation. This talk uses the Scripture the author misused in order to demonstrate the faulty theology that helped give rise to Christian Masculinity, which some have tied that to the surge in Christian Nationalism. Christian Nationalism has been linked to the rise of Donald Trump, racism, and the January 6th U.S. Capitol insurrection. During his earthly ministry, Jesus’s message was one of love, peace, unity and reconciliation. Our king is the Prince of Peace. And we, his true followers, are to be known for our love. So, is there room for soldiers in God’s kingdom?
Politics is poisoning our relationships. Satan is attacking the church in America using divisions caused by Donald Trump. Friendships, families, even churches have fallen victim to this tool of the Devil. In itself, politics is neutral. Yet it has the potential of becoming a destructive idol. It is easy to point to ex-President Donald Trump or Christian Nationalism as the source of the conflict, but the real cause is turning politics into an idol; allowing what happens here to dim our view of God’s kingdom. When anything causes us to take our eyes off of Jesus, that thing has become an idol. Satan is using politics in general, and Donald Trump, in particular to wage war on the Body of Christ. Jesus assured Peter that the gates of Hell will not prevail against his Church, but that doesn’t mean the enemy of our souls will not leave hurt feelings and broken relationships in his wake. Jesus said if we love him we will keep his commandments and thethe greatest commandment is to love God and love others. The Apostle Paul said our lives will reflect the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. . . Galatians 5:22-23 | NIV. This short sermon asks three questions that point to whether politics has become an idol for you or someone you love.