The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power Is Destroying the Church

Imagine for a moment that the world is divided into two great realms—one ruled by the sword, the other by the cross. This is the heart of our story, the tension that pulses through every chapter of our journey together. The kingdom of the sword is easy to recognize: it is the realm of governments, armies, and laws, where power is exercised 'over' others and conformity is enforced by threat or reward. It’s the system that says, 'Obey, or else.' In contrast, the kingdom of the cross is gentle, almost invisible to the hurried eye. It is the way of Jesus, marked by self-sacrifice, humility, and a relentless, sometimes scandalous, love for others—even enemies.

In the opening chapters, we encounter this contrast not as an abstract theory, but as a living reality. The book paints vivid scenes: a Roman governor with the power to crucify, a rabbi who refuses to raise a sword in his own defense; a world obsessed with winning and dominance, and a Savior who 'loses' by the world’s standards in order to win hearts. The sword can control behavior, but only the cross can transform souls. The early Christians understood this. They were a minority in a hostile empire, yet they grew not by force, but by loving their persecutors, by serving the poor, and by living lives so radiant with compassion that even their enemies took notice.

We’re invited to see that these two kingdoms are not just out there in the world—they compete within our own hearts. When we’re tempted to control, to retaliate, to demand our rights, the sword whispers its logic. But the cross beckons us to a different way: to lay down our lives, to serve, to forgive. The book gives examples: a community that refuses to join the chorus of hate after an attack, choosing instead to mourn with the grieving and care for those in need. Or a church that resists the pressure to become a political machine, insisting instead on being a haven of grace for all.

As we move deeper into this story, we’ll see how these two kingdoms shape everything—from our politics to our daily choices. But for now, let’s rest in this insight: the kingdom of the cross is not weak; it is the most powerful force in the universe, because it alone can change hearts. And as we leave this first landscape, let us carry the gentle strength of the cross with us, for the journey ahead will ask us to choose, again and again, which kingdom we truly belong to.

Next, we’ll unravel a myth that has shaped the soul of a nation and the church within it.