Imperialism, as defined by the Dictionary of Human Geography as "the creation and/or maintenance of an unequal economic, cultural, and territorial relationship, usually between states and often in the form of an empire, based on domination and subordination.". Imperialism is certainly a dirty word. No one wants to be the type of person that claims to be able to run the world with others in subjection to them. I think that there is a form of spiritual imperialism that is common today. I actually don't think spiritual imperialism is wrong, as long as Imperialist is actually the King. I, of course, believe that Jesus is the only person that has the right to be the King of Everything, including religion and spirituality. But I'm not going to argue for His Kingship in this post. I've done that elsewhere on this blog. In this post, I want just want to show that the common, modern, scientific view of the world is but one form of spiritual imperialism. My purpose is that modern, "educated" elites will give Christianity another hearing, having removed one of their objections to real spirituality.
This week I am preaching on an encounter with Jesus and a demon. Immediately, modern people object to this story because of the sensational account of a spiritual being, a demon. Subsequently, they either toss out the entire Bible, as it is full of such accounts, or, like Thomas Jefferson, cut and splice the Bible, removing the references to angels, demons and the miraculous. They may accept a few of the moral statements of the Bible, but they reject its authority to define reality. I've previously addressed that stance, and won't repeat those arguments here. "Modern, scientific people," they say, "educated people, like myself, cannot be expected to accept such fanciful views of the world. I can see how ancient people, or uneducated, unsophisticated persons need such views of reality to help them make sense of the world, but with my education, such myths are unnecessary."
I think this view is spiritual imperialism. Economic or political imperialist subjugated "lesser" peoples through various means in order to push their agenda. It did not matter that these peoples had views of the world that valued communal living, for example, materialistic existence was required. The Belgian Congo, for example, became the possession of a single European king, and the entire country existed solely at the whim of one man. The views, ideas, histories and rights of the thousands of people groups in this African jungle were subjugated to one man's idea of reality. Similarly, the elites of our Western societies believe that their view of reality trumps all other views of reality. Keep in mind, the modern, scientific, anti-spiritual view of the world is but one view of reality. Thousands of peoples, cultures and ages find Jesus' confrontation with the demonic as a fascinating story that sounds very real. They deal with spirits, good and evil, every day. So why does one, small group of people, educated in one particular way, get to define reality? Why does their education at an elite Western university get to trump the education that people receive in the jungle or on the farm? It is imperialistic to believe that your view of reality trumps everyone else's, just because you believe your "education" is better than everyone else's. Your objection to the Colonial Imperialism of previous centuries is my objection to your anti-spiritual rejection of Christianity.
Now, certainly some of you will recognize that I too am a spiritual imperialist. And, of course, people that claim to be on my team (Christians) used Christianity to justify their subjugation of people during the Colonial period. Granted. However, just because someone takes the name of Christianity, does not mean that they followed the Christ. Forced slavery, for example, is clearly contrary to the teachings of the Christ, no matter what sign they may put on their boats. And I am not claiming to have the only right view of the world. Christ is. The Creator is. God is. God is the only valid Imperialist, because he actually is greater than us. And this is a good thing. For not only is he the Owner of the universe, he also entered into it, dying in our place, for our sins, to create a way to heal the damage that we had done to the world. He is the Loving Imperialist. And only he has the right to do so.
To read more on this subject and other common objections to Christianity, I highly recommend "The Reason for God" by Tim Keller. No 21st Century American should have the right to reject Christianity without considering the arguments that he gives...just my opinion.
This week I am preaching on an encounter with Jesus and a demon. Immediately, modern people object to this story because of the sensational account of a spiritual being, a demon. Subsequently, they either toss out the entire Bible, as it is full of such accounts, or, like Thomas Jefferson, cut and splice the Bible, removing the references to angels, demons and the miraculous. They may accept a few of the moral statements of the Bible, but they reject its authority to define reality. I've previously addressed that stance, and won't repeat those arguments here. "Modern, scientific people," they say, "educated people, like myself, cannot be expected to accept such fanciful views of the world. I can see how ancient people, or uneducated, unsophisticated persons need such views of reality to help them make sense of the world, but with my education, such myths are unnecessary."
I think this view is spiritual imperialism. Economic or political imperialist subjugated "lesser" peoples through various means in order to push their agenda. It did not matter that these peoples had views of the world that valued communal living, for example, materialistic existence was required. The Belgian Congo, for example, became the possession of a single European king, and the entire country existed solely at the whim of one man. The views, ideas, histories and rights of the thousands of people groups in this African jungle were subjugated to one man's idea of reality. Similarly, the elites of our Western societies believe that their view of reality trumps all other views of reality. Keep in mind, the modern, scientific, anti-spiritual view of the world is but one view of reality. Thousands of peoples, cultures and ages find Jesus' confrontation with the demonic as a fascinating story that sounds very real. They deal with spirits, good and evil, every day. So why does one, small group of people, educated in one particular way, get to define reality? Why does their education at an elite Western university get to trump the education that people receive in the jungle or on the farm? It is imperialistic to believe that your view of reality trumps everyone else's, just because you believe your "education" is better than everyone else's. Your objection to the Colonial Imperialism of previous centuries is my objection to your anti-spiritual rejection of Christianity.
Now, certainly some of you will recognize that I too am a spiritual imperialist. And, of course, people that claim to be on my team (Christians) used Christianity to justify their subjugation of people during the Colonial period. Granted. However, just because someone takes the name of Christianity, does not mean that they followed the Christ. Forced slavery, for example, is clearly contrary to the teachings of the Christ, no matter what sign they may put on their boats. And I am not claiming to have the only right view of the world. Christ is. The Creator is. God is. God is the only valid Imperialist, because he actually is greater than us. And this is a good thing. For not only is he the Owner of the universe, he also entered into it, dying in our place, for our sins, to create a way to heal the damage that we had done to the world. He is the Loving Imperialist. And only he has the right to do so.
To read more on this subject and other common objections to Christianity, I highly recommend "The Reason for God" by Tim Keller. No 21st Century American should have the right to reject Christianity without considering the arguments that he gives...just my opinion.
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