Can We Reclaim Christianity?

The story in today’s gospel is usually referred to as the “Parable of the Wicked Tenants”.

The traditional view is that the vineyard owner represents God and the wicked tenants represent the temple authorities.

The meaning of the parable is that the chief priests and scribes are cheating God because they are collaborating with Rome to maintain their positions and their power.

They are also cheating God’s people through the temple structure which extorts money from the Jewish population.

The servants that the vineyard owner sends to the tenants represent the prophets that God sent to convey his message.

God finally sends his son, Jesus, who the tenants eventually kill because they are afraid that the son will assume their wealth and power.

The irony, of course, is that the temple authorities only have wealth and power because God has given it to them.

And, rather than being good stewards, they hoard and abuse it.

In the end, they lose what they so desperately tried to hold onto.

It’s no wonder that this parable was chosen as one of the texts for the sermon series.

There is certainly no shortage of people we could point to who are hoarding wealth and power.

Who fail to be good stewards of all that God has given them.

Who ignore the teachings of Jesus and stand opposed to God.

So, let’s look at this parable through the lens of our time and our society.

And, instead of talking about the chief priests and scribes, let’s talk about the purveyors of Christian Nationalism.

Like the temple authorities who collaborated with Rome to maintain power and influence, faith leaders who subscribe to Christian Nationalism collaborate with the government to acquire and maintain power and influence.

They cherry-pick Bible verses to support the racist, anti-LGBT, anti-immigrant rhetoric that defines their movement.

At its core, Christian Nationalism is a racist ideology.

Although religious nationalism is not new, the version we are seeing now started with white evangelicals organizing to protect the ability of their private schools to remain racially segregated.

Under the guise of “religious freedom”, Christian Nationalists claimed the authority to run private schools as they saw fit.

They claimed religious persecution when segregated private schools were threatened with losing their tax-exempt status.

Racial hatred, an earmark of Christian Nationalism, killed God’s servant, Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin was sent to be a prophetic voice against racial hatred.

He was sent to try to bring the haters to repentance.

As the Christian Nationalist movement gained influence, it became increasingly anti-LGBT.

Christian Nationalists oppose marriage equality.

Christian Nationalists oppose transgender rights.

Again, they claim “religious liberty”—that they are just trying to protect traditional families and the moral fabric of American society.

They either ignore Jesus’ call to “love your neighbor” entirely or claim exceptions—something Jesus never did.

Homophobia, another earmark of Christian Nationalism, killed God’s children Harvey Milk, Matthew Shepard, and Tyler Clementi.

Harvey, Matthew, and Tyler were sent to open the eyes of the nation to the destructive power of homophobia.

They were sent to try to bring the haters to repentance.

Most recently, Christian Nationalism has been defined by extreme xenophobia.

Although there is a racist and classist dimension to Christian Nationalism, it is also the result of an ideology that views the United States as a nation favored by God.

Christian Nationalism ignores the fact that indigenous people inhabited this country long before European settlers arrived.

Christian Nationalism ignores the fact that ours is a country of immigrants—our national identity is based on the blend of different cultures, languages, and traditions.

Christian Nationalism ignores the fact that the violence that exists in many Central- and South-American countries—violence that drives people from their home countries—that violence is the result of our CIA destabilizing their governments in the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s.

Christian Nationalism ignores the fact that this country’s economy creates low-paying jobs that no citizen wants—jobs that then attract people living in poverty who want only to improve their lives and the lives of their families.

Above all, Christian Nationalism ignores the fact that Jesus told us to “welcome the stranger”.

Xenophobia and the dehumanizing rhetoric of Christian Nationalists killed Ruben Ray Martinez, Geraldo Lunas Campos, Renee Good, and Alex Pretti.

Ruben, Geraldo, Renee, and Alex were sent to put names and faces on the violence being perpetrated in the name of immigration enforcement.

They were sent to try to bring the haters to repentance.

So, what has all this to do with today’s gospel and where do we find good news in it?

Well, first, Christian Nationalism is a problem.

Christian Nationalists are like the wicked tenants.

They defy God and pervert Christianity.

But we can find the appropriate response to Christian Nationalism is in the parable.

Jesus is “The stone rejected by the builders that has become the cornerstone of the building.”

Christian Nationalists have rejected Jesus, which might be funny if they were not so dangerous.

Christ is right in their name and yet they reject Jesus’ teaching.

They do not love God.

Because, if they loved God, they would have seen the image of God in Martin, Harvey, Matthew, Tyler, Ruben, Geraldo, Renee, and Alex and mourned, rather than celebrated, their loss.

Every one of those people died because someone with hate in their heart failed to acknowledge that they were children of God—possessing the divine image of God.

Christian Nationalists don’t love their neighbor—at least not ALL their neighbors.

Because, if they did, their words would not encourage hate, and their actions would not commit violence against the marginalized.

God calls us to repentance and, the good news is that God promises forgiveness.

But there are many in this country who are deaf to that call.

Who double-down, rather than repent.

So, what are we to do?

We need to remember who we are and what we stand for.

Our foundation is in Christ.

He is the cornerstone of our faith.

We must reclaim Christianity from those who clearly are not followers of Jesus.

And we must love, following Jesus’ example.

We must love without exception.

And our love must be louder than the hate.

Because that is what our God and our faith tell us to do.

I close with a prayer that was offered by Bishop Eaton after the January 6 insurrection:

Mighty God, our great help in trouble, as distrust, fear and violence threaten our nation and its peoples, we come to you in prayer, seeking your wisdom, strength and peace.

We pray for the health of our democracy and its leaders, that those elected to serve may utilize government structures and processes to promote human flourishing and the common good…

We pray for those who risk harm to ensure the safety of others: police officers, security guards, the National Guard and other military personnel…

We pray for an end to the evils of white supremacy, Christian nationalism, and racial violence that threatens, destroys and kill…

We pray for those experiencing trauma induced by the public display and use of hateful language and symbols, including Confederate flags, anti-Semitic language and images, and nooses…

We pray for Black, Indigenous, People of Color and historically marginalized groups traumatized by violence stemming from white supremacy: lynchings, bombings, vandalism and church burnings…

We pray for clergy and church leaders, especially for those burdened by mistrust and painful divisions in their communities. Give them and all people the courage to confront white supremacy, Christian nationalism and racist rhetoric with messages of truth, sustained by the power of your magnificent love…

We pray for people and communities struggling to discern your voice amid competing voices clamoring for attention. Direct us to listen deeply and celebrate the diversity among us. Freed in Christ, we dare to witness to your promise of abundant life and abiding peace…

In this time of great uncertainty, we pray without ceasing, trusting that your word, Holy God, never returns empty and your mercy never fails. We pray in the name of Jesus and by the power the Holy Spirit. Amen.