EDITORIAL:
Baptists decry sin of nationalism
___Which is paramount--your racial identity, national affiliation or citizenship in the kingdom of God?
___Most Baptists know the "Sunday School answer" is citizenship in the kingdom of God. But the question isn't as obvious as it first sounds. Illustrations abound to indicate Christians at times believe, or at least act as if they believe, to the contrary.
___Courts recently convicted Hutu Catholics in Rwanda of the genocide of ethnic Tutsis who sought refuge in their churches. Civil war in Eastern Europe aligned Christians in the gun-sights of other Christians whose ethnic background is different. And Protestant-Catholic terrorism in Northern Ireland testifies to the destruction wrought by militants drunk on the toxic cocktail of national pride, religious bigotry and ethnic hatred.
___Closer to home, the record is no less noble if less bloody. Churches and denominations divided and broken over race, ethnicity and language litter the American religious landscape. Churches and religious institutions consistently lag behind government and industry in racial and ethnic inclusiveness. And, as Martin Luther King Jr. noted decades ago, 11 a.m. Sunday still is America's "most segregated hour."
___Despite inclinations toward ethnic identity, nationalism and division, Baptists must recognize "Christ calls us into a community which is characterized by a radical equality, where 'all are one in Christ Jesus' (Galatians 3:28), regardless of human distinctions," according to a new statement sponsored by the Baptist World Alliance.
___The Berlin Declaration on Baptist Identity and National Culture affirms the "common ancestry" of all human beings. It urges Baptists to work with "other Christians and all people of goodwill" to seek peace and reconciliation amid ethnic and religious conflict. Baptists from around the globe ratified the declaration last month at a conference sponsored by the Baptist World Alliance, European Baptist Federation and German Baptist Union.
___"We have heard the cry of God's people from many areas of ethnic conflict in the world," the declaration states. "We acknowledge with sadness that many of our societies and communities are marred by intolerant nationalism, racial and ethnic hatred, suspicion of foreigners and discrimination on the grounds of race, culture and religion."
___Among other things, the Berlin Declaration urges Baptists to "encourage the active participation of Baptist churches and their members in the processes which build society and work toward its common good, and to be alert to the abuse of power within and outside the church."
___It also calls on Baptists to "see Christ in the 'other' in all our dealings with those who are racially, ethnically or culturally different from us" and to "uphold the Baptist concern for religious freedom and for minority groups which often feel themselves to be powerless." It insists Baptists "use every opportunity to give practical expression to that unity in Jesus Christ which transcends nation, culture, class and gender."
___The declaration acknowledges nationalism is a form of idolatry. It condemns racial discrimination as sinful. It concedes Baptists have engaged in such sinful behavior. "We have failed to 'love the stranger,' to speak and act decisively and to be peacemakers and reconcilers," the statement notes. "We have shrunk back from confronting evil and taking a prophetic stance with governments and institutions."
___Painful as it is to acknowledge, the Berlin Declaration is good news for Baptists. It's particularly appropriate for Texas Baptists in the United States. We're tempted to equate bigness with blessing and power with piety. We need to be reminded of our tradition of concern for minorities and to remember to pray for and support believers who face persecution even in this day. We dare not enjoy smug satisfaction built upon the notion we have been blessed because we are better or more deserving than others.
___This reminder also is appropriate at this time of year, as we prepare to observe Independence Day. May we celebrate in humility. We are fortunate to live in a great nation, where religious freedom is assured. May we thank God for this blessing and renew our resolve to preserve it for all people.
___ Marv Knox
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
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