Was Jesus an American?

Mark, why would you ask such a stupid question? There wasn’t even an America back then!”

“Uh, no. But people treat Him like they expect Him to BE American.”

To a Christian, the fact God created everything and is orchestrating human development is a staple. That means He appointed our presidents, the British monarchs, the leaders in Madagascar, and the heads of the Triads. It all works together for His purposes, and if First Violin in his orchestra isn’t panning out, He promotes Second Violin or some other arrangement.

The upshot is this: He’s God of the whole world, not just America.

So when someone says, “I can’t believe in a God who would fire the First Violin,” that’s a person who doesn’t understand orchestras. To a diesel fitter, firing that violinist seems cruel and impersonal. But the conductor has the job of making the entire orchestra perform Beethoven’s music to the best of their ability. Otherwise the conductor isn’t doing his job, the expert cellists are being dragged down, and don’t get me started on the whole percussion section.

If there are parts of the Bible that offend your sensibilities, that’s because it’s written for the whole world, and cultures spanning thousands of years. That it doesn’t fit with American ideals doesn’t mean it’s wrong.

Some cultures think the death penalty is okay. Others think feeding the poor is stupid. Parts of the Bible violate the beliefs of the Republican Party, others go against the teachings of the Democratic Party.

So if you don’t believe parts of the Biblical teaching, you don’t believe in God. In fact, you are making yourself the arbiter of what’s right and wrong, and that’s highlighted in Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit. That’s idolatry - making yourself god.

There’s a story I heard (I can’t remember who told it) about a parent and child in a store. The child saw their first black person ever, and in a not-so-quiet voice why God would make a person with black skin. The parent said something like this: “Humanity is made in His image. It takes more than one color to do His image any kind of justice.”

Granted, Prince of Thieves wasn’t a great theological production, but Azeem made an excellent point when the girl asked if God had painted Azeem. “Why?” “Because Allah loves wondrous variety.” I think that makes the same point of doing justice to God’s image by having different colored skin.

If you’re telling yourself you can’t believe in a God who told the Hebrews to slaughter every Amorite man, woman, and child, remember He told Abraham (okay, “Abram” for the nitpickers) to let them be. He gave them four more generations to come to their senses, knowing full well they would fully reject Him.

God is patient and loving. He gave them every opportunity. Word of the Hebrews leaving Egypt had circulated throughout the region. The Amorites knew what God was capable of, and still they fought against Him.

During the era detailed in the books of the Judges, Samuel, and Kings, God was the same way with the Hebrews. “Come back, dudes. You won’t like where this is going.” They told God to go stuff himself. Over and over for hundreds of years, the Hebrews turned away from God.

Are you turning away from God simply because you think He was wrong about something you don’t understand? Maybe you’re Second Violin and think you play better than First Violin, and are ticked because the conductor won’t fire “that hack” of a player.

Here’s a secret:

When it comes to God, we’re all playing second fiddle.