What we can learn from Middle East Christians
As I look around the United States, I see so many different worldviews it’s overwhelming. The western Christian worldview, the western atheist worldview, the ‘inclusive’ worldview, the ‘politics’ worldview… And they cannot agree on fundamental ideals. Some even think any form a ‘fundamental’ must be demolished.
As one who was raised, educated, and lives in the western Christian worldview, I am trying to see past it into other Christian worldviews. I read an interesting article by Luma Simms explaining how Middle Eastern Christians view the world, at least in part. And this article boldly states there are three things western Christians “often find incomprehensible”.
Those three convictions of Middle Eastern Christian’s are: they don’t mind living under secular dictators, they do not want to leave their country, and they do not want foreign countries to ‘meddle’ in their country. The third conviction is the strongest held, according to Simms. I enjoyed the article and simply wanted to write my reflection on it here. I do not know Simms nor am I trying to provide a reflection on Luma as a person or fellow believer, I’m only reflecting on the points.
First is the fact that they don’t mind living under secular dictators. At least in Damascus, they felt protected and were able to live alongside their Muslim neighbors. How should I try to understand this? In America, religion has been one of the defining factors of a President. In my lifetime, not a single President has claimed any other faith than Christianity. Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden. All have claimed to be a part of the Christian faith. Regardless of whether or not they were serious in their faith is not the focus. What I’m pointing out is that in modern America the Christian faith as been at the forefront of our elected leaders. It is hard to fathom a President who does not claim to part of the Christian faith. But I would guess that will change, soon. But back to the topic: western Christians have not had a truly secular President anytime recently.
And in the Trump Presidency, I saw Christians were emboldened by a President who pushed a lot of Christendom in his time in office. For example, saying “Merry Christmas” form the Presidential podium was highlighted as Christendom in the White House. Was it said before by other Presidents? Yes, but “this time it was bigger and real”, as I heard from many Christian friends.
But my whole thought on this is that in America, Christians have not known a leader who does not claim their faith. And one who highlighted it in office, gave them confidence to be more public with their faith.
If western Christians, of the conservative theology and political leanings as well, perceive they have an “ally”, then they feel they can be more loud about their faith. But I hear just as much of a volume from them, or us rather, since I am part of this group, as I have in the past and present. We have no idea what it means to have a secular leader, especially a dictator, who keeps Christians protected, as well as other faiths. Yes, we have the Constitution, that by law protects all faiths and peoples. Here again, lies perception. In the “Merry Christmas” example, there was a perception of a ‘war on Christmas’ and with Trump declaring he would only say “Merry Christmas”, then we Christians felt we were heard. But was there a war? I would argue the ‘inclusive worldview’ was opening the idea of saying “Happy Holidays” to include the other holidays that happen along with Christmas. Was the word “Christmas” being banned country wide? No. Yes, there was a lot of issue taken within companies and schools who had banned symbols of Christmas, but it was secular symbols mind you.
In summary, a lot of us western, conservative Christians see a Christian leader as important, and we hold this view as it is beneficial for everyone. So for us to accept a secular leader, or dictator, as beneficial is hard. Especially also given our country’s founding and way we handle leaders. So I agree, we do find this point incomprehensible.
The second point, that middle eastern Christians do not want to leave their country, makes sense to us. Right now, many in western, conservative Christianity take issue with government mandates and the culture change. Yet we do not want to leave; rather I see many of us claim we must stop the change and government “power grab” to keep our country a good place to live. But what if America becomes like a middle eastern country at war, where children die in bus bombings and you could be murdered in the street for your faith? Honestly, I think we would still say we don’t want to leave. Love for one’s country is common. It’s your homeland and there is something about being home, regardless of how bad it is.
The third point, stay out of the middle east’s business, is more of a political and foreign policy idea than one of faith. I could ask myself and others in my faith; do you want other countries coming in and messing around in America? What if another country places their military here to fight only against the government and establish what they call a better government system? No, we would argue ours is fine. Regardless of how you view our governmental systems here in the USA, you can’t really blame them for thinking this. “But our government is better, it functions better, and their government does not. It allows for dictators.” Well… it functions better for us, for our culture. Middle Eastern culture is wholly different than ours, so how could one expect our governmental system to operate there? The recent pull-out of U.S. operations in Afghanistan shows how our system cannot really function without us.
My point here is that we cannot think our way of government is best and everyone else should do it. I’m not commenting on what we should have done with the middle east, I’m only reflecting on their perception of us as “invaders” and trying to establish our way of life on them. Something they do not want.
What I propose those of us who are conservative in our Christian theology (and mostly in our polotics) should do is simply pray for our brothers and sisters in the Middle East as well as learn from them. Us is the west say we agree when the Bible says to obey our governing authorities, but then fight hard against our governing authorities when they implement policies as a reaction to a pandemic. This will likely be another blog post at some time, but how should we read the Bible on this subject? There are two prominent sections of the New Testament that speak on it, and their context is hard for us western Christians to understand/accept. Those in the middle east read those sections very differently than we do it seems.
Our Middle Eastern brothers and sisters in Christ have a lot to show us about living under persecution. They have lived under circumstances completely foreign to us here in America. Instead of waving Old Glory as a sign of hope for them, let us wave the banner of the Lamb of God in union with them. We worship Jesus Christ, and we both believe He loves all of us and his death on the cross applies just as much to us in the west as it does for those in the Middle East.
