I spent most of my first 48
years living and working in Australia and New Zealand—two nations that still
belong to the British Commonwealth. During those years, Aussies and Kiwis were
taught to sing:
Rule
Britannia, Britannia rules the waves.
Britons
never, never, never will be slaves.
Down through the centuries,
empires and nations have produced statements and songs that reflect the one
quoted above. However, with the passing of the years, I have questioned more
and more the appropriateness and validity of such statements. After all,
Britannia never did rule the waves, and, regrettably, it played a leading role
in the slave trade. In the early decades of the twentieth century, British
Prime Minister Winston Churchill stated, “The British Empire will rule the
world for the next one thousand years.” But
his prediction did not come to pass!
Recently, I read a book by
Richard Hughes titled Christian America
and the Kingdom of God. I have found it to be most fascinating and insightful.
In it, Hughes analyzes the Bible’s “Big Story,” the message of the Old
Testament prophets, the narrative embedded in the four Gospels, and the
theology contained in Paul’s writings. He then offers insights in relation to
the concepts of “Christian America” and “The Kingdom of God.” I am now working
through this book for the second time. Next to the Bible, it is the most marked
up book in my library.
I believe that this book is a
must read for those who claim allegiance to Jesus as Savior and Lord. Sad to
say, we live in a challenged world, and the only “peace plan” that will work in
time and for eternity is that embedded in the teachings and ministry of Jesus,
the radical forgiving Servant Messiah. May this book impact your life as it has
mine!
