Good Friday offers insights into the complex relationship between religion and politics in the context of Christian nationalism.
Let's explore this connection together.
Today, much discussion revolves around the destructive violence of Good Friday and its subsequent theme of resurrection. However, I'd like to provide context for these events and shed light on what they reveal about Christian nationalism and its underlying ideology.
Understanding the events of Good Friday is crucial. Crucifixion, the method of execution used on that day, was unfortunately a common occurrence in the ancient Roman world. The Roman Empire ruled through violent dominance, making public examples of anyone who dared to challenge its authority. Crucifixion was not just a form of execution; it was a humiliating and excruciating spectacle. In fact, historical accounts suggest that Jesus of Nazareth may have been crucified naked, further adding to the indignity of the ordeal.
A glance at history books reveals that Rome had subverted Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem, a sacred site for Jesus's people. After conquering a territory, the Roman Empire imposed heavy taxation and enforced the worship of the Roman Emperor as a deity. This was particularly problematic for the Jewish community.
To appease the Jews, Rome allowed them some autonomy over the Temple, but at a cost: they had to accept Roman-appointed leadership. This arrangement fostered corruption within the Temple hierarchy.
Remember the scene in the New Testament where Jesus overturns the tables of the moneychangers outside the Temple? His actions were a response to this corruption.
It's not surprising this period saw the emergence of many Messiah figures like Jesus of Nazareth. The oppressed sought to reclaim their sovereignty and autonomy, albeit through various means. However, Jesus differed from other Messianic figures in his teachings. He preached love, radical acceptance, and non-violence as pathways to lasting change.
Jesus's message was controversial in his time. Oxford Jewish studies professor Martin Goodman dedicates an entire section of a chapter in his History of Judaism to Jesus and his movement, highlighting the rift it caused within Judaism.
My intention is not to vilify Jews today (Christian antisemitism is abhorrent and unacceptable). Instead, I urge you to consider how the Roman Empire, much like modern Christian nationalists, infiltrated religious and social spheres to exert control. They dictate morality and define what is "good" or "bad" while disregarding Jesus's defining teachings in the Sermon on the Mount.
Every time someone champions a Christian nationalist agenda or claims that a political figure will save our nation, I'm reminded of the lessons from history and the importance of preserving our freedom of religion as enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. Would the Jesus of the New Testament endorse the drastic measures and pursuit of power evident in Christian nationalist movements today?
Sources for this article:
Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Aslan
A History of Judaism by Martin Goodman
Rob Bell, The RobCast, Episode 149, “Alternative Wisdom | An Intro to Punk Wisdom”
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-first-temple-solomon-s-temple
Matthew 21: 12-13, New International Version
Matthew 5: 1-12, New International Version