“Christ is King” is Not Enough

 

Kings made a comeback last year, when Queen Elizabeth passed away, after serving as the longest reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. Bonny Prince Charlie became King Charles III, putting aside the randy (and bloody) reputations of the previous Charles.

“Christ is King” has become a political rally cry, as well, especially among the populist, nationalist, traditionalist set taking over the GOP. I understand the desire for a restoration of our nation’s Judeo-Christian heritage. The revivals breaking out in Kentucky and Tennessee attest to this nation’s hunger for moral order and meaning.

Yet I must submit to this the Body of Christ in America, and to the political operatives seeking to make a difference in our governance: “Christ is King” is not enough.

It’s a great slogan, but Jesus, when He came to this earth in an earthen vessel, did not come to lord his kingship over us. First of all, He didn’t have to. As we sing “Silent Night” every Christmas, Jesus was “Lord at His birth.”

If we really want to honor Jesus, if we want to honor our Lord as Lord, we need to see him as Savior.

“America First” is a nice hobby, and it makes people feel good. But how do you define America, if there is no restoration of our Anglo-American legal tradition, or more importantly our Judeo-Christian heritage, which culminates in the profession of the Gospel?