The Emperor Has No Clothes
Christian Nationalism, Kenyan Gen Z, and the Peace of God
Welcome to “Global Witness, Globally Reimagined.” You get a glimpse here of the kind of work that I do both at Church Mission Society and Missio Africanus where I help students of all levels (from unaccredited courses to PhD) explore the theological (and missiological) implications of the rise of World Christianity. In the newsletter, I focus on the subject of global witness in the context of the twenty-first century. Every Thursday, I share a thought that has spoken to me in the week, one or two resources that I trust will be helpful to you, and three exciting quotes about mission to give you something to think about as you go through your day. I pray one of these will energise you.
NB: Please note that I will soon start tailoring most of my content towards paid subscribers. There will still be occasional posts open to everyone, but most will be for paid subscribers. If you appreciate the newsletter and are able to pay for a subscription, please consider doing so.
1. Thought I Can’t Shake Off
A few weeks ago, I wrote a piece for the Vista Journal (a journal that focuses on mission in Europe) about the threat of Christian nationalism to African and European Christianity. It was later picked up and republished by Evangelical Focus (another European Evangelical outlet) and has since found its way into many conversations around the world. In a nutshell, I wondered, bearing in mind the influence that US Evangelicalism has on African Christianity, what African Christian nationalism will look like. There is no doubt in my mind that in a few years, we will begin to see echoes of Christian nationalism in some circles in Africa. I am not sure it can succeed — African communalism may be an antidote. But, of course, when faced with the financial incentives (generally, of individualistic capitalism, which is the bedrock on which a great deal of Evangelicalism is built), African communalism is powerless. Bad economies and poverty are breeding grounds for divide-and-conquer corruption.
While thinking about this, I witnessed on TV the eruption of younger-generation Kenyans (calling themselves leaderless Gen Z that transcends party politics, religious identities, and ethnic divisions) against the political structures of President William Ruto with keen interest. I wanted to see if they could rise up against the government and not touch the church, knowing that Christianity plays a significant role in Kenyan politics. Of course, it was not long before the Gen Z turned their gaze on those churches (and church leaders) closely connected to the political class. Churches that platformed politicians (deemed to be corrupt) were confronted. Kenyan Gen Zs were clear: Christianity in Kenya (at least in their view) has continued to be associated with political corruption and violence (economic and otherwise).
Before you think this is an African issue, let me say it is not. We live with this in the West as well.
Kenya is quiet now, but parts of political and church leadership structures are on the defensive. The charge that many church leaders are just as corrupt as political leaders shows exactly how the gospel is usually co-opted for political gain, especially when the political leaders are Christians as well. May the Prince of Peace remain a prince of peace and not become a sanctifier of violence.
2. Resources I am Enjoying
The Teo Hayashi Podcast: Sunawh Park on Cross-culturalism, Discipleship, and Spiritual Abuse
On this episode of The Teo Hayashi Podcast, Teo sits down with Sunawh Park to reflect on various issues connected with cross-cultural mission. Park is the Campus Director of YWAM’s University of the Nations in Kona, Hawaii. This multi-layered conversation presents a lot of wisdom for cross-cultural ministry, from Park’s boggling conversion to his understanding of God’s multicultural kingdom, discipleship, spiritual abuse, and other related topics. One of the insights from the interaction is that God loves diversity, and to receive the gifts that other cultures bring, we need humility and a redemptive lens from which we perceive and relate with them, rather than a mere human or natural viewpoint. Otherwise, we may never see any blessing culturally, missionary, theologically and in other senses, that the presence of or collaboration with the other brings.
3. Quotes I am Pondering
[The] attitude of involving God in every aspect of human and social life is exactly what is needed to jump start waning Christianity and continue fuelling Christian expansion. — Wonsuk Ma
The call to reconciliation that God does, his will of restoring and healing, proves that God offers us a life in its fullest measure. — Elizabeth Salazar Sanzana
There is no mission of God without an attempt by the devil to stop it. — Opoku Onyinah
I pray that you will be faithful to the work God has for you this week.