A Pastor's Thoughts: Christian Privilege (RP1)

In case you didn’t know, I post my lessons every week on a number of public message boards. It’s really a great opportunity to get the gospel message out to people who would never darken the doorsteps of a church building. Another by-product of the internet is that it allows for commentary by readers while maintaining relative anonymity. That anonymity means people often have the courage to say things they generally wouldn’t say to someone’s face. I receive most of my commentary from unbelievers who abhor Christianity and me and they’re not shy about expressing their thoughts or hatred toward both. I’ve sort of gotten used to most of the hatred and venom—I recognize where most of it comes from and where it’s really directed. However, sometimes I receive commentary from atheists that is very thoughtful and considerate. In response to one of my lessons, one particular atheist complained generally about our cultural system that assumes Christianity as the norm and everything else as basically unnatural. The person referred to it as “Christian Privilege.” That phrase has stuck with me over the months and you know what I’ve come to realize? That person was absolutely right! Let me illustrate with just a few examples:

You can expect to have time off work to celebrate Christmas and Easter.
Scripture verses are prominently displayed in, on, or outside many public buildings.
Christian music and television programming is readily accessible.
When swearing an oath for public office, incoming officials will do so with their hand on the Bible.
There are regions in our country known as the “Bible Belt.”

I’m sure if you think about it, you can come up with dozens more. If you can’t think of any more, just ask an atheist—they’ll give you an ear-full of them. Many Christians lament when atheists succeed in having crosses removed from public buildings and lands. They gnash their teeth when atheists succeed in having any and all biblical references and prayer removed from our public schools. They’re left wondering what is happening to our country when biblical references, biblical practices and biblical values are being forced out of our culture. They feel like they’ve been cheated out of something they’ve earned; something they deserve—a safe and hassle free Christian life and culture. The fact is, we haven’t earned nor do we deserve a safe and hassle free Christian life or culture. Don’t get me wrong, we need to do everything we can to put an end to Christian persecution around the world. No one should be persecuted for their faith—no one! But let’s take a step back for a moment and consider what Christian Privilege has done for Christianity in America.

Is Christianity stronger or weaker in America than it was even fifty years ago let alone when the country began? The Pew Research Center did a survey recently that revealed 80% of Americans claim to be Christian yet only 51% or Americans consider Christmas to be a religious holiday (I’m usually pretty good at math but that makes no sense to me). Biblical ignorance in America is higher than at any time in our country’s history. Ministry leaders are being implicated and in many cases convicted in more cases of illegal or immoral activity than at any time in the past. A survey by the Barna Research Group determined that Christians and non-Christians have virtually the same practices and/or attitudes towards a myriad of issues—divorce, same-sex marriage, abortion, pornography, greed, and countless other values.[1] With Christian Privilege in hand, Christianity in the West generally and in America specifically has seen in steady decline over the last two decades. So what difference has Christian Privilege made from a Kingdom perspective? It doesn’t look like much. Why? Maybe it’s because that “privilege” hasn’t specifically cost us anything. Maybe it’s because we have a distorted understanding of what our “privilege” is as Christians. Gerhard Leibholz, in his memoir on pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer who was executed by the Nazi’s for his role in plotting the assassination of Hitler (called the “July 20 Plot” aka “Operation Valkyrie”), gives us a hint of what “privilege” means from a Kingdom perspective when he writes, “God heard his [Bonhoeffer’s] prayer and granted him ‘costly grace’—that is, the privilege of taking the cross for others and of affirming his faith by martyrdom.”[2] Perhaps we need to change our perspective away from our modern understanding of Christian Privilege that seems to have little transformative value and embrace the costly, biblical Christian Privilege that sets God’s Kingdom apart from this world.

Subject Text

Philippians 1:27-30 (NIV-New International Version)

²⁷Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel ²⁸without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. ²⁹For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, ³⁰since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Philippians 1:27-30 (NLT-New Living Translation)

²⁷But whatever happens to me, you must live in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ, as citizens of heaven. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing side by side, fighting together for the Good News. ²⁸Don’t be intimidated by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. ²⁹For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. ³⁰We are in this fight together. You have seen me suffer for him in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of this great struggle.

Context

Since Paul begins our Subject Text with, “Whatever happens,” it’s probably a good idea to know why he would say something that seems so ominous. Not surprisingly, Paul is writing to the church in Philippi while he was in prison in Rome. Paul established the Philippian church on his second missionary journey through the region (Acts 16:11-40). Most scholars believe this letter was written around 61 AD. Although this wouldn’t be Paul’s final imprisonment, Paul didn’t know that. Nero was the Roman Caesar beginning in 58 AD and although Christian persecution was not uncommon, the Church throughout the Roman provinces at the time of Paul’s letter to the Philippians was just experiencing the beginnings of the Neronic persecution whose bloody rampage reached its pinnacle in 64 AD. Paul and the Philippians were not unfamiliar, nor unaccustomed, to oppression and persecution because of their faith. Paul is writing to the Philippians in the midst of their ongoing struggles and in the face of the coming Neronic storm.

Text Analysis

NIV

NLT

When Paul says “whatever happens” in v. 27a he is referring to the outcome of his imprisonment. Paul is telling the Philippian believers that regardless of what happens to him, their conduct should be worthy of the faith they profess. But what does Paul consider “worthy?” Paul defined their worthiness in v. 27b as being unified in their faith and standing their ground for the Truth of the Gospel. “Paul’s churches confronted the pagan world around them, sought to win over new converts and then to indoctrinate fledgling members. At the core of such mission proclamation was the claim that God has exalted Jesus as sovereign Lord and that faith is seen primarily as obedience to his authority.”[3]

The text breaks between v. 27b and v. 28 in the NIV translation but Paul’s train of instruction continues in any event in v. 28 as he tells the Philippians to stand united and firm in their faith without fear as they face opposition. Paul goes on to explain that “this” will be a sign to those who oppose them that unbelievers are destined for destruction while those who stand firm will be saved. It can be a little confusing trying to figure out which “this” Paul is referring to—unified and standing firm in their faith or doing so without fear. I believe the confusion stems from the unnatural break between verses. This confusion is unnecessary when we remember that the original document was not divided into chapters and verses. Consequently, Paul was likely referring to vv. 27b-28 in their entirety—God would save them if they courageously stood united and firm in the faith they professed. Paul’s instruction is consistent with the general biblical principal that believers in Jesus Christ will be saved by God to eternal life with Him (heaven) and unbelievers will one day be condemned by God to eternal separation from Him (hell). “Doom would be sealed for those who persecuted the believers; salvation is assured for God’s people. Like Paul, whether the believers witnessed through their lives or through their deaths, they would ultimately be saved because of God’s control of the entire situation. Again, Paul focused on the assurance of eternal salvation for those who believe.”[4]

NIV

²⁹For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, ³⁰since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

NLT

²⁸Don’t be intimidated by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.

When we reach v. 29, the English translation of the Greek comes up short—especially the NIV version of the text. The key word in the verse is echaristhē, and is translated literally as “to give graciously.” However, that doesn’t really capture the true sense of the word and the true sense of the word makes all the difference in this case. The translation of v. 29 that is both accurate and captures the heart of the text would be: “God has granted you the high privilege of suffering for Christ; this is the surest sign that He looks upon you [with] favor.”[5] I don’t know about you but I don’t normally associate oppression, persecution and suffering with “privilege” let alone an exalted privilege. But that is exactly what the Bible teaches. It isn’t a privilege to practice our faith without opposition. It is a privilege to practice our faith in the face of opposition. This turns the whole perspective of “privilege” on its head.

Jesus who taught that from a Kingdom perspective, the last will be first; the lowest will be honored; when someone strikes you on the cheek, give them the other cheek as well; when someone takes your coat give them your shirt as well; consider it pure joy when we are persecuted because of our belief in Jesus; pray for those who hate you; and countless other teachings and commands that can often be hard to understand, stomach and accept. We want our faith to be safe, comfortable and easy. We want the right to a smooth, carefree life of faith without opposition, pain or suffering. We want to have our cake and eat it too! We know that Jesus said we must take up our cross daily and follow Him, we just don’t like that He said it so we try to ignore it. Unfortunately, many are shocked and dismayed when they face opposition and suffering; questioning whether or not God is actually as good as they thought He was when life was comfortable and easy.

“Paul’s claim that the opposition the Philippians experience serves as a double-sided token indicates one aspect of the gift-character of suffering for Christ. Such suffering provides clarity about who stands with God and who does not. It is unlikely that anyone whose commitment to the gospel is inauthentic will be willing to endure the fiery trials of physical discomfort and emotional pain that persecution brings. In such a crisis, inquirers who have been walking the border between commitment to and rejection of the gospel must finally make a decision, and those who have professed loyalty to the church for ulterior motives finally decide that their deception no longer pays. Those who remain, as a result, have the assurance that their commitment is real…In other words, the testing of the believer’s mettle in the fires of persecution produces assurance of salvation and reduces the visible church to something more like its true, invisible number. The confidence and fellowship that results are gifts from the God so powerful that he can even make evil do his bidding.”[6]

There’s something about the bond that is forged in the midst of shared suffering that doesn’t exist in an environment of ease and comfort which Paul acknowledges in v. 30. This is always the part that is so difficult for me in the context of this ministry because I am unable to relate to the oppression and persecution that so many of you are experiencing. Here in America, we whine and cry about the slightest insult to our faith while some of you risk your lives daily simply because you call Jesus your Lord and Savior. But Paul did not have the difficulty of relating to the Philippians’ because he shared their experience of persecution. Nevertheless, Paul’s instruction to the church in Philippi can and does extend to all of us as well. “Adversity is a part of the Christian life and should come as no surprise. Those that follow Christ should expect opposition. Believers have two privileges: to believe on him and to suffer for him. Both are an integral part of Christian living. The apostle had faced opposition on many occasions throughout his ministry. The Philippians had to face the same struggle and wanted to know how Paul had coped with these difficulties. He encouraged them to face their adversity in the way that he had, in Christ with joy.”[7]

Application

I want you to think about something this week: What would it matter if atheists were successful at having every single cross torn down? What would it matter if they were able to have every single biblical reference removed from every public property? What would it matter if they were successful at having all prayer removed from every public forum? Atheists would have you believe that their only goal is to right some perceived inequality or injustice being perpetrated against unbelievers as a result of Christian Privilege. First of all, consider the irony of their complaint: Without God, the concept of right and wrong wouldn’t even exist. The concept of right and wrong originates with God. Without God there would be no wrong to be corrected; no inequality to be equalized and no injustice to be adjudicated. Instead, recognize the persecution and hatred by unbelievers for what it is—sinners that refuse to acknowledge their sin and don’t want to be reminded of it either. It is a hardness of heart forged in the fire of sin that can’t stand to be challenged. Christians reach out to unbelievers out of love because they know what awaits unbelievers. Unbelievers want to silence Christians because they love their own sinful life and don’t want to give it up. The heart of an unbeliever resides in darkness and the Christian represents a light that exposes that darkness.

Remember this when you face opposition, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Eph 6:12).” Unbelievers can have every image and reference that witnesses to Christ removed from the public square but do you know the one most important witness they cannot remove? You! In fact, the more opposition you receive against the profession and practice of your faith—even if that opposition results in your martyrdom, the brighter your light of Christian faith will shine if you stand firm in your faith. Here in America, the worst that can happen to us, as Christians, is that unbelievers will call us names, demean us, marginalize us, or try to have all images and references to Christianity removed from the public square. Rather than stamp your feet, whine, cry, complain, or demand that you have the right to live in a culture that prizes your faith, you be the image and witness of Christianity in the public square through your righteous life and unashamed profession of faith in Jesus Christ.

Most of us learned at an early age to be thankful for the things we have received. Here in America, it is supposed to be a privilege to practice our Christian faith without opposition or fear. When we think of “privilege,” we think of receiving or maintaining something we want. We are not offended when we see a cross or a biblical inscription carved in stone on or outside a public structure because we want that or want to maintain that. We are not offended by images of Christmas or Easter because we want that or want to maintain that. Unbelievers call this Christian Privilege. I’ll call it the selfish desire to exist in a culture that is comfortable, safe and easy.

I think it’s time we begin to change our perspective on “privilege” and start to define “privilege” from a Kingdom perspective. It is a privilege to be hated for our faith in Jesus. It is a privilege to be label as weird or a bigot because we live by the Bible’s standard and not the world’s standard. It is a privilege to pray for those who hate us. It is a privilege to stand arm in arm with our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who face death daily because of their faith. It is a privilege to preach the Gospel when no one seems to be listening. It is a privilege not to take revenge against those who seek to hurt us because of our faith. It is a privilege to stand firm in our faith in the face of those who accuse us of being ignorant, foolish and weak. It is a privilege to know that no matter how much or how often we are condemned for our faith by unbelievers, our eternal salvation is assured because God has saved us. It is a privilege to tell people about the love and forgiveness that is found in Jesus Christ and it is a double privilege if we do that knowing we will probably be hated for it. It is a privilege to endure anything and everything this world can throw at us knowing it is because we have put our hope and trust in Jesus Christ who endured everything the world threw at Him because of His love for us. I suspect that if we changed our perspective on “privilege” to a Kingdom perspective, unbelievers would actually stop complaining about Christian Privilege.

[1] George Barna, The Second Coming of the Church, (Nashville, TN: Word Publishing, 1998), p. 6.

[2] Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship, (New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 1959), p. 26.

[3] Gerald F. Hawthorne, Ralph P. Martin, and Daniel G. Reid, Dictionary of Paul and his Letters, (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), p. 191.

[4] Bruce Barton, Philip Comfort, Grant Osborne, Linda K. Taylor, and Dave Veerman, Life Application New Testament Commentary, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001), p. 849.

[5] Cleon L. Rogers Jr. and Cleon L. Rogers III, The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek New Testament, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1998), p. 451.

[6] Frank Thielman, Philippians—The NIV Application Commentary, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1995), pp. 101-102.

[7] Max Anders, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians—Holman New Testament Commentary, (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 1999), p. 211.