Offensive Exclusivity

The Spirit of Rome Lives On

A recent editorial in US Today lifted the covers on American religiosity. The specific topic of the moment was criticism of Christian football "stars" who take advantage of their fame to promote the Name and claims of King Jesus. The piece was written by Tom Krattenmaker, possibly insincerely or with hidden motives, since he has just come out with a new book entitled Onward Christian Athletes. Maybe the intention of the editorial was self-promotion, but even if so, that is not germane to the argument itself.

Krattenmaker argues that these Christian sportspeople blaspheme (our term) established religion in America. "What?" we hear you ask. The US Constitution forbids the establishment of religion. True. But nevertheless and notwithstanding, at least in Krattenmaker's mental frame, there is an established religion in the US. It is the religion identified by the polls and is believed upon by the majority of US citizens:

According to a December 2008 survey by the Pew Forum on Religion in Public Life, 65% of American Christians believe that many religions can lead to eternal life. Our pluralism is a defining and positive reality of American life — but not one that is much valued by those who define the faith coursing through the veins of sports culture.

Sixty-five percent of professing Christians believe that many religions lead to eternal life. Add that to the rest of the non-Christian population--and bingo, you have one very established religion: pluralism, the "defining and positive reality of American life." Krattenmaker's beef with these Christian football players is not that they are professing Christians, but that they profess an exclusive religion: Christ alone is the Saviour. This belief, which they do not hesitate to proclaim, means that they also believe everyone else is wrong. Yup. Reasoning good so far. But, says Krattenmaker, this has no place in a "civic" team that represents a plurality of beliefs. His view is that because people of many different beliefs and faiths support a particular team, all the players on the team must support and promote the principles of the religion of pluralism.

But should we be pleased that the civic resource known as "our team" — a resource supported by the diverse whole through our ticket-buying, game-watching and tax-paying — is being leveraged by a one-truth evangelical campaign that has little appreciation for the beliefs of the rest of us?

Wow--let's get this straight. Because people with many diverse views support or cheer or watch or pay for (via taxation) a sports team, all the members and staff and employees of that team must reflect and espouse the principles of the established religion of pluralism--the equal ultimacy of all beliefs. So much for liberty of conscience and freedom of religion.

Ancient Rome was a religiously tolerant society. Polytheism always tends to a particular kind of tolerance. You believe in Zeus; and you believe in tarot cards; and you believe in secular humanism. All good for all of you. But such diversities and conflicting views can only cohere together if there is a unifying principle. In Rome it was the emperor, and emperor worship. You could believe whatever you wanted provided you acknowledged the suzerain overlordship of the Emperor, and burned incense to him. But, if not, then you were outside civilisation, the pax Romana. By definition, all religions which espoused one deity, and one only (unless it were the Emperor) were implicitly subversive of Rome itself.

Fast forward to Krattenmaker's version of the United States. You can believe whatever you like as long as you acknowledge and do obeisance to the established principles of religious pluralism. But, for this author, the overlordship of Emperor Pluralismo means any religion which is not built upon, and espouses the equal ultimacy of all beliefs is beyond the pale and blasphemes the higher god of Pluralism.

It was the profession and proclamations of exclusivity that made Judaism and Christianity so offensive to Rome. Both were persecuted mercilessly when opportunity permitted.

So, to recap: the Christian faith is universally exclusive. Peter in Acts 4:12 declares that there simply is no other Name in heaven or earth by which men may be saved. Paul, with the full authority of Christ Himself, declares that there is only One mediator between God and man--the man Christ Jesus (I Timothy 2:5). So far, the Christian NFL players are right on the money. But, there is another, equally important sense in which the Lord Jesus Christ is not exclusive at all. Whosoever wishes and desires may come to Him to receive mercy and eternal life (John 6:37). This is universally valid across all continents, times, people groups, classes, and nations. All humanity is included.

Either Tom Krattenmaker (and his disciples) speak the truth and that the American established religion is true and that all beliefs are equally ultimate, provided each burns incense to pluralism itself; or Jesus Christ is Lord of all and all other religions and "isms" are deceptive, misleading, and ultimately false. Last time we checked, Tom had not been installed by God Almighty as the Lord of the heavens and the earth. So, that settles that.

But facetious comments aside, let none be in doubt that Krattenmaker's established religion is both destructive and harmful, whereas the faith of the Christian NFL players is warm and hospitable. You, too, sir may come and receive eternal life. He will never cast you out, if you come.