King, Country, or What is Right?
There is a scene in “Black Panther” after the King has been overthrown (legally) by the villain. Okoye and Nakia are discussing how they should react. Nakia, a spy and the intended of the overthrown king, says they should fight against the new, misguided, (and clearly evil) ruler. Okoye, as the general of the king’s guard, sees it differently.
Okoye: “Though my heart is with you, I can’t. I am loyal to the throne, no matter who sits on it. What are you loyal to?”
Nakia: “I loved [T’Challa]. I love my country too.”
Okoye: “Then you serve your country.”
Nakia: “No, I save my country.”
This reminded me of something my Old Testament professor, Dr. Heflin, used to say. Talking about the role of the prophets in ancient Israel—and the nature of their true patriotism—he would say that their attitude was not, “My nation first, be she right or wrong.” Their job was to call the nation to remain true to its true king, God, and to call it into repentance when it strayed. True love of country is to hold that country to remain true to its values.
We may love our nation and value its history. We should have a respect for its institutions, offices, and authorities. However, when attitudes change over time, when fears rule or special interests buy influence that threaten our core values, we need to speak up. Believers especially, need to play a prophetic role.
Instead, too often we simply play along out of respect, or fear, for the powers that be. Worse we sacrifice our principles to have a piece of power, embracing the “lesser evils” for the “greater good.”
Okoye: “Though my heart is with you, I can’t. I am loyal to the throne, no matter who sits on it. What are you loyal to?”
Nakia: “I loved [T’Challa]. I love my country too.”
Okoye: “Then you serve your country.”
Nakia: “No, I save my country.”
This reminded me of something my Old Testament professor, Dr. Heflin, used to say. Talking about the role of the prophets in ancient Israel—and the nature of their true patriotism—he would say that their attitude was not, “My nation first, be she right or wrong.” Their job was to call the nation to remain true to its true king, God, and to call it into repentance when it strayed. True love of country is to hold that country to remain true to its values.
We may love our nation and value its history. We should have a respect for its institutions, offices, and authorities. However, when attitudes change over time, when fears rule or special interests buy influence that threaten our core values, we need to speak up. Believers especially, need to play a prophetic role.
Instead, too often we simply play along out of respect, or fear, for the powers that be. Worse we sacrifice our principles to have a piece of power, embracing the “lesser evils” for the “greater good.”
Comments
Post a Comment