The world feels upside down in many ways, and folks in many parts of the city feel as if we are under occupation from a foreign power that does not seek our good nor that of our neighbors whom we love. Romans 13 is not an admonition to State allegiance. Though we do not seek the violent overthrow of our government, we certainly do not always obey it. The meek inherit the earth, not the violent, and not the State.

Mammon wears a flag pin and fiscal policy is baptized in prosperity gospel. The so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” signed into law last month has uniquely laid bare what’s always been true: the powerful in our country legislate their wealth by trampling on the poor. It’s a reverse beatitude for a reverse kingdom.

When we see the death of image-bearers celebrated, and when we find ourselves complicit in that celebration, we need to pause and ask ourselves where we have gone wrong and why we are not shocked by our own emotions. The early church would have been.

Dragons, combat, and divine provision… Let’s not neglect the epic Christmas story as told by Revelation 12.

Are we swapping out Jesus’ ethics for culture war wins? Is the Sermon on the Mount compatible with partisan politics?