For discussion: Discipleship as Citizenship

Questions for reflection and discussion of the lead article, Discipleship as Citizenship (Dec. 16, 2013 issue)

December 11, 2013 | Feature
By Barb Draper |

1. Do your Christian values make you feel like a resident alien in Canada? How strong are your ties of loyalty to Canada? How strong is your allegiance to your local community or municipality? How do these ties of loyalty compare with your allegiance to your church community? 2. Do you find it helpful to think of your allegiance to Christ as heavenly citizenship? What are the implications for earthly citizenship? If we are dual citizens, where does our primary allegiance lie? Do you agree with Gordon Zerbe that “heavenly citizenship” is a richer image than “discipleship”? 3. Zerbe says that the Apostle Paul encouraged the Philippians to see themselves as “a kind of counter-citizen society.” Is it appropriate for such “counter-citizens” to hold office in Canadian government at the federal, provincial or municipal level? 4. Zerbe points out some of Paul’s military imagery. Does this imagery encourage Christians to think militarily? What are the drawbacks of using citizenship or military language? How can the church better honour its heroes of nonviolence?

--Posted Dec. 11, 2013

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