The tragedy is that American Christianity has so closely allied itself with the government of the day that the transcendent Gospel has become submerged in the world’s values.

–David Alan Black, The Jesus Paradigm by pg. 66

Quoted in TC’s review of the book.

I hate politics. (That’s not Black’s point though.)

There is little evidence in the way Christians live to support our claim that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Rather, the evidence would suggest that, in most churches, the culture of economic, political and military systems of the United States (or Australia or Britain etc.) is at hand. The question must be asked why the churches do not live by their confession.

–Jim Wallis (January, 1980), “Rebuilding the Church”, Sojourners, 9:1, page 10

Matthew 10:7
As you go, announce this: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’

See Brian Lilly’s posts:

• Surprised by the Kingdom of God I – If the Kingdom of God is here, why are the Romans still here also?
• Surprised by the Kingdom of God II – What’s politics got to do with it? (Got to do with it?)