In Conversation With... Brian Zahnd

Christians in every culture have to be aware of and navigate syncretism, a blending of their culture, other religions, and traditions with their faith. The American Church has an arduous task of separating out American civil religion from faithfulness to Jesus. In this conversation, Greg Arthur speaks with Brian Zahnd about his journey in ministry, the impact of the Jesus movement, and the challenges faced by the American church today. Zahnd examines the conflation of American identity with Christianity, discussing the implications of American civil religion and the nature of American empire. He reflects on the historical context of the church's relationship with empires and the ongoing struggle to maintain the integrity of the gospel amidst cultural pressures. They also explore the complexities of the early church, the concept of rival gods, and the distinction between the Kingdom of Christ and earthly empires. They discuss the importance of citizenship in heaven, the need for community transformation through discipleship, and the challenges of peacemaking in a divided world. The dialogue emphasizes the resilience of the global church and the call for Christians to embody love and kindness amidst political disagreements.