From the first time I read it, I’ve been intrigued by Haggai’s description of Jesus as the “desired of all nations.”  In The Messiah in the Old Testament, Walter Kaiser quotes this explanation from scholar James E. Smith:   “What is implied [in Haggai 2:7] is not that nations definitely desired [Jesus], but that He is the only one who could satisfy the yearnings which they all felt for a Savior.”  Yet I can’t help but wonder:  if Christ is the Great Satisfier, why does it appear that so few of the religiously devout non-Christians who immigrate to America ever convert to Christianity?  Could it be that some of the claims touted primarily in America’s evangelical community tend to thwart the devout immigrant's desire for the biblical Messiah?  A closer examination of these claims may yield some clues.   

First, there is the idea that Christianity in America is being supplanted by non-Christian religions, particularly those practiced by immigrants.  Second, the claim that the God of the Bible is increasingly banned from public discussion while other religions may be discussed unabated is gaining popularity.  Third, there is the belief that allowing Christians to pray in public schools would solve most, if not all, of the

problems facing public education.  Finally, there is the idea that all of America’s public leaders should be Christian.  I’m not suggesting that none of these claims lack merit; however, I am suggesting that they tend to foster anger and resentment in Christians against their non-Christian neighbors.       

Every time I hear a Christian complain that the spread of non-Christian religions is driving Americans away from the true God, I want to gag.  Have we forgotten that Christianity was born smack dab in the middle of the Greco-Roman empire, a civilization with pagan gods up the wazoo?  Zeus and Diana notwithstanding, the early church grew by leaps and bounds.  Perhaps we should ask ourselves why Christianity is growing wildly in countries where it’s outlawed and its converts violently persecuted.   

Speaking of persecution, let’s examine the lament that Christianity is being stymied because public talk about Jesus Christ is squashed while other religions may be discussed freely.   

Our brethren in non-Christian countries would gladly exchange their tortured bodies and torched churches for the “persecution” American Christians face when they try to discuss Christ publicly or pray before football games.  II Timothy 3:12 guarantees that when people choose to live godly in Christ Jesus, they’ll catch hell.  Yet too many of us want to worship with as little persecution as possible (hence the attempts to sneak prayer back into public schools through the back door of “moments of silence”).   If Christians insist on living openly for Christ--and we should--we should brush up on our apologetics so we can intelligently defend the Christian worldview and be prepared take our lumps alongside our truly persecuted brethren.  

Those who claim that public schools went to pot after the Supreme Court outlawed mandatory prayer need a history lesson. . .or two.   Starting a school day or any other gathering with prayer is commendable—even commanded on certain occasions.  But make no mistake--some of the most shameful episodes and hateful practices in Christian history—from inquisitions to Klan rallies--have and continue to be started with prayer.    

It’s time to debunk the myth that school prayer showed America’s Christian bent.  Like the rituals and practices that Jesus said cloaked the sins of the religious teachers, school prayer often masked a false national piety which, after being stripped away by the Court’s decision, revealed what subsequent opinion surveys confirmed:  that the values of many Christians, particularly in the areas of race, differed little from non-Christians.  (And lest we forget, some of the most virulent opponents to court-ordered school desegregation were conservative, oh-how-I-love-Jesus Christians.) 

And if it’s true that only Christians should be running America, then God messed up big time when He tapped Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, Cyrus, and Xerxes (no mere fiefs, mind you) to help ancient Israel.  Besides, as Michael Horton explains in Beyond Culture Wars, having Christian leaders is no guarantee of Christ-like leadership:

Christians have, after all, been in charge of societies where great immorality, injustice, and horror prevailed.  They have not only been inspired by Scriptures to set slaves free; they have twisted Scripture to enslave masses.  Genocides have been justified on the basis of building Christian civilization, so there is no guarantee that things will be rosy if Christians get into power.

Horton goes on to remind us that “…like Daniel in the Babylonian courts, or Joseph as Egypt’s prime minister, [or, I might add, Esther in Xerxes’ court], God’s people are always exiles.”  

In an essay entitled “Identity,” artist Theodore Prescott suggests that today's church should view its relationship to society as the first century church did—aware that their neighbors either were “oblivious to, indifferent to, amused by, afraid of, or perhaps somewhat curious about” the Christians in their midst.  Instead of trying to return America to its “Christian” roots, Horton exhorts us to “…take this world seriously, with no illusions of a ‘Christian society’ and at the same time, no embarrassment in seeking to influence our sphere of activity, to the glory of God and the good of our neighbor.” 

Haggai’s prophecy is as fresh as tomorrow’s news:  the Desire of Nations will slake their thirst for Him.  Although the unconverted may not understand either this promise or the other things of God, Horton points out that “many understand the things of the world, and they can tell when the church and the world are no longer distinguishable.”  By our willingness to offer a cogent defense of the biblical worldview, demonstrate biblical values that exceed those of most conservative Christians, influence society through our participation and presence (including in the arts), and pray that God’s will be done through the nation’s leaders regardless of their religious bent (or lack thereof), Christians can once again distinguish the church from the world and at same time avoid the role of thwarter. []