Who We Are Instead: An Introduction

by Ben Howard

Fall brings a lot of fun things along with it like cool weather, awesomely colored leaves, and football. It also brings along a new slate of TV shows, some terrible, some interesting, some good. In the last few weeks I started diving in to two of these shows, Revolution and Last Resort, and noticed that they share common themes regarding the moral ambiguity of one's relationship to authority and the nation-state.

At the same time, I had just started watching the Emmy-winning series Homeland which also explores the tension between what it means to be a good citizen and what it means to be a good person and whether those can co-exist or must compete against each other.

These shows had my mind running through different ideas about citizenship, American identity, allegiance and the other tensions that exist in regards to being a citizen of a nation-state while also being called to some higher moral authority. These were difficult and occasionally troubling questions and I realized rather quickly that many of the questions raised about American identity were true regarding Christian identity as well. So I decided to write about it.

Next week, I'll be running a five part series on American and Christian identity titled "Who We Are Instead" (yes, that is the name of a Jars of Clay album).

Monday, I'll talk about the NBC series Revolution and how we are shaped by our pasts, both individually and communally. Tuesday, I'll cover the ABC series Last Resort and the question of authority and allegiance.

Wednesday, the discussion will turn to the Showtime series Homeland and we'll discuss what we think, how we believe and whether or not that makes us dangerous.

On Thursday, we'll take a turn for the comedic as I cover Bill O'Reilly and Jon Stewart's recent debate The Rumble in the Air-Conditioned Auditorium and we'll talk about what it means to co-exist with someone who is wholly other.

Finally, on Friday I'll take a shot at wrapping the whole series up by explaining what exactly I mean when I use the phrase "as a Christian."

I hope this series is fun, interesting and enlightening. One side note, I promise that you will not need to watch the shows in question in order to understand the discussion. I'll explain whatever plot points need explanation and I'll do my best to avoid spoilers (which should be easy since I haven't seen the end of any of these series).

I look forward to the conversations this may spark and I look forward to your feedback.

Peace,
Ben

When he isn't watching TV, Ben hangs out with his friends. Yes, he promises you that he has friends who he sees in person from time to time. You can follow him on Twitter @BenHoward87 or email him at benjamin.howard87 [at] gmail.com.

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American Ambivalence

by Ben Howard

I remember Michael Johnson.  Not from 1992 in Barcelona, but from 1996 in Atlanta.  I remember his gold shoes and I remember my 9 year old mind confusing him a few times with Michael Jordan.  I remember getting chills when he won gold in the 200 and 400.  The names Shannon Miller, Dominique Dawes, Dominique Moceanu, and Kerri Strug are engrained in my mind even though I'd never watched gymnastics before the Atlanta Olympics.  I know Strug did something amazing on the vault, though I didn’t understand it when it happened, and I remember having a crush on Moceanu.  9 year old me had a thing for ponytails and bangs apparently.

I’ve always loved the Olympics.  I probably will always love the Olympics and I’m incredibly excited about the Olympics in London (starting July 27^th at 7:30 central time, it’s been in my phone for a few months now).  My affinity is based in the camaraderie, the passion, the spectacle, the dreams, and the destiny of it all.  Everything about it feels so epic, so earned.

In 2008, I had a mini-crisis regarding my enjoyment of the Olympics.  As I’ve matured and learned, I’ve become far more uncomfortable with the feeling of national superiority that is so prevalent in the United States.  I feel a great sense of unease when we celebrate national holidays centered around our national ideas of greatness, independence and military strength.  These ideas entirely contradict the Christian narrative that says we are all exiles in a foreign land, awaiting the Kingdom of God.  This deep sense of ambivalence has led to certain changes in my life.  I do not say the Pledge of Allegiance.  I do not sing or put my hand on my heart during the National Anthem.  I do not vote.  I respect those who do, but deep in my heart this is not my country.

So when the Olympics come around I may seem like a bit of a hypocrite because I will definitely be rooting for the American athletes.  Here’s what I’ve decided, and if you disagree, that’s fine.  I’m comfortable rooting for American athletes because I think the idea of the Olympics and athletics in general can overcome national barriers.  A great story is a great story.  A great achievement is a great achievement.  We can all appreciate athletic genius and dedication and while this may not be my country, they are my neighbors and I want them to succeed.  Maybe that’s why the Olympics are so great.  You can root for success without implicitly having to root for someone's failure.  I can’t wait to feel the chills, I can’t wait to be a fan.

Peace,

Ben

You can contact me on Twitter @BenHoward87, via email or just leave a comment.