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Change of Allegiance  /  Two Kingdoms: An Anabaptist Perspective on Warfare  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 3
He points to “Gott mit uns” on Nazi belt buckles and says atrocities are often committed by men who think they’re serving God; where do you see modern Christians blending God-language with state power in ways that feel normal or even “faithful,” and what would it look like to repent of that blending without becoming cynical or disengaged?
Another way to ask: Taylor says people can do terrible things while thinking they serve God, like “Gott mit uns” in Nazi Germany. Where do you see Christians today mixing God-talk with government power, and how could we turn from that without becoming bitter or checking out?

Direct Answer Dean Taylor’s warning suggests that when Christians attach God’s name to national projects, military power, or political leaders, it can feel “faithful” while actually mixing two kingdoms. Repentance, in his framework, means re-centering loyalty in Jesus’ kingdom—living as a distinct people who obey Christ’s commands—without withdrawing from doing good in the world.

Support from Transcript:

  • He highlights the Nazi belt buckle: “Gott mit uns… God with us,” as an example of state power claiming divine backing.
  • He states, “The worst atrocities… have often been committed by men who think they do God a service,” showing how religious language can sanctify violence.
  • He says mixing kingdoms makes the Bible into something “used by empires and leaders” rather than radical disciples.
  • He stresses Christians have “our own king that demands absolute loyalty” and “our kingdom is not of this world.”
  • He says we are commanded to “love… and even our very enemies of the countries in which we live,” which blocks demonizing outsiders for national causes.
  • He points to Jesus’ victory method: “By the blood of the Lamb… and by not loving our lives…,” not bombs or “chemical warfare.”
Discussion Follow-ups Taylor doesn’t call for cynicism; he calls for a different kind of engagement—enemy-love, suffering service, and clear allegiance. What “God and country” habits would you need to unlearn to do that?

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