Facing up to the empire

I've only this week discovered the writings of Larry Chouinard, and already I'm hooked. His recent glimpse of life in the first-century Roman Empire is particularly timely:

Suppose you're a small Christian community living in the heart of the Empire; everyday confronting the pompous propaganda of Roman might. Your cultural mileau presents a daily reminder of [who's] in charge and who has the power. Everywhere the Empire's claims are reinforced by graffiti and monuments that herald the GOOD NEWS of Roman values and priorities throughout the Empire: CAESAR IS LORD SAVIOR SON OF GOD AND THE GREAT BENEFACTOR WHO BRINGS PAX ROMANA.

Of course, resistence is futile and any rival claims will be met with swift retaliation. The engine that kept the Empire running smoothly was love of honor and status. But pursuit of status and power created an environment of conquest and subjugation maintained by intimidation and fear. Those who refused tribute and challenged Roman nationalism understood the consequences: crucifixion. In Rome, the cross was a reminder of Imperial power and the shameful consequences to those who resisted. There could be nothing more irrational and un-Roman than to honor -- not to mention deify -- a man crucified by Imperial authorities (Gorman, Apostle of the Crucified Lord, p. 12).

And what could all that talk about first-century Rome possibly have to do with the church today and life in the twenty-first century United States?