Radically Radical?

There has been much talk in the post 9/11 world about radicalism, both Christian and Islamic radicalism. These discussion are much needed and very welcome. They have the potential to burst open some of the ways in which modernity and post-modernity have put up a destructive wall between religion and politics. In some ways these talks are new, but in other ways the reality of these dialogues aren't new. Radicalism was in a number of way a regular part of life in the 1st century world of Jerusalem. In this context and in today context Jesus can be heard calling people to be radically radical. Tom Wright has captured this idea well with his term "doubly revolutionary". Jesus was calling his follower to be revolutionaries in a revolutionary way, by turning the other cheek, and going the extra mile, not rendering evil for evil. It's within this context that Jesus' statement about giving to Caesar what it is Caesar's and giving to God what is God's should be heard. With Jesus' somewhat cryptic answer he both avoids the trap that the Pharisees and Herodians throw before him and casts the question back on them. Where does your allegiance lie and what does it look like in practice to live that out? These are pressing questions for today, what does life as a Christian look like? What's an appropriate rendering to God and Caesar in today’s political climate? Can a Christian be a part of the military and participate in an unjust war? Or is participation excluded by Jesus' call to be radically radical?