PATRIOTISM: CHRISTIAN LOVE? THANKFULNESS TO GOD? IDOLATRY TO CAESAR? SOME OF EACH?

 

At Kingdom Come Festival, June 17, Howard County Vietnam Veterans Healing Fields, Greentown, IN

Is it appropriate for a Christian event to start with a pledge to the American flag?

This was the question raised by a commenter to a post on the Kingdom Come Festival's FB page, which I read a day or two before going to this year's Festival. 

The point was echoed from a blog shared by the Libertarian Christian Institute, "Should Christians Cite The Pledge of Allegiance?" by Laurence Vance. Vance points out how we lead the world in many dubious categories including incarcaration, illegal and legal drug use, and rapes. (At least in abortions we're in second place to Russia.) He concludes that this reality makes it a lie for Christians to say the pledge.

Of course, there are those who say that a Christian should be patriotic. Allow me to add wrinkles to that theory. Should a Christian in Nazi Germany or in Communist China or in Islamic Iran be patriotic to their countries as we are encouraged to be here? For those here, should we be equally supportive to both former President Trump and current President Biden? Could it be that we're inconsistent on what patriotism looks like based on our biases?

Statism is a real problem. I recommend these two books on the subject (I'm including links to my reviews on those books): Caesar and the Church: A Biblical Study of Government and Church by Anthony Forsyth and the Libertarian Christian Institute's Faith Seeking Freedom: Libertarian Answers to Tough Questions. I've seen church services where all the songs sung were patriotic, and special music consisting of a singing (or playing) of the themes for the different branches of the military, and heard a Memorial Day sermon which attempted to justify our American Holiday from Scripture. Could Statism be leavening our church services?

However, are these examples of statism? Is there a positive reason for Christians to say the pledge in a church service or have an American flag on the platform? 

I started this blog with a question about the Kingdom Come Festival's starting with a pledge. But how was that question answered? The person representing the festival, among other things, pointed out that it was being held at the Howard County Vietnam Veterans Grounds. In other words, the Festival organizers wanted to honor their hosts. Could our patriotism be out of love for those around us who love our country? Furthermore, may it reflect a heart of Thanksgiving for us being in a nation where we have freedom to call out our country when it sins? Some Patriotism may have a statist mindset, but not all; quite possibly, not most.

Also, it is true that every nation fits into one of two categories: 1) An enemy of the faith and the Gospel and 2) A potential enemy of the faith and the Gospel. Ours included. We may think the other side of the aisle is antagonistic to Christianity, but is our side of the aisle completely in line? Do we tolerate either racism or abortion? Are both oppression of the poor and the LGBTQ+ lifestyle correctly seen as condemned by God? We need to remember we're Christians first, and our allegiance is to Christ, not our nation; that our kinsmen are not the unbeliever in our nation but the believers in all nations.

Yet God commanded us to honor all men and to honor the King (1 Pet. 2:17). The Bible states that to resist the authority God appointed is to resist His ordinances and to bring judgment on us. When we are questioning whether a Christian should say the pledge in church or have a flag on the platform, is it because we rightly see Christ as our sovereign, or is it a rebellious heart that does not want to submit to others? One is good, the other no where close.

Let me close by reminding us we need to be loving to those around us. That love may be in saying the pledge with the rest of the congregation with a thankful heart, and it may be in listening to those who have problems with our nation.

Okay, one final paragraph. I'm grateful to be here, and show it by praying for those God appointed over me, regardless of party. And wishing you all a Happy Independence Day.

A BLOG FOR THE DAY BETWEEN THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS AND ELECTION DAY

From Christians United Church, Indianapolis

Anybody besides me aware that the first Sunday of November is International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians (IDOP)? I  hope so! But here's the next question that just hit me this week: How many people realize that 6 out of 7 years IDOP takes place two days before Election Day? That's right. Unless Election Day falls on November 2nd (due to it being the Tuesday following the first Monday of the month), it's a pair of days following IDOP.

Coincidence? Is there a message to the timing? Maybe it is coincidental and unplanned, but still something to think about?

I have a friend who tried to convince me that if I voted for Trump, our freedoms and way of life are at risk. He was right. I voted for Trump, and our freedoms and way of life are at risk. 

Okay, am I overstating it? True, I'm not sure our country can survive a Biden Presidency. I also had my doubts of our freedom lasting eight years of Obama, and sixteen years before that, it was Clinton that terrified me. And even if those fears were/are justified, isn't that worry a lack of faith?

But, returning to the theme of IDOP, we have no guarantees we won't face persecution in this country. After all, Russia was a major center of Christianity before the Communist takeover. We also need to realize that Persecution doesn't usually surprise everybody and appear at full strength unannounced. Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) says there are three steps: Disinformation, Discrimination, and then Persecution. Kyle Idleman of Southeast Christian Church (Louisville, KY) had a similar list, with five steps.

Let's look at the VOM list. Is there disinformation going on concerning Christianity? You notice how often there are negative portrayals of Christians in television and movies? I saw a lousy movie where one of the characters was a clergyman. At the end where they revealed who the villain was - a motorcycle riding serial killer with the visor down -  it was ... you guessed it. 

I hear some claiming there's already discrimination. Some may be people with a persecution process. But John MacArthur pointed out that during COVID, many businesses including bars and gentlemen's clubs were essential but churches were not and were told they could not meet or sing. Is this a form of discrimination?

A week ago I reviewed Caesar and the Church by Anthony Forsyth, which dealt with the problem of Statism. Libertarians have focused on that for years. Do I trust our two-party system to fight Statism? You kidding? My impression is that the Democrat Party has an agenda it wants to force on the country, while the Republican Party's goal is to keep the Dems from achieving their agenda without having one of their own.  

The Church, as usual, is facing a three prong human attack (not counting the Spiritual War that's behind the scenes on all three fronts). They are from:

1. From aliens/outsiders. No, we don't need to fear Martians or Darth Vader or little green men in flying saucers. I'm talking about outside the country. Should we feel we are safe from Russia or Iran or NoKo or China from attacking us, either directly or via a new killer virus (some consider COVID19 to be a test) or frying our grid by exploding a nuclear weapon in the atmosphere. 
2. From unbelievers in our own country/family. This includes government. This includes special interest groups. This includes the Media (both news and entertainment). This includes the re-education system. 
3. From wolves in the fold. Yes, a lot of the opposition of true faith is in the church itself. There are those who reject the inspiration of Scripture and have a belief that doesn't challenge the philosophy of the world. There are cults and -isms that oppose solid Biblical teaching such as salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone and the Deity of Christ. There are those who are comfortable in the world and feel threatened by Christians who make following Christ their focus.