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19 Responses to “Celebrating America in Our Churches”
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July 5, 2010
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Justin Wise, Be Deviant. Be Deviant said: Celebrating America in Our Churches http://goo.gl/fb/s1l34 [...]
I think it's terrible. We certainly have a lot to be grateful for, but our faith has nothing to do with our nation. The work and teachings of Jesus are hardly patriotic and the desire to use faith to manipulate our politics is lazy. I'm extremely happy to live in our country, but the flag doesn't bring eternal peace or freedom offered in the cross.
I'd like you all to read my essay on Patriotism: http://wp.me/pGQxY-b0
I think it can be both good and bad, depending.
Celebrating America is like celebrating your family. Affirming your tribe. This is not just good, it's really good.
Where it can go off the rails vis-a-vis the USA is:
1) Not talking about the warts in the “family.”
2) Being anti-”family”
I love America. When we salute the troops like The Boston Pops 4th of July tribute, I just cried. Having said that-I am very uncomfortable with Americanism in a church service. I believe we can be patriotic & keep the kingdom of God with no national worship.
I struggle with what to do with this and I am part of the team that plans our services. This year we played a video entitled “Dear Abigale” from Floodgate and it led straight into an a capella version of God Bless America. We followed that with announcements where our worship pastor talked about being free to worship. He also prayed for our nation. All in all we gave about 7 minutes out of a 70 minute service to the 4th of July. We didn't deviate really from our normal flow and we stayed with our current series as well. I'm OK with how it went, I personally would not be bothered by not mentioning the 4th at all in worship but I know a lot of people really appreciate it.
I had a long response, but deleted it because ultimately it lead to a single statement…
Maybe we should be more angry that people have left out God in our Independence Day celebrations.
Trav … Good distinction. I think most people would be completely okay with what you're describing. As David mentioned below, it's when it becomes a self-indulgent love-fest or whack-a-mole for America.
Well said!
Sammy … Check out David's essay mentioned above. It's REALLY good and might give a different perspective.
I don't know if it is good or bad, but I do know that it makes no sense.
What do you mean celebrate america?
There is a very fine line between honoring or even celebrating and idolatry. Unfortunately most churches use fourth of July to drive the point home that america is blessed by God and is a christian nation.
To me the 4th (or the weekend of the 4th) is the worse day to go to church.
I am the same way. Would not be bothered at all with not mentioning it.
David,
Really well written. That said, I still see no place for patriotism in corporate worship. I'd ask this question – of all elements in corporate worship – does it glorify Jesus? I think we have moved to a place in our programming that takes into account things like, will this get a reaction, will people like it, if we don't do this will people get mad, rather than clearly communicating the Gospel in a God honoring way.
There's nothing “wrong” with celebrating America in a service, but it is certainly extraneous to the Gospel message, which makes me squirm.
From my perspective of atheism, I see no problem with 'celebrate america' in church, as long as it doesn't get too 'rabid' as other commenters have noted. Problems only occur when people want to 'celebrate church' in america – I don't mean as individuals but in state activities and functions. I think Trey's comment is indicative of this problem.
I would ask, can we celebrate our freedom in church and glorify God for that freedom that comes from what the 4th of July represents? I would say the answer is yes, because I think our freedoms here in America are no different than our freedoms in Christ (they come with responsibilities)… we are free and “blessed” for a reason. As God promised Abraham, we are blessed so that all nations will be blessed through US… I see this as our spiritual heritage through Abraham and our natural heritage through those who have died in the name of freedom.
Maybe thanking God for our freedoms and all those who have died to provide that freedom is the good part of the 4th… simply celebrating America and thanking God you live here is quite possibly totally missing the point, and not such a good idea! This goes for any day of the year in my book!
I have a tough time with this, and here is why:
In America, we hold up a few political freedoms as the end all and be all of what it means to be free. The political freedoms are wonderful, and cherished, and should be celebrated.
But, our freedom in Christ is so far greater an understanding of freedom than the “freedom” we have as Americans. Often, those of us who serve as church leaders allow people to simply equate American Freedom with Christian Freedom, somehow that Christ died for our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Our job on the 4th can be amazing. We can use it to begin to open each other's mind to the amazing nature of Christ's freedom, the freedom that comes in full submission, rather than trying to live in full autonomy of self.
Love this perspective, Bob. Reminds me of “Myth of a Christian Nation” by Boyd.
Gotta love Boyd and Myth of a Christian Nation… see Boyd's article in Relevant Magazine here… http://tiny.cc/i44xz
Love this perspective, Bob. Reminds me of “Myth of a Christian Nation” by Boyd.
Gotta love Boyd and Myth of a Christian Nation… see Boyd's article in Relevant Magazine here… http://tiny.cc/i44xz