Christian Patriotism

Christian patriotism could sound like an oxymoron.  Patriotism is devotion to and rigorous support of one's country and Christian is devotion to and rigorous support of Jesus Christ.  If you're really a Christian, then there would not be room for patriotism.  What is true about this?

At some point, some kind of patriotism isn't Christian anymore.  There's a real danger of that.  However, I believe patriotism can be consistent with being a Christian.  It's even good and right to a certain extent that is still in the bounds of actual patriotism.  Some will disagree and I think in many cases it is harmful disagreement.

Right now, it seems to me that about thirty percent of Americans do not love the flag.  In a recent article in the New York Times, an article, "A Fourth of July Symbol of Unity That May No Longer Unite," starts by telling the story of a produce salesman, who couldn't sell his potatoes to locals because he displayed the American flag.  They associated that with something evil.  The theme of the story is that the American flag is a polarizing symbol, not a unifying one.

The state itself wants to change the story of America that is told to children growing up in its school system.  It's a version of history that isn't happy about America, let alone patriotic.  I would assert that those who attack America are an almost exact overlap of those who will attack Christianity today.  They're the same people.  Some patriotic Americans now don't feel free expressing patriotism.  Now the American flag associates with Christianity to many and they're either happy or unhappy with it in a divisive way.

Where does patriotism go too far?   God isn't worshiped by singing a patriotic song; He isn’t.  We won’t sing patriotic songs as an act of worship.  Mormons have a view very close to the idea that the U.S. Constitution is inspired by God.  That’s also not true.

Christian patriotism could be something in the trajectory of Paul’s claiming and using Roman citizenship.  It was helpful to him based upon the providence of God.  The providence of God is a practical ramification of the sovereignty of God.  Because of the power, wisdom, and love of God, we can know that He allows and causes everything, so that He is working all things together for good to those who love God.  We look for those ways.

The United States is an example of the providence of God, especially the idea of America, and any way that the scriptural aspects of this idea are upheld.  By being patriotic, we are being thankful to God for what He has done.  We want to support this.  We want to hang on to this.  We don’t want to lose this. 

America is a part of the plan of God.  God has used the country insofar that America has held to scriptural concepts and a belief in the true God.  Righteousness has exalted the nation.  Sin on the other hand is increasingly though being a reproach to the nation, and genuine Christians would do well as salt to retard that corruption in a patriotic manner.

Christian patriotism is loyal to the preservation of a righteous nation as salt.  Why retard corruption?  Why not let the nation die?  This isn't God's will for a Christian.  A true patriot will embrace what makes America great and preserve it.  To keep it, you've got to know what it is.  You've got to teach it.  When people try to keep you from teaching it, you try to do something about that.

Christian patriotism connects with something in the past to celebrate.  There is something to shoot off fireworks, wear red, white, and blue, and be thankful to God.  Nations are in the will of God.  The preservation of those nations requires true affection for what truly makes them great.  Patriotism and this affection might be one and the same.