But, How Dare You?
Yet, for some, they just don’t seem to acknowledge this possibility. When I’ve raised it, I get all the tweets saying, “How dare you have such a concern!” and “I’ve never seen such a thing.”
Seriously? I have. Seems I am not the only one.
Indeed, “53% of Protestant pastors say ‘our congregation sometimes seems to love America more than God.’” So, I guess somebody’s seeing something that concerns them.
So, it appears I am not the only one noticing and being concerned.
Being Careful Means Being Theological
So how do we move forward and address some of these concerning issues in light of the history we see? It’s important to remember that our country is not chosen by God and Americans aren’t God’s chosen people.
Let me be blunt: singing about an earthly, temporal nation in a worship service can be confusing at best, and needs to be done with great care, lest it give off a different message to that visitor from China. I’m not saying it can’t be done, but I am saying that it should be done carefully. And those who are continually offended by those of us concerned about worship services that sound like America rallies might need to listen to the 53% who are concerned about the loyalty of their own churches.
Thus, we need to think theologically about this.
As such, every Sunday is a celebration, but it must celebrate Jesus and His freeing work on the cross, for our sins, and in our place, not anything else! As Acts 4:12 says, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
America is not our salvation, and I get that you probably know that, but do the people who attend our worship services always know it? Or is there hope in a nation more than in God?
A New Kingdom While in A Nation
As followers of Jesus, God has given us a new kingdom and a new allegiance. You are no longer citizens of this world, but of the world to come, the kingdom. His kingdom is worth dying for, His kingdom is worth living for, and His kingdom is the only one that deserves our full allegiance and loyalty.
I’m deeply patriotic. I read the Declaration of Independence to my kids on July 4th and we reflected in my home on its meaning as we celebrated the day. Let me know if you did the same but are offended that I would still be a little concerned about precisely how one incorporates “I’m proud to be an American” into a worship set.
