Introduction
Many churches across the United States of America celebrate their freedom through displays of patriotism, such as singing patriotic songs, posting an American flag, and honoring the nation itself. Respected religious leader, Alexander Campbell defined patriotism as an extension of selfishness and the “great and damning sin of mankind.” Furthermore, God tells His people, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exod 20:3). Yet, many churches continue to honor the nation, despite the danger of idolatry. For example, worshippers in the United States will likely witness several things during worship on Sunday morning: a bible, a cross, a baptismal pool, a hymnal, and an American flag posted on stage, often posted higher than the …show more content…
They were encapsulated by biblical symbolism and believed the consummation of time, the millennial reign, and God’s creation of the new heaven and earth would begin in North America. In fact they interpreted the revival experienced in 17th and 18th century America to be the consummation of time. Consequently, an errant theology of America being God’s chosen people became more tangible. Furthermore, pastors and evangelists, especially the Puritans, began encouraging colonists to work for the colony. One pastor promised the colonist’s work would “cause the heavens to drop fatness ‘round about your habitations, and the earth to bring forth plenty; and you shall not fail of your abundance of all things for the maintenance of your grandeur and comfort of your lives…” This is anachronism and the prosperity gospel. Early 20th century Episcopal Bishop, William Lawrence stated, “Godliness is in league with riches…Material prosperity is helping to make the national character sweeter, more joyous, more unselfish, more Christlike.” However, Scripture never promises earthly riches or earthly prosperity. Josiah Strong, 19th century Anglo-Saxon priest, argued against such ideology, stating: “Their strong love of liberty, and their acquisitiveness, afford a powerful temptation to offer some substitute for self-abnegation. We would call no man …show more content…
Undoubtedly, the United States of America is a powerful kingdom with a history of prosperity in the midst of adversity, but Jesus will not pledge His allegiance to any nation, no matter how great it may be. For, He will not pledge His allegiance to anyone or anything but God Himself and to the Kingdom of God. In fact, He created a distinction between God and country when He said, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar 's, and to God the things that are God 's" (Mark 12:17). Flying the American flag in a place of worship negates the distinction set by Christ and blurs the line between the fallible nation and the infallible Kingdom of God. Author, Dr. Jarvis Williams states, “Those who speak of “balancing” their faith in Jesus Christ with their loyalty as American citizens simply do not understand the gospel.” Moreover, many believers pledge allegiance to the nation during church related events. Furthermore, Dr. Williams continues, Christians could not pledge that kind of allegiance to Caesar without rejecting Jesus Christ as
Many churches across the United States of America celebrate their freedom through displays of patriotism, such as singing patriotic songs, posting an American flag, and honoring the nation itself. Respected religious leader, Alexander Campbell defined patriotism as an extension of selfishness and the “great and damning sin of mankind.” Furthermore, God tells His people, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exod 20:3). Yet, many churches continue to honor the nation, despite the danger of idolatry. For example, worshippers in the United States will likely witness several things during worship on Sunday morning: a bible, a cross, a baptismal pool, a hymnal, and an American flag posted on stage, often posted higher than the …show more content…
They were encapsulated by biblical symbolism and believed the consummation of time, the millennial reign, and God’s creation of the new heaven and earth would begin in North America. In fact they interpreted the revival experienced in 17th and 18th century America to be the consummation of time. Consequently, an errant theology of America being God’s chosen people became more tangible. Furthermore, pastors and evangelists, especially the Puritans, began encouraging colonists to work for the colony. One pastor promised the colonist’s work would “cause the heavens to drop fatness ‘round about your habitations, and the earth to bring forth plenty; and you shall not fail of your abundance of all things for the maintenance of your grandeur and comfort of your lives…” This is anachronism and the prosperity gospel. Early 20th century Episcopal Bishop, William Lawrence stated, “Godliness is in league with riches…Material prosperity is helping to make the national character sweeter, more joyous, more unselfish, more Christlike.” However, Scripture never promises earthly riches or earthly prosperity. Josiah Strong, 19th century Anglo-Saxon priest, argued against such ideology, stating: “Their strong love of liberty, and their acquisitiveness, afford a powerful temptation to offer some substitute for self-abnegation. We would call no man …show more content…
Undoubtedly, the United States of America is a powerful kingdom with a history of prosperity in the midst of adversity, but Jesus will not pledge His allegiance to any nation, no matter how great it may be. For, He will not pledge His allegiance to anyone or anything but God Himself and to the Kingdom of God. In fact, He created a distinction between God and country when He said, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar 's, and to God the things that are God 's" (Mark 12:17). Flying the American flag in a place of worship negates the distinction set by Christ and blurs the line between the fallible nation and the infallible Kingdom of God. Author, Dr. Jarvis Williams states, “Those who speak of “balancing” their faith in Jesus Christ with their loyalty as American citizens simply do not understand the gospel.” Moreover, many believers pledge allegiance to the nation during church related events. Furthermore, Dr. Williams continues, Christians could not pledge that kind of allegiance to Caesar without rejecting Jesus Christ as