Our Primary Means of Identification
The Generous Orthodoxy Think Tank recently reported this interesting and troubling survey statistic:
In an April 2006 survey, Christians living in the U.S. were asked this question: “Do you think of yourself first as American or first as a Christian?”
The results? 48% said “American first”; 42% answered “Christian first” (with 7% volunteering “Both” and 3% “Other/Don’t Know).
It is no wonder that, in most of our sanctuaries, the American flag is never too far away from the altar of God. I raise this issue intending no disrespect to our country’s flag or to people’s strong sense of patriotism. But when patriotism trumps discipleship to Jesus as our primary means of identification, idolatry is the inevitable result.
This is a tricky and complex issue, especially given the long-preserved commingling of jingoism and Christian thought. I certainly cannot do justice to it in a few sentences.
But I am concerned that the majority of Christians surveyed last year place themselves under a flag before placing themselves at the foot of the cross. Dangerous and heartbreaking things happen when we see the cross in the flag’s shadow instead of the other way around.
Definately a Christian first!!!
Actually, Barb, let’s be precise:
Ice Cream lover first.
Christian second.
American third.
Eric…do you think that we should mention the 4th of July and remember veterans on Memorial day weekend? I always felt somewhat uncomfortable about these celebrations. How do you handle them?
Randy…
I believe that the remembrance of our country’s birth and its veterans can certainly be a meaningful piece of a worship service. In fact, such a remembrance can become a God-honoring doorway into a time of thanksgiving and intercession.
But, in my opinion, we have to be very diligent in placing the liturgical boundaries around these issues. We have to be careful, in other words, to make certain that it is a christocentric worship event that makes room for nationalistic concerns instead of a nationalistic gathering with a little bit of Jesus thrown in for good measure.
Much of this, of course, can be done through the tone established by the pastor and liturgist. Hymn selection is also important. For example, on those rare occasions when we sing something like GOD BLESS AMERICA (which is essentially a musical prayer for our country) I always counterbalance it with THIS IS MY SONG (which focuses on the global community) and LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH.
Also, in my congregational prayers on weekends of national significance, I endeavor to emphasize our national failures and our need for repentance as much as I do the celebration of our blessings.
A couple of additional thoughts: We don’t have an American flag in our sanctuary (which makes it easy to avoid the Pledge of Allegiance kind of stuff, which, in my opinion, has no place in worship). Also, we never read the names of the honored dead on Memorial Day weekend. Instead, I make clear to the congregation that All Saint’s Day is the church’s true Memorial Day.
I hope that this was a helpful response.
Interesting post, and one that maintains a balance between Christian identity and national identity. I agree wholeheartedly that our Christian identity must come first, but I have no problems with being “Proud to be an American.” I think, Biblically, people have identified themselves with God and with other things. The “Hebrew” people. The people of Israel. Those from the tribe of Judah. Those descended from the line of David. It is a piece of our identity, albeit a much less important one than our identity as a Christian. I believe a balance can be achieved, and I tip the scale in favor of my Christian heritage, but there is definitely room for my American heritage as well.
Jeff…
Thanks for the insightful comments.
Personally, I use a different imagery, just for clarity. Instead of saying that I tip the scale in the direction of my heritage in Christ, I say that Christ himself IS the scale, upon which every other portion of my identity (including my nationality) is weighed.
For me, in other words, it is critical that all the different “pieces” of my identity (my nationality, my political affiliation, my Myers-Briggs results, my family heritage) be subordinated to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Which is to say, I am not attempting to create balance in my identity between the different pieces. Rather, I am attempting to allow Christ to have Lordship over every portion of who I am.
If that kind of subordination doesn’t occur, then I might become too proud in my nationalism–i.e., TOO proud to be an American. That kind of pride always goes before some painful fall.
Eric, I agree with you and your concerns 100%.
Eric, interesting thoughts and actually I encountered this debate recently as flags were not up when they were “supposed to be.” It was really funny though as you stated I made different movements through the service to remind people that others had given their lives for our freedoms especially the right to worship openly (but again balanced it by what is happening in the world). And even after all that and a message with a hint or two of thanking God for the freedom we may have — I still got the message that someone missed the flags. Oh well we just keep going. Have a blessed week. Just finished my 100th pushup now for the next 100 and to read another blog during the break.
Eric,
Just wanted to add my thoughts…
I agree with all you’ve said. My only additional comment would be that since the US is only the second country in the world founded upon a covenant with God that when I became a Christian it became part of my covenant with Him to maintain balance. Since He blessed me with the opportunity to born in this country instead of another, and as I need to be a good steward of all I was given, I need to keep all in a proper perspective. The allegiance to God first, country second as a subset to being submitted to a holy God.
Happy Flag Day - a symbol of my covenant agreement to submit to a holy God and protect what has been given to me.
An interesting way of looking at things, Roseann.
It would not necessarily be my way of looking at things. But it is an interesting way nonetheless.
Your notion of America being “founded upon a covenant with God” is, of course, open to some debate. Certainly theological language and intent was part of our country’s formation. But which God was being envisioned? The Trinitarian God of Scripture (embraced by the majority of the signers of the Declaration of Independence)? The deistic God of Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin (who emphasized God as a deity but resisted incarnational theology)? The God of the Unitarians (a handful of which are considered to be founding fathers)?
I don’t mean to be difficult in raising these points. I am in agreement with you that God figured prominently in American history. But “covenant” is a bit more than I am willing to embrace. Linking God to America by utilizing the language of covenant opens the door to a new expression of “manifest destiny” that I see as being both unwarranted and dangerous.
I can love my country, believe in its potential, and pray for it without believing that God has singled it out in a covenant relationship.
Thanks, my friend, for adding your good and thought-provoking comments to the conversation.
Your imagery with christ as the scale is actually more in line with what I was trying to say. I wasn’t comfortable with using the word ‘balance,’ but it’s what came to me at the time. A better way that I look at my life is as a wheel with many spokes, each spoke representing a different aspect of who I am or what I do. Christ is not a spoke on the wheel, but rather the central hub, from which every other part of me extends - my nationality, my personality, my character, interests, etc. My question for you, Eric, is where you would place icecream on such an analogy, and what flavor?
Eric,
When I mention covenant, I use it in the context as you did that the founders of this country put theological content and intent first vs. who they were. Unfortunately, hindsight gives us 20/20 vision of who they were. But if I judge by the fruit of their actions and not them, I believe that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was served because of the prosperity the country was blessed with and therefore able to extend to others until now. For instance, sending missionaries onto all the world. Or if you would prefer a secular view; development of electricity and light that we might have George Lucas and Star Wars.
I also use covenant because of the commitment that was exhibited. If you asked me who my heroes were I do not think I would have mentioned any of the founding fathers, but rather those found in the scriptures. John, the beloved disciple who laid his head on Jesus breast. Ruth, who left her people behind to serve the Lord. I believe these two understood not only covenant agreement (to keep the vows made to the Lord; therefore to the church), but the Lord is what mattered and what the call was on their life to do.
I believe covenant is a major part of our walk as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Being a good steward of my gifts, talents, passions, time, and possessions is part of the continuing
outpouring my relationship with Christ.
So, my statement was really meant to support your thought provoking discussion and only offer up that as a disciple and follower of Jesus Christ I should keep the vow as stated in the Pledge of Allegiance - “one nation under God” - that’s order and balance.
Thanks for a forum to wrestle with issues.
Thanks, Roseann, for even more clarity and depth.
And Jeff…ice cream is right up there! And if I could only choose one flavor, it would have to be homemade vanilla. (Boring, I know. But what can I say? I’m a purist!)
Eric,
Thanks for keeping us accountable for the selection of words we use to communicate our thoughts and ideas. Although I frequently like to employ sarcasm, I do mean this in a positive way!