Have we flipped the coin over yet?
What place does Christianity have during a meeting of Congress?
Indeed it was that one day.
but can a church service focus on nationalism or patriotism? It's a tricky question, really. Mentioning holidays like Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day during the service is fine. Praying for our country is wonderful — and vital. Talking about our freedom is great, especially if the sermon or discussion centers on our freedom in Christ. But an entire Sunday morning service turned into a festival of patriotism turns America into an idol.
Too likely the case for many in the few churches that turn an entire Sunday morning service turned into a festival of patriotism, yet the example mentioned was a once a year event, and is hardly a norm. I understand the concern over the pot that boils over, but what about the one that hardly simmers?
Actually there should be both grieving over iniquity, first our own, then that of the church, and then that of our earthly country, and for that of the world.
And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing,
Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary . Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. (Ezekiel 9:4-6)
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17)
As concerns our earthly country, what is missed or dismissed by Christians who exclude patriotism is that America has a unique Christian heritage, and we are blessed to have entered into the labors of others, and the blessings procured by them.
And thus a special appreciation for this country is in order (and for Israel), as well as special grief over its spiritual declension, and thus a special focus on preserving what was handed on, as "good stewards of the manifold grace of God," (1 Pt. 4:10) and regaining what was lost.
However, what we typically see is either the country being treated as if it was the church, with more concern over it than the body of God, so that a Christian's peach and joy is dependent on political circumstances, or we see ambivalence toward the state of government, and or attacks on Christians who show concern. However,