Posted on 07/05/2017 10:00:52 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
The 2016 presidential election brought politics and faith together in a way that excited some evangelical voters but made others uneasy. Then-candidate Donald Trump courted the evangelical vote in an astonishing and unprecedented way, and the melding of Christianity and nationalism created a most unusual marriage.
Trump's nationalism combined with the effort to win evangelical voters gave some Protestant leaders, like the Southern Baptist Convention's Russell Moore, pause. Other leaders, like Liberty University President Jerry Falwell, Jr. and Texas pastor Dr. Robert Jeffress, placed themselves firmly within the Trump camp, which paid off come Election Day.
Jeffress appears to have doubled down on this nationalistic take on Christianity. This past Sunday at his church, First Baptist Church of Dallas, the congregation celebrated Freedom Sunday.
The service took place, complete with church members waving little American flags, the choir and worship team leading the congregation in patriotic songs, and fireworks. You read that right — fireworks.
Professor and blogger John Fea chronicled the service and weighed in:
People waved American flags during the service.
The last time I checked, the waving of the American flag was a sign of support or loyalty to the nation. Jeffress had no problem allowing such an act to take place in a church sanctuary–the place where Christians worship God as a form of expressing their ultimate loyalty. Patriotism is fine. Flag-waving is fine. But I wonder if any of the congregation felt uncomfortable that all of this took place in the church sanctuary on a Sunday morning.
One of the songs that the congregation sang was Woody Guthrie's folk song, "This Land Is Your Land." For those who don't know, Guthrie wrote the song as a godless alternative to "God Bless America." The original verses will make your head explode, and even if you don't have a problem with patriotism in the church, the inclusion of "This Land Is Your Land" should make your blood boil.
All of this begs the question: what place does patriotism have during a church service? Granted, First Baptist of Dallas's service appears to be way over the top, 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.
No.
The Church is the Body of Christ. As such, it has many members. The flag waving members are an important part of that body.
My right pinky finger often doesn’t understand what my feet are up to, but that is OK. It is not my right pinky’s job to walk me around.
Don’t get me started. one of the things I loved about my church when I first joined was that it was the only one I’d been in that didn’t have an american flag anywhere to be seen.
The church is not about politics or countries. It is about our relationship with our creator and our fellow tavellers in that relationship.
Patriotism is for other places.
Christians know that at the end of the day, this nation isn’t our home or our eternal nation.
That said, I think it’s very important to honor America and our heritage because without it, a lot of people would never have heard the sweet words of Salvation through Christ.
Sounds to me as if somebody yet again has a warped understanding of the so-called separation of church and state. Evangelical churches or any other kind of churches encouraging patriotism exert no control over the government at large or over other citizens who may disagree with their religious beliefs. Patriotism is not a negative trait.
It’s actually sort of surprising that anyone would attempt to make an issue out of this with Evangelicals. It’s not as if their religious beliefs are centered to some extent around the US Constitution as is the case with the Mormons.
:)
The mouth of that body loves to jaw too, but without legs, the message just gets repeated over & over again in the same place.
Russell Moore is an ass. A lifelong preacher and the only job he ever had was aid to a democrat congressfool.
He is for Syrian refugees, wanted the rebel battle flag removed all over, and said Baptists should vote 3rd party instead of for Trump.
Now he fears Trump is bringing patriotism into the church. Fortunately as a Baptist leader he has ZERO power. No Baptist need listen to him at all.
OH Puleeeeeeze. Politicians have been running on God and Country since the beginning of the nation.
“one of the things I loved about my church when I first joined was that it was the only one I’d been in that didn’t have an american flag anywhere to be seen.”
Interesting. If I walk into a church and there isn’t an American flag, I walk out before the service starts. (And I capitalize the “A” in American.)
All you’ll ever need to know about the fraud infiltrator, Russell Moore:
RUSSELL MOORE VS. CONSERVATIVES: THIS ISN’T JUST ABOUT TRUMP
http://www.worldviewweekend.com/news/article/russell-moore-vs-conservatives-isn-t-just-about-trump
One Nation UNDER GOD
What part of that doesn’t the writer understand?
JSTHU
“I think it’s very important to honor America and our heritage because without it, a lot of people would never have heard the sweet words of Salvation through Christ.”
Right on.
The providence of God has allowed Americans to thrive and propagate the Gospel. We should however, give thanks to God for those men and women who served to provide such a great opportunity.
I don’t stop being a Christian on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday and I don’t stop being an American on Sunday.
Deal with it.
I'm sure there is a few. However, I'm sure they're likely one in the same who are uncomfortable with some of the teachings in God's Word. I've personally known folks who were riled up when the pastor preached on some of the more convicting passages of the Word.
NO.
Countries come and go. I believe a national flag stains the service, as a Nazi flag would have in a German church in the 1930’s and 40’s.
I sometimes capitalize “American”, depending on how lazy I’m feeling, or whether I’m using a real computer or a phone to post. :)
For me, church is not about the country I’m in. It is about worshiping my creator among other members of His flock. I love discussing politics, even in a church building, but like to keep the purpose of the gathering pure.
Does Pious Piper follow CHRIST’S edict to be salt and light to the world? Or, does he remain silent on the issues of the day? (Separation of church and state, you know.)
Having a flag in a church reminds the congregation to pray for their leaders and publicly stand for righteousness, liberty, and justice.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.