I walk into the church doors hesitantly every year on the Sunday closest to July 4. Red, white, and blue button-up ties and button-up shirts, patriotic anthems, and talk of the good ol’ days when America was a Christian can pretty much be expected. To preface this post, I’m not anti-America. I just feel like Americans, especially Christian Americans, are a whole lot more pro-America than God is. It might sound rash, but in many cases I think nationalism inside the Church constitutes idolatry. I will give examples of what has made me feel this way.
Last Memorial Day happened to fall on the Monday right after Pentecost Sunday. The only reason I knew Pentecost was approaching was that I had seen something about it on the website of my friend’s Anglican church. I went to church that Sunday in great anticipation of celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit, the coming of “another Comforter”. No mention was made. But we did have a section of the worship set aside for remembering the people who died while protecting our blessed freedom. This isn’t the only case of national holidays superseding Church holidays.
Today in Church this verse was quoted multiple times in reference to our nation:
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
That’s a great passage, but unfortunately it was written a couple thousand years ago and it’s not talking about the United States. After Jesus’ blood sealed the New Covenant His nation became the Church worldwide. That’s the beauty of Jesus’ death: Gentiles—most of the people reading this—were given access to God’s grace. Yes, if His people (Christians) would turn from their wicked ways, he would hear from heaven and heal our land (the Church). Stating that a nation is God’s is a dangerous thing; its actions no longer require justification. It’s time manifest destiny was laid to rest.
Lastly, here are some photos that, I think, give a glimpse into the mindset I’ve been describing: 1, 2, 3
It seems like nationalism has become our excuse. “If only America would legislate Christian principles (life before birth, heterosexual marriage, etc.) then the Church would be the life-transforming community is should be.” Reading the New Testament you find Jesus avoiding the political realms. He could have easily taken a governmental position, ensuring his following. Instead, he went around with twelve common men, ministering to common people, teaching the world a very uncommon way to live. Let’s turn our focus to ridding worship of impurity so that we can experience Christ both corporately and individually in ways that transform within and without the doors of American churches.
