I have been struggling lately with rampant nationalism in the church. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel more than a little nauseous when I see images of the United States flag draped over the cross, and patriotic worship services make me want to pull my hair out. I am convinced that the devil should be the most proud of derailing the church in America by successfully combining Christianity with unrestrained nationalism and politics.
I know many Christians in the States see nothing wrong with patriotic worship services or pictures of the cross swathed in red, white, and blue. To me, these images and ceremonies are rife with idolatry.
idolatry (noun)
1 : the worship of a physical object as a god2 : immoderate attachment or devotion to something
In one photo of the cross draped in the flag, it compared the sacrifice of soldiers to the sacrifice of Jesus. The sacrifice soldiers make in defense of a nation is great indeed, but it pales in comparison to the work of the cross. Jesus didn’t die for Americans, and no, the United States is not particularly “blessed.” The wealth and prosperity in America is the direct result of the rape, murder, slavery, and pillaging committed by the settlers, our founding fathers, and early Presidents. To drape the stars and stripes across the symbol of our salvation is uncomfortable at best, sacrilegious at worst. How in the world is the flag, a symbol of a flawed nation, on par with the symbol of salvation? Why is it there? To be worshipped as Jesus is to be worshipped?
Patriotic worship services are even worse. Sabbath worship is for the corporate body of Christ – the local church – to come together and worship God. No other thing should share glory with God in a sanctuary. Is God not a jealous God? Does he not covet our worship? How is singing America the Beautiful or the national anthem during sabbath worship honoring God? It is, in fact, stealing honor from the time He specifically asked us to set aside for rest and worship. It’s staggering how commonplace this pageant of idolatry has become.
It’s also alienating to our brothers and sisters in Christ who may be attending worship with us from other nations. As Paul writes in Philippians 3:20, “But our citizenship is in Heaven.” Christians are called to a different way of life, acknowledging our time here is temporary. In Christ there no national superiority, which is indeed grievously flouted in the United States. American Christians are often guilty of thinking (and bragging) about American superiority. And yet, Paul writes, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” We are one in Christ – from every land, race, gender, and socio-economic situation. All of those constructs or labeling are banished in the Jesus’ Kingdom.
What are your thoughts? I would love to hear where other believers line up on this issue.
beckyboop.wordpress.com 
Once again you eloquently put into words feelings I have been struggling with in my heart. I did not go to church last Sunday for the very reasons you list. Why do so many American Christians seemingly worship the flag, the country, and above all, their guns? Last night, an acquaintance mentioned her budding “shooting club for Christian moms.” I cringed a little inside as the following verse fragments popped into my head. “Peter, put down your sword.” “Love your enemies.” “Turn the other cheek.” I’m not saying I’m against self defense, or totally anti-second Amendment, but the gun worshipping, in-your-face patriotism we see so often nowadays in a growing number of Christian households definitely borders on idolatry.
Girl, I know! I caught your eye and was trying hard to keep my face neutral. ❤
agreed. We are a nation of unrest and unsure about where God and country align.
Our country is the last Christian nation…assembling together is a priceless activity now…stopping murder no doubt is a Christian value also…prolife Conservatives are usually Christians also…maybe a Jehovahwitness background is in your future or Mormonism…but for me and my church…we will praise God and Jesus and give courtesy to the Spiritual heroes of war and Veterans on Veteran holidays and speak for candidates who represents those choices as Christian values… forgiving those who speaking out against the church the body of Christ and Christ like morals and continue as all Christians should do..asking ourselves constantly…What would Jesus do??!!;)
America is not a Christian nation. It is a ‘godly’ nation. Our founding documents speak of ‘God’, not Christ, not ‘Christian God’. Too many make the mistake of presuming that they own the term ‘god’, if not own ‘God’ itself. It is a belief built upon fear and arrogance, and ends up being little more than sanctimony.
And be careful in those ‘what would Jesus do’ rhetorical usages, because anyone familiar with the teachings of Jesus would agree that Jesus would look at our economic system of banks, payday loans, interest for purchases of all types, educational debt, and fat, rich priests, preachers, and reverends….and not be condoning it. There’s the hypocrisy of many a good ‘Christian’.