On this site, I not only get into interpretations of the Word and preaching/teaching, but I also examine our current church culture. As a practicing lawyer who regularly deals with constitutional issues, I am often surprised to see how parts of our American political culture play out in our spiritual lives. One example is the American flag in church. In virtually every church that I’ve attended in the past ten years (that’s when I began making note of it), an American flag is somewhere to be found in and around the pulpit. As I’ve listened to sermons on Hebrews:
By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.
I’ve often wondered just how the American flag in church fits into our spiritual walk. Personally, I cannot see Abraham flying an Ur flag in his journey nor Moses waving an Egyptian flag after crossing the Red Sea. And while some might want to say that America is a Christian nation, they’d have to somehow get around Satan’s temptation of Jesus where he said that the glory of all of the nations had been given over to him.
Here is an article by Becky Akers that asks the same question.
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I have dual citizenship, one is physical, one is spiritual. I’m proud to be an American. I’m proud to also be a born again Christian.
I have an American Flag on my house. Actually I put it there to please my wife. She is also proud to be an American. She teaches fifth grade and has for 35 years. I’m sure she loves America. I do too.
Yes, someone put an American Flag up front of our church too. His name is Bob. Bob was a dedicated scout leader. His son followed in his footsteps and he was an Eagle scout. They love their country, and somehow thought it was right in their Christian psyche to request the flag be placed up front as their gift to the church one day. No one really had a problem with it. It did somehow find it’s way off the main stage and is now relegated to a wing, up front and still visible, but less prominent.
I taught vocational high school class for seven years. Our school student organization was very patriotic. I was proud to tell my students of the service of my grandfather (WW I), father, uncles, and a Godly Christian friend (WW II)who was like a second dad to me.
George was a fine Christian. He was radio operator to an officer. He was nearly killed several times during his service and was wounded in an explosion, the radio on his back took the brunt of the impact and he fully recovered. He was a walking miracle. George loved his country and his God, he like me has a dual citizenship.
This thread seems a bit Anti-American. I’m proud to be an American. I have no problem pledging allegiance to the flag. Does the flag or America come before God, no, it doesn’t. We are to pray for those in authority over us, are we not? We need to pray for America and it’s leaders. After all, we know our sinful frames, our leaders are just like us. If they happen to know the one and true God, well, we should double our efforts to pray for them and support them.
One thing I learned in Law and Advanced Business Law, the government is here for one purpose, to protect us and to protect our stuff. And I am reminded that everthing I am and own belongs to God. In a crazy sense, America is working for God by giving us a safe place to live and raise our families as we see fit. At my house that means serving the Lord and being free to work and achieve worthy goals. Thanks Peter for your wonderful website, no weak-knee-ed theology here.
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Peter, the Becky Akers link is d.o.a. bd
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