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Does Your Church Celebrate the 4th?
Posted by Tim Rogers | July 3, 2008
The Battle of Trenton is believed to have been the turning point of the American Revolution. It galvanized the psyche of the Americans as to their objective. It is this battle that the picture to the left portrays as Washington crosses the Delaware River heading to Trenton. Two items that is seldom reported about this battle are the causalities and ones tradition records were present. The Americans suffered 4 wounded casualties. It is said that in addition two American soldiers froze to death. Those present at this battle included two other future presidents James Madison and James Monroe, the future Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Marshall, Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. Oh, some other things that we need to remember. Washington’s Army did not all get across the river. There was a sleet and snow storm that set in around 11pm on December 24, 1776 and delayed Washington from reaching Trenton until 3am December 25, 1776. Also, Washington fought only one troop of British soldiers, the rest were German Hessian soldiers.
Do not forget the lives of thos that fought for us and gave their lives, land, and even their families in order for us to have our freedom. But most of all, do not forget the One who gave His life for us to be free from sin. Have a great 4th.
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July 3rd, 2008 at 7:33 am
This is a very interesting question. I have taught the same men’s SS class for about 10 years now. And it seems we have this same discussion every Memorial Day, Flag Day, or July 4.
I am outraged and “bent out of shape” when the church brings in an Honor Guard, says the Pledge of Allegiance (sp?), or other overt “act of worship” right in the “church house.” I have even gotten up and left the “service” when I have felt in my conscience that these acts border on worship.
Patriotism or nationalism IS NOT Christianity. But we seem, in America, to confuse the two. In our Biblically illiterate Evangelical world in general and even moreso the SBC realm, the people tend to equate being “baptist” with being a patriot or “being an American with being a Christian.” I even recoil at the saying both the pledges to both flags, the Christian and the American, at the very same time in a worship service. I really do not believe we should even have both the Christian flag and the American flag in the auditorium, on the same level, and in the same place of prominence. But that I can live with that. Although, I may be compromising here a bit?!
I think I am old enough for the “America is a Christian nation” to be left over in my psyche and I might be rebelling against that somewhat? We have equated being American with being Christian in some circles. But, I do catch a lot of heat for my views and actions. I am, what I believe to be a patriot. But, “what has Washington to do with Calvary?” Christianity is trans-national and trans-historical. Christ’s church will be found alive and well, if He tarries, when America is on the ash heap of history. Where does our focus need to be as we “render unto Caesar?” or serve God in the light of Augustine’s City of God?
Before you send in those cards and letters to me as they use to say; make sure you understand what it means to be a Christian and what the “exclusivity of the Gospel” really means.
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:02 am
Yes, we celebrate it at our church.
I am not sure why people make such an issue out of this. It is clearly possible to love your country and love your Lord. We love our wives and children, bring them to church, and still love the Lord don’t we? One can be true to the gospel and still celebrate their American citizenship. As one very wise man has said… “I rejoice in both but do not mistake them for each other.”
I love the Lord, and I love America. May God continue to bless her.
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:03 am
Rhetorician,
My anti-spam word is “love”, so I am going to be real “lovey dovey”.
Seriously, I am not sure if you read my question as I intended. (That is due more to my poor writing skills than your reading ability) I hoped I left the question open enough to ask if any Hot Dogs cook outs on the 4th along with games and community events took place at churches during the day of the 4th. While the worship service is part of the question it is not limited to the question.
As to your response concerning the worship celebration, I would agree that when we seem to be worshiping the US Flag I am all for taking it out. However, proper treatment and respect for the US flag is not the same as worship of the flag. We do have the US Flag displayed in our sanctuary and make no apologies for it. We also have the Christian Flag displayed. That does not mean that we worship either of those flags. If, the mere presence of the flag means that we worship it then we would have to remove the pews, communion table, piano, organ. etc. etc.
Personally, I do not see having a time to say the pledge of allegiance to the US Flag is a worship of that flag. The worship service exalts our Lord and what better exhaltation of our Lord than to show our patriotism and then thank him for the country we are blessed to live in. Also, no one has equated being an American to being a Christian. I know many Americans that are not Christian, just like I know many Baptist that are not Christians either. Being a Christian is unique to being an American. However as a Christian there is nothing wrong with displaying my gratitude to those that froze to death, fought in ungodly terrains, hours, temperatures, and other conditions in order for me to be free to worship.
See, no cards or letters.
Blessings,
Tim
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:11 am
Tim & Rhetorician,
In the summer of 1990 I had the privilege of leading a mission team into Russia and Ukraine. I had a copy of our home church’s new Directory which displayed a picture of the front of our church’s auditorium were the Christian and American flags were prominently shown. As several of the Russian Believers were looking through the Directory you could hear them gasp when they saw the picture of the American flag. All of them wanted to know why our church would dare have the national flag in a house of God. Several of them considered it to boarder on sacrilege. I tried to explain that we had the American flag in our church as an expression of our gratitude to God for the privilage of living in a free nation. Not many of these Believers who had been so persecuted for their faith bought it.
Ever since I have tried to be very careful about mixing patriotism and faith. I do believe we can celebrate our nation and our faith together - but attention must always go to the Lord and His Kingdom first IMHO. After all we are just pilgrims in this life with our true citizenship in glory.
Additionally, while I am ever grateful to be an American, and our church this year is celebrating the 4th with a community parade and cookout, I am finding it increasingly difficult to “celebrate America” considering what it is becoming. I realize this may cause some to question my patriotism (they shouldn’t but that doesn’t matter much to some), but the fact of the matter is that the sins of this nation are seriously hindering the blessings of God. I personally believe there is evidence that God is bringing judgment against this nation and that if our churches don’t lead us to humility and repentance before the thrice holy God - this great nation our fathers, brothers and sons have fought for is doomed to the ash heap of history.
BTW, I will be singing America The Beatuiful and the Star Spangled Banner as loudly as anyone this 4th. I’ll also be marching in the parade waving my little flag. I love this nation, and that love compells me to call us to repentance.
Grace,
Wes
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:49 am
Tim,
You said, “Being a Christian is unique to being an American.” Read apart from the rest of your comments, it would seem to imply some sort of dynamic connection, that to be one is to be the other, yet considering the rest of your statement, I find that hard to accept. Can you explain what you mean?
As far as “worshippig the flag,” I would propose an experiment for your congregation: one Sunday, remove both that flag and the big pulpit Bible (if you have one) and see which you get more complaints over. If it is the flag, I would suggest at least some people have blurred the line between appreciation and worship, and to some extent are worshipping it. There are a few times when our flag has been temporarily removed for some specific reason, and I get more complaints about that than I do if the big pulpit Bible is absent. I know that Jesus said to “render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s, and unto God that which is God’s,” but I fear we sometimes mingle the two too closely together. I ask myself every tyear about this time, if a non-Christian national from another country were here today, would they leave with the overriding impression of who Jesus is and why a relationship with Him is necessary, or would they think they had just been to a patriotic rally?
Hoping for dialogue,
John Fariss
July 3rd, 2008 at 10:57 am
I appreciate the thoughtful comments here.
I wonder whether our freedom is quite what we thought it was? The Christian faith seems to have prospered in many settings where freedom is limited - Sub-Saharan Africa, Romania and China to name a few.
What are the extras we have? Money, for sure. Guns. Embarrassing TV and radio Christianity. Most of all, it seems that it is in North America that homosexuality and Christianity have become most closely aligned. We might like to argue this is denominational (it’s because they’re Presbyterians etc.), but most believers in most Christian expressions in most other parts of the world are clear that it is an abhorence to God. That is almost the opposite here.
At what point is freedom lawlessness? Will there be a tipping point when it is more Christian not to be patriotic?
July 3rd, 2008 at 10:58 am
Brother Wes,
That is what you do and no one questions your patriotism. You serve in the capacity that you do based on your convictions. No one should question your patriotism because you choose not to display the flag in the worship center. However, neither should anyone presume upon another that having a flag in the worship center means that you worship the flag.
Brother John,
Maybe it is my less than accurate writing skills, but I certainly did not mean to imply that being a Christian went along with being an American. Thus my statement; Being a Christian is unique to being an American. hinges on the word “unique”. What I am saying is that Christianity is not synonymous with American. I felt that my explanation was adequate to make that statement but evidently it wasn’t.
We do not have a “pulpit Bible” here and the flags could either stay or go and no one would say a word. We worship Jesus in our church and that is all we worship. The flags are decorations just as the stained glass windows. No one bows down to worship any of them.
Blessings,
Tim
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:14 am
Brother Tim,
I’m sorry, I didn’t make myself clear … we do have an American flag in our worship center (I’m in a different church than I was 18 years ago), but as you said, it is not an object of worship. I was just relating an experience that God has used to keep me mindful of the main thing in the structure of a worship service. Also, I try not to presume on anyone’s object of worship by what they have or do not have in their buildings.
I do think Brother John makes a good point, however, when he asks: ” … if a non-Christian national from another country were here today, would they leave with the overriding impression of who Jesus is and why a relationship with Him is necessary, or would they think they had just been to a patriotic rally?” I think we all want the focus to be on Jesus. That’s true whether the holiday is the 4th of July or whatever.
I love the 4th of July - I come from a long line of flag wavers. I want our church to be grateful for this nation as God has so tremendously blessed us through the years. But I also want our people to heed the warning of God in 2 Chronicles 7:14. At least that’s what we are going for this year.
Thanks Tim for the discussion.
Grace,
Wes
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:40 am
Tim,
OK: by “unique” you mean “different.” That makes sense, and as I said, taken as I took the sentence, it was inconsistent with the rest of what you said. Your definition makes it all consistent. Thanks!
As to the experiment I proposed, substitute for pulpit Bible most any other Christian symbol that is visible. But if the presence or absence of flags in your sanctuary makes no difference to anyone, why have them at all?
John
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:20 pm
American Christians often confuse country and Kingdom. “My citizenship is in heaven” is what Paul said. Our highest loyalty is to Christ.
I love my nation, but I am afraid that many of the people I pastor just cannot see the difference between Christianity and patriotism.
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Tim,
Yes, we are happy to celebrate Independence Day in our church.
In answer to some others - No, of course Christianity and patriotism are not the same. And we never said it was. But you can be Christian and patriotic. You can be a Christian and be proud of your country. There is nothing un-Christian about recognizing and being grateful to our military and other public servants. I think it is kind of sad that we even have to explain and defend this.
Days like this give a pastor a great opportunity to thank God for our freedom and even luxuries. To tell what is right about America, and what is wrong about America. Shouldn’t preachers be doing that anyway?
I pray often for America. By the way, I also feel free to pray for Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, Iran, Russia, Zimbabwe, Pakistan …
Happy Independence Day. May God bless America.
David R. Brumbelow
July 3rd, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I do not know what you think either positively or negatively about David Gushee who taught at Union and who is now at Mercer, but he has a piece today in Associate Baptist Press that is worth the read and reflects on this subject matter. By-the-by, for full disclosure, I studied with him when he taught at SBTS after Al Mohler came to be president So here it is:
Says Gushee:
“Opinion: God, country and the 4th of July
By David Gushee
Published: July 3, 2008
(ABP) — Visiting family last weekend, I experienced a classic “God and country” service at a large SBC church. There was a day when I would have been outraged by such a service on theological grounds. This particular day left me more analytical. These reflections are offered especially for everyone who will plan or experience a patriotic July 4th service this weekend.
Lesson 1: Americans lack civic spaces to celebrate our nation and roll out traditional patriotic music and rituals, and so they move inappropriately into church.
Who can forget the scene in “The Music Man” where Mayor Shinn prepares to offer his July 4th soliloquy, only to be interrupted by the rebellious members of the school board? Apparently in that (imaginary) Iowa town a hundred years ago there was a tradition of a communitywide July 4th celebration, held at the school gymnasium. Everyone came.
No one could complain about a July 4th extravaganza held at the public school or the city fairgrounds. But we don’t really do that kind of thing anymore in this country, except a mute fireworks celebration after the sun goes down. And so in many (Southern?) towns, these ritualized national celebrations are moved into the local church, without a whole lot of reflection about the theological issues raised by turning a Christian worship service into a civic patriotic celebration.
Implication: If Christians want a recovery of civic celebrations on July 4th, we should approach our city councils, not our pastors.
Lesson 2: Low-church Baptist worship services leave congregants with a hunger for liturgy, which is one reason why God-and-country extravaganzas are appealing to many.
I credit my wife, Jeanie, one who loves liturgy, with this acute observation. Populist Baptist worship services are informal. No one works from a script, every prayer is extemporaneous, dress is increasingly casual, and pastors are rewarded for being “down to earth” and “relevant.”
There was nothing informal, extemporaneous or low-church about the God-and-country service we witnessed Sunday. All rose as the American flag was walked in ceremoniously under the care of a Navy man. The Pledge of Allegiance was said with dignity. The patriotic music was presented with gravity and care. Most people were dressed in their Sunday best, especially those who led the service in any way. I think Jeanie is right—here was liturgy, and people responded. The problem is that the liturgy was national rather than Christian—or national as Christian.
Implication: Such an obvious hunger for liturgy calls for a rethinking of the trend toward studied informality in our weekly services.
Lesson 3: American patriotism is overidentified with war and the military.
In our service on Sunday we sang “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The songs of the five military branches were sung as veterans and active-duty servicepeople rose and were recognized. A dramatic monologue about the war-tattered American flag was offered. Those killed in wars while serving the United States were remembered and mourned.
A child or newcomer to our country could easily be forgiven for concluding that the main thing to celebrate about America is our wars and those who fight them and die in them. This then leads to the implication that America is at its best when we are fighting, dying in, and presumably winning wars.
Taken simply at the civic or national level, this is a problem, for it deprives Americans of reasons to be proud of their nation not associated with the military and with war, feeding an expectation and maybe even a hunger for more use of the military and more war.
And of course, returning to the fact that God-and-country worship services happen in Christian churches that profess to serve Jesus Christ, the peacemaker and reconciler, the problem is even more profound.
Implication: All who speak of what is good about America, and all who construct civic patriotic rituals, must find ways to honor aspects of American life that go beyond military service and war-fighting. And all ministers who incorporate civic patriotism into a Sunday service must remember who exactly is the Lord of the church.
Lesson 4: Christian celebrations of America tend to idealize the past and demonize the present.
Presenting the standard conservative account of American origins, our pastor on Sunday told us that America was founded on Judeo-Christian principles that have been lost in our time and must be recovered. He received many hearty “amens.”
As I looked around me at the sea of white faces, I thought about how very surprised I would be if such an unambiguous account of either the past or the present were offered in a black church. Black Americans know that somehow the Founders created a nation that combined ideals of justice and freedom with the injustice and bondage of slavery. And they also know that the America of today has both deteriorated in some aspects of its morality while advancing in others, including racial justice.
The past was both good and bad. The present is both good and bad. Human life, created good yet fallen, is always both good and bad.
Implication: Those who talk about America must acknowledge both the good and the bad in every stage, neither idealizing nor demonizing any particular era—and calling us to our best and highest values now and always. ”
– David Gushee is distinguished university professor of Christian ethics at Mercer University. http://www.davidpgushee.com
July 3rd, 2008 at 4:44 pm
My personal comments would be insufficient to address all the previous rhetoric.
First of all, my church does celebrate “God and Country” because we find it an appropriate time to honor all of our veterans. Past, present, and future.
Secondly, we use it as an opportune time to invite our elected government officials to this service. We recognize them as well and thank them for their service. They are treated to a lunch afterwards.
Thirdly, our church is very missions and international focused as well. We unequivocally do associate patriotism with the gosel or Calvary as been stated earlier. The gospel of Jesus Christ is for sinners of all nationalities. The gospel is by grace, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone.
Lastly, for the first time, we will have over 200 soldiers from our local Army base at Ft. Benning, GA. They will hear the gospel of Jesus Christ… and yes, they will be treated to lunch as our special guests.
I was taught patriotism by my parents, specifically, by my father who was an Korean War vet who served honorably in the Army. He taught me as young child to put my hand over my heart as the American flag processed by in a parade. He also taught me many other godly and moral priniciples, especially after Jesus Christ saved him.
The gospel does not equal patriotism. American patriotism also does not invoke a magical spell of favortism from the Lord. Nonetheless, I will wave my flag, sing my national anthem and THANK God for the joy, privilege and responsibility of being born in such a free country. A country, with all of it’s shortcomings and faults, that owes much to Creator God for His blessings!
July 3rd, 2008 at 5:26 pm
David Brumbelow: I totally agree with you. Yes, we do celebrate the fourth of July in our church. In fact we celebrated with the choir singing, along with other remembrances, this past Sunday.
I do love America and am so grateful to those who have served in the armed forces in order that I might enjoy the freedoms I do.
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:22 pm
As someone who has lived and tried to raise a family under three flags other that the Stars and Stripes, I want to say that I am both an unapologetic follower of the Lord Jesus Christ and an unapologetic flag waving American. I fail to see any conflict between those two things.
As I sit here on July 4th in a country where freedom of religion is outlawed and where millions of people are forced to bow at the feet of a government which is both atheistic and militantly violent against those who wish to worship freely and openly, my love for and yes, pride in, America swells up big and large.
This world is not my home. My allegiance is ultimately to Jesus Christ and Him alone. Even on the 4th of July, I am not confused about this. But if I were in the States today, I would love to attend either Debbie’s or JD’s patriotic worship service. I would gladly and gratefully place my hand over my heart and sing the Star Spangled Banner to the top of my lungs with the inward assurance that my thanksgiving for America was accepted by God as thanksgiving for His wonderful provision of at least one Land of the Free.
America is certainly not perfect. Far from it. But from where I sit today, America is a place, an ideal, and a gift from God that should be honored in a world that consistently dishonors God.
Patriotism and Worship are not the same. In many places, to practice one is to desecrate the other. But not in America, at least not for me. Sign me up for both.
EA IMB M
July 4th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Patriotism, nationalism and any form of politics upset me a great deal when they are paraded and featured during a local church worship gathering. “My Country Tis of Thee” is a wonderful song…but should not be part of the church service. The songs of the church ought to be about Jesus, Jesus, more Jesus, Jesus and then Jesus.
The Church has no borders, is Catholic and should be presented that way. Patriotically themed “services” absolutely conflict with that doctrine (Catholicity) and it confuses the message of the Church (the gospel). “Happy Memorial Day” or “Happy July 4th” or “Happy Mothers Day” is fine by means of introduction I suppose…but to center the entire gathering around any theme of JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED is…sad…to say the least.
No church I pastor will do those things…nor will we display flags up front.
July 4th, 2008 at 9:25 am
also make no mistake…I’m extremely grateful for the US, it’s history and am very concerned about it’s future. I’m a patriot…politically I’m radically right wing and traditional in that way…I firmly believe our nations founders where a bunch of geniuses.
July 4th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Brother Tim,
Our church does not celebrate July 4th in the context of worship on the Lord’s Day, but we have no problem celebrating this July 4th with all our neighbors in the context of God placing us in a country that for the last 200+ years has a reputation for freedom. There is good and bad living in America, yet certainly one of the great advantages is the freedom afforded everyone to speak and to bear arms. And certainly that freedom allows us to share the gospel unimpeded and that is a great blessing and duty.
In my mind… July 4th and its implications remind me of a section of scripture and how that an alien righteousness changes the heart of man regardless of the soil to which he or she is born.
Hebrews 11:6-16 “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (7) By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”
Noah was ridiculed by his nation, yet in faith is seen reverencing his God as an heir to an alien righteousness.
(8) “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. (9) 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; (10) for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”
Abraham, when called, left his country by faith, content to live as an alien being an heir to a greater promise. His faith was not consumed with any allegiance to soil or people, but to a city whose foundation was laid by God.
(11) “By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. (12) Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE. (13) All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. (14) For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. (15) And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. (16) But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.”
Even Sarah demonstrated the sovereign hand of Almighty God to look not to the country that was before, but to the country that followed as she realized just how strange this land really is…..both she and Abraham desire a better country.
May we have the faith of Abraham, Sarah, Enoch, Isaac, Jacob Moses, etc, etc. and at the same time begin to lose sight of these earthly countries, desiring as those that came before us a better country that God has prepared.
Have a big July 4th!
Blessings,
Chris
July 4th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Irreverend Fox,
Surely you did not mean to capitalize Catholic indicating the Roman Church.
July 4th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
brother Gary…
let me explain what I mean…we’re (the various traditions which preach the one true Biblical Gospel) the true Catholics…they stole our name, or we gave it up…lol…but that is an argument for another day.
the Roman Catholic church is the largest of all apostate religions, they preach “another” Gospel and play on the Satan’s team. they are “Catholic” in name only.
July 4th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
I thank God for the cross and the resurrection.
I know America is not a Christian nation but, I thank God I was born in America.
I thank God for the opportunity to have seen the world and know the difference between America and any other place on earth.
I thank God for the Second Amendment. I thank God he gave our Forefathers the good sense to write it. I pray we have the good sense to defend it and keep it.
May all Americans deny self and take up the cross of Christ.
May all Americans wave the flag.
May all Americans be willing to protect this land.
cb
July 5th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
CB
Good to hear from you.
God Bless
July 5th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Thanks, Debbie.
Hope each of you have a great Lord’s Day.
David R. Brumbelow
July 6th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Does not the Bible instruct us to be the best citizens in our country? Yes we celebrate and try to share the principles we were founded on and motivate to get back to those in our lives.
Christian? - by the grace of God and sacrfice of Jesus
American? - by the grace of God and sacrifice of many men and women!
I would not want to trade either but I do know which one comes first!
July 7th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
I think we have all seen services where we wondered if recognition of our national history and accomplishments may have been over-emphasized, yet I do enjoy our corporately “giving a nod” to this temporary land of ours. In a way, aren’t we joining God in His apparent recognition of our country?
How on Earth could the United States have come to be without the help of Almighty Providence? How could it have survived so long and still protect the freedoms that have survived, unless we see the Hand of God involved throughout?
To simply contrast the heroic selflessness of the men who met in Philadelphia (both times) with the base lust for worldly aggrandizement so much of our leadership has demonstrated since then should thrust home a realization that Jesus Himself breathed goodness into the founding of our nation and its Constitution.
So, while a church service looks to a heaven filled with justice and light, brief acknowledgements (at Memorial Day and Independence Day?) can remind us that we were never alone in the long history of this country - and I hope that we never are!