I received an interesting question from a pastor friend this past week, and I have been trying to chew on it. Most conservative American Christians are grateful for the blessings secured to us by our forebears and especially the Revolutionary Fathers that took on a mighty Empire in times when victory could only possibly be gained by prayer. Yet when worshiping God on the Lord’s Day, is it proper to say the Pledge of Allegiance?
The question arose due simply because it is our conservative culture to thank God for our nation. So why not return the favor? Thank the nation that secured our right to worship this God. Was it not the brave men that lost their lives in the Normandy Invasion that restrained the tyranny of Hitler? Might we be speaking German today if not for them?
The question of separation of church and state can be a tricky one. Yet as a Baptist, I am committed to Baptist principles. Although the U.S. is heavily influenced by Reformed Protestant Christianity (some have argued John Calvin to be the Father of our country), the U.S. government is not the church. The U.S. is not going to save men’s souls. Having dual citizenship should not cloud our judgment on such important issues.
There are places for citizens to acknowledge the Creator through government-sponsored functions. There are even times to say the Pledge of Allegiance and offer prayer to God. It is in my humble opinion that a worship service, set apart to God, on the Lord’s Day of Rest, is not an earthly government function. Therefore, confusing church and state only denigrates the perfect coming kingdom that we should all long for.
Thy Kingdom Come. Amen
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1 comment:
Amen, how2, well said!
A similar issues is that of flags in worship. Until recently, when I saw pictures on the Purgatorio blog, I thought it was only an American thing to put flags in sanctuaries. But church isn't about "I'm an American, you are not." It's about "We are all one in Christ. There is no Jew nor Greek, slave nor free."
God calls Christians who live in America to submit to the laws of the country (as long as they are not told to violate Scripture) just as much as He calls Canadians, Britains, Turks, etc. to do the same.
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