September 1, 2024
Political Engagement that Honors Jesus and Unifies the Body
There is something right and beautiful about grateful, healthy patriotism, as long as it is always subject to our greater citizenship and its responsibilities.
Articles for tag: Patriotism
September 1, 2024
Political Engagement in the Restoration Movement: An Historical Perspective
Alexander Campbell encouraged Christians to refrain from getting too involved with governmental affairs, but he also encouraged them to use their available political means to promote Christian values in society.
June 19, 2023
A Shot Heard Throughout History
Christianity, like baseball, is a beautiful thing. . . .
June 14, 2020
The Impact of Politics on the Church
By Bob Russell Imagine that a godly couple unexpectedly inherits $10 million. How should they react? Their first response should be one of deep gratitude both to the benefactor and to God, the giver of every good gift. There should also be an overwhelming sense of responsibility to be wise stewards and not squander their fortune. Unearned wealth could spoil their kids or destroy their faith if unprepared, so they need to train their children to be sensible money managers. The Bible says, “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians
November 22, 2018
A Thanksgiving Editorial from 1881
– November 26, 1881 – Thanksgiving 1881 came at a strange time in the life of Christian Standard. It was only two months after the death of President James A. Garfield, who was shot twice by Charles A. Guiteau in Washington, D.C., on July 2, 1881. Garfield remained alive, but largely in misery, until his death Sept. 19. (The account of Garfield’s medical treatment, and how it likely contributed to his death, is quite fascinating.) Garfield, of course, was one of the initial investors in Christian Standard magazine. The first editor of this magazine, Isaac Errett, surely knew Garfield and
October 11, 2016
Real Patriots
By Mark A. Taylor Why devote so many pages, words, and ink to a question that can be answered with just one word? Can a Christian be a patriot? Yes! With two more words, let us be clear: of course! Readers of articles this month should not see any anti-Americanism here. But these articles offer a plea for us to put our patriotism in perspective: To thank God for America without assuming America is at the center of his will for the world. To ask God to bless America without believing that America”s interests are always God”s purposes. To respect
October 10, 2016
My Nation Under God
Four problems with nationalism for the Christian By David A. Fiensy I suppose when a small country church invites you to fill their pulpit on a Sunday near the Fourth of July, you should expect some flag-waving. But what I experienced was way over the top, in my opinion. The song leader led us in patriotic songs exclusively. At various times during the service, he seemed to choke up when referring to the American flag. When it came time for the Lord”s Supper, he apologized for “breaking the mood.” After the Communion service, he sang as a solo, “I”m Proud
October 8, 2016
Patriotism, Idolatry, and Evangelism
By Rubel Shelly In my opinion, the United States of America is a wonderful, though imperfect, country. One could even call it exceptional in many ways among all the nations of the world, but I refuse the designation “American exceptionalist.” An American woman can love her country and be deeply patriotic because she appreciates its uniqueness and marvelous history. She might point to such things as its abundant natural resources and favorable climate. More likely, she would talk even more about the freedoms of speech, press, and religion. There is the protection under law its citizens enjoy. She could reference its
October 6, 2016
Can I Be a Christian and a Patriot?
Four biblical principles about our earthly citizenship By Matt Proctor Full confession: I love America. I was born on an overseas U.S. Army base where my father served, and I respect the office of president, sing the national anthem, salute the flag, and own the movie Captain America. But my study of God”s Word has led me to decide how I should view my love of country in terms of my higher calling. Two summers ago, I took my 10- and 12-year-old sons on a weeklong U.S. history tour. We imagined being an immigrant at Ellis Island, marveled at the
July 5, 2016
Prayer for America
By Mark A. Taylor Last Sunday, the day before the Fourth of July, I had the chance to lead worship in my home congregation. While I don”t believe Sunday-morning worship is the place for patriotic rallies (I”ve written about this before), I do believe we should be praying for our country as Christians gathered. So I wrote the following prayer as a responsive reading for the service I led. Maybe it will encourage some readers today. And some might even personalize it to use in their own congregations. Leader: Dear God, as we think about the freedoms, privilege, and possibilities
Is There a Christian Nation?
By Robert F. Hull Jr. God of our fathers, known of old”” Lord of our far-flung battle line”” Beneath whose awful hand we hold Dominion over palm and pine”” Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget””lest we forget! This is the first stanza of the poem “Recessional,” written by Rudyard Kipling for Queen Victoria”s Diamond Jubilee in 1897. Although British might was still so “far-flung” that it was said “the sun never sets on the British Empire,” in his poem Kipling worried that the nation might become “drunk with sight of power” and forget the God
June 28, 2016
Where Patriotism Belongs
By Mark A. Taylor The below piece, first posted here five years ago, still resonates with me as we approach the Sunday before the Fourth of July. As one commenter said when it first appeared, “Our patriotism is for our freedom and way of life in a free country; our worship is reserved only for our Creator God.” More than a decade ago, my congregation hosted a patriotic pageant each year called “Sea to Shining Sea.” We had a huge adult choir, a children”s choir, a live orchestra, actors, and dancers. We welcomed color guards from all the armed services.
February 10, 2016
Welcome Home, Syrians
By Jim Tune I”m not overly patriotic. Most Canadians aren”t. We have no equivalent to country singer Lee Greenwood”s song “God Bless the U.S.A.” with its nationalistic and stirring refrain, “I”m proud to be an American where at least I know I”m free.” All that said, a news flash popped up in my Twitter feed a few months ago that made me extraordinarily proud of my country. Originally tweeted by Neville Park, this message quickened this Canadian”s pulse: “MEANWHILE IN CANADA: Syrian refugees arriving. Airport is worried they will be overwhelmed by well-wishers.” Syrian refugees? Overwhelmed by well-wishers? Yes!
November 27, 2014
It’s Good to Be an Alien
By C. Robert Wetzel “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul” (1 Peter 2:11, New International Version ©1984). Many people are convinced of the existence of intelligent life-forms from other planets. Aliens from outer space are a staple in numerous films and television programs. These aliens may take the form of benevolent explorers or, more likely, evil invaders. But according to the apostle Peter, we need not look to outer space for aliens. We can find them in the church. In the summer of 1973, my
November 19, 2014
Swords, Plowshares, and Evangelicals
By Jim Tune The Sermon on the Mount has been speaking to me in fresh ways lately. In the tradition of Alexander Campbell, I am trying to read these passages without viewing them through any particular Evangelical, sociopolitical, or theological lens. You can imagine how difficult this is to do. My biases rise up in protest””especially when I read what Jesus taught about peacemaking and loving enemies. Please don”t send me any hermeneutical treatments of the subject. I”ve read them all. But in times of honest reflection, I find myself pushing back when it comes to all the Evangelical escape
November 4, 2014
Electing a Balanced View
By Mark A. Taylor In the face of nonstop media coverage leading up to Election Day, many in the United States are tired, cynical, or bored by it all. But that”s not me. On Election Day, I will not give in to the naysayers. Yes, I”m appalled by the millions and millions of dollars spent, often with little effect, to woo voters toward one candidate or position. Yes, I”m weary of the half-truths and media spin. I”m suspicious that what we see in political ads, Internet posts, and major interviews is a thin façade hiding unsavory truths and off-the-record deal
September 24, 2014
Living with the Tension
By Jim Tune Jesus Christ turned conventional views of power upside down. Jesus was remarkably indifferent to those who held political power. He had no desire to replace Caesar with his apostles. He gave civil authority its due, rebuking both the zealots and Peter for using the sword. This seems to have infuriated the religious right of his day. In an effort to discredit Jesus, the Herodians tried trapping him over the issue of allegiance to political authority. I am mystified by the Evangelical obsession with power and influence. A made-in-America Jesus seems more concerned with nationalism, patriotism, and power
May 27, 2014
The Christian”s Ritual of Remembrance
By Mark A. Taylor Last Saturday, The Wall Street Journal posted a headline above a picture of a grade-school boy decorating a soldier”s grave in Virginia: “With Memorial Day Approaching, Rituals of Remembrance Begin.” But the American Automobile Association estimated more than 36 million Americans would be traveling over the holiday weekend. A spokesman suggested this year”s unrelenting winter created a pent-up longing to experience warm temperatures in wide-open spaces. And I”m wondering how many of these sun-starved campers, fliers, and interstate sojourners took time for a “ritual of remembrance.” Only a minority, most likely, but I”ll not bore you
August 21, 2012
Called to Be Faithful
By Tommy and Jennifer White “Jesus hasn”t come through for me. There is no “˜Savior.” We save ourselves,” said Craig, a University of Utah student who was baptized into Christ in spring 2010. He read the Bible and prayed. He worshipped in community and served in a local church. He struggled with addictions. He expected Jesus, and other believers, to provide the perpetual high he craved. Today he”s angry and has walked away from Jesus. After three years of seeking to establish a body of Christ followers on college campuses in Utah, we”ve realized””sometimes through disappointment””we may not see measurable
December 26, 2011
The Bible vs. Culture: What Shapes Our Christianity?
By Karen Rees I almost got into an argument at a Christmas party. The party was an activity of a local Evangelical women”s Bible study. The group includes women from a number of different, mostly Asian, countries. On this particular occasion we had a visiting woman speaker fresh from the United States. She had a good talk, but her Scripture application was from an American worldview. I was the only other American there. In the discussion time, I said that different cultures emphasize the verses that best match their cultural values. As an example, I mentioned that, with regard to
