The national conversation about American citizenship is, of course, ongoing and inescapable. But, as many of you have probably noticed already, the 4th of July falls on a Sunday this year. Why is this significant? Because many church leaders and other committed Christians are wrestling with how to think about and practice citizenship given the divisive election in 2020; the Capitol Riot on January 6th; and the increasingly strident, take-no-prisoners approach of progressive secularism. And speaking or not speaking about the United States on July 4th is bound to get you tarred and feathered (at least digitally) by someone. So, how should church leaders and other committed Christians think about patriotism, nationalism and a Biblical form of citizenship this 4th of July?

More specifically, should Christians be patriotic? When does love of country veer into an unhealthy nationalism? And, finally, how should Christians practice citizenship in an increasingly divided America? Here are a few thoughts/distinctions that I have found helpful along with some practical application to July 4th/patriotic services.

#1 Patriotism

Patriotism is a sacrificial love of country. The nation-state has come under increasing scrutiny in an age of transnational alliances and even unions (such as the European Union), but nations are part of God’s current plan for human societies. For example, in Acts 17:26, Paul stated that God has “made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth,” and has “determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;” The Greek word for “nation” in that verse (ethnos), can be translated as “race” or “nation,” but the additional language about duration and boundaries signals a more common understanding of country or nation and not just a people group. Further, according to Job 12:23, God increases nations, destroys them, enlarges them and guides them.

These verses reflect the greater Biblical narrative. God confounded human languages and dispersed the nations at Babel (Genesis 11); and, the Antichrist will one day claim power over, “…all kindreds, and tongues, and nations” (Revelation 13:7). Ultimately, God will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, but even that kingdom will be populated by people from every nation, tribe and tongue (Daniel 2:44; Revelation 7:9).

Practically, this system of nations diffuses raw government power and ensures that no ruler can claim worldwide dominion. And it complements the Biblical role of individual governments in punishing evil and promoting good (Romans 13; I Peter 2: 13-15).

As Christians, we are commanded to pray for those that are in authority (I Timothy 2:1-4), do good unto all men (Galatians 6:10), and to generally be in submission to human rulers (I Peter 2: 13-15). Further, God encouraged the Jews to seek the peace and prosperity of Babylon while in exile (Jeremiah 29). And Peter even encouraged Christians under Roman rule to honor the emperor (I Peter 2:17).

Stated differently, Scripture calls Christians to be kingdom minded but not cosmopolitan. God, in his wisdom, has placed us in nations and expects us to be good citizens of those nations while finding our identity and ultimate fulfillment in Christ’s kingdom.

For these reasons, it is my opinion that Christians should practice patriotism as a a general love of country that celebrates God’s blessings on our nation (Psalm 33), confesses national sins (Daniel 9) and works for national flourishing.

#2 Nationalism

Nationalism is an unbiblical worship of country. Though very few Christians down through the centuries would admit to practicing nationalism, this has been and continues to be a human temptation. I was speaking to a Lutheran pastor recently, and he reminded me about the Nazis requiring German Lutheran churches to display Nazi flags and even pressuring pastors to change the words of hymns and their sermons to support national socialism (for further evidence, consider the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer). This is a solid baseline for identifying Christian nationalism. Further, the prayer of Jason Chansley on the Senate floor during the January 6th Capitol Riot is a clear example of Christian nationalism. Someone in the group stated, “Jesus, we invoke your name.” Then, Chansley thanked God for allowing the rioters to “exercise our rights, to allow us to send a message to all the tyrants, the communists and the globalists that this is our nation, not theirs.”

Beyond these examples, Christian nationalism is a bit difficult to pin down. Certainly, this unbiblical worship of country has affected many Christians. But, in my opinion, the term “Christian nationalism” has also been used broadly by the media to color many Christians that are simply trying to live out Biblical principles in public life.

So, how do we recognize and avoid Christian nationalism and help others do the same? In my experience, nationalism is primarily an identity problem, and it affects us all to some degree. If we find our identity in the fact that we are American citizens in a particular political/ideological tribe rather than as followers of Jesus, this can lead to worship or making an idol out of that role.

Here are some helpful but tough questions. Are you able to hear/listen to criticism of your political party without equating it to person insult? Do you find peace and rest when your political party is in power but feel anxious and frantic when it is not? Do you consider yourself superior to other people simply because of your status as an American citizen? Do your disaster/catastrophe scenarios include the United States losing its status as a global superpower?

Please hear me clearly. I have strong opinions about how the Christian worldview should work out in public life, and I believe that adopting ideas contrary to God’s good design will not lead to flourishing. Also, the United States has done great good in the world; and the loss of her influence will encourage militant, power-hungry regimes to fill that power vacuum. So, there will be real human cost to the scenarios described above. But, as Christians, we cannot worship our nation or put our ultimate hope in the United States.

To be clear, there are blatant Christian nationalists (according to this definition) in the body of Christ that need to be reproved. But I don’t know many. Most Christians I know are wrestling through their role as Christian citizens, and the temptation to jeopardize Biblical principles for political gain affects them in varying degrees. So, I see nationalism as a warning to us all rather than a label to be inexactly and carelessly applied by culture. We must start first in the church and in our own hearts, and we must be wary of patriotism creeping into an unhealthy worship of or reliance on our country.

#3 Christian Citizenship

Christian citizenship is a primary allegiance to Christ and a strong commitment to country. In Philippians, Paul stated that our first citizenship is in Heaven (3:20), but then encouraged those Greek Christians under Roman domination to exercise their earthly citizenship in a way that is worthy of the gospel (1:27). So, we are Christians first. But we are also called to engage our current citizenship for the good of our neighbors.

Some may say that this dual citizenship makes Christians poor citizens in the here and now. I disagree. This truth keeps us from some starry-eyed patriotism that can’t see evil or failure in the country’s past or present. This truth steels us to do the hard work of building a just, equal and prosperous society knowing full well that utopia will elude us until His kingdom comes. And, this truth rescues us from despair when all seems lost and culture turns against Biblical principles.

The best analogy I have heard for a healthy Christian citizenship/patriotism is that of family. Sometimes, your family does great things and makes you proud. Sometimes, family members act like a bunch of knuckleheads and make you think twice about your last name! And, sometimes, family members do sinful, evil things that bring you to tears or make you recoil in horror. But they are family; and, with very rare exceptions, you generally do your best to engage with, correct and encourage your family.

In a similar way, the history of our republic is both magnificent and, at times, monstrous (just like us). And we should be able to celebrate her remarkable achievements, lament her sins (just like Daniel in Daniel 9 and Abraham Lincoln in his Second Inaugural) and build on her better nature and toward a better future.

And we do this while maintaining our ultimate allegiance to Christ and His kingdom. This is not new. Christians down through the ages and across continents have had to navigate the tension of these dual roles. Now it is our turn.

#4 What about July 4th Services and Celebrations?

These topics, of course, raise the issue of July 4th services or patriotic displays in church auditoriums. Please note that I am about to move from Scriptural principles to an attempt to apply wisdom/discernment to these questions. I recognize that some Christians will land in a different place and see this as an issue of Christian conscience (Romans 14).

Unhealthy celebrations of America on July 4th. I have been in services that made me uneasy because the message seemed to be a celebration of America’s past glory and present power without much mention of the God that blessed and sustained her. It is difficult to pin down exactly when a service turns from the worship of Christ to a worship of country; but, in my experience, these types of services include primarily patriotic songs, heavy reference to America’s past, and little distinction between the cross and the flag. Note that I enjoy a rousing patriotic parade or rally. But a patriotic rally does not a worship service make.

I defer to local pastors in their local context in this. But, in my opinion, a more healthy expression of a July 4th service/citizenship-focused service is one that highlights God’s blessings on the United States, notes her past and current failures, explains dual Christian citizenship and prompts Christians to pray and engage their role as citizen while looking to Christ and His kingdom for ultimate purpose and hope.

Silence about America on July 4th. Other pastors (often in response to the above) choose to remove or keep out all patriotic symbols from their sanctuaries and preach expositionally on or around July 4th without much or any mention of the nation or citizenship. Again, I defer to local pastors in their context. And I am grateful for the focus on Scripture and Christ’s kingdom above all. But this approach has the potential to miss out on a key opportunity for discipleship on relevant Biblical principles (as explained below).

A Suggestion for July 4th. A recent survey from Lifeway Research and the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College found that 60% of Christians receive little to no “political discipleship” from their churches. As Christians, we are called to follow Jesus in every area of our lives, including in our role as citizen. But many American Christians are not being discipled in that role by their churches. Rather, they are being catechized in their role as citizen by social media, the news media, family, etc.

This 4th of July, Christians will be bombarded by competing messages about citizenship. Some will be drawn into self-imposed silence. Some may be drawn into conspiracy theories or nationalism. So, who is going to teach them about the Biblical principles for citizenship? Who will help Christians cut through the noise and rancor of culture to find a Biblical, gospel-centered model of citizenship? Fellow believers, that is the church’s job. And what better time to address this issue than on July 4th, when everyone is thinking about it?

Again, I defer to pastors and other church leaders. But, in my opinion, this Sunday and Sundays like it are a remarkable opportunity to disciple our congregations on God’s way for engaging government! I recognize the disagreements around and practical difficulties of Christian citizenship, but this is simply an encouragement to fill the vacuum of discipleship on this issue before Christians find ideas and training elsewhere. Many church leaders note that Christians often jeopardize their personal testimonies and the church’s witness in the public square. Well, let’s do something about that by providing Biblical principles and training on this topic!

In sum, I believe Christians can and should love their country without worshipping it. Stated differently, there is such a thing as a faithful 4th. And the best way to do that is by being good citizens here while maintaining our primary identity in Christ and pledging our ultimate allegiance to Heaven.