It caught me by surprise. The singing group was excellent, as always. The ACU Summit crowd was slowly filing in as the singers presented beautiful songs of praise. The hour for the next speaker was near, and the leader of the group said, “We’d like to do one more song.” Instead of the Christian songs they had been doing, they sang a patriotic song.
The effect on the crowd was immediate. People quickly began to get on their feet and clap along with the music, cheering in a way that they hadn’t done previously. I was hoping that the song would end soon, for I was the only one I could see that was still in their seat. I was sitting by the father of the three young men who were singing and didn’t want to offend him. But there was no way I was going to give more honor to the United States than I had given to my God.
The song ended with a standing ovation. I was needing to leave anyway, so I bid my goodbye and left quickly.
And sadly. I shouldn’t have been surprised by what I’d seen, but I couldn’t help it. I would have hoped for more.
I sometimes wonder if it’s worth getting crosswise with so many people over the topic of mixing Christianity and nationalism. I know that some people cringe every time they see me comment on the subject. Then I experience things like that afternoon at Summit, and I remember why this matters.
OHHH CRINGEEEEE Tim
Find another subject my brother. Whyyyyy do you insist that we all be little cringing Tims or God won’t love us?
A lot of this “side taking” is a direct result of US in the CoC.
If you don’t assemble with US in the CoC you are doomed to hell!
Remember when the Debates were just as ugly as patriotic Americans?
Many of our Brotherhood papers are an extension of that “ATTITUDE”
We can’t even get ourselves to STOP taking sides and condemning one another.
uggh, that’s sad, but typical.
and many who read this will say it’s no big deal, but I guess they don’t believe in idolatry.
it’s the same prob, though, as getting excited about sports, hobbies, etc. and yawning through the worship assembly.
we show what we truly worship and care about not by our words, creeds, etc. but by our passion, emotions, actions. and I am guilty of it, too
Brian, that is very true. Idolatry takes many forms, and it’s always easier to spot in the other guy. I need to remember that.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Come on guys if standing in the midst of the politically correct and stating homosexuality is sin and abortion is wrong is hardly Idol worship. Me thinks you guys aren’t thinking clearly.
I’m sorry, Clay… I don’t have the remotest idea as to what your last comment has to do with anything above it.
Tim,
You didn’t see me that day, but I too was in my seat. Thanks for your courage and writing. My class at ACU Summit was all about this topic. It’s amazing how we can feel such passion and fervor for our nation and barely move our lips as we sing songs about our God!
“The effect on the crowd was immediate. People quickly began to get on their feet and clap along with the music, cheering in a way that they hadn’t done previously”
Tim just maybe you protest to much, I was raised in the CoC and we were taught to sing gospel songs in reverence to God, it was not appropriate to cheer, or even shout hallelujah , not so with patriotic songs, just the opposite. I don’t see a place appropriate in Sunday worship for patriotic songs period, but meetings such as the one you describe, maybe so, especially the closing song. “We’d like to do one more song.” and again they may have just been showing their appreciation for the singing group.
But you know me Tim, I like to always give the benefit of the doubt :) :) :)
You could be right, they are just not serious.
The United States of America was founded upon the idea of the freedom of religion to worship the God of the Bible. We are essentially a nation founded by people wanting Christian freedom. Patriotism is running high because many people see the erosion of Christian values and they want a nation that stands for what it stood for again.
You can go too far one way or the other. I submit that not standing and being dismayed that people rejoiced over a song might be too far. I would suggest that putting patriotism and politics over faith and worshipping God is too far the other way.
Tim it seems to me you are a bit sensitive to this subject because you have lived abroad. On the other hand I often differ with some of my friends who think that when we elect conservatives to run the country we will solve a lot of our problems. People need Jesus most all and regardless of who sits in the white house, I know who sits on the thrones of Heaven.
Laymond, believe it or not, Nick made the same point the other day. It’s always scary when you guys agree.
Collin, I almost put that everyone in the coliseum was standing, but then I realized that because I was sitting near the front, I couldn’t see a lot of people.
Wish I could have heard your class.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
I was there and I didn’t stand either.
It was very akward.
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Joe, I’ll agree that living abroad made me more sensitive to that. But I’m not sure that’s a bad thing.
I like G.K. Chesterton’s quote: “The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one’s own country as a foreign land.”
Thanks for your insightful words in the last paragraph.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
This unfortunately rings true everywhere nowadays. I had to have a very difficult conversation with a sister in Christ who “liked” on Face Book, “If you are going to burn the American flag, kindly wrap yourself up in it first”. I felt sick to my stomach because I know she is a loving, kind, strong, Christian woman.
Tim, I’m with you on this one. But then again, I’m a young idealist…I probably don’t know what I’m talking about. Still, soomething just doesn’t seem right about mixing the worldviews of “I’m Proud To Be…” and “This World Is Not My Home.”
Crystal, welcome to The Kitchen. You’ve got to lose Robert’s avatar, however; surely it doesn’t do you justice!
Ben, I do recognize that a number of factors played together. Had they sung that song at the beginning, fewer people would have been there and the reaction would have been very different. And maybe a well-known Christian song would have gotten a similar response.
Maybe…
Brad, well the same guy that called me ignorant in his post this evening also called me young. Maybe it’s my youthful idealism!
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Tim,
I was not there but had I been there, I would not have stood either. And know I don’t think you or any of us speak out enough about this. We can debate all day long about whether a Christian can “pledge allegiance to the flag” but the minute patriotic nationalism garners a greater praise than the Lord, it begins to smell very rank of idolatry.
I garnered some looks the other day because I refused to place my hand over my heart and recite the pledge of allegiance at my daughter’s school function (I did stand but that is all). I later quibbled to my wife “who says they don’t allow religion in public schools? They practice civil religion!”
Grace and peace,
Rex
Hi Tim.
Perhaps….perhaps not everything is worth getting crossed-wised with so many people but this is definitely one of them. If one’s toes are not stood on, if one’s leg is not kicked (even under the table) then how would we know. And perhaps that might be a big part of it. Standing and clapping patriotically over standing and clapping for God can also be ignorance. Since God doesn’t tolerate ignorance, then get crosswise so that people will know. At least for those that are ignorant or just not thinking about what they are doing.
It’s worth it. Thanks for the post.
Bob
Bob, Rex… appreciate the thoughts.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Got to comment. I am glad to be an American, but I am proud to be a Christian, hopefully not in name only. We landed in Vienna, Austria on Sept. 11th before the first plane went into the WTC. Americans were advised to keep a low profile, but Lon and I were at a Christian University with students of various nationalities and beliefs so we felt we were there to show that Christians love all people, not just Americans, and had no problems communicating God’s word to any and all who would listen. I believe I would have stayed in my seat, also, but I see people sitting and not participating while we are singing praises to God every Sunday and that troubles me even more.
Jeanne, that’s definitely true.
When we hear the word “tithe” we think collection basket and weekly obligation. The author of Deuteronomy obviously did not live in our world and had never heard any of our sermons. The longest passage in the Bible on the tithe, Deut. 14:22-27, describes it as party time, sort of a Texas State Fair on The Hill, complete with fried beer, juicy steaks, and any other food or strong drink that our heart might desire. Instead of getting away on an annual vacation, they were commanded to go be with God, to party and celebrate there with him. Even if they didn’t have much during the year, the tithe let them experience a blow-out with God each year. Even if they lived in the diaspora, when they thought “celebration,” they did not think “Mediterranean vacation.”
The biblically stated purpose of the tithe was “to learn to fear/honor the Lord your God always” (Dt. 14:23). We know how to fear/honor God when we have cancer, loose our job, or experience other complications; we have no problems calling on his name for help. We have not learned to rejoice with him when we experience a victory. When I say, “I got a raise today, lets go celebrate,” am I thinking church or God? What would church have to be for me to think church when I say celebrate?
The elder brother wanted a goat so that he could go make merry with his friends, but he wasn’t about to celebrate with his father’s at home. That was where he was obedient always, but never had any fun doing it, Lk. 15:29. Jesus had an amazing blend of both brothers; he was obedient, but he also enjoyed feasts in the temple. When he enjoyed other banquets, he did not leave God out, but rather shared him with those he ate with. I used to have problems seeing Jesus being labeled as a glutton and a winebibber (Mt. 11:19; Lk. 7:34), now I have more problems seeing the virtue of solemn obedience followed by getting away from God to have fun.
Until we can learn to celebrate with God and come to him in good times as well as bad times, we will have to go to football games to cheer, sing patriotic songs to clap and go on Caribbean cruises to celebrate. We wouldn’t dream of making merry with our father. He is to be obeyed always, even when he entreats us to celebrate and make merry with him.