July 4th and Jesus

July 2, 3:31 PMMethodist ExaminerJames-Michael Smith

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Politics, patriotism and Christian faith - what did Jesus and His first followers have to say?

When it comes to patriotism, Christians don't always agree with one another as to the proper role it should play in the life of a follower of Jesus...who explicitly denied any earthly kingdom allegiance (John 18:36).  Some take Jesus denial of an earthly kingdom to mean that Christians should not pledge allegiance to any earthly government as well.  Others go to the opposite extreme and claim that America is a "Christian Nation" and that we should "take back America for God."  (For the dangers of this heretical notion, see the Methodist Examiner article on Patriotism and the Bible.)

As usual, the truth is somewhere in the middle.  The earliest Christian documents are Paul's letters to Churches and individuals that make up part of the New Testament.  It is interesting to see that for Paul, it was not a problem to live as a supportive citizen of the Roman Empire, so long as it did not require going against the teachings of Jesus or the leading of the Spirit:

 "Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."
Romans 13:5-7

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."
1Timothy 2:1-4

"Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone."
Titus 3:1-2

Jesus' follower Peter likewise did not see a problem being an upstanding citizen and follower of Jesus:

"Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of the foolish. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love your fellow believers, fear God, honor the emperor."
1Peter 2:13-17

What makes these passages even more interesting is that both Peter and Paul were executed by the very Empire they encouraged people to live at peace with not long after writing these words! 

However, the New Testament also makes it clear that while every nation is ultimately under God's authority and should be respected by its citizens as such, this does not mean that the nation is always Godly.  The very Empire which Peter and Paul encouraged Christians to live peacably in was pictured by Jesus Himself in His Revelation to John as a harlot, animated by a fearsome dragon and drunk with the blood of the faithful.  That's quite a contrast!

In light of all this, how should Christians celebrate (or not celebrate) the 4th of July?  Can one faithfully seek the good of their country and be proud of her accomplishments, while at the same time avoiding the "God-and-Country" heresy?  In the summary to a chapter entitled "Celebrating America Without Nationalism" from his book How to Be Evangelical Without Being Conservative, theologian Roger Olson offers the following:

"I'm a patriot and Ι love to recite the pledge of allegiance and sing the national anthem. Ι love fireworks displays on the Fourth of July and parades that celebrate America's victories in just wars such as World War ΙΙ. But Ι do not associate all that with my evangelical faith; they are two different things. A person can be authentically and fully evangelical without being nationalistic because Jesus Christ and the gospel transcend nationality, and there is no hint in Scripture that any country since Old Testament Israel is espe¬cially favored by God."