worship trench » Blog Archive » Why I Hate Patriotic Songs (In Worship)

Why I Hate Patriotic Songs (In Worship)

posted July 1, 2008 by jordan

I am a very patriotic guy. I am almost to my goal of reading a biography on every American president. I tear up when they play the national anthem at a sporting event. I weep when an Olympian pulls of some dramatic feat for Ol’ Glory. I have been to other countries without freedom and greatly appreciate our freedom to worship and live. However, every year I receive complaints that we didn’t sing any “America songs” in our worship service around July 4th. I’ll take the complaints yet still won’t slot them, why?

1. America didn’t die on the cross for my sins.
2. Nationalism does not equal being a better Christian. Anytime nationalism and Christianity have gotten too close, it is never nationalism that suffers but always Christianity (ex. Nazi nationalism couched in Christian terms, Constantine’s Christianity, Three Self Patriotic Movement in China). We are called to value our country, serve our country, pray for our country and honor its rulers and laws, but our primary citizenship and allegiance is to a greater King and greater kingdom.
3. We have people from many nationalities at NorthWood and while they greatly appreciate the blessings of America, many of them have no connection to a song glorifying America when they are from Vietnam, Chile, or Taiwan.
4. In worship, the unifying principle is the centrality of Christ and the cross, making “Jew” and “Greek” one. If God is the God of the nations, would your congregation sing an Iraqi patriotic song on Iraqi independence day? The Iraqi Christian is more my brother than the non-believing American, no?

So slot them if you must, but I won’t be even though I will be crying one short month from now every time an American wins in Beijing. I guess this is one area my perspective is less reformed and more Baptist. I believe in the separation of Church and State, even in terms of bars and measures.

38 Responses to “Why I Hate Patriotic Songs (In Worship)”

Dan Says:
July 1st, 2008 at 11:49 am
I’m with you brother, my worship pastor and I were just discussing this a couple hours ago.
BobbyV Says:
July 1st, 2008 at 12:29 pm
WOO-HOO!! AMEN! Thank you, Jordan!
Fred McKinnon Says:
July 1st, 2008 at 2:06 pm
WoW … you go. I typically sing them anyway … but I totally get your point. I suppose it’s an opportunity for them to sing thanksgiving to God for our freedom. True, we may have different nationalities represented, but the majority of those (with the exception of some temporary guests) have made American their home, their citizenship (here on earth, at least).

I got an email just this week begging to do “at least one”.

Great post, Jordan.
Fred
FredMcKinnon.Com » Blog Archive » Why Jordan Hates Patriotic Songs (in worship) Says:
July 1st, 2008 at 2:10 pm
[...] But, I was just starting to scan the most recent ones, and this caught my eye … so while you’re waiting for me to reveal my awesomeness in blogging and writing (hahaha) … checkout Jordan’s great post called “Why I Hate Patriotic Songs (in worship)” over @ WorshipTrench. [...]
LCCWorship » Blog Archive » Patriotic Songs and Worship? Says:
July 1st, 2008 at 2:19 pm
[...] out this post called ‘Why I Hate Patriotic Songs (In Worship).’ I have wondered for a long time why some churches play patriotic songs during their worship [...]
Billy Chia Says:
July 1st, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Agreed.

I’ve been in worship services that sang patriotic songs. It didn’t bother me too much. I’d never think of doing one myself.
Tyler Says:
July 1st, 2008 at 3:58 pm
my church is ending their set with a chorus of battle hymn of the republic. we also have a cross and a flag highlighted on the stage together. if im honest, it makes me a little sick to my stomach. that opinion won’t go far though…i don’t want to lose my job over something like that.
Travis Says:
July 1st, 2008 at 6:27 pm
First of all, I don’t like them in church services either. It just never has felt right to me.

I agree with points one and two completely. I think that we come close to placing country before God when we sing songs TO/ABOUT America. However, that falls into the category with plenty of other “topics” that we sing about from time to time I guess.

I disagree with points three and four. I THINK that the majority of internationals that call our country home are EXTREMELY grateful for what it means to them and the opportunities that it gives. I do not think they would be offended to hear an “American” song any more than I would in their country. Along similar lines, no, my congregation would not sing even the Canadian national anthem on Canada Day or whatever, but if my congregation was in Canada, they probably would. God IS the God of all the nations. I just don’t think you can rule out patriotic songs on those grounds.

But again, even though I disagree with reasons 3 and 4, I still have issue with performing them in a WORSHIP service.
Chris from Canada Says:
July 1st, 2008 at 6:54 pm
The whole flag/cross thing with American churches seems so silly to Canadians. We had zero Canadian patriotic content on Sunday (our national holiday is today, fyi) and nobody would even think of complaining. I’m not sure where the switch in mentality happens but this is definitely something that is unique to American culture.

Great thoughts, Jordan.
Matthew Daniel Says:
July 1st, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I’ve usually taken 4th of July to do song that intercedes for our nation, rather than glorify our nation. Great example is Charlie Hall’s “Let Your Glory Fly.”

“Oh God could this be, the land of the free, the land of the free.”
Chris from Canada Says:
July 1st, 2008 at 7:43 pm
You might be interested in this - http://www.markbeeson.com/mark_beeson/2008/06/4th-of-july-at.html
Ben Roberts Says:
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:22 am
My college thesis highlighted the absurdity of wrapping a cross with the American flag. I think trying to intermingle the two together leads to very bad and unfounded foreign policy, political reasoning, and mobilization of the wrong sort.
Jeff T. Says:
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:59 am
AMEN! I’ve always felt that this kind of stuff is what Paul was referring to when he told Timothy not to get caught up in “civilian affairs”. While we’re at it, I think I’ll step on a few more toes - America was not founded as a “Christian nation”, it was founded as a nation with religious freedom. The Church of England was running the British government and the Pilgrims wanted to live a country where church and state were separate and the church didn’t have power/authority over their daily lives. The founding fathers were all high-ranking free masons and the “God” they refer to is much more ambiguous than the God we serve. Most churches and Christians hold to a grossly revisionist history. Before other commenters slam me - check your history (the real kind, not the kind you find in Christian bookstores).
Michiel Says:
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:01 am
I’d go with Chris from Canada. I’m from the Netherlands and yes, we go nuts when our national soccer team wins and yes, we go nuts at our so called Queensday (in honor of the royal family) but we never, ever even think about singing patriotic songs in our worshipservices. Our national anthem included.
Jordan Fowler Says:
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:15 am
Ah leave it the Canadians and the Netherlands (man I was pulling for you guys hard in EuroCup…go Orange….I am soccer nut….hahaha.) Good to hear from a different perspectives.

CLARIFICATION
I too am for songs that intercede for the US or even borderline okay with songs that reflect God’s grace on us (”God shed his grace on Thee”) as long as we don’t get the “We are God’s new chosen people” syndrome. The Church, not America, is called a city on a Hill (sorry Reagan), a holy nation. The church has subsumed Israel’s role as Abraham’s seed, not America (Okay, now all you dispensationalists will start bashing…..go ahead, I used to be one of you years ago before I saw the light.) For us to confuse America with the Church is very dangerous. And Ben, email me a copy of your paper my brotha!
the 7 | relevintage Says:
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:30 am
[...] 5. Couldn’t agree more. From Jordan @ Northwood Church: Why I Hate Patriotic Songs (in Worship) [...]
Mike Mahoney Says:
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:32 am
I guess I agree with Travis when I say I agree with 1 and 2, but not with 3 and 4. The connection that people have to this country is that they are IN this country. With the exception of a visitor, everyone else is certainly here for a reason, especially those who are foreign-born. And I would understand singing the Iraqi national anthem on Iraqi independence day - if I were in Iraq.

That said, I wouldn’t choose that kind of song for a worship service anyway. Mainly because I DO agree with points one and two.
jordan Says:
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Non-American citizens don’t see it as an offense, it just doesn’t do anything to bridge them into God’s presence. Cristian, our resident Chilean, said that most internationals in America are grateful for the economic benefits, but if those benefits could be had at home, they’d return to their “home.”

Put yourself in the context of going to a church service in France, or Iran, or wherever. There would be an expectancy that you would be meeting God with these fellow believers of another tongue. Imagine your disappointment if you had a service full of French Nationalistic songs (except if someone pumped out Bastille Day by Rush….that WOULD bring me to worship…ha!). The purpose of our gathering is to glorify God and not to drape the cross in any nations flag…that is sacrilege.
Dean Lusk Says:
July 3rd, 2008 at 2:38 am
Wow — every single comment is in agreement! I posted something like this last week and got no negative responses, but did have a number of people saying that it didn’t offend them to sing patriotic songs in a “worship service.”

I have the exact same issues (except maybe number three — our congregation isn’t *quite* that diverse). Also felt the same need to qualify my statements as you did at the beginning, because I was a little paranoid people woud lump me into some anti-American group and dismiss my opinions. Good to know I’m not alone!
mark Says:
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:00 am
That reminds me: You guys coming to my big Bastille Day bash this year? We’re gonna sing worship songs.
jordan Says:
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:55 am
“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” (Heb 11:13-16)
Limited Government Says:
July 3rd, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Since you believe in “separation of church and state,” and are doing your part to keep the church separated from the state, may I ask what you are doing to keep the state separated from the church?

Over the course of the last century there has been a usurpation by government (or an abdication by the church) of the church’s responsibilities. Are you seeking to reduce or eliminate government fulfilling the role of the church? Are you encouraging the church to take back and fulfill its responsibilities? At present, the government of the United States is competing with God for the hearts, minds, and souls of men. Many look to the government as their source of protection, provision, etc. Other than song selections, are you making efforts to remove country/government from competition with God?
A. Says:
July 4th, 2008 at 8:29 am
I’ve been thinking about this lately myself. I just couldn’t bring myself to have us sing some of the patriotic songs in the hymnal for a church service that is about worshiping & exalting God. I did do some so-called patriotic songs, but they focused on the history of the Church & what God has brought it through, the founding fathers of the faith, or God bringing through trials that include wars, etc. (Eternal Father Strong to Save, Faith of Our Fathers, etc.) to show our thankfulness for God that He brought us through, & also gratitude that we have the freedom to worship Him nearly unhindered in America compared to some other countries.

I agree too about doing songs that are intercessory for our country, such as “America” (also know as “Let Your Glory Fall”). I think interceding for America is an area of extreme prayer need, more & more as time goes by!
Scott Says:
July 4th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Thanks. As a worship leader, I’ve always hated doing patriotic songs on the platform, and this post gives voice to my reasons why. Thanks.
Different Opinion Says:
July 4th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I have a couple of problems with your approach here. I hope you don’t mind if I respectfully wage in on this discussion.

The first problem is, you have the assumption that music and singing = worship. Music and signing is not equal to worship. Worship is a lifestyle, bottom line. So, what you might better say is, “why I hate singing patriotic songs in church”. I think that is what you meant to say. I’ll tell you what I hate, is reading blogs and posts about people bashing “worship songs”. “I hate “Trading My Sorrows,” I hate “Come Now Is The Time To Worship,” I can’t stand “I love You Lord.” On and one it goes. Seriously, there are sites with comments like this! I’ll tell you what makes me cringe, is waking up on a Tuesday morning and finding my email box filled with complaints and opinions about my song selection on Sunday morning. “Too many hymns, not enough fast songs, too loud, too quiet …” it is enough to drive a worship leader over the brink!

So, let’s lighten up a bit. If someone wants to sing a patriotic song in church, there is nothing anti-God about that. Nobody is worshiping America. They are just thankful people. Furthermore, a song that is pro-America, sung in America, is not anti-Iraq. What is wrong with celebrating Iraqi freedom with an Iraqi song, in Iraq. Absolutely nothing.

And here is one final thought - your Sunday morning service is no more sanctified than your Monday morning song in the shower. Both might be connected to worship, and they might not. Chances are, your song in the shower has better odds of being truly connected to worship. Bottom line is, as worship leaders, let’s not force our opinions on other people, and make some kind of moralistic value out of them. Save your opinions for yourself. We’re not talking right or wrong here, we’re talking opinions. We’re certainly not talking about worship. We’re talking about having the freedom to sing a song in a public gathering. If you don’t want to sing Patriotic Songs on a Sunday morning, God bless you in that. You have the freedom not to, and your choice doesn’t make you any better than me. If I sing a song about America or Canada in church, it certainly is not wrong, or idolatrous. There are a lot of other things to be more concernned about that have the potential to wedge out the centrality of the cross.
jordan Says:
July 5th, 2008 at 6:16 am
Okay some follow up responses …..

TO DIFFERENT OPINION
No I don’t have that assumption that “music and singing = worship.” We always state at NorthWood we are more the church Monday-Friday than Sunday as corrective against the “Sunday Show” attititude that pervades America. You will also see that thought pervading the tone of this blogsite. However, both the OT and NT speak of worship primarily as a gathered function of the body. So while it is true that “everything we do is worship” there is still a functional/form expectation of worship (using liturgy of some type) in both Testaments. As to it not being Anti-God to sing patriotic songs, that can only be said to be true if the declarations of nationalism are not supplanting the declarations of the worthiness of God. (And with most patriotic texts, I would feel they very possible could).

As to things to be more concerned about that have the potential to wedge out the cross…hmmm. In America after 9/11 our nationalism rose for most. Some beyond a healthy degree to a point of disgust or even hatred for all things Arab and/or Muslim. This was an American travesty as many people’s patriotism turned to a revenge on all. Ethno-Nationalism is a dangerous thing (again, see Nazism, Three Self Patriotic Movement, and Israel in the OT for examples.) It is so subtle in its means to supplanting the cross for all ethnos as a tool for the individual or state. The cross has a cross-cultural reach that needs to be reflected in our worship.

TO LIMITED GOVERNMENT
I agree with much of what you say. I am fascinated by Lyndon B. Johnson, being a Texan and all. He never imagined Social Security to be a catch all entitlement. The government has assumed functions that the Church should be carrying, care of poor, etc. I have gone to means to insure that I never collect federal money for retirement purposes when I am able bodied and earning a living that is very sufficient for me to save in personal accounts. I also thoroughly understand the Libertarian’s case and was a lifelong fan of William Buckley. In the church’s abdication of its responsibility to the poor I understand the need for it in extreme cases, unfortunately. Fair enough?
lori Says:
July 5th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Ok so here’s my thought(s):

What other country’s birth is so closely tied to God given freedom? What other country adopted a motto of “In God We Trust” to announce to the atheist word that it is NOT atheist? What other country publicly acknowledges God for the freedoms we enjoy, and the lives we have?

Personally, I do not agree with a clear separation of church and state either on the part of the state or on the part of the church. I cannot separate my life in the world from my life in Christ; I need Him everywhere, and I live in this world now. Why shouldn’t I thank God for the freedom that I enjoy to worship Him at every occasion? Why shouldn’t I praise God in an American patriotic song that lifts Him up in light of the lives lost for my freedom?

Oh, and if the Iraqi national anthem were being sung at a Christian church in Iraq, I would have no issue with it. But if an Iraqi comes to live in this country, as a Christian or a Muslim, I would expect that there would be respect for the nation that HE has CHOSEN to become a part of.

Wow….didn’t realize it was touching a nerve in me that deep! But as a life long patriot, who’s ancestry is tied to the Revolutionary war (literally…there are to Revolutionary officers on my family tree) I cannot and will not leave God out of my national pride. It is by His grace that we have what we have and I by no means intend to EVER forget that.
lori Says:
July 5th, 2008 at 6:58 am
Opps…not “to Revolutionary officers…” but “two Revolutionary officers” Just a typo!
Roland Says:
July 5th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Where to start? Giving thanks through music is appropriate for the God assisted founding, strengthening and sustaining of our nation. We need to pass on to our children what it means to be an American Christian. In a true American Patriot there is no room for Ethno anything. We are made up of all those peoples that the world chose to discard to a foreign shore(with a small exception of those of us who are actually American Indian). Our common identity was founded in our Christian nation. We were not as some would say, founded as a pluralistic nation. True, we did come from the start to have different styles and traditions of worshiping the one true God. But we were founded to be a Christian nation. The greatness of America is our desire for other to have what we have and our willingness to put down despots and tyrants. Our founders recognized the fact that the highest desires of the human heart of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness were placed there by God and should be rightfully given thanks for. Too many of the countries of the world have first and foremost taken God out of everything they are, from the outset. Ours founders held the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob up as the basis upon all which all truth rested and Christ as God’s representative to all mankind. Ladies and Gentlemen, America has been blessed and Christ is the reason. The rest of the world has, by in large, made fun of our quaint little Christian’s here in the USA, but none even come close to the manifold blessing we enjoy. In closing, there is but one flag that people in true trouble want to see landing on their shores, coming over the hill or flying in to there airports and that is Ole Glory!
jordan Says:
July 5th, 2008 at 10:27 am
“Ladies and Gentlemen, America has been blessed and Christ is the reason.”

Exactly why we should glorify Christ and not nation in a worship service…. intereceding for America yes….but not
My country,’ tis of thee,
sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing;
land where my fathers died,
land of the pilgrims’ pride,
from every mountainside let freedom ring!
(sure if you sing the fifth verse… you begin to get God allusions, but I doubt many are singing that far in…if you are, great for you.)
OR
She’s a grand old flag,
She’s a high flying flag,
And forever in peace may she wave.

She’s the emblem of,
The land I love,
The home of the free and the brave.

Every heart beats true,
For the red, white, and blue,
With never a boast or a brag.

Should old aquaintence be forgot
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

“I do not agree with a clear separation of church and state….”

Wow! Might I suggest that the I don’t live in two separate arenas argument totally misses the point. Again, I ask for a case in which Christianity was benefited by such a joining. It is always the state who gets the better benefit and Christianity which suffers because of it. If you have contrary examples, I’d love to hear them.
jordan Says:
July 5th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Okay Os Guiness is much smarter than I. Read this …I promise it won’t disappoint.
The Case for Civility: And Why Our Future Depends on It.
http://www.amazon.com/Case-Civility-Why-Future-Depends/dp/0061353434/
mark Says:
July 5th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
I have a difficult time seeing where most patriotic songs are praising God. I can’t think of any God-ward ones at all.

I mean, I really really like Quizno’s. But that doesn’t mean I’m gonna lead the church in a rendition of that freaky “Quizno’s subs!!!” song. Let alone am I then, upon being challenged for making such a programming decision, going to act as though I am vicariously praising God by merely singing of the great taste of Quizno’s, EVEN THOUGH he was the one who made Quizno’s possible. Such a logical maneuver would open up the possibility of singing ANY song extolling ANY perfection in ANY of God’s creations as “worship”. Why not, then, sing “Jessie’s Girl” cause I really love the ladies. Which I do. I don’t know if anyone said otherwise, but don’t believe them.

Secondly, there is no Christless Christianity. The distance between Theism simpliciter (let alone Deism… the majority opinion among our founding fathers) and Christianity is a very far cry, indeed. I cannot go along with arguments which are based on a strong equation between the two beliefs. Several such arguments have been advanced in the comments in this thread. Neither can I rightly call “Touched by an Angel” a properly CHRISTIAN program…. and that goes double for Mr Osteen’s show.
lori Says:
July 5th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Jordan do you take issue with the pledge of allegiance?
Limited Government Says:
July 6th, 2008 at 9:13 am
I appreciate the explanation, but I disagree that federal aid is justified even in extreme cases. I agree with the following from James Madison:
” The government of the United States is a definite government, confined to specified objects. It is not like state governments, whose powers are more general. Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.”

What I do think is necessary is a return to true discipleship. I believe that Christians should be living transformed lives. Christians, not the government of the United States of America, should be feeding the hungry and helping take care of the poor.

Galatians chapter 5 verse 1 states:
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

Paul is referring to the law in this verse, but I believe it applies to other areas as well. People allow themselves to become slaves to all kinds of things. Where we, as Christians and as the church, are able, we should seek to remove people from slavery. Unfortunately, the federal government is one area where the church has failed in the United States.

One hundred years ago, the federal budget was 2.5% of GDP. Now it is 20%. Considering the tremendous increase in GDP in the last century, that is staggering. Are we, as a nation, more or less free as a result of the federal government spending $3,000,000,000,000? There are those who think that it is not enough, and that the government should be spending more.

Along with returning to discipleship, Christians, exercising their rights, need to return the nation to being a nation of freedom.

With regards to the music, whatever music honors and glorifies God and inspires the church to discipleship is fine with me. If there is a patriotic song that Glorifies God and inspires the church in the cause of freedom, that would be fine as well.
Gary Says:
July 7th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Jordan,

I like the post! Thanks!

This past Sunday we sang no patriotic songs. We did, however, worship God as our Mighty Fortress and as our unique, sole source of strength & security. In the mist of this time, our pastor called our people to the altar to intercede for the leaders of our nation, state & community. It was good to worship God, and to give him alone all glory, honor, and praise.

Different Opinion:
A worship service is no mere “public gathering” — it a time consecrated to the worship of God. The “freedom to sing a song” is irrelevant to having consecrated a time of giving glory to God and God alone. In fact, we come close to (if not eneter into) idolatry when give glory, honor and praise to a flag, a nation or anything other than God himself on an occasion consecrated to worship him alone. Patriotic songs in Christian worship service is paramount to a “Caesar Appreciation Day” in this first century church. Don’t misunderstand, I am grateful to be a citizen of the USA and would prefer that to being a non-citizen resident of the Roman Empire. But the two issues are similar in this: They are both “not Christ”, and have no place in a worship service consecrated to Christ.

Roland:
I would content that we should disciple children to worship Christ alone, as simple “followers of Christ” in contrast to being an “American Christian”. The inference is that being American is part of the discipleship process: If so, this is syncretism. Syncretism is obvious when it’s expressed as animism mixed with the Christian faith. When the Christian faith is delicately covered in a thin, translucent veil of nationalism, it is syncretism all the same. Both obscure Christ and deny him glory. On a personal note, my three children each have dual citizenship with the USA and Mexico. In hour home, we disciple them to just be followers of Christ — not American Christians, not Mexican Christians — just simple followers of Christ.
Returning Favors « Be Thou My Vision Says:
July 7th, 2008 at 11:18 am
[...] Why Jordan Hates Patriotic Songs in Worship > worship trench :: Hooray! I’m not the only one who feels this way! I’ve never understood why we sing them when we’re supposed to be worshiping God, unless they relate to God’s role in it. [...]
Simple Mann Says:
July 8th, 2008 at 10:08 am
I wrote an entry on my blog site a little while back entitled “Pledge Allegiance?” I won’t paste the whole thing here, but if you are interested in reading it in its entirety, please go and check it out. You might be the second person on the Internet to do so! Here’s a snip from the tail end of it:

God does not care where you live or where you have your citizenship. If He did, He would not have chosen Nazareth over Jerusalem when He came incarnate. The Lord is sovereign, and will put you wherever He wills, but your identity in Christ is not to be found in the world or the kingdoms of men, but in the Kingdom of God.

Now, I believe that pride is the first shade of selfishness, and selfishness is the root of all sin. In the verse “The love of money is the root of all evil”, it is selfishness that is at the root. All of the Ten Commandments were given to combat the innate selfishness that resides within us as a result of the Fall. The first four pertain to selfishness in our relationship with God; the last six pertain to different aspect of selfishness in our relationships with others. “Selfishness”, simply put, is elevating and esteeming our own self-nature above God, which was the path of descent for Lucifer mentioned by the prophet Isaiah. It seems to me that we, here in America, live in a culture that values and encourages this type of pride and selfishness above all else. A quick read through Galatians 5:19-21, where Paul discusses the deeds of the flesh, should serve as a painful reckoning as to the “state of the nation” and the real values held by our culture. Indeed, the things Paul underscores as the “deeds of the flesh” are actually marketed (in a more subversive manner) in all of the media and literature most of us are exposed to daily:

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)

“Proud to be an American”

How many evangelical Christians have sung along with this popular song… and sung along proudly. But Paul rightly said, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

Most of us who have sung that song so loudly and proudly have probably never stopped to wonder, “Why are we proud to be an American?” Am I better than someone who was born in Cuba, Nigeria, Portugal, or Peru? Should I feel a great sense of pride that I was born and live in one of the wealthiest and most self-glorifying and self-oriented nations in the world? Should I be proud that I am one of small percentage of the world’s population that can enjoy all of the “modern conveniences” the rest of the world’s population has to do without? Or that I can work “hard” in an air-conditioned building for eight to ten hours a day, drive my comfortable air-conditioned car home everyday, eat whatever I want with my wife and kids in our comfortable air-conditioned home, and never have to look at or concern myself with the sick or the poor? Should I be proud that I even have the time and resources to work on a website in my “spare time”, as if my vain thoughts are so important I should place them here where anyone can read them? Oh, foolish pride… dare I pledge my allegiance to thee? Or like Paul, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

Peace & Blessings,
Simple Mann
Pastorpotluck Says:
July 1st, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I do play them in worship but the whole song. Have you ever sang the 4th verse of our national anthem? It praises God. How about My Country Tis a Thee? It also praises God. I think it’s sad that most people don’t realize that our patriotic songs are actually hymns. How about the Battle Hymn of the Republic? Yep Jesus is in that one. Our national motto is ‘In God We Trust.” The separation of Church and state was a myth until after WWII. Did you know that we have actual treaties that start off in the name of the Trinity? Do you know that most of our official government papers were signed in the year of our Lord? So sing all the verse and praise God for leaders and the founding fathers who wouldn’t force worship but who did worship and praise God in all aspects of their lives even in the halls of Congress.

Why I Hate Patriotic Songs (In Worship)

posted July 1, 2008 by jordan

38 Responses to “Why I Hate Patriotic Songs (In Worship)”

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