How do you feel about patriotic church services?

Question

This was an interesting question we discussed in divinity school earlier this year. As Christians, don't we go to church to worship God? If that is the case, what role should patriotic songs and symbols play in a worship service? Do American flags belong in churches, or are they the equivalent of idols? Take some time to think about it before you answer. We had a wide variety of opinions, and I am curious to see what you all think.

BTW, I go to the Divnity School at Wake Forest University. Our mascot is the Demon Deacon. If I went to the divinity school at Duke University just down the road, the mascot is the Blue Devil.

Answer 1

I like this question. Simply because I really don't know. On one hand, flags & patriotic songs could be viewed as symbols of worship. On the other hand, it
can be an individual church's freedom to engage in &
support the only country on Earth that can accomodate their choice of religion. Once again, GOOD question. Thank you.

Answer 2

First, I confess confusion that you attend divinity school and call yourself Demon Deacon. Can't say it makes me think too highly of you as a future minister of God's Word.

As for patriotic music and flags in church/worship services ... God has richly blessed the United States of America. I believe that there are many patriotic songs that thank God for the freedoms we enjoy in this country, for its beauty, for the soldiers who have fought for those freedoms, that show how aware we are that our country is what it is because of God. I do not worship the flag. I worship God. The flag, however, represents the freedoms we have in America. It is a symbol of the freedom we hold dear, not an idol.

If I were to speak of idol worship I would have to look at the statues and pictures of saints that are so prevalent in the Catholic church. I've often wondered about God's commandment of having no false gods before Him. A subject for another day . . .

Answer 3

I am all for them. God helped get our country started. The forefathers prayed to God all the time. I LOVE the idea tha God is with us, IF we keep it a God-fearing country.

PRAYER AND PATRIOTISM-----hand in hand!!!

You don't have to have a patriotic service every time church meets, just on observance of the veterans of our country holidays and such.



A Star Spangled Banner is in our church, along with the Christian flag, on either sides of the pulpit.

Answer 4

Interesting question? Was there a consenous at the end of the discussion or was the class divided. My intuition says it stayed divided. This is just the sort of thing that Satan wants to do is keep people divided into seperate groups that "war" against one another.

The proper answer to this questions is what does the Bible teach about church and state.

At James 4:4 "Adulteresses, do YOU not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God." That is pretty strong language. Would not having flags and singing patriotic songs in a church be having "friendship with the world"?

At 1 John 2:15 "Do not be loving either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" This would seem to say that singing hymms of patriotism (glorifying / worship of) would be a "loving either the world or the things in the world"

At John 15:19 "If YOU were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because YOU are no part of the world, but I have chosen YOU out of the world, on this account the world hates YOU." Speaking to his followers Jesus showed that he chose them out of the world. Good argument for staying seperate from the world if you are going to truely going to Worship God.

At John 17:5 “I request you, not to take them out of the world, but to watch over them because of the wicked one. 16 They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world." In prayer to God, Jesus makes it very clear that his followers would not be "part of the world" just as he is "no part of the world"

Jesus warned the early Christians that many would attack them. At Matthew 24:4 ---- “Look out that nobody misleads YOU; 5 for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many." and at Matthew 24:9-12 “Then people will deliver YOU up to tribulation and will kill YOU, and YOU will be objects of hatred by all the nations on account of my name. 10 Then, also, many will be stumbled and will betray one another and will hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and mislead many; 12 and because of the increasing of lawlessness the love of the greater number will cool off."

His warnings were very clear as to the signs of the end times. True Christians should make it a point to not become involved with world affairs or take sides with different groups. The warnings he gave were so that his followers could see apostates trying to interfere with the Christian Congreation. As we know Satan made his inroads into Christianity as we have hundreds if not thousands of different "christian" churches that have become "friends with the world" and are "at war" with one another and even within their own churchs.

Today this same warning applies to those who wish to worship God correctly. If you would like to learn more about worshiping God correctly in accordance with Bible teaching I would suggest the website below that I have used as a source for my information above. As a divinity student your education would be enhanced and you would get a better understanding of what is in store for those "friends of the world" and the wonderful fulfillment of "the good news of the kingdom" and of Gods promises for mankind.

Answer 5

I don't think there is a problem with thanking God for blessing your country specifically. Or honoring veterans. Give honor to whom it is due, the Bible says. This is OK, as long as it is done in perspective and moderation. :) Church isn't the only place we worship God! :)

Answer 6

I wouldn't step foot into a church that had patriotic services. Church is about God, not country.

Answer 7

Render unto Ceasar what is Ceasars ... and unto God that which is Gods. Patriotism belongs to the worlds governments not to God when you speak of flags and the such.

Answer 8

Flags, that should be to the discretion of the congregation. (It is a free country) I would be more concerned about preaching a political message in a sermon. That should be a big no-no.
Really good question though.