As if we were all in the evangelical equivalent of the film Groundhog Day, America awakens in the Garden of Eden every morning. There’s always a talking snake offering us poisonous fruit. And our current snake — President Donald Trump…
When ‘patriotism’ turns to assault
I love America, and I greatly appreciate the dedication and sacrifice many of my family members and friends have rendered our country by serving in the military. I am a patriotic American who proudly flies the American flag and stands…
Patriotism or nationalism?
God’s Word seems abundantly clear. Any nation that is above critique is beyond God’s help. So, take a breath, fellow citizens. Not everyone who disagrees with you is unpatriotic. And beware, lest you become guilty of thoughtless allegiance to immoral and unjust policies.
How Christian nationalism shows up in patriotic worship services
“What a Sunday!” Houston First Baptist Church’s social media team celebrates on Facebook. “From worship to fellowship, Pocket Constitutions to patriotic tunes, we’re grateful for a church family that gathers with thankful hearts and points people to Jesus. Happy birthday,…
What sports patriotism teaches us
Through recent World Cup fervor, American patriotism has reigned — even more so it seems than on the Fourth of July. A New York Times article says it well: “At a moment when national pride is at a quarter-century low,…
What patriotism is not
The president has spread abroad a kind of patriotism that is foreign to this great nation. His actions have mimicked King George III of England, for whom patriotism was obedience. In the Declaration of Independence, we (mainly white males) claimed…
Proud to be [a Real] American — Lee Greenwood’s ‘God Bless the USA’ and the Politics of the ‘Apolitical’
When you’re raised in an authoritarian Christian community you can never quite comfortably fit into, you learn early on about the ambiguity of language. Words like “love,” for example, mean very different things to a person who respects others’ bodily autonomy and…
Authentic patriotism
Recently, my wife and I were glued to the TV, watching the return of the three U.S. citizens who had been falsely imprisoned in Russia. The hour was late, but we couldn’t pull ourselves away. It was a truly rare…
This Fourth of July, let us reclaim patriotism
Not since the Civil War has the United States faced such ill winds as we experience this Independence Day. The very idea of American democracy is under assault from internal forces convinced they are the lone defenders of democracy. The…
Broken-hearted patriotism
I have a weekly prayer cycle I try to practice in my morning devotional time. On Mondays, I pray for myself, my discipleship, health, calling and responsibilities. On Tuesdays, I pray for each family member. On Wednesdays, I pray for…
Critics of Brittney Griner are bad patriots making bad arguments
The New Testament story of Barabbas is the best metaphor I have found for what is unfolding in America after the release of Brittney Griner from a Russian prison. The conservative branch of our fractured country has erupted like coyotes…
A better definition of patriotism
This week, a reader of Baptist News Global wrote to columnist Greg Garrett to refute his excellent column on Brittney Griner. I wrote a similar column back in August. Our points were similar: Why is a Baptist university like Baylor…