Well, next Tuesday, we celebrate July 4th, Independence Day, as it's known for us in the United

States here, and the day itself raises questions about national loyalty for those of us who

are Christians, who are strangers and exiles, aliens, pilgrims in this earth, pilgrims

and patriots.

That was our topic back in years past, back in episode number 378, we talked about that.

But this year, we want to take a closer look at patriotism in the local church.

And the time seems right to pick up this important email from a pastor named Scott, who writes

and to ask this, Pastor John Ardler, any acceptable displays of patriotism in a church service?

I was brought up in a very conservative and patriotic background in which every patriotic

holiday was celebrated in a Sunday church service, including 4th of July, Veterans Day, Memorial

Day, the anniversary of 9-11, etc.

Just like pledging the flag and singing patriotic songs were heavily used, is this okay?

I pastor a church that has a history of this, but it makes me somewhat uncomfortable.

Pastor John, what would you say to Scott?

Scott, I've been in several churches recently, not just growing up, especially in the south,

I'm thinking, because that's just my experience.

Here on the 4th of July, the focus on the branches of the armed forces seemed to me uninformed,

unshaped by the radical nature of the gospel and out of proportion to the relationship

between America and the Kingdom of Christ.

And so I share your discomfort, indeed, it is more than discomfort, I think.

There are real biblical principles at stake.

And so it will be helpful, I think, to face those principles, and then we'll see if there's

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