From God & Government by Chuck Colson
The citizens of the Kingdom of God should be patriots in the highest sense, loving the world by loving those in the nation in which they live because that government was ordained by God to preserve order and promote justice. Perhaps this is why John Adams wrote that a patriot must be “a religious man.” Christians understand that the phrase “a nation under God” not as a license for blind nationalism or racial superiority but as a humbling acknowledgment that all people live under the judgment of God.
Christian patriots spend more time washing feet than waving flags. Ideally, flags should not even be thought of as symbols of military and economic might, but of the common good of the specific people a sovereign God has called them to serve, (pg. 285).
4 comments
Good idea, just doesnt work in reality.
What if the person is a citizen of Iran or North Korea? What about Pakistan and Afghanistan? I think what Chuck really means is we should be good law abiding citizens in the countries we live in, regardless of the national ideas of that country. I mean, if this were the case, Christianity would be useless in a Nazi Germany type state…we’d just accept the abuses and go our merry way…supporting that state.
Also did God ordain Ahmadinajead (or however it is spelled)? How about Pol Pot? If so, what kind of God is this we are serving?
You would need to read his comment in the context. He isn’t talking about ignoring abuses, and talks in depth about Nazi Germany in particular. The state church followed and placated Hitler. The Confessing Church did not.
This is also about serving and loving people within your country as well.
Not to mention, Romans 13:1 – it’s talking about Government in general. Obviously there are good governments and there are bad governments.
“Christian patriots spend more time washing feet than waving flags.”
What a great and amazing thought!!
I agree.
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