Onward Christian Solider

This Memorial Day weekend the whole issue of mixing Christianity and American nationalism came to mind again. This is a time we remember the men and women who gave and continue to give their lives to buy the freedom we have in this country. We should be very thankful to live in a land where we can read God's word and preach it freely without fear of imprisonment or death.

However it bugged me a little bit to see church services getting mixed with honoring those serving in the military. I didn't know why at the time, but I knew it had something to do with tacking something on to Christianity that doesn't belong there and mixing up Christian ideals with American ideals.

I think I've come to a fair understanding of what both sides of my mixed feelings were. So here they are for what its worth.

First, I agree that those who give their lives up for others deserved to be honored. I wouldn't hesitate to thank a policeman or firefighter for the jobs they do. I assume automatically those men and women willingly risk their lives and give of themselves to keep the rest of us safe. You know what? I bet that assumption doesn't apply to everyone. Its the same with the military. So, to all those in the military who signed up to keep us safe and fight against evil powers in the world, as an act of love, thank you.

What I think I have a bigger problem with is not those following orders, but rather those giving the orders. Our military is involved in far more than controlling our borders and patrolling our coasts to keep us safe. Since we are not a Christian nation (see my rant below) I find it difficult to believe that all the places we occupy and all the battles we fight are for the right reasons.

Second, if America ever was a "Christian nation" it certainly isn't one now. Look at life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness from today's American perspective and from a Biblical perspective:

1) According to the American ideal, we have a right to life simply by being born and are free to do with that life what we choose. However according to the Bible life is given and sustained by God, and that our lives our not our own. We were bought at a great price through Jesus' atoning sacrifice, and our lives belong to God. We are called to give up our lives willingly for God and for others rather than live for ourselves.

2) According to the American ideal, liberty today means that we are ultimately free to do whatever we want. The Bible is not a measuring stick of right and wrong, the only thing that is valued today is choice, and truth is seen as relative. The Bible says something a bit different about our freedom through Christ. Paul wrote to the Galatians "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve another." One version of freedom has God in the picture and one does not. As Christians we can enjoy both, but that does not mean they are equal.

3) According to the American ideal, the pursuit of happiness today means that people have a right to pursue individual pleasure without being judged by our fellow citizens. God is nowhere in the picture. According to the Bible we are not to seek mere happiness, but rather joy. Happiness is fleeting and is tied to circumstances. Joy is deep, lasting, and comes from God.

So, to end my tirade and sum up:

1) To those serving in the military for the right reasons: thank you. To those serving in the military who are my Christian brothers and sisters, let's pray for those who are serving, or controlling, the military for the wrong reasons for a change of heart.

2) America is still the best place in the world for a Christian to live, but don't slap a Christian sticker on it -- if this nation ever was a Christian nation, it isn't any more.

Grace and Peace