I saw these two bumper stickers on a truck today:
“Power of Pride” (with flowing American Flag) and a “NOTW” sticker (stands for ‘Not of This World’, a reference to John 18:36)
It caused me to ponder things on the way home. How does patriotism relate with Jesus’ proclamation of a kingdom that’s not of this world? How do Christians develop pride in a place when they are constantly reminded in scripture that we are simply pilgrims passing through a place? I have a hard time imagining first century Christians with a “Roma Victor” banner next to their ichthus-fish cave graffiti.
Or maybe I’m just overthinking this. What do you think?
-Russ
Russ, I have struggled with this question myself many, many times. The first I remember is the struggle with the decsion to enlist our senior summer, while many of our friends just a year older were phoning home from Kuwait. I’m still not quite certain I have the answer, other than a righteous burden for my country from the Great Commission, (…to the Jew first…=your brother/home?) and the example of Christ living firsthand in the midst of every man’s struggle against evil. There is something compelling about patriotism that I’m not so sure is just a carnal emotion. I beleive it is a fulfilling level of biblical brotherly love and unity of spirit that emboldens people to do what is right when they would probably not have the strength to do so on their own.
By: Jason Berry on November 2, 2009
at 7:39 pm