Patriotism, Nationalism, and the Christian Life
By Rev. J. Bennett Guess, Ed., Rev. Arthur Clyde, Rev. Loey Powell, and Rev. John H. Thomas.
Justice and Witness Ministries, United Church of Christ in cooperation with Local Church Ministries
Free download from www.ucctakeaction.org

These are all questions prompted by this ten-page booklet produced by Justice and Witness Ministries, a covenanted ministry of the United Church of Christ, in its compilation of several brief pieces relating patriotism and the Christian faith from ecumenical perspectives. The booklet opens with definitions of patriotism, patriot, nationalism, democracy, and Christian. A differentiation between patriotism as the critical love of country and nationalism as the uncritical, unwavering love of one’s nation is quickly identified.

The Rev. Loey Powell, minister and team leader of Justice and Witness Ministries’ Human Rights, Justice for Women, and Transformation Ministry Team, provides a reflection on the question how “we love our country and our God at the same time.” She concludes that above all else, “our first moral obligation is to God and the well-being of God’s people.”

Rev. J. Bennett Guess, former Minister for Communication and Mission Education (currently editor of United Church News) gives several suggestions as “Things to Do in a Time of War” such as praying for governmental, military, and ecclesiastical leaders, holding worship services and candlelight vigils for peace, and reflecting on what is counter-cultural about being a person of faith. Several statements against the pre-emptive strike on Iraq from denominations are provided, including the American Baptist Churches (USA), American Friends Service Committee (Quakers), Church of the Brethren, Episcopal Church (USA), United Methodist Church, and United Church of Christ.

An article from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America asks “Are Flags Appropriate in Church?” In most worship spaces in the United States the national flag often stands among the symbols of the Christian tradition, reflecting two contradicting worldviews. The article concludes that the most honorable space for the flag is not in the sanctuary, as that placement “honors neither the integrity of the flag nor the sovereignty of the Lordship of Christ.”

Finally, the booklet offers an entire order of worship for a time of war, as well as additional prayers and hymn selections. Particularly moving is the prayer offered by Rev. John H. Thomas, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ. He asks the very difficult question, “Could we lift the cup of wine, and remember that our comfort and security comes through the vulnerability of the cross rather than the destructive power of violence?” It is a question our country must wrestle with. Rev. Thomas challenges all Americans to think deeply of how the use of a country’s resources reflects the spirit of its people.

This compilation is very well done. It prompts many questions of how one integrates spirituality and politics. Campus ministries could easily use it in Bible studies or faith-focused discussions. The resource could be adapted easily and used with other Justice and Witness materials, especially with the Our Faith, Our Vote program. One to three discussions could flow from this material, depending on how in depth the discussion.