| Cultural conflicts, political polarization, and societal schisms have overwhelmed us these last few years. Many evangelicals have felt misunderstood and maligned in the midst of the chaos. In some cases, this has led Christians to consider their missteps and take responsibility for the times when they’ve been wrong. In others, it’s led to a concerning merge of faith and love of country.
In a recent article, Jamie Aten and Kent Annan describe a newly licensed publication of the Scriptures being marketed as the “ultimate American Bible.” Why the moniker? Because the volume doesn’t just contain the 66 books of the Bible. It also includes the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the handwritten chorus to “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood. In fact, that’s what it’s called: the God Bless the USA Bible.
Aten and Annan are empathetic to the concerns of those who have designed this project. They recognize that the creators value American history and want their fellow citizens to read the founding documents. But the fact remains: the cons of the God Bless the USA Bible heavily outweigh the pros.
The God Bless the USA Bible does not encourage Christians to value their loyalty to the kingdom of God more deeply than their loyalty to the country of America. Rather, it suggests that the two can be mixed together and never be at odds, something that Scripture not only doesn’t support but denies.
As we teach our children the stories of our God and our country, let’s consider our allegiances. Love of country isn't problematic, but that love should never compete with, or become tied to, our love of the One True King. May we trust that God is ever delighted to help us love him and his ways above all else. |
