Is Patriotism Biblical?
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Patriotism is Defined as: "Devoted love, support, and defense of one's country; national loyalty."
Of course, Christians know that "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ::Philippians 3:20
We can all agree that, "we are in the world, but not of the world."
This is true, but as long as we are in this world, we have responsibilities. God gave man dominion over the earth.
To Adam and Eve God said:
"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."Genesis 1:28
And to Noah and his sons God said:
"And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered."Genesis 9:1-2
God even set rules in place for governing authorities:
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake." Romans 13:1
Of course, we know that there are limitations, such as the example where Daniel refused to bow to the Idol that King Darius had set up. In fact, the men who testified to the King used Daniels faith in God against him.
"Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God."Daniel 6:5
The U.S. Constitution not only mentions God, but it mentions Jesus when the reference was made, "In the year of our Lord," 1787. Link to the U.S. Constitution
God is also mentioned in the Declaration of Independence.
Link to Declaration of Indipendence
Some believe that the Declaration of Independence is so filled with Biblical influence that to read it in out loud in public schools would be seen today as being too "controversial."
God has always set standards for people, cities, and nations.
"For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted."Isaiah 60:12
Throughout the scriptures, when the people got further away from God, their nation went into times of great despair, because God doesn't dwell in a place of corruption.
In the past 50 years, many changes have taken place in our nation. Those who are over thirty most likely notice the drastic changes because many have happened in our own lifetimes.
During the American Colonial period, 1492-1763, most children were homeschooled or educated through their local churches.
Reference Link
In American Colonial homes, the Bible was the main educational textbook, and with it, children learned how to read.
Refernce Link
Today in America, most adults haven't read the bible, prayers in schools have been removed, and the ten commandments have been removed from schools and are being completely removed from courthouses.
A few years ago, I read a news article about a city council meeting in the State in which I live, who agreed to open meetings with a prayer to Satan.
Link to Article about City Council Statanic Prayer
In the above situation, Christians did stand up, but were forcibly removed from the meeting, as they recited "The Lord's Prayer."
This also has happened in other states since that time. Just last year, the Phoenix Arizona city council opened a meeting with a satanic prayer.
Seeing the direction the nation in which we live is going, Christians have a responsibility to speak out against such blatant anti-Christ acts. We live here on this earth now, and our children and grandchildren will inherit all that we leave behind.
In these cases, Patriotism for our nation and standing up for what is right is part of our natural heritage, Just as Israel is for the Jewish people.
Patriotism in the scriptures:
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds. The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength."Psalm 33:12
Now consider how even the United States Military is working to remove the Bible from our Service men. Just last year, a U.S. Marine was discharged after refusing to remove a Bible verse from her work cubicle.
In another case a full investigation was ordered last year, to find out what an Air Force Officer had a Bible on his desk!
Article Linkwww.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/aug/18/air-force-orders-investigation-bible-officers-desk/)
These are just a few examples of what is happening within our own Military.
Now reading through the Psalm passage posted above, can anyone see what the future of all of this will lead to?
But: "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance."Psalms 33:12
I don't think anyone reading this could disagree that the United States of America has been greatly blessed, but that is beginning to change.
I'd say that, Yes, patriotism is Biblical and I'll close this with one more verse about God's blessing on the Land.
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."2 Chronicles 7:14
The more we are silent as greater levels corruption creeps in, the more difficult it will be for us to even honor God openly and share about Salvation in Christ Jesus alone.
A nation without the true and living God is a nation without hope.
September 28-2017
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One Race= HUMAN
One Land= EARTH
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."2 Chronicles 7:14
Patriotism and Nationalism are the manifestations of a poor state of the human mind
Hi @melip, I don't know if you've watched the news lately, but for most people, "race," as in nationality, is a huge topic.
It's true that in heaven there will be people of all nations.
Your thoughts are lovely, and I mean that, but throughout history, wars have been fought for land and nations and regardless of our views, those things will continue until the very end.
The prayer in Chronicles 7:14, was actually aimed at Isreal alone. Not all nations. During that time, Israel was the nation chosen to shine a light out to the world. Because God is the same yesterday, today and forever, it applies to those who follow Him in Christ Jesus. And that definitely does not include all nations as a whole.
Thinking that by just saying that there is "one race," and "one land," is actually denying the reality that the world has never agreed with that, nor will it be until the return of Jesus.
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STOPIt seems to me that you are confusing patriotism for righteousness. Standing up for what is right isn't synonymous with patriotism, in fact the actions of nation states is often quite opposed to righteousness.
In the US, we have a federal government that engages in all kinds of immoral activity. It steals, it has unjust money, it fails to provide an adequate justice system, it fails to take care of the poor... Have you ever read the Old Testament? How many times is Israel chastised for failing to take care of the poor and not enforcing justice?
Also complicating the issue is the fact that there are many different ideas about what is right, wrong, and American. What if you were stoked about the way things were going under Democrat rule, but hate the way things are going now? Are you supposed to cheer lead policies you oppose?
This idea that the US is somehow a special Christian nation is laughable. Sure, some of the founding fathers were Christian, but most weren't, and they intentionally built a secular government. It was a wise thing to do. But to say the nation has always acted Christian is to completely gloss over the brutal violence that has been a hallmark of establishing and maintaining this country. Every problem the US has is solved with violence, or threat of violence.
How could a Jesus follower get behind an organization like that? If you want to be patriotic, then you can patriotically support your true country, The Kingdom of God.
By the way, your quotation from Psalms isn't a blanket statement saying that any nation who is mostly Christian will be blessed. The passage is specifically referring to the ancient Israelites. The LORD chose Israel as his heritage, and the "nations" are the people God did not chose. See Deut 32:8-9.