Church and State.

Abstract

One of the sections in our hymnbook is entitled “God and Country” and there are many good and conservative churches that sing patriotic songs in their worship services around July 4 th . Of course, this year the fourth of July fell directly on a Sunday. If ever it was appropriate to sing Christian patriotic songs on Sunday, last Sunday would have been the day. So why didn‟t we? This could certainly have the appearance of being very unpatriotic. And shouldn‟t Christians be patriotic – especially in America? Most importantly, by not celebrating July 4 th with hymns of God and country, we could give the appearance that we are not grateful to God for our national heritage. As a nation that was founded on the principles of a Judeo-Christian ethic, shouldn‟t the church be the very first to celebrate the fourth of July? I do not at all believe that these are idle or useless questions.