In the wake of the assassination of conservative Christian influencer Charlie Kirk, Dan Darling acknowledged Christians are living in “troubled times” — and some are torn on whether they as followers of Christ should embrace or reject patriotism.
While the country is fragmented on a variety of issues, Darling noted, American Christians should be proud of and celebrate the freedoms in their country — while recognizing every country has its issues.
Darling, director of the Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, said it’s this conflict that inspired him to write his new book, “In Defense of Christian Patriotism.”
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“There has been a narrative that conservative Christians who are engaged in the political process and love their country, that somehow it’s not just wrong, but it’s dangerous — and (patriotic people) are dangerous people,” Darling told The Baptist Paper in a phone interview.
He noted some Christians wonder, “Is it OK to have this deep love for America? Can I do that while still having love for God?”
“One of the things I talk about (in the book) is, if you love God as your highest love for worship, it actually allows you to love your country,” he said.
Right order
Christians actually can be “the best patriots,” Darling contended, because they should know how to “rightly order those things.”
Regarding churches celebrating America’s history, its troops and displaying the flag at the front of the auditorium, Darling acknowledged an “ongoing debate” about this issue — and that he once struggled with whether or not these types of services were appropriate.
“Ten years ago, if you would have asked me, I would have said the church absolutely should not have an American flag in the auditorium. They should take it out if they can, because it’s either the flag or the cross. You can’t have both,” he said.
He said he now believes the key is to make “Christ the center.”
“As America’s 250th (anniversary) comes up, I think it is appropriate at times for churches to celebrate the country, to celebrate your freedoms. I think patriotism is a form of gratitude,” he said.
When Darling now sees the cross and the American flag in the church where he’s a member, he said he thinks, “Man, I live in America. But ultimately, my ultimate home is heaven. It actually reminds me to keep them in order.”
The problem, he added, is when the focus shifts away from Christ.
“I’ve been to some patriotic services where I heard more about Jefferson than Jesus, and I think that can be a problem,” Darling said.
Missions
Patriotism should help drive a Christian to be more committed to helping impact their country for Christ — and reaching the nations, Darling said.
“If you want to change the country, you need to start by loving the country,” he said.
He added, patriotism also doesn’t mean Christians check their love for reaching the nations at the door. As Christians, Darling noted, “the nations should be on our mind.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Shawn Hendricks, content editor for The Baptist Paper and The Alabama Baptist Media Group.
