Celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States last week, I have been reflecting on our country. I am deeply grateful to be an American, and I enjoy the freedoms this country affords me as a Christian. When my family lived in the United Kingdom, it gave me a new appreciation for America and the rights and privileges we often take for granted. But living overseas, I also learned the difference between patriotism and nationalism.
Across the United Kingdom, and in other European countries, people commemorate Remembrance Day every year on November 11th. Taking a line from John McCrae’s poem “In Flander’s Fields,” red poppies symbolize the blood of soldiers who died for their country; and red poppies appear everywhere from lapels to displays. Impressive stone monuments also mark villages, towns, and cities with sobering memorials for the “war to end all wars.”
As a Baptist pastor in Scotland, ministers from the Church of Scotland, invited me to participate in our local Remembrance Day ceremonies. At first this surprised me. I have English and Scottish ancestry, but I am not a British citizen. The USA supported the UK in WWI and WWII, and I am grateful for our “special relationship.” However, I wrestled with co-leading a memorial service for Remembrance Day in Britain as an America.
That’s when I learned a valuable distinction between patriotism and nationalism. With patriotism, we can feel pride and gratitude for our home country. Patriotism recognizes our “homeland” and promotes common good beyond a country’s borders. Nationalism, however, turns patriotism into division. Nationalism divides nation-states and distinguishes particular governments. In Europe, nationalism has caused numerous divisions and wars.
As a Christian, I gladly celebrated Remembrance Day with my British brothers and sisters. It made me more patriotic toward America and deeply grateful for the UK. Every autumn, I proudly wore a red poppy on my lapel, and I prayed alongside Church of Scotland pastors and other believers with sincere respect for British patriotism. I am thankful for the UK; and I am thankful for the USA. Patriotism allows me to honor both countries. Nationalism promotes differences.
So, as we reflect on the 250th anniversary of the United States, it is good to be patriotic and wave the American flag. Give thanks for the country where God brought you into this world. Thank God for our founders and their Christian values. Rejoice over the incredible freedoms we share and defend. Honor the soldiers who serve our country and those who have died defending it. But do not idolize the United States above other nations..
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb’” (Rev 7:9-10).
In Christ,
Pastor Nathan