Christ-Centered Patriotism? (Celebrating the 4th)

On the occasion of the 4^th of July, I find myself reflecting on Christ-centered patriotism.

I'm reminded of my friend Pastor Jin Kim's concept of being “penitently Presbyterian,” and the idea of applying this to being American, i.e., being “penitently American.” The idea is, to embrace my identity as an American, but in a humble, penitent way. Rather than being “proud to be an American,” might I be “humble to be an American”? Humble both in light of the fact that I did nothing to “earn” my American citizenship (thanks, mom, that you gave birth to me in the U.S.), and in light of the fact that we have our faults, our share of bad history, etc.?

I am glad to be American, don't get me wrong. I wouldn't trade my citizenship. I think the U.S. is an amazing country, still a land of freedom and opportunity. Everywhere I have lived, I have met people who would give all that they have for American citizenship and the opportunity to try to make something of themselves in the U.S. I may be wrong, but my guess is that if you threw the world wide open and allowed people to move and live anywhere they wanted, more people would choose to live in the U.S. than any other country (is that just my American bias showing?).

Through our 28+ years living mainly outside of the U.S., my attitude toward the U.S. has changed. I have become more self-aware of how others view the U.S. (in particular, how they view American foreign policy). I have come to see the world, and American actions and policies, through the eyes of others, and this has tempered my views and my patriotism (has helped me become, I hope, more humble / penitent in my American identity).

We were in Tunisia during the Gulf War; we were in Egypt on 9/11 and during the beginning of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. We heard the critique and the criticisms, often were a sounding board for the frustrations of our local friends. During the (first) Gulf War, in particular, I often found myself in arguments, as my perspectives on what was happening clashed with those of my Tunisian friends. I found myself justifying and defending American actions, but then walking away feeling that the discussion had been fruitless and aggravating.

I found myself reflecting on the fact that I was not in Tunisia (or elsewhere) to represent and defend the U.S. and its interests (note: I have never worked for the U.S. Government). On the other hand, the New Testament teaches clearly that all Christians are “Ambassadors of Christ,” called to represent him and his “ministry of reconciliation” to all people we meet, anywhere and everywhere. We are called to be “good news,” to be lifting up Jesus. I had more than one conversation about American policy and practice, at the end of which I walked away wondering whether the person I had been talking with was closer to or farther from Jesus, than before we talked. And I realized that, for me at least, arguing a political (or other) point, from the American perspective, was not near as important as sharing the blessings of life in Jesus.

While I am glad to be American, I have become somewhat less attached (in a good way, I think) to my American identity. I am more ready to listen to criticism of America and American policy (though remember that peoples' points of view are just that, points of view, and not necessarily “true” in an objective sense).

As I have written elsewhere, I have also drifted, somewhat, toward becoming culturally “marginal,” not totally fitting in anywhere. Is this a good thing or not? It doesn't always feel good. But then, the New Testament also teaches that we who experience life through Jesus are (like Abraham and so many others of God's people) “pilgrims and strangers” on the earth, with our “citizenship in heaven” and looking forward to “a city that is to come.”

So to my fellow American Christians I say, enjoy celebrating the 4^th of July. Thank God for the privileges and blessings we enjoy in the U.S. But let's not idolize our country, our people, our nationality. Let's not look down on others or consider ourselves better (more good New Testament advice). And let's remember that we are “pilgrims and strangers” on this earth, here to represent and lift up Jesus (not our President or our nation's actions or politics) and to pass on the blessings of life in God to all others. “Blessed to be a blessing” (another Biblical theme) – may this be true of us as Americans as well as in our identity as Christians.