“God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood
— Friday, May 27th, 2011 —
You probably fit in one of two camps when it comes to this song. Either you tear up with patriotic emotion or you roll your eyes at the kitschy jingoism of it all. This is the kind of song that doesn’t stay gone for long. It percolates in the “God and Country” shows for senior adults in Branson, Missouri, and then bursts back onto the radio charts at times of war or national crisis.
But should we sing it in church? What about the “God and Country” services so many of our congregations hold on national holidays? And, beyond that, how should Christians, citizens of the kingdom of God, think about patriotism? If we’re aliens and strangers here should we identify emotionally with songs, any songs, about our temporary place of sojourn?
On this week’s episode of “The Cross and the Jukebox,” we’ll listen to Mr. Greenwood and then we’ll look at the broader question of the kingdom of Christ and patriotic fervor.
I’m WAY under 60 and yet that song still makes me tear up.
Thanks for the good thoughts and perspective.
I chuckled at the ‘angels aren’t American’s’!
Very balanced and well thought-out. I agree completely. I didn’t know that people sometimes sang “God Bless the USA” in church. That seems tacky to me. And if you come from kind of a high church background like me, that idea is even more mind-boggling. Our family worships at a very quiet, small Anglican church where there is a strong feeling of “sacred space.” We don’t even have a band. (However, because of our theology we like to call ourselves “High Church Baptists.” ;-))
At the same time, I have encountered people who don’t even like the idea of a Christian music group’s singing something patriotic at a concert. That’s just absurd. Totally different context there to my mind. A church service is not a concert and vice versa. But these people will literally ask me, “How can it be possible for a Christian to love America?” I really liked your analogy comparing America to a father or mother who deserves honor. I think it’s very possible to be proud of the good things America stands for, to love her beauty and her people, and to be grateful for the sacrifices made to preserve our freedom, all without creating an idol out of this country. My tear glands kick in along with every other American’s when I stand for a patriotic song. That doesn’t mean that I have lost my focus on the kingdom of God.
Thank you for a good, balanced view of this touchy subject. We belong to a church that gets big into patriotism, and my husband and I went to a different church last week to avoid sitting through a long patriotic multimedia display that would have featured songs such as “God Bless the USA,” as well as pictures of weapons flashing on the screen. While we love our country and are fine with honoring veterans on Memorial Day, this just did not feel appropriate to us in church. As you say, it is great for a Fourth of July picnic, but let’s stick to praising God in church.
Speaking as a non-American; coming from a small place which used to think of itself as “God’s own country” (it doesn’t now); somewhat confused at churches which have the national flag showing prominently in the sanctuary; watching another country (Northern Ireland) where the Gospel witness to Catholics has been compromised by the same people insisting that Northern Ireland belongs in the UK … be careful what you wish for. :-). And read Revelation 5:9 and 7:9 while you’re about it.
Seriously, British Christians lived for years under the delusion that God was an Englishman. He isn’t.
Good dissection of this song and the Christian approach to it. I doubt the Reformed Baptist church that I attend will be playing it tomorrow, but if I catch it on the radio I’ll definitely meditate on what you spoke on in this message.
For this song, though, I do definitely fall into that “eye-roller” category, Dr. Moore, and I’d like something stronger for the next broadcast. :)
Suggestion: I’d love to hear you tackle Johnny Cash’s cover of “Hurt”. How about it?
I appreciate this post. Here is one Christian college rethinking patriotic songs.
http://www.christianpost.com/news/a-mennonite-college-seeks-less-divisive-athem-alternative-51005/