Comments on: “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/05/27/god-bless-the-usa-by-lee-greenwood/ By Russell D. Moore. Russell D. Moore serves as the teaching pastor at Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky. In addition, Dr. Moore is the Dean of the School of Theology and Senior Vice President for Academic Administration at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find sermons and other resources to help Christians engage the culture from a biblical worldview at www.russellmoore.com. Thu, 23 May 2013 12:22:55 +0000 By: Pat Noble http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/05/27/god-bless-the-usa-by-lee-greenwood/#comment-141915 Pat Noble Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:20:19 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6664#comment-141915 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/ 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/

]]> By: Rob http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/05/27/god-bless-the-usa-by-lee-greenwood/#comment-131835 Rob Sun, 29 May 2011 03:46:36 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6664#comment-131835 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? 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?

]]> By: God & Country (Updated) – Justin Taylor http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/05/27/god-bless-the-usa-by-lee-greenwood/#comment-131514 God & Country (Updated) – Justin Taylor Sat, 28 May 2011 16:39:04 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6664#comment-131514 [...] Update: Russell Moore discusses this in his latest podcast for the Cross & the Jukebox, looking at “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood. [...] [...] Update: Russell Moore discusses this in his latest podcast for the Cross & the Jukebox, looking at “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood. [...]

]]> By: Ross Clark http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/05/27/god-bless-the-usa-by-lee-greenwood/#comment-131285 Ross Clark Sat, 28 May 2011 08:56:06 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6664#comment-131285 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. 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.

]]> By: Susan Maas http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/05/27/god-bless-the-usa-by-lee-greenwood/#comment-131018 Susan Maas Fri, 27 May 2011 22:18:09 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6664#comment-131018 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. 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.

]]> By: yankeegospelgirl http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/05/27/god-bless-the-usa-by-lee-greenwood/#comment-131008 yankeegospelgirl Fri, 27 May 2011 21:58:09 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6664#comment-131008 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. 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.

]]> By: Angie http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/05/27/god-bless-the-usa-by-lee-greenwood/#comment-130935 Angie Fri, 27 May 2011 19:24:05 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6664#comment-130935 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'! 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’!

]]> By: Cafe Hopping (5/27) | Counterpoint Cafe http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/05/27/god-bless-the-usa-by-lee-greenwood/#comment-130909 Cafe Hopping (5/27) | Counterpoint Cafe Fri, 27 May 2011 18:24:28 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6664#comment-130909 [...] Bless the USA: Russell Moore discusses the famous song that will probably be given a fair share of airtime over Memorial Day Weekend. The questions [...] [...] Bless the USA: Russell Moore discusses the famous song that will probably be given a fair share of airtime over Memorial Day Weekend. The questions [...]

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