Allegiance

I’ve noted before that Christians in America often approach or enter a dangerous fusion of faith and patriotism.  Interestingly the pledge of allegiance was written by a Christian minister in 1892.  However, the words “under God” weren’t added until 1954.  Concurring with the rise of communism in the world, politicians in the 50′s used this reference to God to promote patriotic pride and national loyalty.  Many want to claim that America is a “Christian nation,” but it’s hard to harmonize Christian belief and behavior with American greed, conspicuous consumption, ethical relativism, and licentious sexuality.

As Christians we should ask, “To whom do we pledge our allegiance?”  Allegiance is related to worship and devotion.  The Christian scriptures are clear that God’s people include those from all nations.  Take Rev. 7:9-10 for example: “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and lanugages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!“

Nations of the world want absolute allegiance from their subjects.  St. John observed the Roman government’s saturation in idolatry, as it called for deification and worship of its emperors.  This is why he is clear that worship belongs to God and the Lamb alone.  To quote Anabaptist author J. Nelson Kraybill, “John of Patmos, with his global view of the people of God, would be wary of any rite suggesting that God is particularly favoring one nation.”  He and June Alliman Yoder offer an alternative pledge of allegiance that followers of Christ should make our primary (if not sole) profession of devotion:

“I pledge allegiance to Jesus Christ, and to God’s kingdom for which he died, one Spirit-led people the world over, indivisible, with love and justice for all.”

Christian’s aren’t first nationalistic; we are international, global, universal.  The church spans the globe, catches up all nations, and brings them into Christ where we become one (Eph. 2:14-16, 4:1-6; Gal. 3:28).  Can we be grateful for our nation without becoming idolatrous?  Can we be loyal to the laws of our land without sacrificing Christ’s law of love?  Can we have patriotic pride, but hold it in check through passion for the world’s redemption?  Is is possible to pledge uncompromising allegiance to one nation and preserve absolute loyalty to the kingdom of God that overcomes all kingdoms of the world, to which no human entity can ever match up? (See Rev. 11:15).

We’re in an election year and things have already gotten ugly with hateful rants, deceitful ads, and a lot of finger pointing and blame shifting.  There are ways we can be involved for good in the political process, but always knowing that our hope is not in the things of this world, the laws of this land, or the rulers of this nation – whomever they may be, to whichever party they may belong.  It’s good that we remember to whom we pledge our ultimate allegiance, to what kingdom our citizenship supremely lies, and to which true and certain hope our destiny rests.