My Country ’Tis of Thee…
As we recognize this nation’s 250th anniversary, I see colorful fireworks popping in my mind! I’m grateful to be an American. Like many of you, my relatives served in the US Armed Forces through multiple wars. But, I also grew up hearing stories of a not-too-distant relative, an immigrant to the midwest. To show he was a good American citizen, he waved his US War Bonds as a display of patriotism to his new country…while an angry mob attempted to lynch him for being a foreigner. Generations later, my family and our local Alliance church, welcomed and embraced new immigrants from Vietnam. Who, in turn, became new citizens. This is America!
The inaugural international trip for this “country boy” was to the FDR - or West Germany - for a few months. I lived with a German family near Bremerhaven. No contact with Americans. No internet. Dog paddling my way through culture shock, while floundering through my own emotional and spiritual immaturity. Among other things…that’s when my long journey of seeing the world from a different perspective began, and I embarked on a new spiritual quest.
Fast forward a few decades…my friend Daniel and I were on a long road trip. You know the ones…they start out lite and innocuous, then develop into deeper thinking, heart searching dialogue.”Iron sharpens iron” kind of conversations. As the miles droned on that night, I felt like I was sitting at the feet of a “desert father.” Profound insights were discussed. It was “out-my-league” and scope of experience. Honestly, it was profoundly humbling for me inwardly as I listened.
Daniel was born and raised in a middle-eastern country, deeply immersed in a different culture long into his adulthood. His formative and early adult years were vastly different than mine. His religious and militant upbringing was in stark contrast with my own. There was one huge exception. That night, in the car, we were genuine brothers in Christ.
That road trip in 2006 went on into the dark night. But the conversation about faith and life was immensely enlightening. It was then that I asked Daniel this question: From your perspective, what do you see as the biggest challenge for the American Church?
The next day, back at my house while sitting on the living room couch, we continued the conversation around his response to that weighty question. I wanted Daniel’s input. A person who was raised as a devout and radical follower of Islam. A man who was now a Christian — from one of the first countries to have Christian churches in the first century. I wanted to see from his perspective!
In the living room, we unwrapped his response to the question: From your perspective, what do you see as the biggest challenge for the American Church? He said this: American Christians confuse nationalism with Christianity, placing us in a scenario where being [culturally] Christian and being American becomes confusingly intertwined, and complicated…
Our world, our American culture, the state of the Church in the US…have changed dramatically in the last 20 years. What Daniel foresaw and described then is literally in our faces today. The understanding of nationalism in 2006 might have been even less than our current views of nationalism today (2026). In our country today, the levels of Christian nationalism and the degree to which it influences local ministries varies. As does its intensity on diverse social media platforms and in public politics. Even influencing personal conversations at the local church level. Yet, many Christians in our congregations love Jesus first, in spite of the enemy’s attempts to derail our commitment to “love God and our neighbor as ourself.”
The journeys of immigrants vary. Some come as families, while others come alone. Some arrive as refugees fleeing war and/or persecution. Others come to fulfill the “American dream.” For all, the adoption of culture, language and political systems take generations. The immigrants’ culture of origin and religious worldview, along with its societal rules and mores, influences the degree, and rate, of Americanizing. It is also worth noting that there are significant differences between “Americanization,” acculturation and assimilation (not synonymous processes). Therefore, it is important for us to acknowledge that this is a complicated trajectory for so many families and individuals, to whom - in Christ - we humbly respond with love and grace. Together, we are on a journey as classmates, friends and neighbors as we become “One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” — Americans.
Nationalism, even religious nationalism, stretches beyond the U.S. and presents a huge challenge to the communication of the Gospel. “The world of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and tribalism is dominated by religious or cultural nationalism” (Lausanne Movement Occasional Paper). There are constructive ways to respond to nationalism — our own and of those to whom we minister — outlined in Scripture. It is possible for Christians to take the Good News to people of other nations and cultures responsibly — in our neighborhoods and in distant lands. But, it is also possible for us to do it wrongly. Paul D. Miller’s description of “What it means to be an American Christian*” is an excellent resource, where he reminds us (the Church) that we are the embodiment of God’s Word to the people around us.
This is a complicated subject to wrestle with personally in our own lives and hearts. It is a divisive topic to discuss meaningfully, inside the church board room, and outside in the community…even among friends. Yet, it remains our desire (and calling - Eph 4:1-6) to contextualize our faith and witness meaningfully, while staying genuine as true disciples of Christ Jesus, walking in the Spirit.
This historic moment, America’s 250th (July 4, 2026) in our country’s history calls for intentional personal and corporate reflection.
Today, where does faith and nationalism intersect for us as a true Christ followers? …as the Church?
As we ponder…I encourage you to check-out the resources listed below. Individually and collectively, being sensitive to repent of any spirit of superiority or ethnocentricity is a prerequisite. Conscientiously “identifying potential sources of nationalist tensions within our own ministry and ministry teams” (Jackson). And as we wrestle with nationalism…we pray! As we live our faith, as we teach others (disciple) and engage with the Great Commission here and there…may we truly be a faithful presence in our world as authentic followers of Jesus Christ — The Lord of lords and Coming King!
Valuable resources to ponder: the asterisk (*) indicates a web link
Darrell Jackson:
Nationalism and Evangelical Mission* A global analysis paper for the Lausanne Movement written in April 2014. “Of course, the curse of nationalism for the faithful follower of Jesus Christ is seen in the extent to which Christianity is mobilised as a unifying source of national identity over and against others.”
Skye Jetani:
In an excellent sermon entitled “With Malice Toward None*” where expounds on President Lincoln’s address, he explains the difference between patriotism and nationalism. Nov 17, 2025
Navigating Christian Nationalism and Polarization, Voxology podcast*
Paul D. Miller:
What’s Wrong With Christian Nationalism?* This is a The Trinity Forum video interview with the author of IVP book, The Religion of American Greatness. A valid discussion from August 2024.
Britannica:
David Kinnaman:
Our friends (Phil Visher & company) talk with David Kinnaman about “Making Christian Disciples or Christian Nationalists?”* …Barna Briefs (interview) starts at 49:44…but this topic starts at 61:14.
Pew Research:
Christianity’s place in politics, and ‘Christian nationalism’*, March 15, 2024
For a deeper Missiological dive:
The Impact on Global Mission of Religious Nationalism and 9/11 Realities* An “Occasional Paper” by the Lausanne Movement, bringing a more global definition and application. (Especially subpoints: #3 Religious Nationalism; #7, entitled Critical Issues in Christian Nationalism; #9 Implications For Christian Mission)
Dave Manske
Missions Mobilizer