Featured Patriotic Worship

ok, sing the 4th verse. the first 3 verses are not worship to God. They are praise to a country. Do you really believe God is pleased for us to sing songs to praise for a country instead of him during our worship services?

my point still remains. We are to worship God and him alone. When we gather for worship it is to be worship to God.

 

An article I found on patriotic songs in a worship service.

http://theologicallyspeaking.com/2009/07/01/do-patriotic-songs-belong-in-church-worship-services/

 

The worship service is just that; to worship and glorify God.

 

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

I have never been to a "patriotic service that did this. Ever

 

What has happened with this subject is there are those who are against this no matter how it is done. But in order to justify their opposition then they take the worst of examples and broad brush the whole issue with them.

Then the tactic is to narrow the perimeters as narrow as possible in order to make justification of this as impossible as possible.

The truth is that in the average Patriotic service the purpose is to glorify God as the one who has provided these blessing by these means. God is not ignored but the church is obeying the scripture that tells us 1Co_10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

In our services we thank God for things like provision, healing, grace, salvation, restoration. But all of the sudden it is off limits to thank God for our country, the type of government we have, the freedom we have and for those who have made the sacrifice to protect it. Sorry but this does not pass the smell test. It is inconsistent at best and hypocritical most likely.

 

Okay, as Salty has said, let's cut to the chase.

If your pastor held a really patriotic service, let's say it was in conjunction with the Fourth of July, would you then call for his resignation due to the fact that, in your mind, he is setting up idol worship?

 

No, I wouldn't.

 

Well good. One issue we face when discussing this subject is our own limited experiences. My issue rises is when our worship songs are replaced with secular songs about our country. We gather for worship of God. Having a patriotic theme(or freedom theme) isn't a major issue for me as long as worship is still going to God. Most patriotic songs either don't mention God or bairly mention him. My country Tis of thee would be an example. The song is a praise song for our country. Nothing wrong with loving our country and being patriotic, just need to keep worship directed to God.

I think this was well stated.

 

You probably just haven't realized it was happening. Such shifts can be very subtle.

 

"Nation" is used that way, but the USA is not a nation in the same way Israel is. We are not all people with a common ethnic background.

 

I am trying to figure out how we are not a nation in the same way.

 

LadyEagle's admonishment earlier in this thread is what I expect to hear for the 'sermon' at our Patriotic Sunday service:

Yep, that's pretty much what I'll hear.

 

No patriotic services allowed. Jesus is strong enough without me wrapping him up in an American flag to salute everyone.

Being thankful doesn't mean we have to be sacrilegious

 

And my earlier point has just been made yet again.

 

Then don't do it. People seem to have trouble seeing the difference between preference and mandate.

 

Thank you very much. That is one of my better posts. :thumbs:

All I can say, is if you don't like it, don't go. I would venture to say there are plenty of liberal churches that don't have any patriotic worship services. Probably Jeremiah Wright's church would be a patriotic-free zone!! You might as well refrain from Sun evening and Weds evening services and Sunday School and choir, too. There's nothing in the NT about that. Oh, and please find me a verse about building a building and having building projects or steeples or a bunch of other things. Finally, please tell me if this OP subject matters. Even if it's all tradition, it's showing glory to God for His blessing on us and for those people who are willing to lay down their lives and have laid down their lives for us as Jesus states are friends, would you be willing to lay down your life for me, ITL? Well, would you?

 

I haven't used any examples. I will simply quote the words of the prophet Elijah:

1 Kings 18:21. And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

I am not accusing those who want a patriotic "so-called" worship service followers of Baal. We simply have to recognize that incorporating the secular in with that which should be holy is destructive to the Church.

The union of church and state was first accomplished when the Bishop of Rome ascended to the throne of Caesar to paraphrase historian Phillip Schaff. We all know the horrors that caused.

 

How pious of you. :laugh: