David Whiting Live

American Flags and Church - part 3

One final thought about American Flags and Churches.  (You can read the previous posts HERE [part 1] and HERE [part 2].)The biggest reason that I don't want an American flag on the church platform is because of the law.

According to Section 175k of the U.S. Flag Code, "When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience."

There are two problems that Section 175k creates for follower of God when it comes to a church meeting. 

• First, if a stage has an American flag and a Christian flag - the Christian flag - BY LAW - must be in the subservient position.  The American flag must be in the "position of superior prominence."  I am NOT an American first and Christiana second.  I am a follower of Christ - first and foremost.  Having an American flag on the platform is a pet peeve.  Having an American AND a Christian flag on the same platform will require me to violate my conscience (by having the Christian flag subservient to the American flag) or break the law (by not giving the American flag the position of prominence).
• Second, the flag - even if the only flag on a platform - is required by law to hold a position of greatest honor on a platform. God has exalted above all things His Name and His Word (Psalm 138:2). I don't think we should exalt any THING except His Word during a church worship service. At a sporting event, graduation, public ceremony, and any secular program or event - I love that the American flag is honored and given the place of superior prominence, but not a service specifically dedicated to worship God, teach His Word, and introduce people to Him.

OK - that should explain why I don't like American flags on church platforms.  But maybe it's just me.

By the way, I discovered a few years ago that the only time a Christian flag can be displayed "above" an American flag is on a Navy ship during a chapel service.  Other than that time - the Christian flag MUST fly below the American flag.  I would rather the Christian flag NOT fly than have it submit to any country or government.

American Flags and Church - part 2

This is a continuation of yesterday's post on American Flags and Church.  You can read part 1 HERE.

There are several reasons that I am personally opposed to having American Flags on church platforms.  Here (at random) are some thoughts:

• The primary reason I'm opposed to American flags on a church platform is because of the singularity of purpose of a church service.  We have gathered to worship God - not to worship or admire a country.  I think everything we do needs to be purposeful and intentional.  And as good as patriotism is - I'm not sure that needs to be a standing value we have when our priority is the worship of God. I am fine and great with displaying our patriotism and national pride at school events, sporting events, and concerts.  But in a place where the sole purpose is to worship God? I think an American flag given a place of prominence is out of place.
• American flags were first displayed in church by Catholics. About 150 years ago, Catholics were accused of being more loyal to the pope than to our country.  So they began displaying American flags to prove they could be loyal to both the pope and also to our country.  Two world wars and churches who sponsored Boy Scout troops increased the popularity of displaying the flag from platforms.
• I would think that Baptists would have been among the latest of adopters of flag display--as it was Baptists who fought and died for the proper practice of Separation of Church and State.
• I remember visiting with a pastor from Germany, and I asked him what he notices about American church services that seems different to him.  He instantly responded with this statement: "It seems to me that Americans confuse patriotism and worship." I totally agree - especially in some old-fashioned, Bible-thumping, King James only churches. They seem to be over the top with Patriotism. 
• Those churches often sing, "God Bless America" - and I can't get this question out of my mind, "With where our country is morally - CAN God bless America?"
• Another reason I don't like flags on a church platform is that the flag represents a "banner" of our loyalty and our authority.  The true banner that we follow is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• And when the word "freedom" is mentioned in church - I don't think American freedom should be the primary thought that comes to mind.  When people at North hear the word "freedom" - I want them to think about being free from sin's power, free from sin's penalty, free from an eternity in hell. Those are the primary thoughts of freedom I think we should have.  I think American flags can distract us from the greatest of freedoms (spiritual freedom) - to political freedoms.

Just some random thoughts. One last thought - I'll save for tomorrow... this is getting a bit longer than planned.

American Flags and Church - part 1

If you've ever noticed, at North - we have the American flag on the platform only three times a year: the day before Memorial Day, the Sunday closest to July 4th, and the Sunday closest to Veteran's Day.  When I first came to North, the American and Christian flags were on the platform all the time. 

Probably one of the regular "complaints" I receive is why we don't always have the American and Christian flag on the platform. 

Before I give some reasons - let me say this clearly: I am a proud American.  I love my country.  If I had been called upon to serve in a war, I would have done so willingly and with pride.  I am one of those people who take off my hat and stand respectfully whenever and wherever I hear the National Anthem at sporting and other events. I don't even like to talk at my house while someone sings it on TV before a sporting event. I've given my children "the lecture" my father gave me at a Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball game when I was a child: "Thousands have died for our freedom, this is but one way we will show respect and love for those who died...."  I've given the same lecture to my daughters.  I also get very annoyed when people abuse the national anthem when singing it.  I'm sure they are great singers and popular in their particular genre of music, but PLEASE - just sing the national anthem in the traditional way.  Showcase our country - not your voice.  OK - enough on the pet peeves.

I do love my country. There is no where else I'd rather live.  I am so thankful for Veterans who have served, and young men and women who have died - for the country I love.  For all our faults, I would not want to live anywhere else.

But - I don't see a place for patriotism during a service devoted to worshiping God.

More on this tomorrow...

My first disappointment with my president

With most of the rest of the nation - this last week I celebrated the 43rd time that a peaceful transition of power has taken place in our country from the 43rd president to the 44th. Is there another country in history that has had 43 peaceful transitions in 230 years of its existence? Although the rhetoric is rarely "full of peace" during election-time, it results in a peaceful transition of power from one president to the next. It amazes me. What an incredible country!!

I am also thrilled that an African-American is now our president. I admit - I didn't know if I'd see it in my lifetime. I imagined that there were too many racists in too many states to ever see this happen.

There are many things about President Obama that I am happy about. Yet - my joyful bubble has been popped. On Friday, President Obama ended the Bush administration's ban on giving federal money to international groups that perform abortions.  Every Republican president going back to Reagan instated and reinstated the policy, and every Democrat president has reversed it.  Earlier in the week, all his signings were mid-day with high media coverage and large fanfare. This policy was signed with no media present, on Friday afternoon - to keep it as low-profile as possible.

The policy change came 36 years and one day after the initial Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion. So while we mourn the millions who have died in 36 years, our government is supplying funding to make abortion more accessible around the world. May God grant us mercy.

My Thoughts On the Election

With much help from John Piper and JD Greear - here are some thoughts on the election...

• I am thrilled that an African-American will be our next president. That was unimaginable not that long ago. And sadly, I'm sure many Americans voted against Obama not because of his politics but because of his race. Considering the scars of our country's history of slavery and racism - it is amazing that an African-American is our next president. For that - I rejoice. I wonder if Martin Luther King, Jr. could have imagined this happening this quickly.
• President-elect Obama is God's servant! (Romans 13:4) The way some Christians have already talked about him is embarrassing to me. We owe him prayer, respect, and honor. He has been given his position by God (Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13-17).
• We don't live for politics. We don't base our confidence in the future on those who do or don't get elected. This isn't our home. This world is passing away (1 John 2:15). This system is disappearing so let's not get so worked up about anyone being elected that we act as if the world is going to collapse. No political party gets my allegiance and not even America gets my primary allegiance. My allegiance is to Jesus Christ and His Gospel, and my home is heaven, and there is no threat of any elected official ruining that home or its economy. My hope is not in any politician. I am not here to promote any political party. I'm here to promote Christ and him crucified. And most times I think that the Gospel probably will be heard better during the worst of times not the best. Let's remember that we are primarily citizens of heaven, not of the United States, and there is no election in heaven. Our hopes, loyalties, and dreams lie there - not here. If electing McCain/Palin is what would give some hope in our country - then I am glad they didn't win. It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that gives hope. 
• I have recently been reminded that believers in China pray for our persecution. They believe it is the best thing for the church. I think they are right. I'm not sure that one president would result in more persecution than another, but if it happens - it is what we need.
• We need a big, healthy dose of belief in God's sovereign control of the world. It is sad to me how bothered some Christians are by the election of Barak Obama. As John Piper has said, "If someone's election hurts the United States - then we need to be hurt!" I would say the same if McCain were elected. God sets up kings and deposes them (Daniel 2:21). This is just as true in this election. Any despair simply shows a lack of trust in God and an absence of belief in His sovereignty.
  
• My biggest concern of this new administration is the issue of abortion, which, as John Piper says, "the true horrors of which are recognized by very few of us." It is an unimaginable slaughter of the weak.  It seems that President-elect Obama has been the most pro-choice member of the current Congress. I will be praying that God will change his mind on this issue.
• My favorite quote from John Piper on the election is this: "Christians sometimes talk as if God will judge us as a country if we elect a President who supports gay marriage and abortion. Those things are the judgment of God. Abortion is the judgment. The spread of a radical, homosexual agenda is the judgment." I do believe that our country is and will continue living out the natural consequences of such agendas.

There is an incredible video by John Piper on this election (filmed before election day).
Check it out HERE (http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=YGjGbZNyIBY).

This Election - I'm Not Excited...

Some musings about Tuesday...

Although I'm interested in politics... politics can greatly frustrate me.

Every four years I've heard someone say, "This is the most important election in our lifetime." It is said every four years, and it is just foolishness. It makes me laugh every time I hear it. This is NOT the most important election in our lifetime.

Eight years ago, George Bush was the most unashamed Christian running for president in my lifetime. I was thrilled for that. I was told it was the most important election in decades. But what bothered me is that many Christians talked more excitedly about the coming administration than the returning Messiah. Four years later - for reasons of national security - I was again told that it was the most important election in my lifetime. And the last eight years haven't done much to make me believe strongly in the Republican party. I think for the entire first four years of the Bush administration, there was a Republican majority in Congress, but I don't know many great things that came from that - which I was told would be the greatest thing for our country. Of course I recognize that 9/11 changed everything. It became THE priority of our nation for a year or two. Without 9/11 - what would our country look like? Who knows... but I also would guess that without 9/11, Bush probably would not have been re-elected at all.

Again this year - I am told that this is the most important election in decades, but there isn't a unifying reason why people say this is true... it is just what people say this time of year when they have a pony in the race.

I am always interested about what becomes "THE" issue each four years. I seems that four years ago the issue was integrity. Because of President Clinton's actions - the cry was to get someone with integrity in the office. Four years ago - the issue was national security. This year - it is the economy. One year ago, everyone was sure that the issue would be the war in Iraq. That seems to have faded as people's personal finances are effected.

There are two issues that I'm concerned about each election... One is a "minor" and the other a "major." First, the "minor"... our national debt. In 1935 - our national debt was $22 billion. In 1965 it was $40 billion. In 1985, it was $2.5 trillion. In 1995, it was $7.5 trillion. This year it passed $10 trillion and no one seemed to notice. And the debt increases over $3 billion dollars EVERY DAY! This is a crisis that no one seems that concerned about. Maybe I'm missing something. But the words of Proverbs ring in my ears, "The borrower is servant to the lender." I don't even know who we are borrowing from - except future generations... I call this a minor issue - not because I don't think it is important, but because I don't see either party making it a real priority, and I have no idea how to fix it without a complete shift in American thinking.

But the major issue for me is abortion. I wish there was a major candidate with a strong pro-life record that could get me excited. Obama is clearly pro-choice, but McCain's pro-life stance seems to be more recent (perhaps politically motivated?). Yet, when it comes down to it - my conscience can't vote for a pro-abortion president. I have said many times that the first Democrat presidential candidate that is pro-life will win in a landslide. I would LOVE that to happen in my lifetime. It would tell me that the Americans have really shifted on the issue of sanctity of life.

Here is a video worth watching. Once again - if you receive this by email - you need to go to the website to watch it. Click on the title above or click HERE.

.