Patriotism
The definition of the word patriotism is: love of country; devotion to the welfare of one's compatriots; the virtues and actions of a patriot; the passion which inspires one to serve one's country.
The Watchtower Society of Jehovah’s Witnesses teaches heavily that the practice of patriotism should not be followed among their adherents. This is because they cite the example of the early church, which did not meddle in political affairs. Their view is that they should be loyal only to God’s Kingdom.
Of course, mainstream media and many teachings from Western schools of thought would have one believe that patriotism is an egregious offense as well, though obviously not for the same reasons as the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Here in the U.S., there are so many university professors who push their students to disdain civics and view the grass is greener in other countries.
Isaiah 40:15 states, “Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust.” Nations rise and nations fall. It is God’s truth that remains. So, is it wrong to be patriotic? Should a Christian never express appreciation for his country and community? Both Paul and Peter called for believers to willingly submit to the government under which they live. This is similar to Jesus’ teaching: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” There are extremes where some view that there must be blind loyalty to any decision the government makes, but this was not what the apostles taught.
The Psalmist once declared, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!” (Psalm 33:12). When it comes to American patriotism, I do not in any way see it as a problem for a Christian to rejoice in the foundational ideals of freedom and faith within this country. America’s second president, John Adams, famously wrote, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other." We are seeing this play out before our eyes.
I desire that America thrives as it upholds the light of the Gospel. This doesn’t mean that I am some foolish spectator cheering on my party in the political arena. Theodore Roosevelt said, “Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country.” My hope for this country is to once again be a beacon of freedom—a freedom that comes only when its principles are founded on the Word of God. Does this make me a patriot? So be it.
