Sunday Stretch: Fourth of July Weekend

What, to an American Christian, is the Fourth of July?

Hi Readers, and welcome to all new subscribers,

You might think that because I’ve spent the better part of at least five years now researching, studying, teaching, and preaching about Christian Nationalism - that I would be overly ready and champing at the bit to preach on Fourth of July Weekend.

There’s so much that needs to be said about a country where Christians have unfortunately as of late been better associated with hatred, violence, and intolerance than they have with love, acceptance, and charity. But to tell you the truth, while I have spoken and preached so often on this topic over the past few years, each year again on Fourth of July I find myself overwhelmed and a little intimidated by the responsibility of finding something concise, measured, prophetic, and helpful to say on this holiday weekend in the church. Not to mention the truth that many people might actually be skipping church this weekend, anyway … nonetheless …

All that being said - I want you to know how important I continue to think it is to bear witness against Christian Nationalism in our churches, maybe even especially on this patriotic holiday. And I want you to also know how hard that can be - especially coming from a family with a long tradition of American military service - and especially when such a big part of me remains committed to working for justice, peace, love, and hope right here in this very country whose independence (well, at least for some citizens) we celebrate today.

You might notice that the title of today’s post makes allusion to the stirring piece written by Frederick Douglass, titled What, to the Slave, is the Fourth of July? I encourage you to read the whole piece, spoken courageously by Douglass on July 5, 1852.

In his speech, Douglass called out the American church in particular, not only for its sins of commission in support of slavery in the South - but for its sins of omission, failing to actively support the abolitionist movement and refuse to rest until slavery was abolished in entire country, not only the North.

Douglass’ words inspire me anew each and every year as I think about how to approach the Fourth of July as a Christian, a pastor, and a preacher - in a time of growing Christian Nationalism and incitement to hatred and violence while claiming the support of Christianity.

I am preaching this morning back at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Brooklyn Park, Minn., and I’ll be focusing especially on these words from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians:

Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated.  ⁸ Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me,  ⁹ but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  ¹⁰ Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:7b-10

The call to Christian Nationalism is a clarion call to the same Theology of Glory that has long tempted people, even in the Bible, to a religion that lifts up human power, violence, war, and greed. This call says that only Christians can be strong and worthy of God’s love. But we worship Jesus, who came to save the world. We worship Jesus, who did God’s will by giving of himself, forgiving and serving even the one who would betray him, and then died on a Cross, crucified by the same union of religious and governmental power that the Christian Nationalists advocate for in America today.

On this Fourth of July, for American Christians then, we do well to remember important truths:

1. Jesus is not an American.

2. America is never in the Bible.

3. Americans are not God’s chosen people.

4. We can be proud of the times America has used its power for good, in support of freedom and against tyranny.

5. We must repent of America’s past sins, particularly in treatment of Black and Indigenous Americans, and in the dehumanization of anyone who was not a white, land-owning man, beginning in the Constitution.

6. God calls us not to national strength or hegemony but to faith, hope, and love - and a willingness to carry our own cross, to be weak so that God might be made strong.

I hope you all today have a blessed Fourth of July. As I mentioned, I have many military servicemembers in my extended family and my husband’s family - and I am thinking especially of them and their immediate families today. I am also thinking of you and your families, and the ways you have worked in service to this country, whether in national service or also as protesters and prophets, to call America to a better tomorrow.

If you’d like to read more about my first-hand research on American Christian Nationalism, especially in the past 10 years - I invite you to read this book excerpt published in Religion News Service, from the first chapter of Red State Christians focusing on Christian Nationalism:

I also support the work of Christians Against Christian Nationalism, and urge you to check out the work of

Kristin Du Mez

,

Robert P. Jones

,

Prof. Anthea Butler

,

Jemar Tisby, PhD

- as well as Andrew Whitehead’s new book, American Idolatry, which comes out next month - among so many others who are working hard in this field.

I cover new stories and new movements in Christian Nationalism every week in my News with Nuance newsletter.

PRAYER

Dear God,

This week marks Independence Day in America, and yet we know each day how much we remain dependent on your love and care for us, and the love we have for one another. Help us to remember in the midst of national pride that you are the God of all people and all nations, and that your Kingdom is not of this world. Help us to work in this country for freedom and justice for all, to not shy away from sharing hard truths or moments that call for repentance and reparation - and also help us to remember that our hope and our pride is found most powerfully in the love we share for you and for one another.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

AMEN

This was a special FREE edition of the Sunday Stretch. We will return next week to usually scheduled posts with Bible readings, exegetical study, and discussion questions. Click below to share or subscribe to this post, or you can forward to a friend through you email. Thank you for taking time to read and share this newsletter; you all give me so much encouragement and hope!

An Invitation

A Community that prays for one another is transformed by the power of the Spirit. We’ve been praying for and with each other now for about nine months! For the new year, and about once a quarter, I will re-start this space for prayer requests and praises. Please email with your own requests and I will share here with your permission!

1. We pray today for the United States, that Christians might known most for our love, acceptance, and kindness - rather than for violence, exclusion, and hatred. Help us to speak truth to power, to not shy away from confronting national sins of the past, especially white Christians’ treatment of Black Americans and Indigenous Americans, and using religion to cover up atrocities.

2. We continue to pray for a cessation of violence and war in Ukraine, and for refugees and migrants around the world who are without a safe place to call home. In the same vein, we lift prayers of rescue and safety for the people of Sudan, who have been victimized in a war between two military leaders that has threatened the lives of civilians.

3. We pray for all people experiencing extreme weather, and those without safe shelter or a warm/cool place to sleep at night. For all those in need of food. For all those looking for work. For those injured in travel on the roads and on the sea and on the rails, especially migrants who travel dangerous routes with their families seeking safety and freedom, both on the Mediterranean Sea and at the U.S./Mexico border.

4. We pray for the people of Holy Land, for Israelis and Palestinians, Christians, Jews, and Muslims - that all will be treated with justice and be given equal rights before the government, to live, work, and practice their faith. We pray for an end to violence and protection of the vulnerable, especially children and the elderly.

5. We pray for all churches, church leaders, and volunteers as they lead congregations in this season after Pentecost. May religious leaders step aside to make way for the creativity of the Holy Spirit, and not resist the blowing winds of change and disruption.

6. We pray for the people of Iran, where protesters’ lives are being threatened and women are being arrested simply for advocating for their lives and criticizing an abusive government. We also pray for women and girls in Afghanistan, whose right to education and employment has been taken away by the ruling Taliban.

7. We pray for the victims of gun violence across America, and for brave legislators who are seeking to change overly permissive gun laws in states, like Texas, Tennessee and Kentucky, where mass shootings have recently occurred. Bring justice, resolution, truth, and mercy, dear God, and culpability to those who profit from the sale and manufacture of guns.

8. We pray for all those living and existing at the U.S./Mexico borderlands, and for migrants around the world who are seeking safety and a better life for their families. Protect and keep safe all those who travel far from home, risking their lives, especially parents, children, and seniors - and people from countries at war and under political strife, especially people from El Salvador, Haiti, Venezuela, Honduras, Colombia, Peru, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, Sudan, and many other countries around the world. Grant mercy and open hearts to those who work in border enforcement, and prevent violence and death at the border.

Dear God, we pray for renewal and hope and change in the power of the Holy Spirit, and in the Creating, Redeeming, and Sustaining God!

AMEN

P.S. …

A Few Notes:

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