Sunday Stretch: Fourth of July Weekend
What, to an American Christian, is the Fourth of July?
Hi Readers,
I mentioned briefly in last week’s Sunday Stretch that we spent four days in the hospital with my youngest son that week. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for him! He was able to come home last Sunday afternoon and is on the mend, while still needing a bit of medicine and recovery at home. But admittedly, my mind is pretty overwhelmed at the moment.
By the time you read this, you might have already seen a post from me sharing more about our experience. There was a lot of pain and fear - and so much beauty and love, too.
In light of all that’s been happening for our family, and with July 4 coming up in just a few days, I thought this might be a good chance to share with you again a post I wrote last year for the Sunday prior to July 4, reflecting on Christian Nationalism with some inspiration from Frederick Douglass:
You might think that because I’ve spent the better part of at least six 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. 10Therefore 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:
Jesus is not an American.
America is never in the Bible.
Americans are not God’s chosen people.
We can be proud of the times America has used its power for good, in support of freedom and against tyranny.
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.
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,
, Jemar Tisby, PhD - as well as look for ’s new book, Disarming Leviathan, which comes out this Tuesday and is available now for pre-order.I cover new stories and new movements in Christian Nationalism the second and fourth Friday of every month 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 over a year! 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!
We have begun a new season (PENTECOST) of the Church Year, which means I have restarted our section here for prayer requests. Please hit REPLY to this email or leave a comment to add a public or private prayer request to this list. Thanks for praying with me!
In this summer season of extreme weather and storms, be with all those in their path. Protect farmworkers and construction workers and all those who work outside from extreme heat, and give them ample rest and water. Provide resources and support to all those who have faced destruction from storms. Help us to live with compassion for one another, and sober honesty about ways to slow the pace of climate change and global warming.
For my youngest son, Josh, and his ongoing recovery from antibiotic-resistant pneumonia.
In this Pride Month, help churches to be places of welcome, acceptance, understanding and listening, especially for LGBTQ+ people.
For so many loved ones of mine who have recently been diagnosed with cancer and are undergoing treatment. May they have caring and high-quality care, rest as needed, and loving support of family and friends.
For a college friend of mine’s daughter, who was recently diagnosed with cancer and is recovering from emergency surgery.
We also pray for all those who are caring for loved ones who are going through myriad health challenges. Grant them rest and relief in the midst of difficult and tiring times.
For ongoing war and bloodshed in Israel and Gaza, that humanitarian pathways will be opened up to make way for food and supplies into Gaza, that a way forward out of war will be heard by Israel and Hamas, that all those in danger, including hostages, will be protected and set free. For all leaders to prioritize human life over power.
In Gaza, we pray especially for Sully’s loved ones (and all of our loved ones throughout the Holy Land in Israel and Palestine) that they might find protection and safety, and be able to gain safe shelter and access to their homes, or to be able to escape to safety in other countries.
For those who continue to live and fight in Ukraine, that the world will not turn away its attention from the plight of Ukrainians and their stand against authoritarian Russia.
For the United States and her politicians. That governmental leaders might see themselves as servants and examples, and for wisdom and courage for all who serve in government, especially the judicial system as it faces former President Trump’s cases.
For all those who don’t have a safe place to live or enough food to eat, that they might be first and receive what they need.
For all those living with addiction and mental illness, that they might find a way into recovery
For farmers and all those tending fields, gardens, and livestock. For farmworkers and those who travel north in the summer to work under difficult conditions: may be they be treated humanely and granted safety and fair working and living conditions.
For all around the world who face persecution for their religious beliefs, especially for religious minorities in places where governments sanction religion-based violence
For Christians to be emboldened to speak out courageously against anti-semitism and to acknowledge how we have been complicit in anti-semitic actions and speech against our Jewish siblings
For governments and leaders to prioritize climate change solutions and not be only ruled by profit or big business
For all the concerns deep on our hearts, that you hear and know and acknowledge, we pray …
In the boundless joy of a Spirit-filled existence, to worship God with exuberance, excitement, love, and inclusion,
In Jesus’ name we pray,
AMEN
P.S. …
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