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The church has a complicated task in relation to patriotism, and this collapse of any public space for patriotic displays makes that task all the harder. We need to be able to say "yes, but" to patriotism. Yes, we love our country, but we do not fully belong here or in any earthly land. Yes, we want our nation to flourish, but every human being and human community is equally precious in God's sight. Yes, we value our nation's ideals, but they are not the same thing as the message of the kingdom. Yes, God blesses America, but he blesses other nations, too.

Despite these concerns, it still seems to me that people who do not know how to demonstrate an appropriate fealty to their nation are not well positioned to learn how to transcend that loyalty for a higher one.

Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Gushee recently wrote

The Middle East's Death Wish—and Ours | We say "everyone wants peace," but we also want to see our enemies destroyed.

David P. Gushee is Graves Professor of Moral Philosophy at Union University. His books include Only Human: Christian Reflections on the Journey Toward Wholeness, Getting Marriage Right, and he is coauthor of Kingdom Ethics Following Jesus in a Contemporary Context. His columns for Christianity Today include:

Crash | What our harrowing experience taught me about human nature. (May 1, 2006)

The Truth About Deceit | Most lies are pitiful attempts to protect our pride. (March 20, 2006)

Our Missing Moral Compass | Christianity is more than an event, an experience, or a set of beliefs. (Nov. 14, 2005)

Bill's Big Career Move | How do we make important family decisions? (Jan. 10, 2006)

Our Independence Day coverage included:

The Faith of Our Founders | Scholar says diversity of belief did not obliterate consensus on key issues. (July 3, 2006)

Beyond Yellow Ribbons | Become a blessing to a military family. A Christianity Today editorial (June 30, 2006)

Where Atrocity Is Normal | Understanding Christian soldiers who have seen the horrors of war. (June 30, 2006)

Veteran Ministry | How churches can help soldiers and their families readjust after combat. (June 30, 2006)

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July 2006, Vol. 50, No. 7