Featured SBC and the CSA Flag

Except that is not the Confederate Battle Flag. It is the flag of Army of Northern Virginia.

And remember, the so-called "Confederate Flag" only flew for 4 years. If we want to ban a flag we should ban the US flag, which flew over a slave nation for 85 years!

And does this idiotic resolution mean the SBC is going to refuse the money from all SBC churches in the state of Mississippi? After all, look at the State Flag of Mississippi!

 

I agree that it is a stupid resolution that will be largely ignored. While I think that it is inappropriate to fly the "confederate flag" as it is to many a sign of offense and hatred (regardless as to intent or "true meaning", the flag rightly or wrongly is a barrier when it comes to dealing with some people), it seems to me that the SBC is not only overstepping on the issue but it is failing to focus on what matters. The SBC should not have concerned itself with forming a resolution to deal with people flying a flag.

 

So do you also think it is inappropriate to fly the American flag because, to many, it is a sign of offense and hatred?

 

My patriosm is secondary to my faith, if that is what you are asking.

And no, I don't think it inappropriate to fly the flag of the nation in which you reside. I do think, however, that liberty of action expressed in such a way as to be a stumbling block between the lost and the gospel is not Christian liberty.

What I am saying is that we have to be mindful not to get caught up in poilitical issues and situations to such a degree that we sacrifice the priority of gospel witness and gospel proclamation. And yes, here I would include flying that flag which I love and for whose nation I gave 23 years of my life in her service.

 

For many (I believe most) of us who grew up with the "confederate flag" it was to us the "rebel flag". It had and has (for this group) nothing to do with racism but was a part of our culture and "southern pride". But to many it represents racism and to some it symbolizes their own racist beliefs. At the end of the day it is just a flag and not a "right" or "liberty" worth standing for if doing so becomes a barrier to evangelism.

I will add, thank you for your service. What you fought for, however, was not Christian liberty as such liberty is independent of civil rule (Paul had Christian liberty under the civil authority of Nero). That does not change the fact that I am grateful for your service and sacrifice.