Should churches display the national flag and the Christian flag together

[Crabtownboy]

In somewhat the same area as the thread on pledging allegiance to the country, should churches have both the Christian flag as well as the national flag on display.

Our church displays neither. I am not sure that Christ needs a flag. Also I do not believe the flag of Caesar should be displayed inside a church.

Many years ago I read a book on the philosophy of history and the author said there is no place in a church for a flag to Caesar, that is to any government. I have thought this over and have come to agree with him on this point. Far too often the beliefs of the church are so different from that of the government. Having both flags sends a mixed signal, or a contradictory message IMHO.

 

[jaigner]

There is no need for a Christian flag. The cross is the Christian banner.

The American flag should never be displayed in Christian worship, in my opinion.

 

[SpiritualMadMan]

Son 2:4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

The NIV says that it *is* Love...

This is the true Christian Flag or Banner...

His Love protrayed among ourselves as is prayed for in John 17...


Personally, I am ambivalent on the use of National Flags in Worship.

Though I lean towards a "clean" non-distractive platform.

 

[annsni]

The front of our sanctuary is large and we have the American flag and the Christian flag up front as well as the flags of every country where we have a missionary presence.

 

[Jerome]

There is no need for a Christian flag. The cross is the Christian banner.

The American flag should never be displayed in Christian worship, in my opinion.

Are you aware of the anthem "The Christian Flag" written by your fellow Methodist, Fanny Crosby?

The Christian Flag! unfurl it,
That all the world may see
The bloodstained cross of Jesus,
Who died to make us free.
The Christian Flag! unfurl it,
And o’er and o’er again,
Oh! may it bear the message,
“Good will and peace to men.”

 

[mandym]

The folks in my church as well as many churches across the US maintain a focus of having God rule in our country, in our government, in our churches, and in our homes. And we teach and preach on all of these things quite regularly. If some are distracted from Christ being the center of every facet of their lives by the existence of these flags in their sanctuaries then it is important that they do not have them. But it is not necessary to assume that this is the case for everyone and that none should exist in any church. Such an idea would most certainly fall under the heading of legalism. It is a man made standard with no scriptural support. May the Lord bless you all in all your worship whether you have flags or not.

 

[Crabtownboy]

Are you aware of the anthem "The Christian Flag" written by your fellow Methodist, Fanny Crosby?

Yes I am. She was very prolific. However, I have come to the conclusion, for me, that flags are unnecessary and especially a national flag. To me it sends the wrong message to the world. To me symbols such as this are an indication of what we worship and we should not worship our country.

Concerning the post that mentioned flags where missionaries are sent. That seems more acceptable to me and I do understand the message. However, and this is for me, I'd rather see photographs of the peoples of those countries. I would be happier if the flags were displayed outside the sanctuary with specific references on the missionaries and their work. This is not a criticism, but what I personally would like in my church.

 

[glfredrick]

Many believe that God is also the God of our government (see Rom 13) and so we fly either both or neither.

I've done both above, depending on the particular church. Right now, we fly neither and likely will not have flags at all unless we're doing some sort of missionary emphasis.

I've also had the National Anthem sang during Sunday services on special days when we honor those brave men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their nation -- ALL the verses:

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

I'm of a mind that we SHOULD sing at least verses 1-4 every time we sing the Anthem, for without verse 4, the rest is meaningless.

 

[preachinjesus]

Our philosophy, as a staff, is that we do not permit any flag in our worship settings. To do so removes the focus from God's pathway to salvation to man's pathway for power.

We are only to pledge allegiance to Christ.

 

[annsni]

Our philosophy, as a staff, is that we do not permit any flag in our worship settings. To do so removes the focus from God's pathway to salvation to man's pathway for power.

We are only to pledge allegiance to Christ.

I don't see at all in reality what I have bolded. No where have I seen the flag remove the focus from God at all. You must have a very different culture than we have here in NY.

 

[sag38]

Personally, I don't care whether you fly the flag, pledge it or don't pledge it, but don't go around wearing as a badge of honor. It's unbecoming!!

 

[Zenas]

The American flag and the Christian flag are always on the platform at our church. They have been there as long as I can remember and no one has complained. At VBS we open each day with a salute to the Amercan flag, the Christian flag and the Holy Bible. On the Sunday nearest July 4, we always have a patriotic service, singing God Bless America, etc. It goes without saying, that we encourage patriotism and good citizenship.

 

[Jerome]

don't go around wearing as a badge of honor. It's unbecoming!!

From the "Glimpses of Christian History" bulletin insert article on Fanny Crosby:

Fanny was so patriotic that when the Civil War broke out, she often pinned the Union flag to her blouse. When a southern lady found this offensive and snapped, "Take that dirty rag away from here!" Fanny was incensed and told the woman to "Repeat that remark at your risk!" The restaurant manager arrived on the scene just in time to prevent the two women from coming to blows.

:applause:

 

[jaigner]

Are you aware of the anthem "The Christian Flag" written by your fellow Methodist, Fanny Crosby?

Even though I'm a big fan, Fanny Crosby wrote tens of thousands of poems, most of which were sentimental and vapid. This one would be included in that, it seems.

 

[jaigner]

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

The theological implications of this stanza are alarming, to say the least.

 

[annsni]

The American flag and the Christian flag are always on the platform at our church. They have been there as long as I can remember and no one has complained. At VBS we open each day with a salute to the Amercan flag, the Christian flag and the Holy Bible. On the Sunday nearest July 4, we always have a patriotic service, singing God Bless America, etc. It goes without saying, that we encourage patriotism and good citizenship.

That's just what we do - PLUS we have a July 4th service with a pledge and prayer for our country.

 

[Jerome]

More from your church's website, Jaigner:

The American Flag in Methodist Worship: A Historical Look at Practice

Is the placement of "Old Glory" in the chancel appropriate? What has been the previous practice?

Nowhere was this connection between duty to God and duty to country more obvious than in the Methodist Episcopal Church during the 1860's. An article originating from the New York Tribune, and printed in the New York edition of the Christian Advocate, reported:

It [the Methodist Episcopal Church] was the first religious body to pledge its unswerving loyalty to the government after the attack on Fort Sumter. It was first to telegraph congratulations to the government on the surrender of Lee. In the cause of the nation it gave a hundred thousand men to war for the Union. The national flag has waved from its spires, and draped its pulpits, and the national struggle has kindled to the highest fervor the characteristic enthusiasm of the sect.

 

[targus]

The theological implications of this stanza are alarming, to say the least.

How so?

Can you expand on that thought?

 

[glfredrick]

I'd expect that he has issues with the "conquer we must..." line.

But, when freedom is threatened, war is always an option, even when it is God's people. Perhaps not the first option, nor the preferred option, but an option nevertheless.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

How so?

Can you expand on that thought?

I'm kind of interested to hear that explained, as well. With specifics, I might add.