Earlier this fall, Broadside published the latest book from Land Center director Dan Darling. In Defense of Christian Patriotism is a well-researched, popularly written, pastoral defense of a rightly ordered love of country. We desperately need wisdom in this matter. Sometimes, contemporary American evangelicals can seem confused about the relationship between their citizenship and their Christian faith.
On one extreme, you have believers who act as though open displays of patriotism border on idolatry. They can’t recite the “Pledge of Allegiance” without clearing their throats and offering loads of caveats about how their real allegiance is to the kingdom of God, and they rarely say something good about America without quickly offering a negative comment to balance the scales. On the other extreme, some believers do seem to put love of God and country on a nearly even playing field. They sing the “The Star-Spangled Banner” with as much fervor as they sing “How Great Thou Art,” and they love the sort of kitschy art that combines the cross with the American flag—perhaps with a bald eagle thrown in for good measure.
Dan believes that, “fundamentally, patriotism is about loving the place where God has planted you” (p. xvi). He opposes the sorts of disordered postures I mentioned above. “Christians are called to be neither cynical nor sentimental but grateful, not because the world is perfect but because we know that it will be. We love others because God first loved us. And we love our country for the same reason. Reject embarrassment. Embrace gratitude” (p. xviii).
A couple months ago, I approached Dan to propose the Land Center publish a forum on In Defense of Christian Patriotism. My argument was that the book is worthy of being discussed on the Land Center website; we often feature reviews and other engagements with new books on topics related to the center’s mission. However, it seems a bit weird for us to publish a review of our director’s latest book! So instead, as one of the Land Center’s senior fellows, I offered to recruit a couple other center fellows to offer reflections on In Defense of Christian Patriotism. Dan was agreeable to the plan, so I invited John Wilsey and Evan Lenow to participate. Over the next few days, we will publish their respective essays.
Before concluding this introductory post, I wanted to point you to some of the other online engagement with Dan’s book. Nadya Williams interviewed Dan for Mere Orthodoxy, and Chris Brooks interviewed him for Moody Radio. Noteworthy reviews of the book include Rachel Ferguson for Christianity Today, Glenn Stanton for Daily Citizen, and Land Center fellow Hunter Baker for Religion and Liberty Online.
Dan has published a number of shorter essays and columns excerpted from the book, including pieces for National Review Online, The Gospel Coalition and the Center for Faith and Culture. Dan has also spoken at several events this fall, including America 250: Christian Patriotism & Civic Responsibility, sponsored by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, and a book event for the Pepperdine University School of Public Policy.
In closing, I’d recommend you read In Defense of Christian Patriotism. It is a timely book for these politically fraught days in which we live. If you are a pastor, please consider facilitating a reading group with your staff or some of your key lay leaders.