Dan Darling’s book, In Defense of Christian Patriotism, comes at an opportune time for Christians trying to make sense of their place in the history of the church as well as in American history.
Standing on the threshold of an explosion of Artificial Intelligence (which, we are told, will change our lives) and wading through a mass of information daily washing around us from social media, podcasts, internet news media, and 24-hour news coverage—and still wondering what the future holds for conservatism in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination—Christians are grappling with the meaning of patriotism like never before in this generation. We still have, ringing in our ears, the leftist voices from Robert Jones, Ibram Kendi, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Andrew Whitehead, Samuel Perry, Kristin Du Mez, Jemar Tisby, and others, excoriating America as an experiment in degeneracy, and we still wonder if there is any place for a love of country as we love our God. Can we be faithful Christians if we express sincere love of country?
The answer, given so clearly by Darling, is a resounding yes. Not only is patriotism acceptable, it is necessary for a Christian. The Christian life is marked by gratitude. Scripture holds gratitude out as the way in which we honor the Lord (Psalm 50:14-15, 22-23). Gratitude emerges from consistent attentiveness to all that God is, all that He has done, and all that He has given us by His grace. Gratitude is a spiritual discipline, part of our ordinary pattern of living as followers of Christ. Thoughtfulness leads to prayerfulness, and prayerfulness leads to thankfulness.
America is a gift that the Lord has given us. Love for country is an expression of gratitude to the One who gave it. And what is our country?
Our country consists of the people, the ideals on which it was founded, its history, and its land. Patriotism begins at home. Love of country begins by showing love and loyalty to those closest to us, because they are our own people. Emanating from the family circle, love of country extends to Americans everywhere.
Love of country means devotion to the good ideals expressed in the founding documents—that our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness come from God, not government; that we are free to live out and express our faith in public and private; that we may associate together without interference from the state; and, that every level of our government will be republican and representative. These ideals we cherish, and cherishing them begins with gratitude.
Love of country is informed by knowledge of those who went before us. American history is a fascinating story of growth and progress, both political and moral. God has used America to literally save the world from dark tyranny, and many of us can point to our own ancestors who took active parts in those titanic efforts of the past.
Love of country also means love of place, namely, the land that America embraces by God’s grace. Who has not been to a national park, a national battlefield, or a national monument, and not given thought to the beauty of the land and the nobility of America’s history. Who has not traveled in the country without hindrance from the state and seen the natural splendors of our broad land, and not given any thought that this is America, and is it not the most remarkable land in the world?
Darling has given us, in his natural voice and with clear tones, a path forward for how we may love our country without embarrassment. We can be grateful to him for helping chart a good way forward for us in the midst of a dark and fallen world.
John is a professor of church history and philosophy and chairman of the Church History Department at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
