Jvictory15
Puritan Board Freshman
Is there a connection between dispensationalism and nationalism?
My main context is the church I am apart of, but also in the area I’m in (southeast) it seems to be fairly common. For instance, our worship this morning consisted of patriotic songs, some containing Christian themes and others had no Christian themes whatsoever. I have slowly come out of the dispensationalist camp, though the Pastor of my church is a dispensationalist.
It seems like almost every church that I know of that does a 'patriotic service' (Memorial Day, July 4th, etc) come from the dipsy' theological camp.
EDIT**
Let me re-phrase something. Im not so much talking about nationalism as I am simply the incorporation of a patriotic service into a worship service.
I love our nation and am proud to call the states home. My issue is the when churches have a desire to incorporate that into a time that God alone is to be exalted and lifted up; not our nation.
The reasoning I have heard to have these services are we should 'give honor to where honor is due' (Prov 3:27) and 'many great men and women have laid down their life for the sake of this country'. Then it is compared to the way Christ also laid His life down. A recent reason from a church I've heard is there are 2 dangers, or two extremes to be avoided. The one is obviously raising our country to the state of an idol, but the other 'danger' that was stated is to 'just completely ignore it (Memorial Day) and just focus on the Gospel, attempting to not mix our love for our country and the Gospel."
This just does not sit well with me. I dont mind celebrating Memorial Day and remembering the brave men and women that have indeed laid their life down for our freedoms. I am incredibly grateful for that. I simply do not see a place for this remembrance in the weekly gathering of the saints.
My main context is the church I am apart of, but also in the area I’m in (southeast) it seems to be fairly common. For instance, our worship this morning consisted of patriotic songs, some containing Christian themes and others had no Christian themes whatsoever. I have slowly come out of the dispensationalist camp, though the Pastor of my church is a dispensationalist.
It seems like almost every church that I know of that does a 'patriotic service' (Memorial Day, July 4th, etc) come from the dipsy' theological camp.
EDIT**
Let me re-phrase something. Im not so much talking about nationalism as I am simply the incorporation of a patriotic service into a worship service.
I love our nation and am proud to call the states home. My issue is the when churches have a desire to incorporate that into a time that God alone is to be exalted and lifted up; not our nation.
The reasoning I have heard to have these services are we should 'give honor to where honor is due' (Prov 3:27) and 'many great men and women have laid down their life for the sake of this country'. Then it is compared to the way Christ also laid His life down. A recent reason from a church I've heard is there are 2 dangers, or two extremes to be avoided. The one is obviously raising our country to the state of an idol, but the other 'danger' that was stated is to 'just completely ignore it (Memorial Day) and just focus on the Gospel, attempting to not mix our love for our country and the Gospel."
This just does not sit well with me. I dont mind celebrating Memorial Day and remembering the brave men and women that have indeed laid their life down for our freedoms. I am incredibly grateful for that. I simply do not see a place for this remembrance in the weekly gathering of the saints.
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