Month: July 2018

REVIEW: “Skyscraper” has a great pro-fatherhood message, wrapped in PG-13 content

Will Sawyer is a tough guy with a soft heart. Tall and muscular, he was a military man and then an FBI Hostage Rescue Team leader until an explosion nearly killed him left him discouraged and disabled.

Today, he travels the world and accesses the safety and security level of skyscrapers while also keeping a close eye on his wife and two children – the three people he says make life worth living.

“I don’t know where I’d be without my family,” he says.

His latest job has him in Hong Kong examining the world’s tallest skyscraper, a 220-story behemoth that’s so large it has its own power plant and, of course, a high-tech anti-fire system that the experts call fool-proof. But is it?

Sawyer’s day is going as planned until he learns of a plot to set fire to the building and kidnap the owner. That’s bad enough, but when he discovers his family is at the very top of the building – above the area of the planned explosion – his day grows tragic. He pledges to do everything he can to save them, but … how?

The action-filled Skyscraper (PG-13) opens this weekend, starring Dwayne Johnson (Jumanji, Moana) as Sawyer; Neve Campbell (Scream series) as his wife, Sarah; and Pablo Schreiber (13 Hours) as a bad guy, Ben.

Skyscraper is but the latest disaster movie in a long line of peril films out of Hollywood, but its family-centric message – focusing on a loving father doing everything in his power to rescue his family — sets it apart. Essentially, it’s a pro-traditional family flick wrapped in a disaster plot, with a bit of language and a ton of peril and violence sprinkled all around.

It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I was surprised at the message. Still, there was plenty that I didn’t like. Let’s examine the details.

Warning: minor/moderate spoilers!

(Scale key: Minimal, moderate, extreme)

Violence/Disturbing

Extreme. With lots of explosions, fisticuffs and gun fights. Sawyer and another man engage in a lengthy hand-to-hand fight that includes a knife and a broken television. A man is shot and killed. We see the building set on fire. Police are shot. A man is shot and killed at point-blank range. A woman is killed that way, too. The bad guys enter a room with machine guns and begin shooting, killing most. A helicopter crashes and burns. A man falls off the building. Children are held hostage. Also, it’s worth mentioning: If you’re scared of heights or have nightmares about dying in a fire, then this movie isn’t for you.

Sexuality/Sensuality/Nudity

None. A couple share a brief kiss.

Coarse Language

Minimal/moderate. About 15 coarse words: s—t (6), misuse of “God” (5), OMG (1), f-word (1), d—n (1), h-ll (1). Also: “screw it” (3) and sucks (2). The f-bomb seemed out of place and pointless. Why, Hollywood? That said, Skyscraper contains little language for a PG-13 film.

Other Stuff You Might Want To Know

Sawyer was injured 10 years ago in an explosion that left him without a lower leg (below the knee). He wears a prosthetic limb.

His daughter is called “princess” by one of the bad guys. The long-haired girl responds: “I’m a king.”

Life Lessons

Skyscraper has its flaws, but it’s nevertheless full of life application, led by its message about family. (See Worldview, below). The film contains a great lesson about overcoming disabilities, too. Finally, there are lessons about courage, bravery and teamwork.

Worldview

Jesus told more than 20 parables while he walked on Earth, and none of them – not surprisingly – involved tall buildings. But if we were to write our own parable about the lengths a father should go to protect and rescue his family, Skyscraper might be it. That’s because the movie’s theme isn’t “beat the bad guys” – as is the case with most action movies – but instead is this: Sacrifice for your wife and kids. Provide for them. Love them. Family is essential.

“Her life is what matters to me – not mine,” Sawyer says in one scene, referencing his daughter.

If only every goofy PG-13 film had this much meaning.

What Works

The rescue. The wide vistas. The 220-floors-from-the-ground scenes that make your stomach churn.

What Doesn’t

Yes, the theme is great, but the plot is thin and confusing. I’m still not sure why the bad guys wanted to burn down the building. This isn’t supposed to be Casablanca, though. Grab the popcorn and enjoy the ride.

Discussion Questions

Was Will Sawyer similar to or different from the fathers you know?
Did the movie change how you view parenting and/or children? If so, how?
What positive characteristics should you borrow from Will Sawyer?
What is the movie’s message about love?
What is the movie’s message about disabilities?

Entertainment rating: 3 out of 5 stars. Family-friendly rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Rated PG-13 for sequences of gun violence and action, and for brief strong language.

REVIEW: “Hotel Transylvania 3” a family-centric monster movie. Huh?

It isn’t easy being Dracula, especially when your primary job is running a hotel. You greet guests. You make sure they’re happy. You balance the books.

When is Dracula – who is more than 500 years old, after all – going to have free time for himself?

That’s when his daughter, Mavis, takes action. Sensing that dear-old “Drac” needs a vacation, she begins planning a getaway for family and friends. She will be part of the trip, too, as will her husband and children. So will Grandpa. And Frankenstein. And Murray the mummy.

Their destination: a monsters-only cruise to the Bermuda Triangle, where they can relax on deck under the moonlight, visit an active volcano and perhaps even find the lost city of Atlantis.

It’s just the type of care-free monster ambiance that can lead to monster love – and that’s exactly what happens when the widower Dracula falls for the ship’s bubbly human captain, Ericka. Can a vampire-human romance endure the test of time? Will it lead to marriage? And, more importantly, will Mavis – who never knew her mom – get out of the way and let her father actually date someone?

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (PG) opens this weekend, starring Adam Sandler (Big Daddy) as Dracula, singer Selena Gomez as Mavis, Kathryn Hahn (Tomorrowland) as Ericka, and a host of other big-name actors – including Kevin James and David Spade – as the other monsters.

The story follows three angles: 1) Dracula’s love for Ericka; 2) Mavis’ effort to thwart the romance; and, 3) an attempt by someone on the ship to kill Dracula and his monster friends.

It’s the third film in the Hotel Transylvania series, which has been popular among the moviegoing public but controversial among some Christians for its inclusion of monster themes. (More on that in a moment.)

Let’s examine the content.

Violence/Disturbing

Moderate. With Looney Tunes-type animated violence. A man tries killing Dracula with several instruments, including a laser. It’s played for laughs. Glemlins pilot the airplane that takes Dracula and his family to the cruise; it crashes into the water. Coffee is poured onto a mummy’s crotch. A character discusses her desire to “kill” Dracula. Frankenstein’s hands, arms and legs fall apart at the beach and run in different directions. Skeletons and several grotesque monsters take part in the cruise. Dracula is bitten by snakes and shot by arrows but doesn’t die. A demonic-looking sea creature tries eating everyone. A human character has a robotic body and carries one of his organs in a jar.

Sexuality/Sensuality/Nudity

Minimal. Two monsters kiss at a wedding. Dracula tells his smartphone to help find a date. Someone tells Dracula that he should make his own “fireworks” on the cruise. Dracula dances and briefly twerks. Some of the monster women wear cleavage-bearing clothes and swimsuits. Grandpa wears a speedo, which prompts several witches to stare at his rear. A monster spanks his own bottom while dancing.

Coarse Language

None. Oh my gosh (1) and oh gosh (1).

Other Stuff You Might Want To Know

Ericka says monsters were once underground until they told the world: “We’re here, we’re hairy and it’s our right to be hairy.” The monsters gamble at slots and at card tables. We hear two monsters pass gas.

Life Lessons

Despite its monster plot, Hotel Transylvania 3 covers several major themes that can spark discussions in families: re-marriage, growing up without parents, and raising children as a single mom or dad.

“It was hard being a single dad,” says Dracula.

Referencing his next chapter in life, he adds, “Family is everything. You have to honor the past. But we make our own future.”

Another character grew up without her biological parents.

A scene involving a mom and dad finally getting some “alone” time – a date — might remind the moviegoing moms and dads that they need the same.

Additionally, one specific character learns to see another character in a positive light. It’s a nice lesson on not judging a person before you know him/her.

Worldview

The Hotel Transylvania series has split the faith crowd. Some watch them. Others, though, don’t. Why is there a divide? It’s because Hollywood has taken something that traditionally has been viewed as evil – monsters – and turned them into the hilarious good guys. Too, Dracula historically has been a horror figure who craves blood. But in the animated films, he’s the hard-working protagonist who loves his family. Thus, Hollywood redefined monsters and packaged it all in a children’s movie. The first two movies also were released around Halloween – a holiday that some Christians scorn.

Count me among the parents who are uneasy about the Hotel Transylvania series. Yes, the films are often funny and, yes, they carry good themes. I simply wish those points could have been made by using other characters – that is, characters not from the horror genre.

Discussion Questions

What do you think about the use of Dracula, Frankenstein and other monsters in the series as the good guys?
What did you learn about family and parenting by watching Dracula and Mavis?
What caused Ericka to change her mind?
What did you like about the film? Not like?

Entertainment rating: 3 out of 5 stars. Family-friendly rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Rated PG for some action and rude humor.

Seven steps when seeking God”s will

I’ve been there. Perhaps you’re there today. You’re seeking God’s will about some decision, and you simply don’t have clarity. Maybe these steps will help you as you press forward.

1. Be faithfully in the Word of God. I know this first step might sound too basic, but that’s the point: you’re not going to determine what God wants if you don’t put yourself in a position to hear from him. Neglecting the Word won’t bring clarity.

2. Follow what you do know to do. The problem with most of us is not that we can’t figure out God’s will; it’s that we don’t obey him in the things that are clear in the Scriptures (like giving thanks and avoiding sexual immorality—1 Thessalonians 4:3, 5:18). Why should God show us any more details when we’re not faithful to what he has revealed to us?

3. Deal with any unrepentant sin issues. I’m not sure we understand how much our ongoing sin hinders our following God faithfully. It blocks our prayers and hampers our fellowship. It robs us of joy and risks the judgment of God. Moreover, it makes it difficult to hear God clearly.

4. Be faithful to your last point of clarity. I trust you are where you are today because you followed God to that place and that work. If so, trust that God has you there until he gives you clarity in some other direction.

5. Serve God in the present tense. This point, of course, connects with #4 above. Yesterday is gone, and God already has tomorrow in his hands. Leave tomorrow there – and be faithful today.

6. Keep talking to God about your confusion. He already knows it, but it does us good to confess it to him. Somehow, simply talking to God has a way of helping us think through our options. Proclaim your trust in him even as you express your questioning.

7. Ask the Lord to help you delight in him—and leave the next steps in his hands (Psalm 37:4). When we know him, the unknown is not nearly as troublesome. After all, nothing is unknown to him.

What steps have been most helpful to you?

Chuck Lawless is dean and vice-president of graduate studies and ministry centers at Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, NC, where he also serves as professor of evangelism and missions.

FBC Waskom helps Nome church come home after Harvey

WASKOM Invite volunteers from your church to help a struggling congregation in Nome, and they might assume they were heading to Alaska. As it turned out, the members of First Baptist Church of Waskom discovered the town of Nome, Texas, one of the places hit hard by Hurricane Harvey last year.

Volunteers traveled nearly four hours south last March to begin rebuilding and renovating First Missionary Baptist Church of Nome, which had been severely damaged by flooding. Since August 2017, the Nome congregation had been meeting off site.

The Waskom missions team chair, Rose McLane, told the TEXAN, “It is our understanding that our efforts during the week of March 21 were just enough to bring this congregation back to their home church for Easter Sunday, and it was standing room only.”

Early this year the FBC Waskom missions team met to discuss opportunities to serve regionally, with a focus on Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. But by the time the missions team met to plan, many immediate needs had been resolved.

The hurricane, which rivaled Hurricane Katrina with an estimated $125 billion in damage, left much destruction that still needed attention.

So FBC Waskom reached out to the SBTC to explore the Adopt-A-Church program and how they could help.

Tony Wolfe, SBTC director of pastor/church relations, guided the Waskom missions team to consider adopting the Nome church. Other SBTC churches had helped with immediate needs last fall, including Inglewood Baptist in Grand Prairie and Faith Memorial Baptist in Jacksonville.

“None of us knew Texas had a city by the name of Nome,” McLane said.

They began to research, and Pastor Ivy Shelton reached out to John Coleman, pastor at Frist Missionary Baptist in Nome, to begin the conversation. Then the missions team met with Coleman on a conference call.

According to McClane, Coleman shared that his congregation had been meeting off site, and “they just needed some help to ‘come home.’” The team prayed and discussed the opportunity, then voted to adopt the Nome congregation.

Since their first trip in March, FBC Waskom has sent two additional weekend teams to speed the progress on the renovations.

One of the teams included 16 Waskom youth.

Jacob Speight, Waskom’s finance chairman, said, “These guys were supposed to have a Disciple Now weekend in Waskom where we live. When we went to them and asked if they would like to help this church out, they said ‘definitely.’ They gave up their D-Now weekend to go and help work on this church.”

The students painted, made sheetrock repairs, removed debris from damaged rooms and helped wire the stage for audio and video.

Thus far, Wascom volunteers from ages 5 to 60 have participated in the recovery work. The church now has use of a classroom, the fellowship hall, a finance office and fully functioning main bathrooms.

McClane estimated that after three or four more weekend trips the renovations should be complete.

“Pastor Coleman would like to hold a dedication service when we are done,” McClane said, “and we will make every effort to attend. We’ve met a few of the members of First Missionary Baptist and the smiles on their faces are ‘thank you’ enough.”

“Many thanks to the SBTC for giving us the opportunity to work alongside First Missionary Baptist of Nome and Pastor Coleman,” Shelton added. “It has been an incredible blessing to our people.”

Dripping Springs church primed to reach sprawling Austin

DRIPPING SPRINGS First Baptist Church in Dripping Springs was about 20 miles from Austin when it was founded in 1875 in a community of about 200 people. But Austin’s vast growth has reached Dripping Springs and the church is positioned to reach the 35,000 living there now.

Matthew Nance, pastor of First Baptist Dripping Springs, told the TEXAN that Dripping Springs’ population is projected to double in the next eight years. To address that growth, First Baptist is working to become a multigenerational congregation with emphases on ministry to Hispanic immigrants, and on meeting practical needs in the community.

First Baptist Dripping Springs affiliated with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention this year, and one of the reasons, Nance explained, is the SBTC’s strong level of cooperation with churches across the nation.

“I am thrilled that the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, in my understanding, leads the Southern Baptist Convention in the percentage of money that is passed on from the state level to the national level,” Nance, a former Southern Baptist missionary, said.

To support that effort, First Baptist Dripping Springs plans to increase its Cooperative Program giving by half a percentage-point each budget year until it reaches 10 percent. The church now gives 8 percent of its undesignated receipts through CP.

Nance was a church planter in Texas from 1981-90 before serving with the IMB nearly 20 years in East Asia. He then pastored in Georgia and Oklahoma before returning to Texas last year as pastor of First Baptist Dripping Springs.

When Nance was a church planter, there was only one state convention, he noted, and they paid part of his salary each month. “I went to all of their meetings, so I felt a heart connection with them,” he said. In 1999, the IMB asked Nance to represent them at the SBTC annual meeting in addition to the old convention.

“I went to the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention expecting not to feel comfortable there because I wasn’t a part of that in the past. To my surprise, I heard ‘Cooperative Program,’ ‘Southern Baptist missions.’ … All of the things that I felt convicted about were being represented,” Nance said.

When Nance arrived in Dripping Springs, the church was still recovering from losing its building to a fire 10 years ago. The congregation almost disbanded back then, he said, after most of the people left for other churches.

“There were about 40 people that stuck with it in a local gym, and they rebuilt the church building, and it’s a beautiful facility that’s paid for,” Nance said. “We have an average worship attendance of 170. We’re growing.”

First Baptist Dripping Springs has many young families with elementary-age children as well as many senior adults, he said, “so our current challenge is to become truly multigenerational.” They’ve started a new ministry for people ages 45-60 and have about four new families in that group. Next they’re launching something for 18- to 30-year-olds, he said.

Meanwhile, ministry to Hispanics is flourishing.

“The Hispanics who are in town are primarily very new to the United States, so even the children don’t have much English,” Nance said. “So in addition to the Hispanic worship service, we have English as a Second Language classes for the children and the adults.”

The church also has Mission Drippin’, through which the congregation addresses practical needs in the community such as building wheelchair ramps or sprucing up the trails at a local equestrian therapy center for children.

“We do have a lot of retired people who are very active. They love to have things to do,” Nance said. “Most mornings when I show up at the church office at 8:30 there’s already a group there saying, ‘Pastor, what are we going to do today?’ Today what they’re doing is we bought a new shuttle van for our youth program, and it didn’t have a place to park, so they’re building a carport for the shuttle.”

Something else Nance appreciates about the SBTC is its focus on reaching the major cities in the state such as Austin, he said. “I’m familiar with Reach Austin and hope to be a part of that in some way.”

To find out more about Reach Austin, visit sbtexas.com/reachcities.

Christian, lead the way in showing respect

The song was written in 1965 by Otis Redding. Aretha Franklin had a hit with it in 1967. It was simply titled R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Both singers are asking for just a little bit of it. Respect. And I agree with both Otis and Aretha. Although the world really needs love, coming in a close second is respect. We throw the word around quite a bit, but, like love, we do more talking about it than we do expressing it.

There was a time when parents taught their children what it meant to respect authorities, those older than themselves, the flag, the Bible, church and one another. Somewhere, we lost the meaning of giving and paying respect.

I think we’ve reached a point in our culture where we would all do well to relearn and reteach what it means to show a little bit of respect. But especially among those who identify with Christ. It almost seems to be a lost art. Let me give you just a small illustration.

Last year, after I spoke at a memorial service for a friend, we were escorted to the cemetery by seven fire trucks and emergency vehicles, all with full emergency lights, followed by a flower van, a hearse, my car, the family cars and about 20 to 30 other cars in the procession. It’s about 14 miles from the funeral chapel to the cemetery. Growing up, I was taught a little thing called respect—which is a very big thing. Part of that teaching was the expectation that when you meet a funeral procession, you pull your vehicle over and wait for it to pass—out of respect. Down here in the South, it was always done.

But in this instance, only one in about every 10 or 12 cars pulled over; the rest didn’t even slow down. Now, if I saw seven emergency vehicles with lights flashing, followed by a hearse, and 30 cars with lights on and flashers going, I would say to myself, “Hmm, must be a funeral procession. I’ll just pull over to the side until it passes, out of respect.” But it didn’t happen. I think it is a symptom of our culture. Largely, we have forgotten how to give respect to each other.

As Christian people, we should be much more apt to show respect than those in the world. So the next time you see a funeral procession, pull over until the procession passes, then you can drive like the wind in order to make up those two to three minutes you used up sitting on the side of the road. In no more time than it took you to read this little opinion, you could have shown respect and been on your merry way.

There are so many other situations where we could set the example in showing respect. What about the opinions, the wisdom and the wishes of those who are older than we are? Or when someone loses a loved one, do we contact them, give them a call, show up with a casserole and a shoulder to lean on? Teach your children to show respect, especially to the authorities in their lives, whether to teachers, to law enforcement or to anyone older than themselves. Teach them to give respect to the flag, to the military, to the veteran, to the Pledge of Allegiance, to the Star-Spangled Banner. Our culture will not teach it. We must.

Peter had something to say about this in his letter. “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17).

So here’s my plea. Slow your life down. And out of respect, pull over. And teach others to do the same. R-E-S-P-E-C-T, just a little bit.

Dick Sisk is pastor of Tarpley Baptist Church in Tarpley, northwest of San Antonio.

REVIEW: “Ant-Man and the Wasp” a family-centric superhero film

Hope Van Dyne is a courageous and persistent young woman who would give anything to see her mom again.

More than two decades ago, her mom and dad left on a “business trip,” placing her in the hands of a babysitter and promising to get back soon. Her dad returned. Her mom didn’t. Hope – a little girl at the time – was traumatized.

She later learned that her parents were undercover superheroes/scientists with the uncanny ability to shrink to the size of tiny objects. Hope’s mom had died while dismantling a nuclear bomb, shrinking so small she couldn’t return to adult size. Her heroic action saved countless lives but left Hope’s father, Hank Pym, a widower. Or so he thought.

Hank now believes his wife still may be alive but at a subatomic level, where she has survived 20-plus years without anyone knowing. Hank has even built a machine that will take him to this “quantum” level so he and Hope – also known as the “Wasp” – can find her. First, they need help from an old friend, Scott Lang, who has similar abilities and is known as Ant-Man.

The Marvel movie Ant-Man and the Wasp (PG-13) opens this weekend, starring Evangeline Lilly (Ant-Man, The Hobbit series) as Hope Van Dyne/Wasp, Paul Rudd (Ant-Man) as Scott Lang/Ant-Man, Michael Douglas as Hank Pym, Michelle Pfeiffer as Hope’s mom, and Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix series) as Dr. Bill Foster.

The film is a sequel to 2015’s Ant-Man and also follows the story of Lang, who in the new film is under house arrest and wearing an ankle bracelet due to an international superhero incident. He’s also the father of an energetic 10-year-old girl who visits her father often – he’s divorced – and idolizes his every move.

Ant-Man and the Wasp is a fun superhero flick with a great message about parental love. Still, it contains enough violence and language that moviegoing moms and dads might be concerned.

Warning: minor/moderate spoilers!

(Scale key: Minimal, moderate, extreme)

Violence/Disturbing

Moderate. But typical for a Marvel film, with plenty of bloodless punching and kicking and a few car chase scenes, too. We also see gigantic (but friendly) bugs. The film’s most disturbing elements involve the villain, Ava/Ghost, whose power allows her to walk through walls. Significantly, though, she is trying to find a cure for this power, which causes physical pain. Some of her scenes are earie, such as when she tries to read minds.

Sexuality/Sensuality/Nudity

Minimal. We see two brief kisses. The superhero suits are skin-tight. We see Lang without a shirt. When Lang and Foster trade stories about how many feet they grew during a superhero battle, Hope tells them to stop “comparing sizes.” During a dream scene, we see Lang making out with a woman (while standing up). Lang and Van Dyne have a budding romance.

Coarse Language

Moderate/excessive. About 34 words: d—n (11), h-ll (8), OMG (5), s—t (2), a—(2), misuse of “God” (2), GD (1), SOB (1), misuse of “Jesus” (1), misuse of “Christ” (1).

Other Positive Elements

The father-daughter angle involving Lang and his girl is enjoyable – so much so that I could have watched a movie based on simply that. Even though he can’t leave his house, they devise numerous creative role-playing games. One even ends with a homemade slide. This tight bond, though, leads to both of them lying to the FBI.

Life Lessons

Lessons on friendship, parenting, forgiveness, teamwork and self-sacrifice fill Ant-Man and the Wasp. The relationship between Lang and his daughter is worth emulating, as is Lang’s relationship with his ex-wife, Maggie, and her husband. They truly are friends. The good guys in the film – including Lang — have empathy for Ava/Ghost.

Finally, it’s worth discussing Hollywood’s first lead female superhero. Unlike Incredibles 2 – which had the female taking the lead in crime fighting – Ant-Man and the Wasp shows the male and female superheroes fighting side by side. Neither has a dominant role.

Worldview/Ethics

When, if ever, is it permissible to break the law to do good? Incredibles 2 raised that question this summer, and Ant-Man and the Wasp does the same. Lang begins the film on house arrest with an order never to leave the premises. He initially is kidnapped by Van Dyne/Wasp but then decides it is best to try to help her find her mom, even though he has concerns he will be locked up “forever.” He and his companions ensure that his ankle bracelet won’t show any illegal movement.

Another interesting angle is Ava/Ghose – a villain who elicits sympathy. Her current predicament and undesired superhero powers are due to actions taken by others, before she was an adult. For parents of children, it’s worth discussing: When are we responsible for our own actions?

What Works

The humor. It’s truly funny and (for the most part) doesn’t drag us in the gutter. Also, the CGI images and special effects are a delight – Lang transforming his body to the size of a child while in an elementary school and the Wasp driving a Matchbox-sized car through the city streets are just two examples of the movie’s highlights.

What Doesn’t

The quantum-driven science plot. It likely didn’t impact my enjoyment, but it’s confusing.

Discussion Questions

Is it ever OK to lie? If so, when? Explain your answer.
Is it ever OK to break the law? If so, when? Explain your answer.
Describe Lang as a father. What did he do that’s worth emulating? What did he do that we shouldn’t emulate?
Did you feel sorry for Ghost? Why or why not?
What do you think about female superheroes?

Entertainment rating: 3 out of 5 stars. Family-friendly rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Ant-Man and the Wasp is rated PG-13 for some sci-fi action violence.

Patriotism in church?

Jonathan Leeman, writing at The Gospel Coalition, has well-expressed a rising discomfort with patriotic celebrations in our churches. After reading his column here, you may be more compelled by his opinion than mine. But let me take a shot at counterpoint.

You’ve no doubt sat through elaborate musical presentations that feature the flag, the U.S. military and traditional patriotic songs. I agree that some of those are over the top. Some of them are over the top for even non-theological reasons, unless you consider taste and restraint theological imperatives. But I digress. Are such displays, volume or cheesiness aside, inherently inappropriate, or as Leeman would suggest, against the Great Commission? I think they are not inherently wrong; such expressions of patriotism can be honoring to God and edifying to our gospel mission.

I have sat in several congregations where the worship was conducted in a language that left me recognizing only the occasional “Moses” or “Jesus Christ.” Sometimes, the songs were completely unrecognizable and even sung in quarter tones—odd to the Western ear. The cultural trappings of such worship are based on a history, preference and religious background unfamiliar to me. The Jordanians sang and preached as if they were from Jordan, the Sudanese as if from Sudan and the Russians as if from Russia. I was aware of my outsider status and didn’t mind them being the home team. I never forgot that we came from different places and I never forgot the one Lord we had in common. I couldn’t tell you from memory if those worship spaces featured flags of their respective countries. In the event that you did not follow the Gospel Coalition link, I say this in answer to one of the objections Brother Leeman brings to this issue: A brother or sister from another country, say one that finds American policy less than a blessing, would be left out or even offended by what he sees as “bringing the national in” to our worship. No doubt he’s right that some will take offense, even someone who was born and raised here. My question is whether or not he should find a carefully considered patriotic presentation inherently off-putting. How harshly should he judge those who disagree?

What are we saying when we sing patriotic songs in church?

We are thanking God for his provision of a country that has been a general positive good for the world for at least 100 years. The ideals of America, imperfectly lived out, have to this day also been used of God for kingdom purposes—the spread of the gospel, the doing of justice and the application of mercy to millions.
We are thanking him for providing leaders who, willingly or unwillingly, serve our communities, families and churches by their work. This is a takeaway from Romans 13 and 1 Timothy 2:1-2.
We are expressing honor and gratitude to those leaders who, however imperfectly, serve us.
We are acknowledging the legacy of those who have gone before. We can see better than they the good they did on our behalf. We see it in our laws, our ideals, the courage and ingenuity of those who built and preserved our country, and in the religious liberty that allows us to choose to put or not put an American flag in the corner of the choir loft.

What are we not saying (or a least should not be saying)?

Our national identity is primary. We are citizens of a heavenly kingdom, literally. I have more in common with Jordanian Christians who sing and preach in a language I do not understand at all than I do with the lost guys I went to high school with.
America is God’s uniquely chosen nation. He has a purpose for our country, as he does for other countries, and for their leaders. God has used America in unique ways but that says nothing about our inherent virtue or the plans of God for tomorrow.
We worship our flag or the heritage is represents. I don’t know anyone who does this but it is a stereotype of patriotic Christians that we worship the flag, the nation or a political party. I understand the point they are making but that attitude is rare and I join in saying it is idolatry.

This should not be the place where I call you unpatriotic or you call me idolatrous, though some have gone to just those extremes in this discussion. Some of it is a matter of personal taste; some I suspect is a matter of eschatology. In any case, a touch of forbearance, even grace could make such a difference tolerable (Leeman also makes this point). I’d also add that not everyone who is comfortable with a flag on the stage or “God bless America” on Independence Day is advocating for a civil religion. Maybe your church will do something this weekend that makes you squirm a little (as any church will occasionally do) but not everyone will be as uncomfortable as you. Maybe hesitate to make assumptions about the theological depth or Great Commission sincerity of those who enjoyed it more than yourself.