I believe one failing of American Christians is the temptation to worship country instead of Jesus. I speak as a retired Foreign Service Officer of the U.S. State Department, who proudly served in U.S. diplomatic missions in the Middle East.

Perhaps the temptation to worship America arose in the days immediately after World War II. The Soviet Union threatened Europe with a brand of government openly hostile to Christianity and included persecution of Christians.

Nevertheless, we have too often mixed patriotism, valuable as is the concern for country, with the religion of Jesus, especially evangelical Christians.

Benjamin Crosby, an Episcopal priest, writes: “It is a scandal that the term ‘evangelical’ increasingly means a set of political positions rather than a focus on the gospel of the overwhelming grace of God, not only for those who reject it, but also for those who embrace it.” (“Empty Pews,” Plough Quarterly,” Winter 2024)

Jesus’ messages often drew a distinction between God and country. His gospel was for Romans as it was for God’s called Jewish people, suffering under those Romans.

Jesus was worshiped as God’s Messiah by some of his Jewish followers. However, he ministered to anyone who came to him in need, Jews and Gentiles, zealots and humble fisher folk, religious leaders and prostitutes.

Jesus doesn’t belong only to Americans and those espousing an American way of life any more than He belonged only to Jews in his earthly ministry.