SAINT ANDREW’S CHURCH
LAKE WORTH, FLORIDA

Independence Day Service [July 2, 2005]
Canon Richard T. Nolan

UNDER WHICH GOD?

There can be little doubt that there is continuing disagreement in the United States about the relationship between religion and government. Just this past week the Supreme Court’s attempts to resolve some issues about public displays of the Ten Commandments have left confusion in its wake.

Related to Independence Day, the exact meanings of “Nature’s God,” “Creator,” “Providence,” and “Supreme Judge” in the July 4, 1776, Declaration of Independence are disputed among loyal and learned citizens. For some, it is a reference to a deistic deity, a Supreme Intelligence
that created our reality and thereafter fully disengaged. For others, it refers to the biblical God; and, for others, it is a mere poetic utterance signifying a politically necessary divine vagueness at best.

Among contemporary Episcopalians the inclusion of Independence Day and Thanksgiving as Prayer Book observances is inappropriate, and for many others, it is a sacred obligation. A rationale for their inclusion has been provided in a fine book entitled Liturgy for Living. Let me quote directly from the volume written by two Episcopal seminary professors: 

 … Christian worship is corporate as well as individual. It concerns our life together as well as our private spirituality. The nation is one of the most significant groups in which we live. The quality of its corporate life, its ethos, its acts, its fate, determine our private and family lives to a remarkable degree. It is therefore both necessary and good that we should bring our life as a nation into the presence of God, both to give thanks for it and to hear the word of God’s judgment upon it. The naturally convenient times to do so are our great national holidays. Thanksgiving Day has been conceived from its outset as a day to give thanks to God for his blessings upon the nation; and the Declaration of Independence, commemorated on Independence Day, makes such an appeal to Providence and to Deity that to commemorate the day with a religious observance simply continues to express its inherent significance. … there is always a danger that such observances should turn into self-congratulatory and chauvinistic occasions, and that we should approach God as if he should do our will rather than as if we, being his servants, should do his.1

Tonight’s Bible readings have been selected to challenge any sentimental piety that often trivializes such occasions. In combination, they convey that trust in, and reverence for, the God of Abraham and Jesus is the basis for the moral vision of this community; the people of God are to walk God’s path toward their eventual perfection, their personal and corporate completeness, far in the future.

Reflecting God’s intentions for humanity, the biblical hope is that all nations, all peoples, should be invited and welcomed to be an intentional part of God’s community. Those accepting the invitation will become a unique community of faith which transcends all artificial, human barriers; its people will live fulfilled lives to the extent that all gracefully revere God and actively manifest a loving, equal regard for their neighbors and for themselves.

No nation or people past or present can justifiably claim that it has fully accepted and implemented this invitation: not Israel, not Palestine, not the United States, not Jews, not Christians, not Muslims, and so on. In fact, most human alliances, indeed - most human beings, do not actually worship the one God of Abraham, Jesus, and Mohammad. Instead, in our daily lives we tend to worship such false gods as power, fame, and wealth; under the guise of religion many pay homage to a vague transcendence, natures’ forces, spiritual inwardness, holy writings, hallowed buildings and objects, church denominations, and sacred rituals. We create mini-gods who embody, excel, entertain, or lead in these areas. Sadly, even our religious lives easily become idolatrous without our recognizing what is happening.

Moreover, we sometimes forget that democracy – in its many possible forms – is a process, not a one-note song that everyone is        required to sing. Rabid patriotism, like radical fundamentalism, deifies current American democracy and fails to comprehend the meaning of the phrase in America, the Beautiful “God mend thine every flaw ….” Failing to recognize that all governmental processes flowing from the Declaration of Independence are still “in-the-making,” too many flag waving citizens uncritically adore leaders who deceive, outright lie, mislead, and may be otherwise cleverly corrupt. A similar style of patriotism was found in Nazi Germany.  Hear Episcopal priest Tom Ehrich’s wise comments about patriotism:

Patriotism was never about one political party or another, never about certain policies, never about loyalty to the government, never about victory in Korea or Vietnam. Politicians tried to turn patriotic fervor to their advantage, especially in wartime. But we knew better. We were taught that love of country -- love of "patria," the "land of our fathers" -- was about freedom, "liberty in law," free elections, free speech, free assembly, freedom to imagine a future unlike anything we knew, freedom to fall in love, freedom to make mistakes, freedom to learn and, in learning, freedom to ask questions.

Out of that training, I offer this Primer on Patriotism:
Patriotism isn't the private preserve of any political party, no matter what their partisans say.
Patriotism is a call to study and to challenge the policies and leaders of our government, to give or to withhold our "consent," lest the land we love be led astray.
Patriotism isn't synonymous with any particular religion, but is a conviction that all people have a right to worship in a manner of their choosing, or not to worship at all.
Patriotism doesn't belong to any one race, class, ethnic group, or early-arriving immigrants, but is a conviction that this is a "golden door" for "huddled masses yearning to breathe free."
Patriotism is about a "fruited plain" that we inherited but didn't create, about "grain" and "grace" that are ours to share, about places where people belong and cannot be told they don't belong, where we bury our fathers and mothers and thereby feel a kinship to those around us.
Patriotism is about respect for those who engage in selfless duty such as military service, and a commitment that we won't take their sacrifice lightly, squander their lives for small purpose, or accept anything less than a "new birth of freedom" as their gift.
Patriotism can feel pride or shame at the behavior of the nation, depending on how each citizen perceives that behavior. Pride and shame should be in dialog, for no advance in our common life has come without free and energetic debate. Patriotism rejects any stifling of debate, quashing of dissent, or imposition of norms.
Patriotism doesn't mean more societal, economic and cultural benefits for some and less for others. Those inequities might be human nature, they might reflect long patterns and different capabilities and luck, but patriotism declares that "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" belong to all.
Patriotism isn't a "wedge issue" to be deployed in pursuit of power. Patriotic fervor is a powerful force, especially in troubled times, and so it must be exercised respectfully and with mature restraint, not trotted out as the next banner to wave against one's opponents.2

You and I have gathered here tonight patriotically, but also as imperfect Christians living in a flawed nation that has always had an uncertain notion of deity. As Christians, though, we profess our ultimate loyalty to the God disclosed beneath and within the words of the Holy Bible and especially in the ministry of Jesus Christ. This commitment informs, nurtures, and limits our allegiances. This covenant provides us all with a challenging ministry to live as disciples of Christ and American citizens. Bringing our discipleship and citizenship more and more into harmony is a life-long task, if we recognize faithfully which God we have chosen to serve.                

1Charles P. Price and Louis Weil, Liturgy for Living, rev. ed., Morehouse, 2000, p. 169.

2 adapted from The Rev. Tom Ehrich, Weekly Essay, “Primer on Patriotism” (Monday, June 27, 2005)    
http://www.onajourney.org/ 

THE COLLECT AND READINGS USED FOR THIS OCCASION

A Collect for Independence Day

Lord God Almighty, in whose Name  founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant we beseech thee, that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Reading - Deuteronomy 10:17-21 

The LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall revere the LORD your God; him alone you shall worship; to him you shall hold fast, and by his name you shall swear. He is your praise; he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things that your own eyes have seen.

The Gospel - Matthew 5:43-48 

Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

John Trumbull's famous painting depicts the signing of the Declaration. This depiction can also be found on the back of the U.S. $2 bill.