Do Church Leaders Promote an Unbiblical Patriotism?

Published: July 30, 2006

The article is about Gregory Boyd and his denuniciation of evangelicals for being enmeshed with the political right.  He is teaching pastor at a 4,000 person megachurch near St. Paul, Minnesota.  He is famous for his involvement in the Open Theism controversies and for his book Letters From a Skeptic. 

The first few lines of the article (which I have pasted below) should serve as a good springboard for discussion.  Like Boyd, I have had people ask me to do all sorts of "political things" from the pulpit.  What should we do and what shouldn’t we do?

MAPLEWOOD, Minn. — Like most pastors who lead thriving evangelical megachurches, the Rev. Gregory A. Boyd was asked frequently to give his blessing — and the church’s — to conservative political candidates and causes.

The requests came from church members and visitors alike: Would he please announce a rally against gay marriage during services? Would he introduce a politician from the pulpit? Could members set up a table in the lobby promoting their anti-abortion work? Would the church distribute “voters’ guides” that all but endorsed Republican candidates? And with the country at war, please couldn’t the church hang an American flag in the sanctuary?

After refusing each time, Mr. Boyd finally became fed up, he said . . .

See the great discussion at Scot McKnight’s Jesus Creed.  See the summary on of this discussion at Vanguard Church’s post Randall Balmer Review at Scot McKnight’s "Jesus Creed"