Overcoming the idolatry of nationalism

This article at Christianity Today online is a great reminder that, for Christians in the United States, our citizenship is not primarily here (I'm sorry, but I don't remember on whose blog I found the link):

George W. Bush is not Lord. The Declaration of Independence is not an infallible guide to Christian faith and practice. Nor is the U.S. Constitution, nor the U.N. Universal Declaration on Human Rights. "Original intent" of America's founders is not the hermeneutical key that will guarantee national righteousness. The American flag is not the Cross. The Pledge of Allegiance is not the Creed. "God Bless America" is not the Doxology.

Sometimes one needs to state the obvious—especially at times when it's less and less obvious.

The article goes on to show subtle and not-so-subtle ways Christians in the United States seem to forget these simple facts. It also reminds us of "the most potent political act": worship.

In worship we signal who is the Sovereign, not of just this nation, but of heaven and Earth. In worship we gather to be formed into an alternate polis, the people of God. It is here that we proclaim that a new political order—the kingdom of heaven—has been preached and incarnated by the King of Kings, and will someday come in fullness, a fullness to which all kingdoms and republics will submit.

Amen.