Every year on Memorial Day, people remember the men and women of our country who have given their lives to defend our freedoms, many people will be displaying a flag, both to commemorate the sacrifice of these soldiers, and to display a sense of patriotism.

There are many Christians, however, who choose not to fly a flag. Also, if you were to ask them, they will refuse to say the Pledge of Allegiance.

Why do some Christians refuse to say the Pledge of Allegiance?

It is because they believe that the flag, and particularly, the Pledge of Allegiance, is idolatrous. And they have a case.

In the early centuries of the church, the Roman Empire also had it’s banners and seals, and Roman Citizens were required by law to swear fealty to Caesar by stating some sort of Pledge of Allegiance to one of his banners or seals. Many Christians believed that since Jesus Christ alone is our Lord, and it is to Him alone that we must swear fealty, then any such oath to a flag, or a human ruler, is idolatry (cf. similar concerns raised by Greg Boyd in The Myth of a Christian Religion). Those Christians who refused to swear, often paid for this decision with their lives.

So, can we say the Pledge of Allegiance today? Can we fly a flag?

I think we can.

First, in the first centuries of the church, the Caesars believed that they were divine, and therefore required people to worship and honor them as a Son of God. The Roman banners and seals were symbolic of this Caesar worship, and so the early Christians were right to reject it. Today, however, in flying a flag or saying the Pledge, nobody is stating that they believe the flag, the President of the United States, or even the United States itself, is divine. So flying a flag and saying the pledge are not, in my opinion, idolatrous.

Second, and more importantly, refusing to fly a flag or say the Pledge of Allegiance today is not going to get anyone killed. At most, you might be considered unpatriotic. If we really wanted to find some idolatrous practice that was equivalent to what the early Christians faced, it would have to be something that might result in our persecution and death if we did it (or refused to do it).

When society forces you to do something or face rejection, it is then that we have possibly encountered an idolatrous practice. Like what? There are numerous possibilities, but the one that comes to mind first is the head-long plunge into materialism and greed. If you live in a way contrary to the materialistic goals of our society, people will shun and avoid you, and think you are insane. As I stated yesterday, we need more Christians who are “suicidal” in this way.

How ironic it is then, that those who refuse to fly a flag out of loyalty to Jesus, turn around and buy thousands of dollars of clothes, a brand new car every other year, go on vacations and trips around the world, and build multi-million dollar stadiums which are then stamped with the name of Christ.

So I say wave a flag. Honor our fallen soldiers. And then, make some decisions about how you are going to honor Jesus with you money and possessions this year.

No, I do not want Christians to kill themselves.

But have you ever noticed that Jesus, Paul, Peter, nearly all of the early Christians, and most of the great Christians throughout history would be considered “suicidal”?

No, it is not that they were depressed about life, or were thinking of killing themselves.

Instead, they risked their lives to love and serve others. And when the threat of death reared its head before them, they rushed head-long into it.

The Gospels tell us that Jesus headed resolutely toward Jerusalem, knowing that He would be arrested and crucified. Paul also, was warned repeatedly against going to Jerusalem, but he went anyway. Peter and the other apostles faced imprisonment, torture, and even death in their task of taking Jesus to the ends of the earth.

They did not live safely. They took risks which would be described today as “having a death wish.”

Today, in the United States, we plan and prepare and try to do everything to keep ourselves and our children safe. But maybe it is we are are living suicidally, killing our spirits and our souls in an effort to avoid sickness, pain, and death.

So what are you going to risk? Life and limb, or your bank account and health?

When I was in Junior High, two of my friends, Seth and Andrew, used to get in little fights with each other. They really were best of friends, but Seth loved to bother Andrew, and Andrew loved to inflict pain on Seth. It was a great friendship.

One day, as they were going at each other at Andrew’s house, and I was sitting back watching the whole thing unfold, Andrew’s father walked in the room. Being the authority figure of the household, I thought for sure he was going to break them up. But he didn’t.

He simply walked on through the room, and on his way out, he called back over his shoulder, “Fight nicely, boys!”

I thought it was so funny. What about fighting can be nice?

But the truth is that in fighting, as in love, there are rules.

This is especially true when it comes to marriage. My wife and I never argue (cough, cough), but when we (don’t) fight, there are a few rules we try to follow which often helps us fight nicely. Recently, someone asked me for a copy of them, and I thought maybe I would make them available online for anyone else who could use them…for your friends.

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I hope you have enjoyed the introduction to one of my favorite theologians this past week. The prophetic voice in the music of Steve Taylor provided me with a foundation during the developmental years of my education. I introduced you to:

• Jesus is for Losers
• What is the Measure of Your Success?
• Cash Cow
• Sock Heaven
• Baby Doe
• Lifeboat
• Escher’s World

After his album “Squint” in 1993, which was the crowning achievement of his career, he vanished from the scene. I occasionally checked online to see what he was doing, and in 1994 I was able to meet him at a concert in Texas (I got to help him set up and take down the set). I eventually gave up hope that he would ever put out another album. But even though I gave up hope, I didn’t feel a lot better.

Then about four years ago, I was listening to Donald Miller speak at a conference, and he mentioned that some movie producer had approached him about making his book, Blue Like Jazz, into a movie. I remember thinking, “The producer better be crazy creative, because the book isn’t really a ‘movie book.'” I didn’t think much more about it.

Until about six months ago, when I stumbled upon the movie website Blue Like Jazz – the Movie, and discovered who the producer is: none other than Steve Taylor.

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Five girls were recently rescued from an India brothel, thanks in part to the work of the International Justice Mission. One of them was five years old. Another was ten, and was rescued from the brothel right at the time that her pimp was negotiating her sale for the very first time.

Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times reports:

Unicef has estimated that worldwide 1.8 million children enter the sex trade each year. Too many are in the United States, which should prosecute pimps much more aggressively, but the worst abuses take place in countries like Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Cambodia.

So I set off with the I.J.M. investigator (who wants to remain anonymous for his own safety) into the alleys of the Sonagachi red-light district one evening, slipped into the brothel, and climbed to the third floor. And there were Chutki and three other girls in a room, a pimp hovering over them. Perceiving us as potential customers, he offered them to us.

We demurred but said we’d be back.

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