Here’s an essay from Willowdale’s Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Director.
Our World Today
To quote the Global Director of PARL, we ought to accept the complete/full humanity as it is found in God. In his conversation on ANN, Pastor Ganoune Diop expresses his opinion on sentiment regarding global challenges, where he notes that there is danger amongst humanity in classifying matters as of differentiated significance. In other words, it is a failure to regard all situations everywhere as equally important. Listening to several multilateral discussions today, such as the last COPE 29 or recent G20 meetings, there is always a statement by policy makers/scholars/analysts/activists to the effect that where is equality? The theme for South Africa’s G20 Presidency-which is holding the presidency historically as the first ever country from the Global South to do that- is Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability. One would have thought the major advancements made in the name of mankind in science and social economy have brought a new meaning to the concept of humanity, the premise upon which multilateral institutions such as the UN are founded.
Or rather is there a divide, as we understand of the ‘Global North’ and ‘Global South.’ Countries/ nation-states and regions around the world have historically especially during and post-world wars divided/organised themselves based mostly on economic and political alignment, even within geographical proximity some countries can be diametrically opposed. That is based on the political-economic system and therefore corresponding alliances cease to always be a function of distance but rather ideology. Even now there is a reorganisation as it were, the emergence of a new global order, as there is a new comradery amongst certain nations which seek ‘inclusion.’ The Christian or believer would obviously endeavour to position themselves and their faith amidst these realities. A related and pertinent question would be regarding patriotism and the nation, at this time where there is surging protectionism.
For God and Country- Christian patriots and nationalism
Each morning across schools a version of the national anthem is played “Oh Canada…,” a fair deduction regarding ‘Oh Canada,’ and other national anthems is they tend to be prayers in song.
Prayers that signal dedication of the country and its citizens to God and mutually the citizens’ pledge to devote themselves to their countries.
It is honourable and dutiful to respect the national anthem which consists of the history of the country; its struggle; its aspirations. Equally to honour the flag and associated emblems and institutions.
Below is an extract of the National Flag Bill:
1st Session, 41st Parliament, 60 Elizabeth II, 2011 house of commons of Canada
BILL C-288.
The Bill reads that “Whereas the Canadian flag is the symbol of the nation’s unity;
Whereas the Canadian flag represents the principles of freedom, democracy, courage, and justice upon which our great nation is based; Whereas the Canadian flag represents all the citizens of Canada; Whereas the Canadian flag represents pride in our great nation and support for those who have sacrificed their lives for it;
And whereas it is in the national and public interest not to prevent a person from displaying the National Flag;
Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:
SHORT TITLE
Short title
- This Act may be cited as the National Flag of Canada Act.
PROHIBITION
Prohibition
- It is prohibited for any person to prevent the displaying of the National Flag of Canada, provided that
(a) the flag is displayed in a manner befitting this national symbol;
(b) the display is not for an improper purpose or use; and
(c) the flag is not subjected to desecration.
While as a Christian respecting and honouring this legislation this is but being compliant with Romans 13, with regards to obeying/honouring authorities, there are considerations to be made, generally when it comes to compliance with statutory requirements in any jurisdiction.
i. The decency and morality associated with civic duty is usually correspondent to the nature of the legislation given by a respective government. For a free country such Canada, to raise the flag and carry it, would be a function of voluntary patriotism. There is no compulsion, given a substantive generational immigrant demographic, presumably patriotism could be deduced as an appreciation of the environment provided by the state. That is the social services, freedoms and opportunity in myriads of forms, relative to other scenarios/countries. Canada’s democratic space implies that there should be no stifled voices, therefore there is room for redress in case of disgruntled constituencies something that is not always guaranteed in many other parts of the world. Therefore, it is not a perfect but workable freedom.
In bible prophecy where countries/nations/empires are personified as beasts/animals (Daniel 7;8) the lamb like beast of Revelation 13 is described as lamblike because of the two lamb’s horns (horns representing power and authority) -which are interpreted to represent civil and religious freedoms-, albeit it speaks (voice represents laws/legislation) like a dragon -thereby implying legislation that supports the agenda of the serpent or dragon also the devil Rev 12-.
This then raises the question what does civic duty look like for the Christian in an outright military or police state? What does this mean in a kleptocracy, oligarchy; authoritarian establishment etc, national duty can mean anything from reporting neighbours for exercising freedom. It can mean the execution of the most horrendous orders under command. Examples (Genocide; corruption etc)
ii. Nations and self interest
Again, it must be established that nation states as economic and political actors are actuated by self-interest; therefore, at most if not all times nationalism and patriotism translate into for MY country, MY people and not others unless our interests converge, as a function of their intrinsic trajectory. Currently global news is dominated by the impact of American withdrawal from multilateral commitments amongst them USAID funding, the justification being the US is on a trajectory where it is now more inwardly looking rather than preoccupied by global problems so to speak.
iii. Historical reflections on the discordance between legislation and morality are insightful.
Even the history of ‘free’ nations is not as clean, one simply needs to remember the establishment of slavery. More especially the transatlantic slave trade also called the triangular trade. This was a catalyst to an era of commercial revolution during and post the age of the British empire. At this time Christian ministers and followers were polarised, with some defending the institution as enterprise and mission whilst dehumanising those enslaved. At this time to disobey the state would mean to honour God’s word and respect His image in fellow humanity, as seen in the story of John Price.
Positioning the Church and its Mission
How is the church positioning itself and its mission in all this sophistication; for amongst Jesus’ words were, “And this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached and then shall the end come.” Even His parting words were
Acts 1:7–8 (NKJV):
“It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. That is the disciples were not to be keen in the pursuit of the date of fulfilment but rather to actively fulfil the last sign of the end of the age as part of their mission.
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
In such a world, how does the church continue to forward its mission in service to all of humanity.
Acts 17:24–28 (NKJV):
a. God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth….
By remembering that God whom we worship is the Creator,
(i. (Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:8) the sabbath- the universally recognized weekly cycle (unlike the day, month and year which derive from lunar phases and planetary orbits) is not from geography but history and maybe anthropology; better yet a derivation of sacred history. Thereby further establishing its universality and the commonality among humanity
(ii. respect and regard His creation
(iii. truth over evolution philosophy—All of Mankind is made in God’s image, not inferior life forms— therefore purpose!)
b. …. Since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.
(preservation of all life and the health mission).
c. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth
i. All nations, All people, Are one! All people are God’s people.
ii. The message sent as signified by angels flying in the midst of heaven in Revelation 14:6,7 is to all people, nations and languages, that is EVERBODY)
iii. has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings
(A God of Prophecy, an omniscient God who is not taken by surprise—all these divisions a consequence of the sinful state of men as seen in Genesis 11; Revelation 16, a state of rebellious confusion and union in opposition to God’s plan—He Has overruled for His purpose that it may be to the salvation of their souls),
iv. so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, (Such that they should find their true purpose in Him)
Indeed, are all men brethren or shall they be brothers at all —
ODE TO JOY?
But first the kingdoms of this world are to be of our Lord and His Christ, first today in the hearts of mankind (that we treat All of God’s People as People), and tomorrow in the earth made new!
In the words of Ellen G white; Desire of ages page 638 paragraph 4
But not to any class is Christ’s love restricted. He identifies Himself with every child of humanity. That we might become members of the heavenly family, He became a member of the earthly family. He is the Son of man, and thus a brother to every son and daughter of Adam. His followers are not to feel themselves detached from the perishing world around them. They are a part of the great web of humanity; and Heaven looks upon them as brothers to sinners as well as to saints. The fallen, the erring, and the sinful, Christ’s love embraces; and every deed of kindness done to uplift a fallen soul, every act of mercy, is accepted as done to Him.