For American Christians, what is the right relationship between spiritual identity and national identity?

In One Nation over God, Wes Crawford explores the complicated relationship between Christian faith and American patriotism. Drawing from personal stories, history, and cultural observations, Crawford reveals how national devotion has grown into something resembling a civil religion—complete with its own rituals, sacred texts, and symbols. From standing for the national anthem at ballgames to treating the Constitution like holy writ, Americans often blur the line between love of God and devotion to country.

Crawford isn’t arguing against patriotism. In fact, he acknowledges the unifying and inspiring role that national devotion can play. But he also warns of its dangers. When Christians assume America is always God’s chosen instrument, or when the flag overshadows the cross, their devotion can drift into idolatry. This blending of faith and patriotism risks distorting the gospel and weakening the church’s prophetic voice.

The solution, says Crawford, is to maintain a clear distinction between love of God and love of country. He points to faithful examples—people like Julia Ward Howe, John Lewis, and Dorothy Day—who cared deeply for America yet critiqued its moral shortcomings. Their lives remind us that true Christian faithfulness requires first allegiance to Christ, which may at times call us to challenge our nation rather than applaud it.

Clear, engaging, and refreshingly balanced, One Nation over God invites Christians to reflect deeply on where their first allegiance lies. It offers pastors and church leaders practical wisdom for navigating culture wars while maintaining theological integrity. Most importantly, it provides hope: faithful discipleship and thoughtful citizenship need not be enemies.

Wes Crawford is vice provost and associate professor of church history at Abilene Christian University. Previously, he served as a senior pastor for twenty years. He is the author of Shattering the Illusion, Courage in the Sheer Silence, and One Nation over God.

What does it mean to love our country?

Some Christians see loyalty to America as central to our faith and identity. Other Christians are skeptical that our nation warrants such devotion or attachment. But Richard Mouw encourages Christians to have a healthy sense of national peoplehood that promotes civic kinship and responsible citizenship. He navigates between Christian nationalism on one hand and cynicism about country on the other to avoid the perils of both idolatry and disengagement.

Mouw grapples with sticky questions such as how to honor national holidays in church and the place of protests in forging a more perfect union. Placing love of country in the context of Christian love of neighbor, he sees patriotism as an expression of our heavenly citizenship and a call to help our country be a place where all people can thrive in peace.

Mouw’s winsome and wise reflections direct our patriotic affections toward the civic good of others within our churches and in our communities. This guide helps us travel together on a shared national journey toward liberty and justice for all.

Richard J. Mouw (PhD, University of Chicago) is a senior research fellow at the Henry Institute for the Study of Religion and Politics at Calvin University. He previously served as the president of Fuller Theological Seminary (1993–2013) and directed their Institute of Faith and Public Life (2013–2020). In 2007, Princeton Theological Seminary awarded him the Abraham Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology and Public Life. He is the author of over twenty books, including UncommonDecency, Adventures in Evangelical Civility, Restless Faith, and All That God Cares About.

Recover the Wonder and Weight of the Sunday Service

“Do I have to go to church?”

Whether we’ve fielded this question from others or have at times wondered ourselves, pastor Adriel Sanchez invites us to consider afresh why Sunday corporate worship matters.

Why We Worship reenchants our spiritual imagination, helping us rediscover the beauty of worship in Scripture and draw upon the richness of Christian liturgy through the ages. Sanchez delves into the biblical underpinnings and historical development of the core parts of a worship service, casting a vision for corporate worship’s vital role in healthy Christian spirituality and discipleship.

In Why We Worship, Sanchez draws on Scripture and history to uncover not only the what but also the why of elements of the Sunday service including

• music,
• the sermon,
• Communion,
• baptism,
• confession,
• prayer, and
• the benediction.

Church isn’t meant to be a dull routine or an entertainment-driven spectacle. It’s a weekly heavenly ascent that transforms us to live the Christian life here on earth. Enter anew into the wonder of Sunday worship as a transcendent, joy-filled journey into God’s presence.

Adriel Sanchez is senior minister at North Park Presbyterian Church in San Diego and the host of the Core Christianity podcast with Sola Media. He is the author of Praying with Jesus: Getting to the Heart of the Lord’s Prayer andhas written for Christianity Today, Modern Reformation Magazine, Credo Magazine, and Tabletalk Magazine. Adriel lives with his wife and six children in Southern California.