American Christian: What I Will Always Be

I love Jesus. I love my country. I see no reason why one should be conditioned by the other. From time to time, I read articles from a brother or sister in The Faith which try to label what I accept as true as an “ism” (some call it “Christian Nationalism”). So, during this election season, let me be very clear to say what I have said many times and, in many ways, since I began writing online in 2008:

1. I am and will always be pro-freedom. In all of human history there has been no country like America with its titanic freedoms; the most important being free speech. All other freedoms depend on that one. If we lose the freedom to speak without fear of reprisal, we lose the American experiment. I will stand up with you to protect your free speech even if our viewpoints are diametrically opposed. I hope you will do the same for me.
2. I am and will always be pro-life. The child in the womb is a human person: I trust “the science” and The Bible on this one.
3. I am and will always be pro-justice. Will we see perfect justice on earth? Of course not. Perfect justice will be meted out in the next life. Laws create necessary boundaries between right and wrong, creating the opportunity for stability in a country. Americans like me are grateful for order over chaos that I see elsewhere.
4. I am and will always be pro-American. Is American application of justice and law perfect? Of course not. But consider the alternative. Imagine not being able to speak out against wrongdoing. Imagine having no protection from others who would want to hurt you. Imagine a place where a government throws you in jail for your speaking or writing. Now compare those scenarios with our country. I stand when the flag appears, putting my hand over my heart when I recite The Pledge of Allegiance. I get a lump in my throat when the Star-Spangled Banner is played or sung. And I thank God that I am an American (just as much as anyone from another land might love their country).
5. I am and will always be pro-military. American warriors keep bad guys at bay. The strength of our fighting men and women put fear into those who only want to create terror. My peaceful work in academics owes a great deal to all our armed services, who stand between me and those who want to wreak death and destruction. And tears will flow when I remember the sacrifice of those who gave their life so I could live mine.
6. I am and will always be pro-education. No, I don’t agree with a number of educational theories or theorists. However, throughout my forty-two years of teaching I have wanted students to grapple with all ideas. I do not believe in force feeding a certain viewpoint in the classroom (though, if you ask me, I will tell you mine). I believe in open, fair discussions about anything. But I also believe honestly addressing the problems of any system of thought, setting up a compare-and-contrast method, exposes students to all points of view. Students then have the opportunity for ownership (my one-word educational philosophy), whatever position they hold, without being defamed by a professor or shouted down by others who refuse to hear another point of view.
7. I am and will always be pro-conservative. What do conservatives believe? This conservative believes in

(1) preserving the great ideas and ideals passed on to me by others (which would include #’s 1-6 above),

(2) limiting government involvement in a citizen’s life,

(3) stewarding the resources I have been given, after paying my fair share of taxes, to do with the monies as I deem best,

(4) caring for my family, the essential governing body of any nation,

(5) loving my neighbor, no matter who they are or how they identify,

(6) protecting my home, community, and nation against any who would want to do harm, and

(7) maintaining borders (which is an obvious way of declaring a person lives in a ‘nation’) making sure that U.S. citizens obey the law while creating a lawful path for others who want to become U.S. citizens.

My vote in this or any election will be premised on these creeds. I stand by all my words and will act on them as long as I am given life and breath. Your creed may be different than mine and I will defend your right to say it. My statements are not directed against or toward any person or party. But I will vote based on these ideals as much as I know my idealism will be tempered by realism. I understand that what many call “the human condition” (we theologians just call it ‘sin’) will debilitate what I think is “best.” Nonetheless, as a Christian, I have been given a voice in my time and place for the flourishing of my country, knowing that God sets up leaders and takes them down again. I rest in His Providences while acting with individual responsibility for where He has allowed me to live and what I have been given to do.

Dr. Mark Eckel, Executive Director of the Center for Biblical Integration, Liberty University, Lynchburg Virginia. My political views are my own.