Pastor John Piper Warns Christians Not to Place Patriotism over Christ, the Church

In a recent episode of his podcast called Ask Pastor John, theologian and pastor John Piper challenged Christians not to amplify patriotism in their lives over their loyalty to Christ.

Piper, who is the founder of “Desiring God,” offered his take on patriotism after a listener named Matt asked him if there was room for patriotism in a Christian’s life.

“Obviously, as Christians, we are to live as strangers, exiles, aliens, and pilgrims on this earth. Is there an appropriate place in the Christian life to be patriotic? If so, what is it? And at what point does our patriotism go too far?” Matt asked Piper.

Piper responded saying, “yes, I think there is [room for patriotism] and I think it’s right, or at least it can be right and good.”

But, “it is true that we need to stress it at the beginning, maybe stress it at the end, we are pilgrims here, we are exiles, refugees, sojourners,” Piper said citing Peter from the Bible.

Then citing Paul, the Reformed pastor reminded believers that they are “citizens of heaven” who will spend eternity in a “created world — in fact, this created world, renewed and cleansed” in which Satan will no longer be a part of.

Piper then goes on to define patriotism as “a kind of love for the fatherland” or the love of one’s country, city, state, country or tribe. He adds that he believes that the Word of God affirms…