This is a review of the history, context, and content of the Pledge of Allegiance viewed through the lens of a Biblical Christian worldview. It also offers an opinion on the controversy related to Christian allegiance to God vs. America.
My View on the Pledge of Allegiance
When I salute the flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance, I am not saluting the government. I am saluting those who truly sacrificed for our freedom. I am saluting those who go above the call of duty to protect us (police, first responders, the military). I am saluting those Americans who still largely hold to traditional values of Christian morality, freedom, and unity.
There is no question that Christian Nationalism, taken too far, is a form of idolatry. However, one can also say that in many areas of life. For example, the application of the phrase “I am at church whenever the doors are open” can be an indication of both pride and idolatry toward church attendance. In today's culture, I would submit that we have crossed the center point on the pendulum of idolatry vs. patriotism. A little more patriotism and a little more church attendance are good things for the average American, given how far we have moved away from the extremes that would be recognized as idolatry toward either construct.
To be patriotic, to express Christian Nationalism through allegiance to this nation, is not to condone past or present administrations or policies. Patriotism can be seen as an attempt to promote a Biblical Christian worldview within a select group of people (like the Israelites from the Old Testament), in this case, called Americans.
Respectfully, I believe that the more this country loses its grip on the Christian ideal (however muddy and sin-filled our nation has become) the closer we are to a fallen nation. This, in turn, allows Satan to raise up increasingly totalitarian rulers from countries like China and Russia. They and Satan want nothing better than Americans losing all sense of patriotism and nationalism, especially as it becomes an increasing cancer undermining our military readiness.