How to Be a Patriotic Christian: Love of Country as Love of Neighbor

Written by Richard J. Mouw

Narrated by Jim Seybert

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ChristianAudio.com
• Release date: Jul 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9781545921654

Richard J. Mouw

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 Uncommon Decency, Adventures in Evangelical Civility, Restless Faith, and All That God Cares About.

Reviews for How to Be a Patriotic Christian

[06nwingert · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Richard Mouw was a pastor and seminary president for 20 years. This book is a teaching about how to live as a Christian and American simultaneously. His background lends toward a more pastoral approach, rather than political. He does admit that some of his ideas have changed over the years due to conversations with students.

[bettyetters-310759 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a well written discussion of a very timely topic. I appreciated the way the author emphasized that there is a middle area and we don’t have to be polarized to one extreme or the other, as is so common right now. This book presented things well and gave me a lot to think about. Highlights for me are: the difference between state and nation, the importance of discernment, the value of being able to argue well rather than “quarrel”, and the practical guidelines at the end.

[david_fosco · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The content of 'How to be a Patriotic Christian' is encouraging, and engaging; however, the book seems to lack a significant punch or ah-ha moment. Additionally it seems to be written in no particular order and reminds me of a college essay where the student is given a word limit. Several times when the book reeled me into a point it seemed to abruptly come to explanation without further exploration.