Editor’s note: This article was submitted for publication Fall 2018. This is a late upload.
By: Rev. David Wilson Rogers
The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego recalls the epic saga of three faithful Jews in a world of idolatrous corruption and perverse power. Appropriately remembered for God’s miraculous protection of the three from the fiery furnace, their journey through the deadly heat of Nebuchadnezzar’s furious and jealous rage, their faithful legend remains one of the most beloved stories of the sacred text. Yet, their story also comes with a very contemporary warning!
King Nebuchadnezzar constructed a golden statue to represent both his supreme rule and the power of his kingdom over all the world. Subject to the authority of the king were all the Jews who had been conquered by Nebuchadnezzar and his army. Prior to this time, the pagan king completely destroyed Jerusalem and its sacred temple. His army then carted many of the Jewish leaders and into slavery under Nebuchadnezzar’s narcissistic rule.
Paying homage to material symbols of the State and the related authority of its government is nothing new to humanity. Where Nebuchadnezzar crossed a line was in requiring such homage under threat of punishment. As faithful and obedient Jews, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were placed in a no-win scenario. They could obey the laws of the State and the decrees of the king, but in so doing, violate their religious faith and usurp God’s authority over their lives. On the other hand, they could place God first and deliberately go against the king’s decree and subsequently face the consequences of punishment—in this case, the fires of the furnace.
Psalm 135:15-18 reads, “The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; they have eyes, but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear, and there is no breath in their mouths. Those who make them and all who trust them shall become like them.” This, among the many warnings against idol worship in Scripture, remind the believer that when symbols of State, human authority, and earthly power are lifted as symbols of obligatory homage and respect, they present a choice for the Christian not unlike the quandary faced by the Jews of Babylon—honor the idol or honor God!
For the Christian in America, it is about the American flag and what is “required” of an American during the playing of the National Anthem. For one to voluntarily render honors to the flag and the anthem out of appreciation for all it represents is one thing. Yet, when a cultural mandate—explicit or implied—is placed on people to render certain honors and punishments placed on those who do not, respect for the flag crosses a line and becomes the sin of idol worship.
It is important to remember that as the recent storm of controversy stirred over football players kneeling before the flag at NFL games, the stated purpose of the action was to call attention to inequality and police brutality. In changing the narrative to make it about disrespecting America and veterans, we unwittingly turned the flag into a demonic symbol of hatred and idol worship while completely ignoring the freedom of expression the flag is supposed to represent.
As a Christian, if one wants to voluntarily render honors to the flag there is nothing in scripture to prohibit offering public appreciation for our great nation and all the freedoms it represents. Yet, for any Christian to demand, expect, or force another person to render such honors or mandate punishment for those who do not, invalidates the authenticity of one’s Christian witness and faith. Christians are Christians first, and Americans second.
