At last night’s “Celebrate Freedom Rally,” the choir and orchestra of First Baptist Dallas premiered a new song. It’s written by their former Minister of Music, Gary Moore, who was in attendance and recognized. As of today, it is now available in the CCLI database for any church who wishes to sing it. Here is the text:

Make America great again

Make America great again

Lift the torch of freedom all across the land

Step into the future joining hand in hand

And make America great again

Yes make America great again.

Americans from ev’ry corner of this blessed land

Come together with one voice

Help us take a stand

Following the vision to make her proud and grand

And make America great again

Make America great again

Like the mighty eagle that is rising on the wind

Soaring t’ward our destiny

Hearts and voices blend

With a mighty melody oh let the song begin

And make America great again

Make America great again

Each and every state

Make America great again

Make America great again

(cue video to 34:30)

It’s saccharine and uninteresting but it seems innocent enough. Indeed, if it were just another little ditty to whistle on Independence Day, it would be fairly innocuous. The problem is that the sentiment behind it has been adopted by a significant portion of the evangelical church. It’s not only their candidate’s campaign slogan, it’s now a part of their gospel. It’s their mantra, their creed, their prayer, and they shout it out with nationalistic fervor. Pledging allegiance to God and to America in the same breath, melding together the kingdom of God and self, they pray a blasphemous prayer to a red, white, and blue Jesus.

The mere existence of a song like “Make America Great Again” in a database of so-called “worship” songs highlights the degree to which American Christianity has sold its soul to a gospel of power and self-interest.

The premiere performance was followed by one of the most disturbing presidential introductions I’ve ever heard. Robert Jeffress, Pastor of FBC Dallas and faithful presidential lapdog, introduces Donald Trump as the American god’s prayer for the world, the Übermensch who can redeem our lost empire, and through whom this god’s hand of blessing will forcefully and triumphantly be restored upon the USA.

But how tragically this prayer cancels out the prayer of Jesus himself.

The political church prays:

“Make America great again!”

Jesus prayed:

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

The political church prays:

“Build up our empire!”

Jesus prayed:

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

The political church prays:

“Give us what we want.”

Jesus prayed:

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

The political church prays:

“Pour out your favor on us!”

Jesus prayed:

“Your Kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

The political church prays:

“Let Republicans get elected.”

Jesus prayed:

“Your Kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

The political church prays:

“Help us pass laws to make American evangelicals more comfortable.”

Jesus prayed:

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

The political church prays:

“Make America in our own image.”

Jesus prayed:

“Your Kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

The political church prays:

“Give us the mightiest, strongest, more intimidating military in the world.”

Jesus prayed:

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

The political church prays:

“Since you’re on our side, give us power over our enemies.”

Jesus prayed:

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

The political church prays:

“Don’t let them take our assault rifles away!”

Jesus prayed:

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

The political church prays:

“Blessed is the nation whose god is the American dream.”

Jesus prayed:

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

So, choose this day whom you will serve and whose song you will sing. I pray you won’t be among the number of American evangelicals who have chosen American Jesus.

You simply can’t have it both ways.

You can’t pray for a power-over government while praying with a Servant-Savior.

Terrifying, most Holy God, as Jesus taught his disciples to pray, we pray:

Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Photo:

Flickr, creative commons 2.0