I came across an interesting quote by Dr. Christ Wright who is International Director of the Langham Partnership International:

“Flags symbolize states, and in many cases, states that are exercising oppressive power, or power achieved by violence, or states that are the historical legacy of colonialism but still riddled with its effects. But the fact is that the worldwide Body of Christ now includes people from communities, tribes and languages that are themselves sometimes the victims of violence and persecution by governments that fly those flags. Would Karen Christians want to parade under the flag of Burma? Under whose flag might Kurdish believers march? And what about believers among various aboriginal peoples under flags of modern nations that were birthed in the genocide of those very peoples? The fact is that there are far more ‘tribes, languages and peoples’ than there are sovereign states with flags, so flags are a very poor way of showing the diversity of God’s people around the world. They are demographically inadequate and tainted with aggression, pride and bloodshed. Sometimes they symbolize a very dangerous and idolatrous combination of patriotism and religion which harnesses God to the service of national self-interest (just like Jeroboam, the son of Nebat ‘who made Israel to sin’, 1 Kgs. 12:26-33).”

This quote caught me off guard because my exposure to missions in the church has always included the symbolism of a multiplicity of flags from the nations of the world.  In many churches there is an American flag at the front of the sanctuary .  Obviously, with such demonstrations the idea is not to endorse the nation-state but to visualize the diversity of the Christian church around the word.  So, the question in my mind is how do we symbolize the unity amidst diversity of Christians in the world?  What symbol could do such a work?

A second question is whether there is a need for such a symbol.  Perhaps the emphasis on nation-states is the residual effect of colonialism?  Is it even Christian to stand under such banners?

My thoughts now move to the classic hymn “O Thou Fount of Every Blessing” written by Robert Robinson in 1758.  He writes, “Here I raise my Ebenezer” which is a poetic understanding of the story of Samuel 7.

Flags are raised up symbols that direct the eyes for help, confidence, and assurance.  The memorable flag raised by the soldiers in WWII rallied the troops against Japan.  This is also why it is disrespectful to drag the flag on the ground or stomp on it as seen in so many protests.  It is the antithesis to the flown flag.

Yet as Christians our eyes are not directed toward national powers but to our great and mighty God. Psalm 121:1-2: “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth”.