Stars and Stripes

This song is our response to Christian Nationalism.
“In the New Testament’s Letter of Paul to the Galatians, the apostle Paul wrote, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different Gospel — which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.”
Those words ring true today. “A different Gospel… which is really no gospel at all.” That’s what Christian nationalism is: A confusing perversion of the gospel of Christ. It uses the language of our faith, and the symbols of our faith, but betrays the heart of our faith. As Amanda Tyler, the executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee on Religious Liberty has said, Christian nationalism “uses Jesus as a mascot” to disguise racism, xenophobia, and hatred.” (Shane Claiborne)
”Christian nationalism is a cultural framework that idealizes and advocates a fusion of Christianity with American civic life. Christian nationalism contends that America has been and should always be distinctively “Christian” from top to bottom – in its self-identity, interpretations of its own history, sacred symbols, cherished values, and public policies – and it aims to keep it that way. But the “Christian” in Christian nationalism is more about identity than religion. It carries with it assumptions about nativism, white supremacy, authoritarianism, patriarchy, and militarism.” (Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty)

STARS AND STRIPES
Written by Olivia Mogul (ASCAP), Sharon Irving (ASCAP), Benjamin Hardesty (BMI)
© 2023 Common Hymnal Publishing (ASCAP), Mekkatte (ASCAP), Tsara Music Publishing (ASCAP), Common Hymnal Digital (BMI), Benjo Darro Music Company (BMI) (admin by IntegratedRights.com). CCLI 7224130.

VERSE 1
Washed in the blood
But we’ve bought into fear
Have we traded the kingdom, Jesus
For something down here?
And the monuments built
For staking our claims
Let them all pass away
Until only you remain

VERSE 2
There are boots on the ground
The enforcers of peace
And, in this sign, you will conquer all
From sea to shining sea
Holy wars we have waged
In the name of our Lord
Make the feet meant for washing
Turn and run ‘way from your word

CHORUS
Lord of our fathers
Where do we go from here
We need your grace again
Lord, in our weakness
Your strength will persevere
Forever and ever amen

BRIDGE
May the stars that you ignite
And the stripes upon your back
Be the banner that is written on our hearts
May your kingdom overtake
All the ones that we have made
Be on earth as is in heaven