Psalm 78: 1-4
Romans 8: 18-24
John 8: 53-58
History
.Recently a national Radio Talk Show Host and a call-in listener were talking about Christianity in America.
As the conversation continued, the host, who is an avowed agnostic, said, "Why do Christians think they had anything special to do with the founding of this country... Anybody who reads history books knows that Christianity was no more involved in America’s founding than any other religion."
Unfortunately and inaccurately that seems to be the prevalent thought of many Americans today. But the truth of the matter is we are a nation that has been shaped by the Judeo-Christian ethic found throughout the Bible. We are a Biblical nation from our very roots.
But are we a Christian nation? To answer that question we must define the meaning of the question itself. If being a "Christian nation" means that everyone, or even a majority, is a Christian, then we are not a Christian nation. We are certainly not a theocracy, and our Constitution prevents us from becoming one.
But if it means that Christianity was the religion of the overwhelming majority of our nation’s Founding Fathers and if its influence is undeniably seen in our nation’s Founding Documents, and that Christian ethics and moral codes were accepted as the rule for our social order, then yes, we are a Christian nation.
As the conversation continued, the host, who is an avowed agnostic, said, "Why do Christians think they had anything special to do with the founding of this country... Anybody who reads history books knows that Christianity was no more involved in America’s founding than any other religion."
Unfortunately and inaccurately that seems to be the prevalent thought of many Americans today. But the truth of the matter is we are a nation that has been shaped by the Judeo-Christian ethic found throughout the Bible. We are a Biblical nation from our very roots.
But are we a Christian nation? To answer that question we must define the meaning of the question itself. If being a "Christian nation" means that everyone, or even a majority, is a Christian, then we are not a Christian nation. We are certainly not a theocracy, and our Constitution prevents us from becoming one.
But if it means that Christianity was the religion of the overwhelming majority of our nation’s Founding Fathers and if its influence is undeniably seen in our nation’s Founding Documents, and that Christian ethics and moral codes were accepted as the rule for our social order, then yes, we are a Christian nation.
In 1992, when Govenor, Kirk Fordice of Mississppi stated unreservedly “America is a Christian nation” the response bordered on hysteria.
But before that -- Congress, declared 1983 to be the “Year of the Bible” — stating that the Bible has made a unique contribution in shaping the US as a distinctive and blessed nation....Biblical teaching inspired concepts of civil government that are contained in our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the US (Public Law 97-280, Stat. 1211, approved 10/4/1982).
But before that -- Former Chief Justice Earl Warren, 1954, said, the history of our country and the documents/charter that founded us exhibit the same objective: “A Christian land governed by Christian principles...”
But before that -- Abraham Lincoln, April 30, 1863, appointed a National Fast Day and declared, “It is the duty of nations as well as men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history: that nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.”.
But before that -- George Washington Oct 3, 1789, “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly implore his protection and favor.”
But before that -- Mayflower Compact 1620 was a covenant “in the presence of God,” “In the name of God, Amen...by the Grace of God...have undertaken for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith.” The Pilgrims wanted to establish a political commonwealth governed by biblical standards.
But before that -- Congress, declared 1983 to be the “Year of the Bible” — stating that the Bible has made a unique contribution in shaping the US as a distinctive and blessed nation....Biblical teaching inspired concepts of civil government that are contained in our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the US (Public Law 97-280, Stat. 1211, approved 10/4/1982).
But before that -- Former Chief Justice Earl Warren, 1954, said, the history of our country and the documents/charter that founded us exhibit the same objective: “A Christian land governed by Christian principles...”
But before that -- Abraham Lincoln, April 30, 1863, appointed a National Fast Day and declared, “It is the duty of nations as well as men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history: that nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.”.
But before that -- George Washington Oct 3, 1789, “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly implore his protection and favor.”
But before that -- Mayflower Compact 1620 was a covenant “in the presence of God,” “In the name of God, Amen...by the Grace of God...have undertaken for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith.” The Pilgrims wanted to establish a political commonwealth governed by biblical standards.
Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Dartmouth, William and Mary and Columbia were founded by Christian preachers and church affiliations with the expressed intent to educated youth for Christ.
A Preacher named Frances Bellemy wrote our "Pledge of Allegiance."Another Preacher, Samuel Smith wrote the Hymn "My Country ’Tis of Thee." John Leland another Preacher wrote the introduction of the first Amendment to the Constitution. Prior to the Civil War, 90% of all of America’s College Presidents were Preachers of the Gospel.
So, there is no question that our nation has had a Christian foundation, and heritage. However, one also must remember that the reason the Pilgrims came to this country was to escape from religious intolerance. Freedom of religion is a foundation block upon which our nation was founded. Today religious intolerance threatens our nation. Intolerance between religious groups, and intolerance between those who do not believe in God and those who do.
It is also essential we remember that this whole world is God’s creation, and all within it, individuals and nations alike. He does not see the borders between countries as we do. He sees the barriers between people. He sees the barriers that keep people regardless of where they live from drawing closer to him. Paul speaks of that in Romans, when he speaks of the freedom of the glory of God for his children of all creation.
Psalm 78 speaks of the importance of knowing our history—not just the history of our nation, but the history of all human relationship with God. Nations have come and gone from the time of the psalms and before. Nations are finite, and fragile. God is Lord of all, creator of all, and his desire to be in relationship with us does not change though empires and kings and presidents and nations fade away.
In the Gospel of John Jesus reminds us that he was there when God set human history in motion, and is part of history, working now through those who are true followers to transform this world so his kingdom will be found on earth as it is in heaven. God’s sovereignty plays out through a divine authority over all of human history, not just for one nation in time, but for all people of all time.
We have been granted free will, the capacity to either choose to be redeemed by God to become part of God’s ongoing creativity, or to turn away from God. As we see in the biblical stories, the latter choice brings trouble and crisis, not just for the individual making that choice but for all around. The evil in history is perpetuated by those who choose not to follow God’s will.
As we read in Paul's letter, the promise we have is that because of God’s sovereignty history will lead into his eternity as his kingdom does become perfect. To be part of that eternity with God, we must choose to surrender and allow him to guide our own personal history
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