Is the United States a “Christian nation?” Should it be? A “Christian nation” is difficult to define, so I’d like to ask a different question: why should it be?
Maybe we should be a “Christian nation” because we should return to our roots. Do we have Christian roots as a nation? I’m skeptical of any extreme claims, either of the founders being all secular or all born-again Christians. History is full of people who have claimed Christianity in words, but have never known Jesus. (Matthew 7:23) The United States owes a lot to Judeo-Christian values, but is it divinely inspired?
Maybe we should be a “Christian nation” because democracy is a Christian form of government. Yes, our government is founded on Christian principles such as “all people are created equal”—and we can celebrate that!—but that’s far from saying it is the only Christian form of government. No Biblical passage proposes democracy.
Maybe we should be a “Christian nation” because God’s laws work best. Of course God’s laws work best! But, which laws do we enforce? Stricter laws against coveting? (Exodus 20:17) Or adultery? (Exodus 20:14) Or against foolish talk and crude joking? (Ephesians 5:4) Who gets to decide?
Maybe we should be a “Christian nation” because the United States is God’s new chosen nation. What in Scripture says that any nation would ever again fill such a role?
Maybe we should be a “Christian nation” because we Christians no longer want to be harassed for our beliefs. Or, we want “our team” to be in charge. I can’t help thinking of Jesus’ Golden Rule: “Do to others as you would like them to do to you.” (Luke 6:31) Pushing others around is not Christlike. While we ought to work for justice (Micah 6:8), to avenge is God’s work. (Romans 12:19)
Maybe we should be a “Christian nation” because we want revival in America. I want to see people turn to Jesus! The Biblical example, though, is not revival via government. Rather, the story of Scripture is one of repentant and faithful believers pointing people to the Lord—sometimes as leaders (like David or Nehemiah), sometimes as outcasts (like Jeremiah or Jesus).
What then?
Consider this phrase in the 1776 Pennsylvania Constitution:
[N]o authority…shall in any case interfere with…the right of conscience in the free exercise of religious worship.
I love this. Let’s again pursue freedom of conscience! That’s a nation I—as a Christian—would be proud to be part of.
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