American Civil Religion

Since the Puritans sailed across the Atlantic and their leader, John Winthrop, preached that they intended to become the "city on a hill," America has thought itself highly-favored among the nations.  In fact, the idea that America is the greatest nation on earth has led to a century's worth growth in American exceptionalism, the idea that America is not only beyond great but is, in fact, the chosen nation of God.

This last statement, that America is God's chosen nation, is an idealism that undergirds America's history and it is the supreme example of a pairing of two independent ideals: Christianity and civil government.  What has come about from this intentional marriage is, what is aptly termed, civil religion.

The basic premise is that the rhetoric of Christianity has been married to America's nationalism.  The net effect is that America is considered God's own gift to humanity and, thus, everything that is uniquely American is simultaneously God's revelation to mankind.  To be sure, this is blatant misinterpretations of Scripture, and the effects are staggering.

For instance, think of capitalism.  Capitalism is an economic construct.  It is a comprehensive method of handling economics that is, though rooted in Enlightenment philosophy, considered to be the American way and ideal.  However, when considered for its worth, capitalism is amoral, in the sense that it is neither good nor evil in its morality, but because of the American civil religion it is thought of as sacrosanct.  Now consider socialism, another way of dealing with large-scale economics, yet because it is not the American way it is considered immoral if not outright sinful.  But, like capitalism, socialism is amoral, neither good nor evil.

At the final analysis, however, when capitalism as a system is held up the light of Scripture it is opositional, if not actually contrary to the teachings of Scripture.  If the last sentence chaffed something inside then the point has been made.  The value of anything is based on how well it adheres to the teaching of Scripture, not in how American it is, whatever that means.

Our allegiance, as Christians, is to Christ and to His Word.  If we, at any point, begin to associate Christ with America in a theological sense, then we have already started down the road of serving two masters, something Jesus indicts.

All this being true, I think it is important to state clearly that I am an American citizen and proud of my American heritage.  However, if my ethno-cultural-national background hinders my vision as to how I should live, etc., then I am already walking the tightrope of choosing America over Christ. 

Additionally, it would be foolish to not look back at the brief history of America and point to the clear hand of favor present.  But it would be foolish to assume that that favor is as a result of America as a socio-political-economic construct instead of recognizing that God's hand of blessing falls upon those who are obedient to His covenant commands.  In the future, let us consider this when the political rhetoric sounds theological and the theological rhetoric sounds political, making sure that our allegiances are sure and definite.