By Pastor Stephen Hess –
One of the things I remember learning in elementary school was the pledge of allegiance. Each morning we would start the school day by standing, placing our hands over our hearts, and reciting the pledge. Recently my son also learned the pledge of allegiance as he entered kindergarten, and this brought back memories of my own school days at Lincoln Elementary School in Ellensburg, Washington.
One of the most well-known phrases in the pledge of allegiance is the line that says we are “one nation under God.” As I have become an adult, I must admit that I have found that phrase more and more puzzling. The question I find myself asking is: In what sense is America a nation under God?
There are some that would argue we are a “Christian nation.” Yet no matter how you measure it, this assertion doesn’t seem to match with reality. A huge percentage of our population does not identify as Christian; therefore, if being a Christian nation means that our citizens are Christian, we certainly don’t meet the standard. Additionally, many of our country’s laws do not reflect Biblical teachings; therefore, if being a Christian nation means that we form our society around the Bible, we certainly don’t meet that standard either.
Others would argue that we were once a Christian nation but have strayed from our godly roots. While I would agree that in some ways America has moved further away from the Bible over time, it’s difficult to argue that we have ever been a nation that was submitted to God and followed the teachings of Jesus. When you look at America’s earlier chapters you will find many dark pages including slavery, civil war, segregation, sexual revolution, and much more.
This is not to say that America is not a wonderful place to live. Most of us are probably thankful that we live in a country that affords freedoms and opportunities not found in many other nations. But it is a reality check that we are not, and never have been a “Christian nation.” A Christian is someone who has been born again by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, and who has surrendered to Jesus Christ in faith and repentance. In this sense, nation-states can’t be Christian; only individuals can be Christian.
Furthermore, if we’re honest with ourselves, much of the religion that has existed in the United States through our history and up to the present day has been “cultural Christianity” and “civil religion.” Cultural Christianity is when people identify with Christianity culturally, but don’t actually practice the Christian faith. In other words, cultural Christians are Christians in name only. Civil religion is when a society talks about “God” and even refers to him in its official structures, but the god it promotes is a god who is never defined and demands nothing of his followers.
One example of civil religion is the phrase “In God We Trust” that we print on our currency. While that phrase may be inspiring to some, it is actually quite empty. In what God do we place our trust? The problem is that it is never defined, and ironically, most people trust more in the paper on which that phrase is written than they do in God himself.
Our political leaders often talk about a generic “God” but notice what they almost never talk about: They never talk about Jesus, the cross, sin, salvation, faith, repentance, or discipleship. What this should tell you is that the religion they are promoting is not Biblical Christianity; it is generic civil religion.
In recent years, studies have shown that in the United States the percentage of those who identify as Christian is on the decline while the percentage of those who claim no religious affiliation is on the rise. Some have lamented these realities and have worried that faith in America is going extinct. But we must realize that what is dying in America is not Biblical Christianity but cultural Christianity and civil religion.
Strangely enough, I think there is reason to give thanks for these trends. The existence of cultural Christianity and civil religion actually make the church’s job more difficult in numerous ways. When cultural Christians who are merely casual admirers of Jesus exist alongside those who are truly committed disciples, it muddies the waters and makes it harder for the world to see what it truly means to know and follow Jesus. Additionally, when people already think they are Christian because they have identified as such culturally it makes it more difficult to show them their need for salvation and reach them with the gospel.
Therefore, in the years ahead the church has both a challenge and an opportunity. Our challenge will be to remain faithful amid a culture that is increasingly hostile to Christianity. But this will also be an enormous opportunity to share our radically distinct gospel message with the world. As Christian author Russell Moore writes, “We may be seen as strange in American culture. If so, onward Christian strangers. Our message will be seen as increasingly freakish to American culture. Let’s embrace the freakishness, knowing that such freakishness is the power of God unto salvation…Let’s not seek to resuscitate the old civil religions. Let’s work instead for something new, and for something old: the kingdom of God, on earth as it is in heaven, gathered in churches of transformed people, reconciled to one another, on mission with one another, holding together the authentic gospel of Jesus Christ.”