Our nation was founded upon what has been referred to as a Judeo-Christian ethic. This means the laws governing right and wrong that are a part of our nation have their origin in the moral standards of right and wrong found in the Bible. It doesn’t mean the founding fathers got it right, or even that they did a good job of applying the principles. In fact, the foundational principle upon which our government was established, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…”, was practically contradicted by the institution of slavery until January 1, 1863. But at the very least the United States has been respectful toward Christians.
Never think, however, that the United States is or ever was a Christian nation. First, using the term Christian as an adjective rather than a noun is problematic. The church is a Christian institution, because it is made up of Christians. Any references to organizations, institutions, or movements that have their origins in the minds of men as being “Christian” is an abuse of the term.
The best we can expect from our secular government is a toleration of our faith. We have enjoyed this for a long while, but there are no guarantees. In fact, such tolerance has lessened as the morals of our society have changed.
People champion changing morals as an indication of progress. It seems that progress is looked at as being time oriented. Progress is not a matter of time, it is a matter of digression. What is new is not quantifiably better. It may be, but not always. Sometimes it is worse. In the realm of morals this is most certainly true.
Let me give an example, from recent history. When Barack Obama was a candidate for President was opposed to same-sex marriage. He said in April of 2008, “I believe that marriage is the union between a man and a woman. Now, for me as a Christian — for me — for me as a Christian, it is also a sacred union. God’s in the mix.” Now, less than 15 years later, national support for same sex marriage is at an all time high of 71%. In a Gallup poll published in June of 2022 it was revealed that “Americans who report that they attend church weekly remain the primary demographic holdout against gay marriage, with 40% in favor and 58% opposed.” In other words, those who actively profess faith in Christ are the outliers.
We are living in a time where neither of the two major political parties give more than a passing nod to Christian values. You can argue “which one is worse”, but national leaders are very pluralistic, secular and tolerant of egregious immorality in our nation. Put simply, Christians have never really fit in to our society, and today we decidedly do not!
What terms describe our place in national discourse? Consider the following list: marginalized, iconoclastic, downgraded, disregarded, relegated, lowered in status, inferior, controverted, isolated, disenfranchised, ostracized, shut out, vilified. We could go on and on. Two elections ago, one bold candidate for President advocated for the Biblical narrative of creation. His view immediately disqualified him as worthy of the presidency in the minds of many, and he was quickly dispatched.
Of course, the Bible also acknowledges that Christians are marginalized. Consider the following quotes:
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:13-16).
“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:11-12).
We don’t belong, and it is a mistake for us to identify strongly with any group that does not hold to our values. Too, while civic involvement is laudable, the problems that plague our nation will not be fixed through political will. Repentance is what our nations needs. Therefore, the best thing we can do as Christians is to live and proclaim our faith in Christ. As Paul told the Athenians, “Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. 30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:29-31).
Our society has marginalized us because of our faith. We don’t fit in (and it is important not to try). While we are to be kind and as accommodating as possible, we must boldly proclaim the gospel if we are to have any impact at all upon our world. “Preach the word!” (2 Timothy 4:2).
