The U.S.A., this Christian nation, is built on the biblical foundations of the prophets and the apostles, and anchored to eternal priorities through the love and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our founding documents are signed mostly by ministers.
Serving one another we proceed along in freedom, praising God for life, liberty and happiness. God Bless America…and all those who honestly search for [not just religion] relationship with the only living Almighty God, “Maker of heaven and earth and all that is…” Christianity offers “the power under” each willing person [empowerment], not to be confused with our own American government’s sometime attempts to be the “power over” ‘We the people…’ ###
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U.S. CONGRESS
Declares the Bible as the Word of God
The complete Joint Resolution of the Congress, enclosed, is Public law 97-280 dated October 4, 1982, which authorized the President to proclaim 1983 as the “Year of the Bible …. In recognition of both the formative influence the Bible has been for our nation, and our national need to study and apply the teachings of the Holy Scriptures.”
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In 1983 Chief Justice Warren Burger said, when the Supreme Court upheld having chaplains open State legislative sessions with prayer, “… the men who wrote the First Amendment religion clause did not view paid legislative chaplains and opening prayers as a violation of that amendment …. the practice …. has continued without interruption ever since that early session of Congress.”
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The Library of Congress – Displayed on the walls are quotations from the Bible books of Psalms, Proverbs and Micah.
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SUPREME COURT – Declared that the USA is a Christian Nation
In 1799, the Court published, “ By our form of government , the Christian religion is the established religion.”
In a Supreme Court decision of March 1952, Justice Douglas said: “We are a religious people whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being.”
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LIBERTY BELL – Photos of this Symbol of Religious Freedom
The Liberty Bell was re-cast in America to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of Pennsylvania under the Charter of Privileges which insured religious freedom for the citizens. The Bell is inscribed around its crown with the Bible verse from Leviticus 25:10, “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof”. The Liberty Bell story is attached.
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The Charter itself reads, ” . . . and Almighty God being the only Lord of Conscience, Father of Lights and Spirits; and the Author as well as Object of all divine knowledge, Faith and Worship, . . .. “. It concludes, ” . . . . And that all persons who also profess to believe in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World, shall be capable to serve this Government in any capacity, both legislatively and executively . . .”
FLAG
You can learn about the history of our flag at usflag.org.
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Talking point: Modeling humility, Jesus asks for the same expressed character trait from Christians, noting humble actions provide happiness.
It is written…
“You call Me Master and Lord: and you say well for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master,, have washed your feet: you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that YOU SHOULD DO AS I HAVE DONE TO YOU…truly I say to you the servant is not greater his lord…if you know these things happy are you if you do them.” John 13:13-17
“The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them…but you shall not be so; but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that does serve…but I am among you as He that serves.” Luke 22:25-27
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Living in a free Christian nation does not make you a Christian, [or coerce you to become one]. Living in a garage does not makes you into a car! Our conception as Christians is not due to our environment, but due to the life of Jesus Christ within us, at our PERSONAL INVITATION. God initiates that by mercifully giving us a “want to”–a lonliness and an awareness of an empty place in our hearts. We have a craving for God within–this is in itself, a gift from GOD who is attracting us to notice our needs, and to notice His loving readiness to supply all our needs, richly.
Because Christians suffered under dictated religious laws, they moved–to the Netherlands and to America, very determined to keep America free and non-coercive. But certainly the American plan has never been to force Americans to be free of faith, or faith free! Closeted Christians are biblical in that we enter our closets to pray, but come out empowered to love our neighbor and our enemies–and to speak the name of Jesus freely–to give Him credit where credit is due. Thankful Christians are silent no more.
The life changing power within us is the real life changing gospel of the LIVING CHRIST, and His name is Jesus. Enlivened Christians are a signal to those who are being rescued that God lives, and enlivened Christians are also a signal to those who are perishing, that without Christ’s life inside, death is still the accepted destiny.
The biblical invitation repeats often: “Choose life that your soul may live…” This life and lifestyle gives praise to God and forgiveness of sin from God also gives us a RELATIONSHIP [RIGHT NOW] WITH GOD AS FATHER AND SAVIOR. The hope of perfection happens–but total perfection comes later! While we’re in this world world we have troubles, but, “Be of good cheer,” Jesus states boldly, “I have overcome the world.”
All religions are free to practice their faith in America unless there is infringement on other’s safety, basically. All citizens get to vote and run for office. Freedom to choose is a basic part of our Christian nation. This is not the meaning of ‘choice’ in our modern vernacular–meaning death to babies! This choice the Bible speaks of is to choose to follow God’s way, a higher way that includes relationship with our Creator.
Jesus positively appeals to everyone I talk to, it seems. No one is mad at JESUS! It’s the duty of Christians to follow Jesus and to share this opportunity for a living relationship with the God Who lives to advocate for us and to complete us perfectly, in His time. So we do share–some Christians share more carefully these days it seems!
Christianity is about Jesus’ life and purpose. Even Jesus’ “tough love words” make sense. Jesus is protective of us and He is no nonsense when faced by sin! He died to eliminate death, our last enemy, and sins. He solved the death and sin problem for us who ask for Him to live inside our own lives. Empowerment! Empowerment to serve and to persuade others JESUS IS ALIVE. Many people seem to miss that part about sins ‘paid in full’ by Jesus Christ on a Roman cross some 2000 years ago. That really happened and was carefully witnessed. We can be free from sin’s bondage, and alive unto Christ.
America is “One Nation Under God”, and “In God We Trust”…say 85% who believe in GOD. It is said that a higher percentage look to God and ask for a chaplain or priest or rabbi when our citizens realize their earth exit is near.
Christians do call for God, for Jesus Christ to save us, as we face any danger. It’s been said there are no atheists in fox holes. But fewer than that quoted number of 85% [who admit they believe in God], fewer dare to speak out and say, “I’m a believer in the Christ Who died for me, the only begotten Son of GOD–God from God, light from light, love from love–begotten not made.”
Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life–no one comes to God the Father but through ME.” As God with us, sent from the Father, He ought to know. God cannot lie. But in kindness Jesus helped those who didn’t believe He was God. He helped them so much they often believed in His divinity–so different were His actions from the religious ritual they were used to.
Jesus said others would imitate Him, and say they were HIM. He said don’t be deceived…when I return it will be with lightning and trumpets, and every eye will see Me. He return will not be secret when He comes as King to rule from Jerusalem, on the throne of His ancester, David the shepherd boy, anointed as King long ago. “AND OF CHRIST’S KINGDOM THERE WILL BE NO END.” It’s great to quote Him. His ways are higher and His thoughts greater, and He sees the end from the beginning. As one of my sons told me when he was about 12, during a difficult time, “Jesus is here with us in the middle, too, Mom.” God blesses our middle times, too, with His presence! Awesome Presence, God with us.
God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love and boldness and a sound mind. Getting over that fear–defeating it by being fearlessly faithful, well it’s possible with God’s help. It’s the right time of our lives to step up and speak up and act out the JESUS kind of lifestyle.
A further thought is that Jesus, Himself, is not offensive as He becomes known to people. He was offensive to a group of work-your-way-to-heaven type religious people. Some people left God’s paths and made their own religious way, and made it very difficult for others to follow God. Jesus said being connected to Him is easier, and our burdens lighten because He helps us. Hear Him saying “I will never leave you.”
People admire, respect and like Jesus. Many people love Him. Sure, today’s Christians can be offensive, insistent, persistent and evangelistic. We want to welcome others. But it’s an invitation, not a threat, that gets us to join heart and soul to Jesus. We Christians are human, incomplete, passionate to be sure and learning more, not perfect yet, YET FORGIVEN–and going from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Living God! We are on our way…but not home yet!
Jesus gives us pause! I often take a second look, a third look…and admire Him. The Bible “outs Him” as “The God-Man” Who walked earth paths, tempted like humans, but 100% sin free. He came to kill death and rescue humanity. Any human who asks Him for help gets His attention.
He stated: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he dies, YET SHALL HE LIVE.” Authors, including C.S. Lewis, have simply said Jesus either is INDEED GOD, AS HE SAID–and still with us; or a fraud–a lunatic and a liar. This Living God talks, loves, touches our lives for good. He believes in us and the potential he placed in each of us. He advocates for us, sends His ministering angels to help us and calls us siblings and friends. Whadda GREAT FAMILY…I’m amazed by His Grace and Goodness.
TODAY many are checking out His promises and His claims…this is America, not Amerika, people. We get to research and personally choose our faith, or not. I chose Christ and in doing so found He had chosen me ‘before the worlds began’. Amazing Grace!
Jesus’ grave is obviously, and UNIQUELY EMPTY in the category of “world religious leaders”. We didn’t make Him up, or carve Him, He made us with His spoken words and dust. Thousands travel to that resurrection site in Israel to make sure, “He has risen, as He said…” and “He is not there…He is risen.” Bodily gone (“See the grave where they laid His dead body…”) He also had ascended in plain view–and yet He states He is here, ‘by My Spirit’ He reminds us in the Bible, His Words that He also left us.
He promised HE WILL BE BACK. We keep our eyes on the skies, often! It is exciting, difficult, interesting, inspiring and motivating to belong to Christ’s kingdom–and we do pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Liberty to believe or not believe is written, quite uniquely, into the pages of God’s Holy Word, the Bible.
God Himself is gentleman-like, not forcing anyone to believe His Words. In America there is liberty for all people. And yet in Christ we are free in spirit no matter where we live–in China and Russia and North Korea and Iraq and Iran or wherever. Christians are free in Christ to believe Him, and many times free to become an ‘endangered earth species’! There are more Christian martyrs today than at any time in history. Check out the website, The Voice of the Martyrs.
”Ultimate freedom” is offered by God in His Word, to those who become Christians by believing, trusting in Jesus’ offered gift of forgiveness from ALL SINS. God gives us eternal life. His invitation: “Ask of Me and I will give you LIFE that lasts forever…”! Taking a leap into the light of faith is what EACH Christians has done, and we find God keeps that promise, exactly, and meets us one by one as we “look for Him”. Then we discover that we have been “FOUND BY HIM”. Father-like God was waiting for us to turn to Him from our prodigal lifestyle. [See the account of the Prodigal Son, told by Jesus in the NT. A guy who was once lost is now FOUND. The life of Jesus inside our hearts lasts. Jesus is greater than any one denomination, any one group and much larger than all the 'human built' physical churches that circle our planet. He knows our names.
God FINDS US us where we are...if we CHOOSE to be found...right when we simply ASK Him for MORE of His personal presence. Our names are written on the palm of God's hand, and in the BOOK of LIFE.
"We the people...", (not Christians only--all people) are the "crown of God's creation on earth"...we take dominion over the rest of creation doing right or doing wrong...and of course, with God's help, by His Spirit we can have self-control as well! Many of us could use more of that!
Christ's "Eleventh Commandment" in the NT is about His available love--long lasting, tough, interactive, life initiating, life preserving; "Love lived out...". Check Jesus out on this commandment in The Gospel of John, 3, 15, 17 and more--in the entire New Testament. [Bibles are free for anyone to read on line, incidentally, with free our access to the INTERNET.]
Christians can be friendly, and firm and loving and act on their living faith in a LIVING GOD, OUTLOUD–or not. True, Christians are not perfect–they are forgiven. This is our Christian country. We share it willingly, constitutionally, freely, with others who are not Christians and many who are not citizens–but who are also here. All legal U.S. citizens, no matter their faith, have full rights of citizenship. We attract people to America with kindness–and kindness is “constitutional” here in the USA, in many respects!
I’m learning to say enthusiastically, thankfully–and out loud, “Yes, I’m a Christian–and I needed to become one! I freely recommend Jesus. I invite anyone to investigate His welcomed presence here in America!”
America is unique in the world of governments–and uniquely based and blessed. Freedom is kind and contagious and and giving and non-coercive…but powerful! Giving is very Christian. Working and providing for your own family is also very Christian. Self-defense is also very Christian. Goliath! Gone! And his killer saved the country of Israel by sling shotting one rock to that big guys forehead.
Praying is simply talking, relating our lives to God, while we also admire His life.
Slavery is still occuring, and still coercive. Is anyone nearby ” signing up ” today to be someone’s slave? Not intentionally. But sadly Minnesota is 13th in all the US states–our ranking in ‘human trafficking’ — the sale of humans for profit and for bondage and for fear and for a lifestyle we choose not to explain here.
Take note: “For liberty God has made us free–do not be entangled in a yoke of bondage again.” Bondage…could be trafficking in humans for sale, fear, could be addictions, could be limits that come from disability, less education, a new language, desperate poverty, isolation, joblessness, homelessness, disease or divorce and more…but we’re working on these limitations, too, together. America is not heaven!
We are working families, working singles and we will “stay strong”.
Take heart. Believe again–join Jesus if you have a ‘want to. Join up for His LIFE that reaches out to all people. He, if “lifted up, will draw ALL MANKIND TO HIMESELF.” No one’s mad at JESUS!### –Rae!
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ANOTHER VIEW–and there are more than two views! Your view is highly significant!
Available book, Barnes and Noble and more…used as well as new.
The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power Is Destroying the Church
by Gregory A. Boyd
Publisher: Zondervan
* Pub. Date: May 2006
* ISBN-13: 9780310267300
* Sales Rank: 276,163
* 208pp
Paperback $14.99
Synopsis
Arguing from Scripture and history, Dr. Boyd makes a compelling case that whenever the church gets too close to any political or national ideology, it is disastrous for the church and harmful to society. Dr. Boyd contends that the American Evangelical Church has allowed itself to be co-opted by the political right (and some by the political left) and exposes how this is harming the church’s unique calling to build the kingdom of God. In the course of his argument, Dr. Boyd challenges some of the most deeply held convictions of evangelical Christians in America – for example, that America is, or ever was, “a Christian nation” or that Christians ought to be trying to “take America back for God.”
Christianity Today
Biography
Gregory A. Boyd is the founder and senior pastor of Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, MN, and founder and president of Christus Victor Ministries. He was a professor of theology at Bethel College (St. Paul, MN) for 16 years. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota (BA), Yale Divinity School (MA), and Princeton Theological Seminary (PhD). Greg is a national and international speaker at churches, colleges, conferences, and retreats, and has appeared on numerous radio and television shows. He has also authored and coauthored 14 books prior to The Myth of a Christian Nation, including Escaping the Matrix (with Al Larson), Seeing Is Believing, Repenting of Religion, and his international bestseller Letters From a Skeptic. www.gregboyd.org
Boyd’s Thesis:
. A significant segment of American evangelicalism is guilty of nationalistic and political idolatry
. We tend to fuse the kingdom of God with a preferred version of the kingdom of the World (whether it’s our national interest, a particular form of government, a political program, an issue, or so on).
. Rather than focusing our understanding of God’s kingdom on the person of Jesus (who never allowed himself to get pulled into the political disputes of his day) Boyd says many evangelicals have allowed our understanding of the kingdom of God to be polluted with political ideals, agendas, and issues.
As a conservative Christian myself, I was enlightened by by Boyd’s perspective on the kingdom of the World vs. the kingdom of God. The world focuses all their efforts on gaining “Power Over” others while Jesus teaches us that His kingdom strives to have “Power Under” others. That is the power to serve, encorage, turn the other cheek, and to lay down our lives. Not a real sexy idea…but one that truly reflects our purpose on this earth. Note that Boyd is a realist and acknowledges that we must live and strive in both kingdoms.
February 16, 2009: I have long thought that the Religious Right did not speak for all Americans. Pastor Boyd nails it in that too many see America as God’s Chosen. We are but one of many. And too many create God in our image, not the other way around. Keep on rocking, Pastor Boyd.
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From the Publisher
The church was established to serve the world with Christ-like love, not to rule the world. It is called to look like a corporate Jesus, dying on the cross for those who crucified him, not a religious version of Caesar. It is called to manifest the kingdom of the cross in contrast to the kingdom of the sword. Whenever the church has succeeded in gaining what most American evangelicals are now trying to get – political power – it has been disastrous both for the church and the culture. Whenever the church picks up the sword, it lays down the cross. The present activity of the religious right is destroying the heart and soul of the evangelical church and destroying its unique witness to the world. The church is to have a political voice, but we are to have it the way Jesus had it: by manifesting an alternative to the political, “power over,” way of doing life. We are to transform the world by being willing to suffer for others – exercising “power under,” not by getting our way in society – exercising “power over.” —Christianity Today
Self defense, defense of family and country is not un-Christian. It is written…i.e. about a ‘coming conflict’.
“Then He said to them, “But now, he that has a purse, let him take it, and likewise his money: and he that has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. For I say to you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in Me.” And they said, “Lord look here are two swords.” And He said unto them, “It is enough.”
Luke 22:36-38