Was the U.S. never really a Christian country?

Christianity Today just asked a really interesting question – Was the U.S. never really a Christian country, or was US Christianity corrupted by politics? If you’ve read much of my stuff, you likely realize I say that with our entanglement of religion and government, we’ve never been a truly Christian country. It’s just not possible when we mix politics and religion. Given my own stance, it will be interesting to see what CT has to say on this question.

Actually, the question was from February, 2021. I'm moving this from another site and updating it a bit to prepare for other articles asking similar questions, but from specific topics.

The Christianity Today article is titled How American Evangelicals Lost Credibility with the Global Church. Just the title gives away the conclusion. American Evangelical Christians have lost credibility with the Global Church. Personally, I go further than that. I feel like American Evangelicals have lost credibility with many non-Evangelical Christians even in the U.S.

Maybe even worse, I feel like much of what’s gone on over the last five years here, with Evangelicals and Donald Trump, has caused Christianity in general to suffer a lack of credibility in the country across the board. Regardless of what group of people we’re talking about – non-Evangelical Christians, spiritual but not religious, so-called “nones”, Etc. The apparent devotion to Trump makes many of us look at the Trump Evangelicals as putting him above Jesus. That’s not at all Christian. And it’s not good. It’s not loving. And it’s certainly against the commandment to not have anything or anyone above God.

By now, eight months later with a new President, history tells us Donald Trump should be pretty much out of the picture. Former Presidents usually politely and quietly step aside. But not this one. Things are getting so extreme that, if anything, he's more of a threat to the perception of Christians than before.

Unfortunately, you cannot read the entire article without a subscription, but the link I gave above will allow you to read the first portion. Having said that, there was one very telling question and answer sequence that I want to present here.

CT asks – Was the U.S. never really a Christian country?

Do you think that the last four years has hurt the credibility of the American evangelical church? And if so, in what ways?

Rene Breuel: Yes, I’m sorry to say, but I think in part it has, though of course, it’s not a blanket statement. We can see nuances and they may be people who did not support Trump or voted for him reluctantly, the tough spot people of faith find themselves in a two-party system. But people being vocal, like Black Christians being vocal, was very helpful.

I think the issue is more than just a two-party system in this country. Even if there were 5 or 6 parties, there’s still compromise that must take place. Compromise between whichever minority parties are selected to try to assemble a government. For example, this kind of thing happens in Israel. Then, here in the U.S., if we had a system like that, even if there somehow managed to be a party that really campaigned on truly Christian principles – which I don’t believe is possible – compromise is still necessary with at least one party who did not run on Christian principles.

It’s a situation that’s just unavoidable. And while things may be worse than ever today, it really brings up the question – Was the U.S. never really a Christian country?

Two masters – God and politics

The real problem though comes up when we remember what Jesus said about two masters.

Treasures in Heaven

6:22, 23 pp — Lk 11:34-36

Mt 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Mt 6:22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!