A Critique Of The Historiographical Construal Of America As A Christian Nation -- By: John D. Wilsey

Journal: Global Journal of Classical Theology
Volume: GJCT 08:2 (Sep 2010)
Article: A Critique Of The Historiographical Construal Of America As A Christian Nation
Author: John D. Wilsey


A Critique Of The Historiographical Construal Of America As A Christian Nation

John D. Wilsey

Pastor of Spiritual Formation

First Baptist Church

Charlottesville, VA

Abstract. The Christian America thesis has grown in popularity over the past thirty years. This essay will critique the Christian America thesis, and instead offer the assertion that America was founded as a nation with religious liberty. Six lines of critique of the Christian America thesis will be presented, and the essay will attempt to show the significance of religious freedom in the founding. America‘s history points to a mixture of sacred and secular ideas. The nation is defined more realistically by religious freedom rather than a Christian identity. Evangelicals can approach those who do not share their faith commitment in peace and respect, knowing that the culture will be conformed to Christ when religious freedom is enjoyed equally by all.

The thesis of this paper is that the historiographical construal of America as a Christian nation cannot be sustained. While Christian theology has served as a significant source for revolutionary and founding ideas, it was not the most important source. The paper will argue that America is not a Christian nation, but is a nation with religious liberty. First, I will outline how conceptions of the relationship between religion and the state evolved from the founding of the first New England colonies to the enactment of the Constitution. Next, a brief survey of important CA ('Christian America') authors and their works from 1977 to 2007 will be presented. This survey summarizes some of the major historical, philosophical, and theological themes articulated by important proponents of the CA thesis. I will also offer an acknowledgement in broad terms of the significance of Puritan theology as a source for the American notion of liberty. Finally, I will present the critique of the CA thesis from philosophical, historical, and theological perspectives.

There are a number of reasons why a broad critique of the assumptions undergirding the Christian America notion is important from an evangelical perspective. To begin any justification for a work of this sort, the question should be asked: what is the point? Simply put, the mission of Christ‘s church in the world is at stake. The church is to fulfill the greatest commandment (Matt 22:36-40) as well as the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20). Noll, Marsden, and Hatch affirmed that “a true picture of America‘s past will make Christians today better equipped to speak the gospel in evangelism and to put it to work in social concern.”1 Conversely, if Christians embrace an inac...

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