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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
Last week we examined a number of statements made by author John Meacham in a Newsweek article titled “The Decline and Fall of Christian America”1; his emphasis being the apparent shift of ideas and ideals concerning Christianity and it’s possible replacement in the minds of many in America. While some of his assertions are debatable to say the least, he does pose some valid questions amid counterpoints made by others who hold a more “traditional” view of our faith and founding.
French historian Alexis De Tocqueville, on one of his first visits to America, noted that, “…the religious atmosphere of (America) was the first thing that struck me on arriving in the United States…”; but he also discovered a “…great depth of doubt and indifference.” So – now as then – how do you govern such a country? By realizing that religion has indeed had a significant influence on America’s past and present, but that a coerced belief is in fact no belief at all. The foundational documents of our country being the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, not scripture; though there are undeniable connections between them! Herein lies one of the more significant statements of Mr. Meacham’s article in which he further observes that many of America’s founders, “…saw the virtue in guaranteeing liberty of conscience, one of the young republics signal achievements being to create a context in which religion and politics mixed but church and state did not…” Wisdom gained from years of political and religious upheaval and abuse across Europe, which led them to further realize, “…that one might as well try to build a wall between economics and politics as between religion and politics, since both are about what people feel and how they see the world. (So) Let the religious take their stand in the arena of politics and ideas on their own, and fight for their views on equal footing with all other interests. (As) American public life is neither wholly secular nor wholly religious, but an ever-fluid mix of the two.” Again, DeTocqueville noting years ago that, “Religion in American takes no direct part in the government …but must, never-the-less, be regarded as the foremost of the political institutions of that country.” Indicating the intricate and sometimes confusing balance that has always been present between politics and religion.
To which I think most of us would agree, if indeed the rules of engagement remain balanced and fair; the experiences of the last several years teaching us, if nothing else, that politics isn’t played fairly nor do politicians have all the answers. Mr. Albert Mohler2 – used as a counter-point to Mr. Meacham’s observances – noting that many people have, “…invested far too much hope in a political solution to what are trans-political issues and problems.” In fact, Cal Thomas, a well-known columnist and political analyst as well as an early advocate of the Moral Majority and the Christian America Movement, now believes that, “No country can be truly “Christian”, only people can.”; and that a fatal flaw of those attempting to return America to a greater sense of morality is that they are trying to do so in a too-close alliance with politicians who struggle to maintain their own morality. History repeatedly demonstrating how easily religious movements become corrupted by a too-close affiliation with political power and its propensity for abuse.
Authors Mark Noll, Nathan Hatch and George Meruden agree, claiming in their book, The Search For Christian America, that Christianity’s claims transcend (or should) any political platform and that Christians, “…should not have illusions about the nature of human governments. Ultimately they belong to what Augustine calls the city of the world, in which self-interest rules…” On the other hand, they do acknowledge that, “We have important obligations to do whatever we can, including the use of political means, to help our neighbors – promoting just laws, good order, peace, education and opportunity. None-the-less we should recognize that as we work for the relatively better in the city of the world, our success will be just that, relative. In the last analysis, the church declares that the solutions offered by the nations of the world are always transitory solutions, themselves in need of reform.”
Rather than discouraging us though, these realities should spur us on to a greater appreciation and understanding of God’s word and a heightened resolve to live it out in our lives more effectively than ever before!
1 Subtitled The End of Christian America, by John Meacham with Eliza Gray
2President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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