Overall a good post. You pulled your punches with myth 2. Some of the founders were strongly Christian. Others, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin as notable examples, were deists and fit into the “Christian culture” of the day. Both by their writings and their behavior, they were not Christian. Sorry not to have references to support these assertions.
I think there is a difference between having a clear separation between church (organized religion) and state, and having one’s personal beliefs and devotion to Christ saturate and flavor the life of an elected official.
The last openly Christian president, who publicly said that he prayed about his decisions, was Jimmy Carter. It’s ironic that the “religious right” helped defeat his bid for reelection.
Thank you for chiming in with this! The variety of belief among the founders is such an important part of the story, and I absolutely agree that private faith should be free to shape a leader’s values…just not the religious identity of the state itself.
And you’re right about Carter. He modeled a kind of humble, open faith we rarely see in public life anymore.
Even those Founders who weren't personally orthodox, dedicated Christians, were influenced by Christian anthropology, especially regarding the fallenness of human beings. Thus the separation of powers, as they didn't trust any individual or group of individuals with all the power. Historian Robert Tracy McKenzie gets into this in his book "We the Fallen People."
This is a great point. The founders’ instincts about human fallenness definitely echo Christian anthropology, whether or not all of them held to the faith personally. Thanks for mentioning McKenzie’s book too…I’ll have to check that out.
Beau, you just pulled off a theological plot twist - - turning the ‘Christian nation’ myth into a love letter to religious freedom. The irony? The more we demand political power for faith, the less room faith has to breathe. Maybe the founders weren’t trying to protect government from God, but God from government.
If religious liberty was designed to protect conscience from coercion, what happens when cultural identity itself becomes a kind of religion? Does nationalism count as the new creed?
This is so well put. Anytime faith seeks political dominance, it shrinks. Freedom is where it flourishes. And your question about nationalism is exactly the point…it becomes a rival religion when it demands ultimate loyalty. That’s why this conversation matters.
You’re right...freedom is where faith breathes best. But it seems every generation swaps one altar for another. Maybe the real temptation isn’t political dominance but the human hunger for certainty. When belief becomes identity, even flags start looking like icons. How do we tell the difference between conviction and conversion? Anyway, just a rhetorical question.
I couldn’t agree more. As followers of Jesus, our greatest calling isn’t to rewrite the Constitution; it’s to rewrite hearts through the way we live. The early church didn’t change the world through laws or power, but through love, humility, and faith that reflected Christ Himself. When we live in a manner that honors Jesus, showing grace, compassion, and truth, we become the light this nation truly needs. Our mission is not to force belief, but to live in such a way that others see Christ and are drawn to Him.
Yes…exactly! The kingdom Jesus announced has always spread through lived grace, not imposed belief. When we embody that, we offer something this world can actually recognize as good news. Grateful for your insight here.
This was splendidly done and easy for explanation to others, I am fearful of the power of the Christian Nationalism movement which is definitely nationalism but shaky on the Christian part. Having the citations for your points really help in a debate/argument/sermon. We are keenly aware in NE Washington state with local movements that capture the hearts of patriots over capturing their hearts for Jesus.
Thanks so much. I share your concern…there’s a lot of patriotism getting mistaken for discipleship. Glad the citations were useful. Keep shining the light where you are.
This is the history lesson half the country keeps trying to smudge out with a crayon. The founders didn’t build a Christian nation. They built a free one, because they’d seen what happens when governments start playing priest and emperor at the same time.
What I love here is the reminder that Jesus never asked Rome to enforce His sermons. The church got weird the moment it decided coercion was easier than compassion.
If Christians want influence, there’s a simple path. Live the Beatitudes so convincingly that no one needs a law to recognize what you stand for.
Thank you! It’s good to have sources to support what is more than opinion.
Somehow codifying one’s religious precepts DIMINISHES one’s faith walk.
Per Jeremiah 31:33, “this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” NKJV
We don’t need the COUNTRY to ascribe to be Christian for us to BE and ACT Christian!
Thank you. I love the way you said that. Faith that has to be enforced stops being faith. Jeremiah 31 is such a good reminder that the transformation God cares about happens internally, not through national identity.
Overall a good post. You pulled your punches with myth 2. Some of the founders were strongly Christian. Others, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin as notable examples, were deists and fit into the “Christian culture” of the day. Both by their writings and their behavior, they were not Christian. Sorry not to have references to support these assertions.
I think there is a difference between having a clear separation between church (organized religion) and state, and having one’s personal beliefs and devotion to Christ saturate and flavor the life of an elected official.
The last openly Christian president, who publicly said that he prayed about his decisions, was Jimmy Carter. It’s ironic that the “religious right” helped defeat his bid for reelection.
Thank you for chiming in with this! The variety of belief among the founders is such an important part of the story, and I absolutely agree that private faith should be free to shape a leader’s values…just not the religious identity of the state itself.
And you’re right about Carter. He modeled a kind of humble, open faith we rarely see in public life anymore.
Even those Founders who weren't personally orthodox, dedicated Christians, were influenced by Christian anthropology, especially regarding the fallenness of human beings. Thus the separation of powers, as they didn't trust any individual or group of individuals with all the power. Historian Robert Tracy McKenzie gets into this in his book "We the Fallen People."
https://brianroden.substack.com/p/the-christian-anthropology-of-the?r=99sdh
This is a great point. The founders’ instincts about human fallenness definitely echo Christian anthropology, whether or not all of them held to the faith personally. Thanks for mentioning McKenzie’s book too…I’ll have to check that out.
Beau, you just pulled off a theological plot twist - - turning the ‘Christian nation’ myth into a love letter to religious freedom. The irony? The more we demand political power for faith, the less room faith has to breathe. Maybe the founders weren’t trying to protect government from God, but God from government.
If religious liberty was designed to protect conscience from coercion, what happens when cultural identity itself becomes a kind of religion? Does nationalism count as the new creed?
This is so well put. Anytime faith seeks political dominance, it shrinks. Freedom is where it flourishes. And your question about nationalism is exactly the point…it becomes a rival religion when it demands ultimate loyalty. That’s why this conversation matters.
You’re right...freedom is where faith breathes best. But it seems every generation swaps one altar for another. Maybe the real temptation isn’t political dominance but the human hunger for certainty. When belief becomes identity, even flags start looking like icons. How do we tell the difference between conviction and conversion? Anyway, just a rhetorical question.
I couldn’t agree more. As followers of Jesus, our greatest calling isn’t to rewrite the Constitution; it’s to rewrite hearts through the way we live. The early church didn’t change the world through laws or power, but through love, humility, and faith that reflected Christ Himself. When we live in a manner that honors Jesus, showing grace, compassion, and truth, we become the light this nation truly needs. Our mission is not to force belief, but to live in such a way that others see Christ and are drawn to Him.
Yes…exactly! The kingdom Jesus announced has always spread through lived grace, not imposed belief. When we embody that, we offer something this world can actually recognize as good news. Grateful for your insight here.
Beau, brilliant just brilliant! You are gift to all who choose to read your thoughts and insights. Thank you
You’re kind to say that. I’m just trying to make sense of things out loud like the rest of us. Grateful you’re along for the ride.
This was splendidly done and easy for explanation to others, I am fearful of the power of the Christian Nationalism movement which is definitely nationalism but shaky on the Christian part. Having the citations for your points really help in a debate/argument/sermon. We are keenly aware in NE Washington state with local movements that capture the hearts of patriots over capturing their hearts for Jesus.
Thanks so much. I share your concern…there’s a lot of patriotism getting mistaken for discipleship. Glad the citations were useful. Keep shining the light where you are.
This is the history lesson half the country keeps trying to smudge out with a crayon. The founders didn’t build a Christian nation. They built a free one, because they’d seen what happens when governments start playing priest and emperor at the same time.
What I love here is the reminder that Jesus never asked Rome to enforce His sermons. The church got weird the moment it decided coercion was easier than compassion.
If Christians want influence, there’s a simple path. Live the Beatitudes so convincingly that no one needs a law to recognize what you stand for.
Oh excellent! Thank you for adding all the appropriate links, it makes the article a real educational tool.
Thank you! I’m glad the links were helpful. My hope was to make it something people could actually use in real conversations.
Thank you! It’s good to have sources to support what is more than opinion.
Somehow codifying one’s religious precepts DIMINISHES one’s faith walk.
Per Jeremiah 31:33, “this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” NKJV
We don’t need the COUNTRY to ascribe to be Christian for us to BE and ACT Christian!
Thank you. I love the way you said that. Faith that has to be enforced stops being faith. Jeremiah 31 is such a good reminder that the transformation God cares about happens internally, not through national identity.
Excellent! Thank you for this.
Thank you! Really appreciate you taking the time to read it.
Thank you. Excellent writing and thoughtfulness. Civics!
Thanks so much. Glad it landed. A little civics never hurt anyone. 😉