American Exceptionalism
Every political candidate trumpets his or her unbeatable plan for American prominence. However, for all the promises made, how many of America’s current and would-be leaders know the reasons for America’s past greatness and the true path for its return? Well, here it is:
Psalm 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.”
Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”
Deuteronomy 28:1, 13-15, “ 1 Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the LORD your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth… 13 The LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you only will be above, and you will not be underneath, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I charge you today, to observe them carefully, 14 and do not turn aside from any of the words which I command you today, to the right or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. 15 But it shall come about, if you do not obey the LORD your God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes with which I charge you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you…
When America abided by the instruction of the Lord, she prospered. Hence her creation and even governing documents were guided by Godly wisdom and founded upon Biblical principles. This is what is meant by “American Exceptionalism.” America is not exceptional because of a superior people comprising her citizenry. She is exceptional because of her founding.
No other country in all of history was founded for the simple cause of liberty as was America.
This is why the basic principles of American democracy so wonderfully reflect Biblical principles:
- Worth of the Individual – “The importance of the individual is central to democracy.”
Genesis 1:27, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you”. - Equality of All Persons – “All people are entitled to equality of opportunity and equality before the law.”
Acts 10:34, “In truth I perceive that God shows no favoritism.”
Romans 2:11, “For there is no partiality with God.”
Acts 17:26, “He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth”. - Majority Rule, Minority Rights – “Democracy argues that a majority of the people will be right more often than wrong. However, the majority must always recognize the right of any minority to become the majority.”
Romans 13:8-10, “ 8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 For this, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,’ and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” - Individual Freedom – “Each individual must be as free to do as he or she pleases, as far as the freedom of all will allow.”
1 Peter 2:16, “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.”
Galatians 5:13, “ 13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
These four quotes regarding the basic principles of American democracy are taken straight out of chapter 1 of the government textbook from which I used to teach. Isn’t it amazing how perfectly aligned they are with Biblical principles?
Coincidence? Not by a long shot. Sadly, though, the Biblical influence upon our founding is left out of modern curricula.
This is why we are adding several new resources to our bookstore to counter the effort to erase America’s history. This is also why we now offer Our American Founding program.
If you would like to book this new program, contact us today!
