Myths America live by, visits 5 Key Myths that lie at the heart of the American experience.
1. The Myth of the Chosen Nation
-The Puritans understanding that they were God’s elect chosen above others.
2. The Myth of Nature's Nation
-The Enlightenment’s focus on Naturalism, Rationalism and Deism.
3. The Myth of the Christian Nation
-The Great Awakening’s push for a unification of American Christians.
4. The Myth of the Millennial Nation
-The anticipation of the return of Christ.
5. The Myth of the Innocent Nation
-The belief that whatever America does is righteous and just in its struggle against evil.
These 5 Myths that have been embraced by the American culture have led us to so many problems as Christians within the nation of America. The Myth of the chosen nation along with the Myth of the Christian nation have led to the continual validation of American Christendom and the justification for many acts of violence, acts of retributive justice, acts of oppressing the; alien, poor, orphan, widow and marginalized, and the confusing that the nation of America is actually about the business of the Kingdom of God, which it is not.
The Myth of the Nature’s Nation, which is fueled by the Enlightenment, leads to a false dualism of body/mind, public/private, religion/politics, and has led to many of our common debates between the Bible and science, the Bible and atheism, the Bible and deism, as well as the postmodern search for truth in something other than the meta-narrative of the Biblical narrative.
The Myth of the Millennial Nation has led to much of the ‘Left Behind’ apocalyptical theology, which attempts to take texts such as the book of Revelation as a literal description of the return of Christ. One may note that all predictions have come and gone and Christ himself said that nobody knows the time of Christ’s return. Christ speaks of His return as a thief coming in the night, a time that can be predicted or foretold by no one.
The Myth of the Innocent Nation has been used to justify many things that the U.S has done as it supposedly fights good and evil. (even though the nation is built upon a theology of deism) You may notice that much of what President Bush speaks about when he speaks on the topics of terrorism and foreign policy embrace this sort of ‘us’ V.S ‘them’, or ‘good’ V.S ‘evil’ theology. The assumption goes back to the Myth that America is in fact a Christian nation.
A recent research paper I wrote on the separation of church and state traces these myths, as they are involved in the forming of the separation between church and state. (email me if you want to read the paper and I will send it to you) I trace the Puritan Protestant colonies formation as they rebel from England and how they develop their own theology within Congregationalism /Denominationalism as they reject the Parish system of England that embraces the union of church and state. The religious toleration of the colonies as well as the felt need for the ‘liberty of conscience’ (William Penn) leads to the development of a deism that guides the civil government/religion. The Amendments to the Constitution as well as the Bill of Rights, which are highly influenced by Madison and Jefferson, set up a governing system built around a naturalistic deism and not Christianity. (Contrary to popular belief) This book is a must read for any person who considers themselves to be a Christian living in America, an American Christian, a person pastoring in America, or anyone wanting to understand the development and establishment of the American government.
Other books i have read on the topic:
Religion in America; seventh edition
The First Freedoms; Church and State in America to the Passage of the First Amendment
Church and State in American History; Key Documents, Decisions, and Commentary From the Past three Centuries
Sworn on the Alter; A Religious Biography of Thomas Jefferson
The Democratization of American Christianity
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