The Favor of God

The United States is not a Christian nation; nor has it ever been. However, many of the first European immigrants to the original thirteen British colonies that later became the United States were ardent and committed Christians, and many Christian principles were written into the original colonial charters and even incorporated into the founding documents and laws of the US.

The Mayflower Compact, written by the Pilgrims in 1620 AD/CE while anchored at Cape Cod, was the first governing document of the Plymouth Colony. The text of the document establishes a covenant among the colonists to form a "civil body politic," (government) "in the presence of God," within the new colony, planted "for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith," and agreed upon "in the name of God" by those who signed. Such language makes it clear that these original colonial founders had embarked upon their endeavor under what they believed was God's calling and that they were forming their society through a compact (agreement/contract/covenant) with each other and under/with God.

These first settlers were making a pact with God as they formed their new society, of which the United States is an inheritor. This language is echoed time and again in the additional charters and governing documents of other colonial governments over the next 150 years until eventually being echoed, albeit to a slightly lesser extent, in the first official document of the United States, the Declaration of Independence, which makes reference to the "Laws of Nature and of Nature's God" and the "Creator."

The Plymouth Colony is important because it was the first permanent, successful colony in what became New England. New England is important because its culture eventually became the hegemonic culture of the United States following the Civil War, and is the original source for many concepts, like American Exceptionalism, found within the ethos of the US throughout history and even today. I explain this to demonstrate that much of US legal and cultural tradition stems from the original Pilgrims and Puritans who were, by and large, very committed Christians. This is why so many people claim that the US is a Christian country. It's not, but its origins are rooted in the actions and beliefs of many Christians.

The reason I have explained all this is to demonstrate that the United States, although not formed as a Christian nation, was formed with an acknowledgement by its national founders, collectively, that its legitimacy and purpose were based upon the rights bestowed upon it by the Creator, who is the God of natural law. This is essentially a recognition by the founders of the US that its existence is owed to God. This was an agreement: 'We exist because God exists, our laws will be formed on the basis of His laws, and/or the laws of nature which He has ordered.' And the US only exists as it exists today because of the inheritance it obtained from the original colonial founders who ordered their society under a pact with their Creator and God.

In other words, the United States has its origins as a society from a group of people who made a pact with God.

Where do we find ourselves today?

The United States today, as a collective society, has legalized the sacrifice of babies upon the altars of the gods of economic prosperity (just like Canaan), has chosen to celebrate sexual conduct that is contrary to God's established order (just like Sodom and Gomorrah), has abandoned worship and recognition of God in the public arena despite its former pact (just like the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel and Judah), has become fascinated with the occult and astrology (just like ancient Babylon and Persia), has embraced promiscuity and pornography (just like ancient Greece), has promoted an entertainment culture of violence (just like ancient Rome), and pursues the accumulation of wealth above all else by encouraging greed and covetousness as a way of life (just like all those aforementioned).

What do all these ancient societies have in common? They've all fallen into history; they're not around anymore. Sure, their descendants still exist as general people groups, but the ancient societies, kingdoms, and empires themselves are gone. They were each given their opportunity, failed to honor their God (being the God of us all), and were eventually judged for their wickedness and depravity. Why should the United States, as a nation-state like all the others, be any different? Why indeed, especially considering that unlike the others, with the exception of Israel and Judah, the US has its origins with people who specifically formed their society in a solemn pact with God?

As a theologian, I recognize the dispensational nature of God's dealings with humanity. We are indeed living in the Age of Grace, and God deals with people in this dispensation, the age of the New Covenant, differently than He did with those in the previous dispensations during the ages of the former covenants. But those dealings are with individuals, not corporate nations. God continues to raise nations up and bring them down depending upon their collective national actions and public declarations of belief (over time, of course). He still gives opportunity for repentance, and He is slow to judge (taking centuries, in some cases). This is an exhibition of His grace and mercy, not just to individuals but to societies as well. But He does not forestall judgement forever. This is an exhibition of His holiness and righteousness. Wrongs must be righted and the guilty must be held accountable. Otherwise, God would not be just or fair; in essence, He would not be God.

Why hasn't He judged the United States yet? Perhaps because of the faithful who remain. This has been suggested by some, and certainly aligns with Abraham's discussion with God regarding the presence of his nephew Lot in Sodom (Genesis 18). But certainly there were still some faithful remaining in Israel and Judah when God brought judgment to those nations. Sodom was destroyed completely; nothing remained and no one was left alive. Israel and Judah were judged, their kingdoms and land taken, and their populations scattered; but the people weren't completely destroyed. No, I don't think judgment is being withheld from the US because of the remaining faithful. Perhaps it is because of the large quantity of faithful who reside in the US. I would suspect that many who claim to follow God do so in word only and not in heart or true belief. I suspect many church buildings are full of those who are Christian in name only and haven't truly recognized and acknowledged their own utter depravity and inability to save themselves, repented of their sinful thoughts and deeds, and surrendered their wills to Jesus. Even if a much greater percentage of faithful exist in the US as compared to those ancient societies, I still don't think that's the reason.

I believe the sole reason God has withheld His judgment upon the United States, which has essentially mocked Him by having taken His blessing and then having kicked Him to the curb, so far is because of His faithfulness to His own promises. What do I mean by this? God has made covenants, or firm promises, with individuals and people groups throughout history. Some of those covenants have partially fulfilled others, such as the New Covenant fulfilling aspects of the Abrahamic and the Mosaic, but the promises of the older covenants remain intact, and remain for and with those to whom He originally made them. God is immutable (unchanging) by nature; He doesn't change, although His interactions with humanity can change according to His sovereign plan (dispensations). God keeps His Word and His promises.

About 4000 years ago, He made a promise to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12 and elsewhere) that He would bless those who bless him (Abraham and his descendants) and He would curse those who curse him (Abraham, etc.). Besides being a political and religious place of refuge for Jewish people (those descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) throughout its history, the United States has also traditionally supported the modern state of Israel, both economically and militarily, and continues to do so to this day. Despite God's prior judgment upon the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah, God has never abandoned Abraham or his descendants. He has preserved them as a culturally distinct people group throughout history, and has even restored them to the Promised Land in the last century, all of which is a fulfillment of prophecy. And He's not done with them yet. He still has promises that He made to them through the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic covenants, and elsewhere, that have not yet been fulfilled. They will all be fulfilled in the future.

I believe it is this support of Israel that has stayed God's hand of judgment upon the United States over the past few decades. How long God continues to withhold judgment, and how long the US continues to support Israel, have yet to be seen. But I believe the two are inextricably linked. Ironically, most Americans have no idea this is the case. I see so many reports these days of many in America whining about the resources they perceive the US is wasting on Israel. If only they knew that this is one of the few things the US is still doing to receive God's blessing.

Do I fear what will happen to the United States if it stops supporting Israel? No, but I do think it is a tragedy what has already happened within the US because it has rejected the God of its origins. And I do feel obliged to warn people of the coming storm. Do I fear what will happen to me and my family and other redeemed followers of Christ if God judges the nation we live in? Not really, because I believe He will take care of us, one way or the other. Even if we are persecuted for our faith in the days ahead, we will receive glory in the age to come, as Jesus has promised. Even if we are killed with our countrymen, or martyred for our faith, a glorious eternity awaits us with our Lord; and we would be experiencing nothing that hasn't already been experienced by many of our brethren over the past two millennia.

Despite all this, do I believe there is hope for the United States? Yes, of course. We still have the opportunity to repent collectively as a nation, and experience God's grace and mercy; just as Nineveh did with the Prophet Jonah (Jonah 3). But what prophet like Jonah does the US have to warn us of the coming judgment and tell us how to avoid it? We don't; it's a different dispensation and God doesn't operate with mankind through prophets like that anymore. But we have something better. We have representatives of Jesus, Christ's ambassadors, with us, living and working and occupying until His return. They are called Christians, and I am one of them. Who are they? They could be your neighbors, or classmates, or co-workers. They can certainly be found in church fellowships, and campus ministries, and serving in volunteer organizations. Chances are, you know, or used to know, some in your circle of family, friends, or acquaintances. They can even be heard spreading God's word on the radio, and, occasionally, on TV. They might even write blogs that you sometimes read. Christian literature, and the Bible itself, can be read for free online in countries like the US; so there truly is no excuse available for our nation.

I encourage you to read the Bible. Seek the Lord while He may be found (Isaiah 55:6). Turn (repent) from your sins (evil) and surrender to YHWH God, the God of the Bible, the Creator of the universe. Accept the free salvation He offers through asking Jesus to be your savior. He did all the work on the cross, and rose again to conquer death so that we can live forever after death in new, perfect bodies with Him. All you need to do is ask Him and He will save you. Believe in Him; and if you lack belief but desire it, ask Him to give it to you. Faith comes from Him too. He will answer if you ask (Romans 10:13); He has promised to do so and He is faithful to keep His own promises for the sake of His own name and reputation (Psalm 106:8, Psalm 138:2, 2 Timothy 1:9, Hebrews 6:13).

Feel free to ask me if you have questions.

Thanks for reading. Grace and peace to you.