When Alexis de Tocqueville (a French statesman and author 1805-1859) visited America, he was truly impressed with our religious uniqueness.  In his Democracy in America (1835), he wrote, "Moreover, almost all the sects of the United States are comprised within the great unity of Christianity, and Christian morality is everywhere the same. In the United States the sovereign authority is religious, and consequently hypocrisy must be common; but there is no country in the whole world in which the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America, and there can be no greater proof of its utility, and of its conformity to human nature, and that its influence is most powerfully felt over the most enlightened and free nation of the earth.”   Obviously at this time in our history we considered ourselves a Christian nation.  

At that time the God of America was the God of the Bible.  The sovereign authority in religion was God’s book, the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  The unity of Christian morality in America was based on the Gospel (Romans 1:16-18).  Although immorality, as well as hypocrisy, existed, it was neither flouted nor flaunted as it is today.  Have we forgotten God?

According to surveys and studies, the vast majority of Americans still believe in God.  Most of us also believe Jesus of Nazareth is God’s "only begotten son” (John 3:16).  Although undermined by enemies of the cross for decades, most believers still hold the Bible to be God’s revelation to man (2Timothy 3:16-17).  

The Psalmist David states by inspiration of God, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psalms 9:17).  From what we see on TV, etc. America has in truth forgotten God.  His morality as revealed in the Bible is no longer our morality.  His righteousness is no longer our righteousness.  We, in many cases, have taken a cafeteria approach to Christianity.  We select what we like or want and ignore what is distasteful to us.  Christianity is a depression era meal - we are expected to eat everything God has served on our plate!

God still rules in nations.  In Palms 9:8, the Psalmist notes "He shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.”  The righteousness of God is found in the Gospel (Romans 1:17) and it is before His judgment seat we shall stand in the last day (Act 17:30-31).

The United States is a unique republic. We are a special nation in God sight.  Our laws and mores have, for the most part, been based on Biblical principles.  Let us not forget the faith of our fathers.  Let us not forget Him in whom we live and have our being.  Let us then "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3)

Dale I. Royal, Elk City OK, diroyal@yahoo.com