“I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers – and it was not there . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there . . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerce – and it was not there . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution – and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.” (Quote is attributed, though unverifiable, to a Frenchman, Alexis DeTocqueville, when he visited colonial America)

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2 Keys:

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• People with transformed character

• People with thinking shaped by the Bible, and the teachings and example of Jesus

 

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Areas of American life impacted:

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1. Form of government as shaped by the founders-

• Representative democracy

• Takes sin/evil seriously so…

Term limits

Division of powers

Federal/State/local government powers are separated

 

2. Politics-

• Restrain the Bad: laws to limit bribes, corruption, monopolies, self-serving focus, get rich

• Promote the Good: care for others, minorities and the poor; public servants who serve the people

 

3. Law and Justice-

• Criminal justice system- same for all, proportional penalties appropriate for the crime

• Need for police, courts, honest judges

 

4. Economics-

• Free market concept, which controls greed, harnesses self-interest

• Personal property ownership, but as God’s stewards, with accountability

 

5. Society-

• Care of orphans

• Rights of women

• Protect individual rights

• Freedom to work hard and benefit from it

• Volunteerism- Non-Governmental community associations, churches

• Work has value

• All of life has meaning and value

• Need to care for the Creation/environment

• Everyone is unique, valued,  and made by God in God’s image

• Relationships are shaped by Jesus- marriage, families, treatment of boss, of employees, of fellow workers, friends, enemies, people different from yourself

 

6. International relations-

• Love your neighbor as yourself

• Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with God

• Just War principles govern military actions

• Missionaries go to serve other peoples - hospitals, schools, orphanages;

• Promote literacy, preserve local languages and culture, translate Bible.

• People transformed by Christ

 

7. Recent development of the USA as a non-Christian Culture

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