What's So Great About America?

Recently someone asked me, “What’s so great about America?” By impulse I responded with the typical Christian answer: “America is great because our founding fathers chose to acknowledge God’s sovereignty and apply biblical principles in its formation and survival.”

However, America has come a long way from her early roots of Christian influence. Even from her inception, the evil one has relentlessly pursued her destruction throughout her history. Whether by enemy attack or inner turmoil, America has struggled to remain the beacon of light God birthed her to be.

Yet despite an increasing move away from “one nation under God,” in modern times reflected by ruthless murder of the unborn, the stripping away of religious liberty, applause of same-sex marriage, prayer-less schools, the terror of random shootings, and confusion on moral issues among professing Christians, America still stands as the greatest nation on earth.

Americans still enjoy prosperity which the rest of the world largely does not. Americans, for the most part, go to bed in peace, not fearing attack by an evil regime, and go to sleep with a full stomach. We still experience freedoms specified by the Bill of Rights. As a privileged people, we can peacefully picket, lobby Congress, and vote for our candidate of choice. And as my third culture grandchildren remind me when they travel back to America, we can enjoy lush grass, public libraries, and drinking water right out of the faucet! 

Still, beyond these pleasures, America is fundamentally great, indeed blessed by God, because God chose to use her to shine His light from shore to shore. During times of great spiritual complacency and apostasy, God stepped in with his man or woman for the hour. In every instance, fervent prayer preceded a mighty work of God.

Consider the circuit riding preachers who prayed and traveled thousands of miles across America on horseback to preach the gospel during their lifetimes. Out of those efforts arose amazing revivals, turning countless souls to Christ. Consider, too, God’s hand on pivotal colleges, such as Yale. He used President Timothy Dwight, the grandson of Jonathan Edwards, to spur a revival that ignited a spiritual flame across campus, and indeed around the world. Pastor Lyman Beecher, and later his famous daughter, Harriet Beecher Stowe, impacted culture through their speaking and writing on various topics, including their anti-slavery position. Then, of course, there was George Whitefield, and a century later, Charles Finney, both well-known in Christian circles for bringing multitudes to faith in Christ. From this passion for Christ and His gospel, mission and Bible societies formed which sent numerous missionaries to Africa, India, China, Japan, and the Pacific Islands. Caring Christians took in orphans and treated the mentally ill with compassion and respect. Indeed, in every age, God has called and used a faithful remnant. 

For all her transgressions, and they are many, America still houses those who love the Lord and long to share Him here and around the world. 

So, to that person who asked me, “What’s so great about America?” I would now respond, “America is great because God has used her to shine the light of His gospel around the world!” It is the amazing privilege and responsibility of Bible-believing Christians to fulfill this God-given destiny for as long as He gives us life and liberty.    

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Recommended reading: From Sea to Shining Sea by Peter Marshall/David Manuel, Revell, 2009.

Also available in a children's version.

Check out From Sea to Shining Sea on Amazon.