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Many great Christian revivals have occurred in the relatively young history of the United States. In the First Great Awakening, the voices of Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, John Wesley and Charles Wesley played an impactful role in the rise of Christianity within the colonies.
Historians even argue that the teachings of Edwards and Whitefield motivated patriotic pride and a sense of independence, leading to the American Revolution.
In the Second Great Awakening, Charles Finney, Peter Cartwright, Timothy Dwight and others captured America’s attention.
D.L. Moody, Billy Sunday, Billy Graham and other important U.S. Christian leaders have left their mark.
Due to the unique formation of the U.S. government, the separation of church and state has allowed such great movements to exist. In fact, Protestant Christianity has largely flourished in America, with several denominations either being created or headquartered in the United States.
Any study of history quickly produces a unique relationship between patriotism and Christianity. After all, the principles of the patriot cause emphasized freedom and justice in God’s name.
With a Republican administration entering office, one particularly distinct and quite patriotic, it is only reasonable to declare that another great revival could and should take place.
All the framework is present for a Christian revival. Patriotism and a belief in individual liberty are on the rise. At its core, these beliefs correlate to the faith of Christianity.
Christian leaders across the country should capitalize on President Donald Trump’s rise and popularity to remind citizens how interconnected Christianity is with the history of the United States and patriotism.
While all citizens desire freedom, liberty, and protection, the tenets of Christianity go further and act as a safeguard to one’s faith, providing forgiveness of sin and salvation found in Christ alone.
America is a global power, providing aid to those less fortunate, intervening in foreign affairs for the betterment of mankind, and, historically, including today, promoting democracy.
A quick comparison of Jesus Christ’s teachings shows that the same principles exist in the faith: to love God, honor one’s neighbor, and, most importantly, receive salvation, which emphasizes freedom from sin.
While the U.S. is not a perfect nation and had an uncomfortable past at times, like all other countries, this too correlates to individual Christians. No human being is righteous outside of the earthly presence of Jesus Christ. And like America, all humanity has sinned and fallen short.
The United States stands for freedom and justice, and the Christian faith delivers its adherents from evil.
The next four years are a telling opportunity to restore national pride in every American. But more importantly, they can be the foundations of another great revival, connecting patriotism and all of its principles to the faith of Christianity and the rich connection the faith has had to the young nation from the American Revolution to today.
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen as his heritage!” (Psalm 33:12).
