Published on March 11, 2024, 12:37 am

Image source: Fox News

Breaking news reports are abuzz regarding the latest polemic release by Rob Reiner that takes sharp aim at what he terms “Christian nationalists.” This appears to be the controversy du jour in many circles of Christian conservatives, though few have actually viewed the feature. The prevailing motif is to cast these so-called “Christian nationalists” as malevolent entities relentlessly seeking national dominance – a decidedly unchristian attempt at commandeering America’s destiny.

Politico’s Heidi Przbyla even posited on an MSNBC panel that being a “Christian nationalist” is simply believing our rights spring from God rather than earthly authorities like Congress or the Supreme Court. In her view, it appears that being part of this group means discarding terrestrial authority altogether in favor of divine sovereignty. And, as Przbyla asserts in a tweet – they all share one common belief; our rights come from God.

But was not this exact belief held by America’s founding fathers, settlers and multiple historical leaders? Is there anything inherently wrong with it?

The fact is this, self-rule under God happens to be the lifeblood of the American experiment. Thomas Jefferson famously said: “God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?” Jefferson’s immortal words are visibly etched into stone at his memorial in Washington, D.C.

John F. Kennedy equally emphasized during his inaugural address in 1961 his firm belief that our rights do not hail from state generosity but rather directly from God’s hand.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower went on record asserting that without God there could not exist an American form of Government or an American way of life because recognizing the Supreme Being is fundamentally Americanism.

Moreover, Franklin D. Roosevelt championed spiritual revival sweeping through homes across America to stir a unanimous reassertion of faith and dedication for God’s will among all citizens, no matter their religious allegiances.

President Abraham Lincoln’s stance on the subject was particularly stirring; he voiced that those nations alone are blessed whose God is the Lord while calling upon his countrymen to confess sins and transgressions humbly, acknowledge dependence on God’s power, and ask for His mercy.

These are all thought-provoking perspectives from trusted voices in our nation’s past. They arise from a Christian worldview and shaped our national identity – not as a push towards “Christian nationalism” but rather an affirmation of God-given rights engrained in America’s fabric.

Therefore, should we cower because labels like “Christian nationalism” are wielded as weapons in ideological warfare? Or should we draw strength from the fact that there existed (and hopefully still exist) men who believed genuine repentance could unlock divine mercy for America?

As real news continues to unfold everyday, it is imperative to remember that God, not government, is indeed the source of our rights. These principles have built this great nation and forgetting them might chip away at its foundation. Such a narrative of state-endorsed atheism can only persist or flourish if we acquiesce into silence out of fear of being labeled or perhaps worse – ostracized entirely.

Mastering courage against name-calling or neologism-armed adversaries may be the first step toward reclaiming an irrefutable truth – We are an enduring beacon of freedom because we root our liberties in divine providence and trust not earthly authorities for deliverance but solely on Him above all things.