“It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us… that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom-and that government: of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.”
I always wondered about America’s establishment as a Christian nation. Was it really suppose to be established as a Christian nation or as a nation with religious freedom? I know that people came here for religious freedom, but because this nation’s constitution quotes the bible over 100 times, some claim it to be established as a Christian nation. In other words, we can ask, “Does our freedom come from Christianity being in our nation, or does Christianity come from freedom being in our nation?“ I think no matter what one thinks, both of these have a strong relationship and where ever one is the other is not far behind. I have not done enough study in this field to draw my own conclusion but I have a theory about our nation concerning God and his plans here on earth.
I think that like every individual who grows and matures in the Lord, so does a nation; a nation can fall away from the Lord or grow more with Him. When first established as a nation under God, and also to this day, America has not always represented that God of which it is under. As we can see in American history, much growing has happened as well as much falling away. Though I believe and respect those who see America as a nation blessed by God for its dedication to the Lord, I think our nation plays a much bigger part to Gods plans then we think. Assyria, Babylon, Greece, Rome and so many others in history have been used by God without any dedication to the Lord. I think God has raised this nation so that he may use it to keep order in our world today of ciaos. Without America in our world, there would be so many wars going on because so many nations wish to fight others, but we do not allow them too.
That new birth of freedom that Lincoln talks about has, I believe, already came throughout our American history… we have grown so much. Yet, when he stated, “and that government: of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth,” it came to my mind that our nation is here for a reason. Whether our nation was founded as a Christian nation or not, its not hard to argue that our nation is a home base for Christianity. Though it seems as everyday our nation walks away from God more and more, I think either way, our nation plays an important part in God’s plans for our world, and Lincoln was one who saw that.
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Good post. I really liked how you reffered to the Constitution and some of our founding principles as you discussed your idea.
ReplyDeleteThis has been something my roommates and I have discussed several times throughout this semester, and I have to say I was not expecting to encounter it in somebody's blog, for an Intro to Lit class nonetheless. But it was great to hear what you had to say; it is always refreshing to hear another person's perspective.
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