I have a high view of Scripture. I hold unswervingly to the fact that it is the divinely inspired and inerrant word of God. Truths for life are contained in the sacred words of the Bible.
I also believe there is a danger in reading into the Bible messages that are not there.
Case in point: the belief that America is the new Promised Land.
The Old Testament tells a riveting, yet heart-breaking story, of God’s chosen people.
In a nutshell the story is this: I have a Promised Land for you. Do everything I tell you, follow My commands and I will prosper you forever.
Alas, the people of Israel, in their desire to be like other nations, chased after other gods. They turned their back on the one true God in pursuit of their own lust.
Because of their rebellion and wayward heart, they were defeated and led into exile, the presence of God having left Jerusalem.
Fast-forward 2400 years. Pilgrims settle a new land. A land teeming with opportunity and, yes, promise.
Somewhere along the line, in establishing this new land, many adopted the idea that this was Israel part deux.
That America was God’s second attempt to establish a Promised Land for His people. Those people now are the westerners, those fortunate enough to be born in the 50.
The problem is that this is not compatible with Scripture. Problems are manifest:

  1. This holds the, although never said, notion that God failed in His first attempt at nation building and needs to try again.
  2. It establishes an imperialistic eschatology that links the success of America to the advancement of the Kingdom of God.
  3. It diminishes the faith-life of devoted believers across the globe overlooking the spread of the gospel to all peoples.

As a result of this we have developed a rationale for our actions that elevate all that we do as being synonymous with the explicit will of God.
Because we are the new Israel:

  • Our Destiny is Manifest
  • Our Wars our Just
  • Our dissenters are enemies
  • Our sins are few

The danger of all this is to overemphasize the importance of nation over and above kingdom. It is to erroneously attach your location of birth with your spiritual heritage.
It is important to remember some key truths as American Christians:

  1. America needs God not vice versa
  2. We are Christians first, Americans second.
  3. America is not God’s chosen people. The church is God’s chosen people.
  4. We are blessed to live in this free country but blessings extend to all people.
  5. We are to be subject to the governing authorities but that does not mean we must never question misguided policies and actions.
  6. God is not a republican.
  7. Nor is He a democrat.
  8. We might be Americans by nature of our birth, but this world, this nation, is not our home.
  9. America is not the Promised Land, Heaven is.

Let us thank God for the benefits of living in a great nation such as this. But let us not mistake those blessings for more than what they are. Let us give unto Caesar what is his and nothing more.
Our allegiance must reside solely and primarily with God Almighty.