From the earliest days of the Republic, leaders realized that autonomy requires more than just excellent constitutional design. It requires moral citizenship.
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Spokesman Mike Johnson touts the passing of the spending bill
After Republicans' massive spending bills stood out from Congress, House Speaker Mike Johnson said it was a “great thing” for every American.
On October 25, 2023, Rep. Mike Johnson of R-Louisiana stood at his colleagues and the world, at the U.S. House Well. This is his first speech, as he is unlikely to go from relative obscure to a House spokesperson.
“I believe in the Bible and it's very clear that the Bible is the person who God raises his authority… at this particular moment and this time,” Johnson said.
It is the kind of recognition that the political leaders of Holy Providence have made throughout American history. However, some quarterly reactions were hyperbolic. Historian Kristin Kobes du Mez told politicians that Johnson was a “right-wing, white evangelical Christian nationalist” and that “conservative Christianity is at the heart of Johnson's understanding of the Constitution and his understanding of our government.” Robert P.
This is not a new thing. President George W. Bush was ridiculed for saying that his favorite philosopher was Jesus Christ. President Ronald Reagan's expression of faith has been similarly criticized. In each case, the recognition of faith shaping a person’s public service is seen as a proof of theocratic ambitions.
As the United States approaches its national 250th birthday in 2026, our national conversation is anxious about the health of our democracy. Headlines are filled with horrible warnings about polarization, authoritarian temptations and the disbandment of civil trust.
Not all of these issues are misplaced. But in some corners of the media and political class, Christianity itself, especially in conservative form, is the greatest threat to the American experiment.
However, this narrative ignores history and reality. Christianity – far from the enemy of democracy – is one of its most important allies. Without it, the degree-of-freedom project we take for granted may never take root.
The Founding Fathers Understand the Importance of Faith
From the earliest days of the Republic, leaders realized that autonomy requires more than just excellent constitutional design. It requires moral citizenship. “Our Constitution is only for moral and religious people,” John Adams declared. George Washington called religion and morality “an essential support” for political prosperity.
Thomas Jefferson warned: “When we remove their only firm foundation, the freedom of a nation can be considered safe – faith… are these freedoms gifts of God? … Indeed, I trembled for my country when I reflect that God is just justice and justice cannot sleep forever.”
Even Jefferson, the most impious of our founders, knew that unrestricted freedom from divine sources was fragile and prone to corruption. Those who created America and influenced their Baptist ancestors did not seek state churches. They want everyone to have the freedom of conscience. However, they know that a society without faith will fail.
“Democracy is not a machine that can run itself.” It requires fuel for virtue and a long-standing moral vision of providing a community of faith.
The late theologian Richard John Neuhaus clearly stated: “The real naked public square is a transitional phenomenon at best. It is a vacuum waiting, waiting to be filled.”
Eliminate religion, you deprive democracy of the animation that makes it a promise of human dignity, freedom and justice.
Faith belongs to our democracy
Democracy depends on the ability to manage one's own citizens. Christianity Historically, Christianity cultivates humanity with the best of the church is made in the image of God, with inherent dignity and responsibility for higher moral laws. By reminding leaders and voters that their authority is not final, which often leads to a desire for power.
Of course, Christians sometimes live up to these ideals. Our past and present contain some huge contradictions of self-proclaimed beliefs. But Christianity also provides moral resources to correct social errors and promote social action.
Abolitionists and civil rights movements, for example, are powered by ideals rooted in the Bible.
Today, as headlines focus on political theaters, millions of Christians are quietly strengthening civil society – mentoring children, feeding hunger, caring for refugees and working for justice. Research unanimously shows that people of faith are voluntarily and at a higher rate to charities, while churches provide billions of dollars in social support each year.
If we deprive our faith from the public square, we will not be able to obtain a morally neutral utopia. We got the vacuum – as Neuhaus warned, it will inevitably fill. If not shaped by virtue, restraint and hope in part by transcendence of truth, the judgment of other ideologies is less generous and less able to sustain a free people.
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As we approach the 250th birthday of the United States, we should resist the wrong choice between being a good Christian and a good citizen. Two calls can strengthen each other. Christians can fall in love with their heavenly citizenship while leading their earthly citizens to seek the welfare of the nations placed by God.
Democracy flourishes when citizens see that their neighbors are not destroyed enemies, but as persuaded companions. Christianity best forms such citizens.
For our shared future, we should welcome its contributions – don't push them to the edge.
Daniel Darling yes Director of the Center for Land Culture Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of a new book, Defending Christian Patriotism.