In this third part of the series Old Glory, I want to focus our attention on the phrase in the Pledge of Allegiance, “one nation under God.”

You’ll recall from part 2, the original wording of the of phrase was “one nation…”  In 1954, due to President Eisenhower’s suggestion, the words “under God” were added, so as to now read “I pledge allegiance to the Flag…one nation under God…”

“One nation under God” is what we now pledge.  “One nation under God” is the vision, the hope, the dream, the aspiration, and the goal.

There have been times when 2KM has been accused of, simply by our very nature, Christian Nationalism.  But nothing could be further from the truth.  The fact is, our nation has a good and godly heritage (Psalm 16:6), a heritage stemming from Christian principles and faith.

Our founding Fathers (and 2KM) recognized that God has ordained two realms for the governance of man – the Right Hand Kingdom (Church) and the Left Hand Kingdom (State).  Though having differing functions and emphases, both serve and complement the other, when each functions as God so designed and ordained.

Our Founders clearly did not want a Church-State government (First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution).  But at the same time they recognized that all nations are to exalt God (Psalm 46:10), that it is God who makes nations great and destroys them (Job 12:23), and who removes kings and sets up kings (Daniel 2:21).  They took to heart Psalm 33:12, Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, and Proverbs 14:34, Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

 “One nation under God” is a citizenry that recognizes the importance of seek[ing] first the kingdom of God and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33), knowing that righteousness not only exalts the nation, but that the effect of righteousness is peace (Isaiah 32:17) – peace with God, peace within our soul, peace among men, and even peace with our enemies.

A Church-State is not needed when a nation’s people seek God’s pre-eminence in their personal lives (Colossians 1:18), which by nature then will flow into the affairs of public life – guiding government, the rule of law, the courts, schools, commerce, etc.

Consider the words of these, our Founding Fathers:

Is it not that in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? — that it forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation?  Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer’s mission on earth? — that it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precept of Christianity? — John Quincy Adams, July 4, 1837

Righteousness alone can exalt [America] as a nation.  Reader!  Whoever thou art, remember this; and in thy sphere practice virtue thyself, and encourage it in others… [T]he great pillars of all government and of social life: I mean virtue, morality, and religion.  This is the armor, my friend, and this alone, that renders us invincible.  — Patrick Henry

We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion.  Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.  It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.  — John Adams

While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion.  To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.  — George Washington, to the Continental Army before the Battle of Long Island on August 27, 1776.

 To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil freedom, and political and social happiness, which mankind now enjoys…Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government – and all blessings which flow from them – must fall with them. — Jedidiah Morse

More quotes could certainly be shared; but I trust these help give a sense of what was in our Founder’s  hearts, minds and souls, which no doubt contributed ultimately to the creation of the phrase “one nation under God.”

A Constitutional Republic, if we can keep it.  One nation under God, if we the people seek God’s rule and reign over us.