The key question Boyd is addressing is, is America truly a Christian nation? In the pledge of allegiance, we always stand and state that American is a “nation under God,” but our actions say otherwise. From a Christian worldview, Boyd uses evidence from both scripture and American history to depict the truth.

Taylor Sukmana

Christian Values (Online)

14 February 2019

The Myth of a Christian Nation Analysis

I give my word that I have read 100% of the book.

1. What is the author’s main purpose in writing this book? (40-60 words)

I believe Boyd’s main purpose in writing this book is to raise awareness that the kingdom of God is in a conflict with a nationalistic and political society. We are a society driven by violence and the fight for equality rather than a society driven by love and the fight to establish the kingdom of God.

2. What is the key question/problem/issue the author is addressing? (40-60 words)

The key question Boyd is addressing is, is America truly a Christian nation? In the pledge of allegiance, we always stand and state that American is a “nation under God,” but our actions say otherwise. From a Christian worldview, Boyd uses evidence from both scripture and American history to depict the truth.

3. What information or evidence does the author use to solve this question? (75-100 words)

Boyd titles America as a power over society because we take advantage of our ability to control our behavior with law and order whereas individuals should surrender their enemies’ wishes in self-sacrificial love regardless of government requirements. Boyd points out the conflict of the cross versus the sword where America uses the power of the sword to inflict pain on our enemies rather than using the power of the cross and placing God’s will above our own. Boyd uses the concepts of homosexuality, abortion laws, civil wars as living proof that America may have never been a Christian nation.

4. What conclusions does the author reach in response to this question? (40-60 words)

From this evidence, Boyd concludes that America is in danger. We fuse the idea of the kingdom of God with the preferred ways of the world and associate our Christian faith too closely to the political and nationalistic point of views. In doing this, the foundation of God’s kingdom is violence rather than love and our ways are the complete opposite of what God created us to do and be.

5. What are the main ideas or concepts the author that the reader must understand in order to understand the author’s argument? (100-150 words)

For the readers to understand this argument, we need to know who the true example of living life by sacrificial love is and that is the one and only Jesus Christ. He did not turn to violence or hate to get back at his enemies rather he surrendered his individual power to the evil of the world, Satan. Along with living an unselfish life just as Jesus did, we need to understand that we were not created to be moral guardians. God did not create the church to judge others of their actions but rather love them for their actions despite whether they are right or wrong. We also need to understand that we have the ability to transform the hearts of our enemies. In order to transform the hearts of others we must be living examples of Jesus Christ and live to serve not fight.

6. Does the information/evidence provided support the author’s conclusion? (75-100 words)

I believe the evidence provided completely supports the conclusion that America is in danger. America is the first thing that comes to mind when Boyd explains what makes up a kingdom of the world. Currently, the actions of American citizens are the complete opposite of what it looks like to live the kingdom of God –living a “power under” life, living by the cross, returning evil with good, and transforming the hearts of others. We are so consumed in the life of what the political and nationalistic society has to offer that we become selfish and abide by what we believe is best for our kingdom. We tend to forget that this kingdom is not ours to rule but one that God is to rule; we are not the creator.

7. What assumptions underlie the author’s thinking? Although you can include assumptions about the intended reader, you must include assumptions that undergrid the author’s actual argument. (75-100 words)

I believe Boyd assumes that America should be one to blame for the acts of violence and ways that oppose the kingdom of God. We are not perfect in abiding by the kingdom of God but, I do not believe that are always the side to start the violent acts and use of the sword. I also believe Boyd assumes that Christians living in the America are unaware that we are a fallen world tied up in a selfish nationalistic and political society being that these acts of opposition have been occurring since the beginning of time.

8. So what? If the reader accepts the author’s reasoning, what are the consequences? If the reader rejects the author’s reasoning, what are the consequences? Offer concrete examples. (80-120 words)

Accepting that America is in danger, we will learn to live in conjunction to the presence of a law and order just as Jesus did. We can work to transform that the reason behind every law and order are God’s wants and needs rather than our own like homosexuality. Like Jesus continued to spread love in the acts of politics during his time, we can continue to love those who opposing the word of God. Rejecting that America is in danger, violence will continue to prosper, justice will not be restored, and the relationship with God is broken. Currently in America, we have yet to turn away from violence, restore justice with other nations, and show evidence of God’s love.