In an era of increasing diversity and polarization, identity has become an issue and often followed by fierce contests. From hindsight, the US has largely towed the line of the holy book, the Bible, from the days of the early settlers in the New England States. In so many ways, the nation has strayed from the ideals so cherished in the past.
In light of these challenges, the US has renewed its commitment to defending the rights of Christians – at home and abroad. This has been a concern in the heart of President Donald Trump in the days when he seized every opportunity on the campaign trail pledging to point America back to God and defend the faith.
From the board of schools to military barracks, the place of faith as a matter of public discourse continues to draw wide interests. From the onset, it was beyond the podium of politics; it has been and would remain the battle for the soul of America and the rest of the world. Listening closely to the audacious speech given to the leaders of the EU countries a few weeks ago by Vice President JD Vance on how they have veered from what the US and its allies long cherished – principally the faith. It is like Trump conveying that if America reclaims Christian liberty, there would be the moral ground to re-awaken the world.
Christianity in America and the challenges
Make no mistakes about it: The United States of America have never claimed to be a theocracy like in the early days of the Jewish state of Israel. However, the founding fathers laid its foundation on Christian principles. The Mayflower Compact was drawn up by pilgrims (early settlers in the North East of the US) for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith, and in honour of King James of England.
Churches served as nerve centres of the community and biblical principles guided laws at the time. It is rather threatened in today’s America, where students now face disciplinary actions for praying aloud and openly or sharing the word of God.
The military is not spared unhealthy censorship as chaplains are under watch for discussing Faith or service members wearing cross necklaces or such that symbolize the Christian Faith. Pluralistic current threatens to sweep away edifices of the faith, preferring that it be invisible and quiet.
The social media terrain has not been an easy walk for Christians and Christian organizations some of which have been barred for flimsy reasons. They were reports against major social media platforms in the website of the NRB (National Religious Broadcasters), which the organization took up to investigate.
The pledge to defend the Faith
At the NRB convention in Nashville, Tennessee, February 2024, Trump vowed to defend the rights of Christians in the US, and globally. This declaration was a buildup to the 2024 US Presidential elections.
True to his words, and with the extraordinary Holy Week activities especially in the White House on Holy Thursday, where the President participated in the Easter prayer service and dinner, the ball has been set rolling.
Now, the White House Faith Office has been created with a revamped DOJ, which its task force is set to tackle anti-Christian bias among others. This, he reiterated, will stop radical indoctrination in the schools.
It is remarkable that for the first time in a long while, America has a president who will boldly call on the name of Jesus as Lord and Savior having been resurrected from the dead. To this divine act of God, Trump reaffirmed that History was forever changed in the moment of Jesus Christs resurrection, as various Christian leaders gathered for the celebrations at the White House.
We are standing up for the Christians of which a lot have been persecuted all over the world. We are defending religious liberty where Christians are not protected.
The president described the horrors Christians have continuously faced: destroyed, killed, haunted and so many dead – things one would not think would happen in this modern times.
The Easter message
President Trump observed that the holy week was important in acknowledging the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary as Savior and the victory at resurrection, he declared that humanity now has the hope of Eternal Life.
The president affirmed that millions of Americans have taken Christ’s example of sacrifice to lift their families, communities and make the country stronger, better and greater than ever.
Raising hope for Christians in different parts of the world, the fight for religious liberty will be given the attention it deserves, he said.
With Rev. Franklin Graham, the son of late great evangelist Billy Graham, Rev Paula White, Pastor Jentezen Franklin, Apostle Guillermo Maldonado and many notable Faith leaders in attendance, the president went political as he usually did. We are restoring our prosperity, securing our borders; we are rebuilding the US military, which we did before, and we will do it again and even more.
Gender realignment in standing with God
In towing the precepts of the Bible, Trump has reversed the gender manipulations, which have been pervasive in the US (and other parts of the world) to only male and female- no transgender. The executive bill he signed in accordance with his campaign promises to put paid to that matter.
Interestingly, the UK seems to be working in tandem with the US position following the recent ruling by UK’s Supreme Court that the term woman in the Equality Act 2010 refers exclusively to biological sex thus excluding trans-gender women.
In a unanimous decision, the deputy president, Lord Hodge, affirms that sex under the act means sex assigned at birth.
The advocacy group, Women Scotland challenged the Scottish government’s inclusion of trans women in positions (appointments) that robbed them of places in public boards.
The president took the opportunity to give glory to God who created the male and female genders noting that America returns to the policy that respects the two gender-status as at the beginning in the Bible. He called on America to remember God as the true source of joy as Easter is celebrated.
He advised those who want to make America trust in some other thing but God to trash the idea. In God We Trust, remains the cornerstone of the country’s existence, creativity, fortitude and leadership, and nothing else.
Conclusion
Society flourishes when schools teach biblical virtue, soldiers serve with conviction, and courts acknowledge truth.
Justice and equity bring balance that allows every section of the nation to grow and be nourished without suffocation by strange forces opposed to good governance.
Ps 33:12 proclaims, Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. For the US, getting its biblical foundation right will trigger a positive ripple effect worldwide. Then will persecuted believers wax bolder to take the whole gospel to the ends of the earth, and millions drawn to the glorious hope in Christ Jesus.