America is a Cultural, not a Propositional, Nation

We're reminded today of those who fought and died that Anglo-American liberties might survive and thrive. We also remember that the rights they defended are not universal human rights, but rights developed, granted, and won over centuries in Anglo-American culture, out of tribal custom, documents like Magna Carta, and English Common Law. Patrick Buchanan writes in opposition to the idea that we are a propositional or creedal nation:

"To traditional conservatives, this 'creedal nation' exists in the minds of men of words. It is an intellectual construct, to which men can render neither love nor loyalty. For two centuries, men have died for America. Who would lay down his life for the UN, the EU, or a 'North American Union'?

When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, college students stood beside sharecropper sons to enlist. These men were not volunteering to defend abstract ideas. For democracy was not attacked. Equality was not attacked. America was attacked. Many had likely never read Jefferson, Hamilton, or Madison, and some would die never having read them. They were patriots united by nationality. They were Americans, and they fought, bled, and died as Americans, no matter what they believed."

The full essay is called Nation or Notion?

Today you should read or listen to the Declaration of Independence, if you have not done so already this week. You should remember that we are a nation not of abstract ideals, but of blood and culture, accepting of all people who love liberty, but based on Anglo-American traditions and customs and nationality.

May God bless these United States of America.

Independence Day (nearly) in Stanwood

Today my brother, Tim, and I marched in the Stanwood Area Historical Society Independence Day Parade, held a day early this year so everyone can go to church tomorrow. This was the inaugural event for the American Revolution Society of Cedarhome, which officially forms tomorrow, July 4, 2010.

(Photography by our cousin, Nicholas Thompson)

 
(Photography by Linda M. Pearce)

Tim will offer a prayer for our civic leaders tomorrow at Island Baptist Church on Camano Island, WA. The text is below:

Prayer for Church July 4, 2010

Praying for Leadership

1 Timothy 2

Pray for All People

1First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2(A) for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and(B) dignified in every way. 3This is good, and(C) it is pleasing in the sight of(D) God our Savior, 4who desires(E) all people to be saved and(F) to come to(G) the knowledge of the truth. 5For(H) there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man[a] Christ Jesus, 6(I) who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is(J) the testimony given(K) at the proper time.

Dear Heavenly Father, Creator of the Universe,

We humbly come before you seeking your favor as a body of Bible believing, God fearing people. We acknowledge that we are all sinners and fall terribly short without your grace. We find it in our hearts difficult at times to love all people, yet you command us to do so. We find it in our hearts difficult at times to pray for those with which we might disagree and yet your word tells us in I Timothy that we are to pray for our leaders. In Romans 13 you teach us that there is “no authority except from God.” Help us then to guard our hearts and our tongues and do what is right by kneeling before you for these men and women. We pray for them; wisdom in each decision that is made, we pray for them prudence in the application of that wisdom, we pray for them love for their fellow man, we pray for them that they would seek to place others before themselves, and ultimately, above all these other humble requests we pray that each one would become a member of your Kingdom. We pray that their hearts would be willingly given to you without compromise or reservation.

We think now of those in our government who do claim you as King. For them we also pray wisdom and prudence, but we also pray for boldness, that they would seek to be a light to this country and all with whom they come in contact.

We pause now to praise you and thank you for placing just the right men and women in office to ultimately achieve your good and righteous and perfect plan. Help us to remember always to praise you for and to be humbled by your sovereignty. As is written in:

Proverbs 21

1The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD;

he(A) turns it wherever he will.

We ask all of these things in your omnipotent and sovereign name.

Amen.