The answer to the above question depends upon your definition of “America” and your definition of “Christian.”

There is abundant documentation (if the documents have not been edited) that the majority of those who came to colonize this land were motivated and guided by strong religious convictions – Judeo-Christian values taught in the Bible. The majority of those who labored and fought to form this nation, with the Constitution, Bill of rights and other documents, shared those same Bible-based ethics and morals. Our early leaders almost legally established the country as a Christian nation, with four denominations being official state churches.

However, the amendment did not pass. Rather, complete freedom of thought, speech and worship was established – with no interference by government. It would be up to the Christians and their churches to promote and persuade their fellow Americans to follow the light of God’s Word through obedience to the Gospel of Christ. No executive officer, no legislator, no judge would regulate the consciences of men. They realized then that men could only be changed by God. The same is true today; only God can change man’s heart.

Now, we come to the matter of Christians and Christianity. Is a person a Christian because they grew up in a Christian home and attended a Christian church? Does the Christian culture rub off on people, so that they automatically are Christians? Doubtless, the influence of Christian parents, a Christian church and a Christian culture can be a good thing.

However, we must not forget what Jesus said to Nicodemus, a man who was thoroughly entrenched in the religious life of Israel. Jesus told him, “…You must be born again” (John 3:7). If you would study the whole conversation (John 3:1-21) you would see that there are no national, family or corporate plans for entering into the kingdom of God.

The second birth, a spiritual birth, is a personal work of God that He creates within an individual’s mind, heart and soul (II Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:8-10). It is a personal relationship, a conversion, established by God’s Spirit through faith in the Scriptures – the Gospel of Christ (John 6:63; Romans 1:16; 6:17; 10:9-17; Titus 3:3-6; I Peter 1:18-25).

No government of man, no authority of a church, no will-power of a loving parent can create this relationship for you (John 1:12-13). So, if an American actually becomes a true Christian, it doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with America. It may even be in spite of America.

Our Scripture reading (Romans 13:1-14) gives us directions as followers of Christ and as citizens of an earthly nation.

Romans 13:1-7 For God’s sake, we are to be model citizens, morally pure and socially participating and cooperative. This must be done in the spirit of loyalty to God first. See Luke 20:-25.

Romans 13:8-10 After love and loyalty to God, comes love to our neighbor – which includes our fellow man, our fellow citizen and our fellow Christian. Love will cause us to operate mutually in the realms of grace and truth (John 1:4, 9, 14-17; I Corinthians 13:1-7; Ephesians 4:11-16, 21-32; Titus 3:1-9; I John 4:1-21).

Romans 13:11-14 We need to understand the times in which we are living. We need to interpret the words and actions of society by holding everything up to the light of God’s Word. Ultimately, all governments and social trends will fail and pass away. Our duty is to be awake, alert and armed with God’s armor as we serve His kingdom and await His coming (Ephesians 5:1 – 6:20; Colossians 3:1-17; I Timothy 4:1-16; II Timothy 4:1-8; Titus 2:11-15; I John 2:15-29; 4:1-7; II Peter 3:1-18; I Corinthians 15:51-58.

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A word about our society: In a sermon by Ravi Zacharias (“Is America Really Christian?”) he references his book (“Deliver Us from Evil”) three things that have happened and are happening in our society.

Secularization – When religious institutions have lost their social significance. They are of no powerful influence on culture and society.

Pluralization – When there are competing world views with no dominant world view. It is a smorgasbord of ideas, values and ethics.

Privatization – When religious views can be held only in private. Society will scoff or otherwise forbid religious expression.

When we have a secularized society there is no shame – society’s conscience is vanishing.

When we have a pluralized society there is loss of reason – no basis for morality and ethics except popular opinion.

When we have a privatized society we have lost the sense of meaning and purpose to life.

What should we do in such a society? Psalm 119 offers a model for how we should think, pray, and act. It is divided into twenty two sections, each with eight verses. Take a month to meditate deeply in this psalm. For now, consider Psalm 119:23, 51-53, 113-120, 121-128.