Previous articles in this series have shown that America's founders saw the United States as necessarily a Christian country. Separation of church and state meant that Christianity was to be protected from the state and no church was to enjoy a privileged position in the federal government. Thus all Christian religions were to be free to worship as they saw fit without hindrance from governmental authority.

The last four decades have seen a marked departure from this concept. Present-day interpretation of separation of church and state is wildly different from the founders' original intent. Today non-Christian religions also flourish, and secularism has replaced God in the classroom. America's prevailing culture sees God as remote or not even existing. Americans increasingly see their wealth and success as something they have created for themselves without divine involvement.

So it was somewhat surprising, after two decades of internal divisions that had left the United States severely weakened both internally and internationally, to see the following congressional resolution passed in 1982: "Whereas the Bible, the Word of God, has made a unique contribution in shaping the United States as a distinctive and blessed nation and people; Whereas deeply held religious convictions springing from the Holy Scriptures led to the early settlement of our Nation; Whereas Biblical teachings inspired concepts of civil government that are contained in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States;

"Whereas many of our great national leaders-among them Presidents Washington, Jackson, Lincoln, and Wilson-paid tribute to the surpassing influence of the Bible in our country's development, as in the words of President Jackson that the Bible is 'the Rock on which our Republic rests'; Whereas the history of our Nation clearly illustrates the value of voluntarily applying the teachings of the Scriptures in the lives of individuals, families and societies; Whereas this Nation now faces great challenges that will test this Nation as it has never been tested before; and Whereas that renewing our knowledge of and faith in God through Holy Scripture can strengthen us as a nation and a people:

"Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President is authorized and requested to designate 1983 as a national 'Year of the Bible' in recognition of both the formative influence the Bible has been for our Nation, and our national need to study and apply the teachings of the Holy Scriptures" (quoted by Federer, pp. 709-710).

Less then 20 years later America has changed so much it is doubtful that such a resolution could be passed today.

The Bible is the most important book in American history. Its importance has not diminished with time. We may not realize the for some decades the consequences of neglecting it, but its relevance for us is just as great as it was for the people of ancient Israel. GN