Jon Meacham, the managing editor of Newsweek and author of the New York Times best seller Franklin and Winston: An Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship, writes an insightful book that should be of great value to all those interested in America's relationship to God.

While biblical and historical research shows that God was involved in the blessings experienced by the United States (see The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy), the many religious groups that found their way to America did not always represent the mind of God.

Mr. Meacham suggests that a grasp of history is essential for Americans to decide how much weight to assign a religious consideration in a public matter. He feels that the crisis of our time clouds the truth of the genius of the founding fathers and leaves Americans with a simplistic view of their heritage.

Toward the end of his treatise Mr. Meacham writes: "There is no doubt, as we have seen, that the Founders lived in and consciously bequeathed a culture shaped and sustained by public religion, one that was not Christian or Jewish or Muslim or Buddhist but was simply transcendent, with reverence for the 'Creator' and 'Nature's God'" (p. 233).

(This was a major factor in allowing religious freedom in the United States, but of course this doesn't mean that their various views of God are exactly the same as that taught in the Bible.)

You can't read of these amazing men without discovering that they were gifted with an uncommon vision and wisdom. While partisan politics often stemmed from religious dogma, the higher ground of liberty and freedom insured that freedom of religion would allow the gospel of the Kingdom to be preached without constraint. Just imagine the situation if the Puritans or Lutherans or any sect had secured exclusivity in the new nation.

Some of the colorful leaders are reported to have had some eclectic views of organized religion, but still God was frequently invoked in the formation of the American nation.

George Washington improvised "so help me, God" at the conclusion of the first presidential oath and kissed the Bible. This tradition of using the Bible at inaugurations continued, and it speaks volumes about the true source of America's blessings.

Excellent resource

The rich appendices that accompany the work consist of 148 pages and have incredible source material, including records of which passage the Bible was opened to for 34 presidential inaugurations. For example, Ulysses S. Grant, at his 1873 inauguration, chose Isaiah 11:1-3: "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots..."

William McKinley, inaugurated 1897, chose 2 Chronicles 1:10: "Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people that is so great?"

Theodore Roosevelt, 1905, selected James 1:22: "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."

Woodrow Wilson, 1917, used Psalm 46: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea..."

Warren Harding, 1921, had Micah 6:8: "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humble with thy God?"

Harry Truman, at his 1949 inauguration, was sworn in on two Bibles—one opened to the Beatitudes, the other to the Ten Commandments.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1953, also used two Bibles, which were open to Psalm 127:1: "Except the L ord build the house, they labor in vain that build it," and 2 Chronicles 7:14: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

I found it curious that Bill Clinton, in 1993, chose Galatians 6:8, "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting" (these records cited from Appendix B, p. 267 ff).

Appendix A contains some great material, including Jefferson's Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, Washington's Farewell Address, Jefferson's Letter of the Banbury Baptist Association (the origin of the wall of separation between church and state, etc.).

Jon Meacham tells the story of two Protestants from different denominations, one a minister, the other a layman, who met and discussed the differences between their faiths. The two walked amicably, and as they parted, the minister said, "Yes, we both worship the same God, you in your way and I in His."

American Gospel is worthwhile reading, and it is filled with insights that are balanced and inspiring. WNP