Christo-Americanism the foundation of Dominionist Cooperation
In the United States the final straw was the decade of
the 1960's. Sweeping legislative and social changes left conservative
Protestants (loosely labeled Evangelicals) in a state of shock. Men like
Francis Schaeffer stepped into the gap and began to re-teach many things that
had been forgotten and even frowned upon from the glory days of old
Christendom. Even as late as the 1980's, the Middle Ages were frowned upon
as...a spiritual Dark Age. But to Dominionists like Schaeffer, the Middle Ages
were an almost-glory, a period of Ecclesiastical triumph, clouded not by the
cultural hegemony and holocaust of Roman Catholicism, but simply by Rome's lack of
understanding regarding Justification by Faith Alone. If Rome had retained the
Protestant formulation, then more or less, all would have been well. If this
vision wasn't re-captured and all of modern life evaluated in light of it...the
Church would fall to its great enemy, Secular Humanism.
And standing on Kuyper's shoulders, he provided a new
theological impetus for action. He provided inspiration for a whole generation
of Transformationalists. Not all subscribed to the jots and tittles of his
theology. No, many in fact still embraced Dispensationalism, a theology which
found its genesis in the 19th century. Often fused with Charles
Finney's Pelagian theology and practices, this new 'old time' religion wasn't
very consisted with Schaeffer's ideas at all. But Nationalism (a religion, an
idolatry in itself) trumps all and since the late 1970's, Evangelicalism has
been undergoing a rapid modification on several fronts.
Before this time, Christianity was largely syncretized
with American Culture. Christo-Americanism we might call it. Many cultural
practices and norms were integrated with Christianity, and that with little
thought about it. Since Schaeffer, this syncretism has taken on a deliberate
agenda. They would deny this, because they fight particular American cultural
currents. But, in response they offer another set of American cultural currents
regarding economics and sociological issues. Supposedly Biblical arguments are
given for these fusions and many political and cultural viewpoints (resting in
the American context rather than the New Testament) are essentially baptized
and made into tenets of orthodoxy.
Others have just continued the Americanist trend, and
as we have become obese in our consumerism, they have integrated this into the
American Church...if we can even still call it that.
Though many don't know of Schaeffer, nor have read his
works, his ideas have trickled down to the pew and have been heartily embraced.
The common church attendee has little interest in theology, but a great deal of
interest in culture, politics, and economics. This theology vindicates many
conservative Americanist tendencies. If you grew up in a conservative
Protestant family, these things are practically in your genes. Now you have
arguments which can be called 'Biblical' to back them up.
Many of our modern Conservative, Right-wing politicians
have cited Francis Schaeffer as an inspiration. I don't know to what extent
George Bush, Michelle Bachmann or Mike Huckabee understand Dominionism.
Regardless of their acumen or lack thereof, this theology provides for them a
divine impetus to do what they're doing. It's not mere conviction, it is
absolute certainty that they are standing for the kingdom and their political
and cultural positions are both advancing it and defending it.
You cannot understand contemporary Evangelical
Christianity apart from this. This is driving 99% of what the churches are
doing. It's affecting American politics and to lesser or greater degrees it has
blended with other cultural forces to shape the history of the American Empire
over the last century.
Christo-Americanism, that is Christianity melded with
American Nationalism is actually the religion of the American Church. That's
why Postmillennial Theonomists, Premillennial Dispensationalists, and
Charismatic Dominionists can all find common cause. They share a common
religious foundation, rooted in American Imperial idolatry.
The issues here are not merely an internal debate. We
have yet another religion masquerading as Christianity. There are no doubt
Christians within these folds, but I honestly have to believe if the Holy
Spirit is indwelling them and they are studying their Bibles, they will
(perhaps slowly) abandon this theology. At least I hope so.
----to be continued-----