Many years ago, before such things as Glenn Beck and Tea Parties, I had a student who was a fanatical Wallbuilder. He believed that David Barton was a model of Christian scholarship and that anyone who disagreed with Barton's line was neither a good Christian nor a good American. Of course, that made me suspect in his eyes, especially when we read the chapter on Deism in James Sire's The Universe Next Door.
This student and that episode came to mind today as I read Brad Boydston's comment on his blog: "I'd define the Tea Party Movement as the apex of American cynicism."
Isn't it strange how the same people who are suspicious of government can worship its Founders? Now that's a recipe for cynicism!
Am I the only one disturbed by the fresco painted on the dome of the United States Capital Building, and statements like the one by John Quincy Adams gracing the Wallbuilders webpage : "In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior." No doubt our sixth president was a pious, bible-believing Christian. But it is a dangerous business to conflate the city of man with the city of God. We need to be careful where we place our hope. Our country has had some great and good statesmen, but they are not worthy of even a tenth of the praise due the Prince of Peace!
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