A Christian Nation

A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.

The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save.

Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,

to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

—Psalm 33:16-19

It's not even close. The military budget of the United States is by far the largest in the world—three times its nearest competitor (China) and seven times the next on the list (Russia). Perhaps it's naïve to think that we shouldn't have a national defense. But it is not naïve to point out the good some of that money could do if it were directed at education or healthcare. 

No country whose top priority is weaponry may legitimately claim to be a "Christian" nation. The One who said that if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, should turn the other also; and that we are to love our enemies [Matt. 5:39, 44], should not have his title of the Christ plastered atop a military budget of $600 billion.

All Christians need to seek peace and to discover new ways to be peacemakers. But for me—perhaps for all disciples in this country—that is a special challenge.

Forgive us, Lord, for claiming your blessing on that which you have explicitly condemned; in the Name of the One who taught me to pray: Our Father...