I was recently reminded of a paradigm shift. As a recent example, Mr. Biden said the following about 90% through his State of the Union Address last night:
“There’s one reason why we’re able to do all of these things: our democracy itself. It’s the most fundamental thing of all. With democracy, everything is possible. Without it, nothing is.” Source
As much as I appreciate democracy, it doesn't deserve what Biden just said about it. To say that was a distraction from what does deserve the credit. Up until a short time ago, I would've argued that capitalism (and the free market) might be a related theme. I've agreed countless times that capitalism has done more to bring more people out of poverty than any other alternative economic system. But recently I remembered that's only partially true. It is true, but it's missing a more important detail. The apostle Paul made the point almost two millennia ago when he wrote:
“where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17b NIV
Democracy without Christians in charge will be unrecognizable compared to democracy with them. The founders knew this. Just two examples are:
“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
-Patrick Henry, 1776
“Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God?”
-Thomas Jefferson, 1785
Capitalism without Christians is also unrecognizable to what it once was. For while God is both omnipotent and omnipresent, He has a tendency to correlate His involvement with our willingness to give Him credit for what He does (Romans 1:20-32). What Biden, or any Catholic, or any Christian, should have said was:
“There’s one reason why we’re able to do all of these things: our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He's the most fundamental thing of all. With God, everything is possible. Without Him, nothing is.”
Though of course, God doesn't care much for lip service (Isaiah 29:13). We need to believe it if we bother to say it. I pray that when I get the chance, I practice what I just preached.
By the way, substituting pride in our nation for pride in our God is not a new trap. The religious leaders of Jesus's day had fallen for that trick, as recorded in John 11:48. Paul gave relevant advice in 2 Timothy 2:25-26. National pride is not inherently bad, I'm no globalist. But it does tip from good to bad when it replaces or otherwise exceeds our pride in [accurately] knowing our Creator (Jeremiah 9:23-24).