American Exceptionalism and Civil Religion Quotes

“Christianity teaches that no one is innocent; all are guilty of unjust actions. If that is true of individuals, it is certainly true of nations that are made up of individuals. God stands in judgment of human sin, but has provided a way for human sin to be atoned for in the person of Jesus Christ, who paid for sin “once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). Christians who embrace open American exceptionalism can affirm that America is unique, is special and is blessed by God. That means America is responsible for how it uses those many blessings. And American Christians can know, teach and live the great truth that Christ is the last and best hope of humankind—not America.”
― John D. Wilsey, American Exceptionalism and Civil Religion: Reassessing the History of an Idea

“Nationalism is tribalistic, triumphalist, idolatrous, exclusivist and violates justice. But patriotism is an expression of devotion to country that is defined by justice. In other words, patriotism is love expressed to the national community, but it is love properly measured and applied. Patriotism acknowledges a proper place for devotion, loyalty, gratitude and sacrifice for one’s country. But patriotic expressions do not exclude others by necessity. They only do so if those exclusions are just—necessary for the protection of the whole. Koyzis wrote, “We are here referring to that community of citizens created by political power but deepened in the development of a shared commitment to, and love of that community. . . . Such loyalty is not idolatrous worship of a nation; rather, it is a limited affection for a community of fellow citizens.”
― John D. Wilsey, American Exceptionalism and Civil Religion: Reassessing the History of an Idea