American Providence

The relationship between America and Christianity has never been so hotly contested as it is today. September 11, 2001, and the war on terrorism have had an almost schismatic impact on the Church. American Christians have been forced to ask really hard questions about the relationship of their faith to politics. While some would rather not ask these questions at all, they are unavoidable for a religion that seeks to speak to the whole world, with the expectation of nothing less than global transformation. Like it or not, Christians have to take a stand on the issue of America's alleged imperialism, not only because America is largely a product of the Christian imagination but also because the converse is true-the growth of Christianity worldwide is largely shaped by American values and ideals.