If you’re not familiar with Dan Edelen’s writing, I highly recommend his work at Cerulean Sanctum. His recent post on the dangers of American Civil Religion is especially worthwhile. Here’s a sample:
The narrative of our country and the narrative of the Kingdom of God have syncretized so profoundly that the religion far too many self-proclaimed Christians in America practice isn’t true Christianity at all but something I like to call American Civil Religion. . . . Part of that confusion is due to the syncretism that spawned ACR. Because some elements of true Christianity are sprinkled throughout ACR, it looks like a twin, but to people who are discerning, the differences are stark.
Dan lists six qualities that distinquish ACR from real Christianity. It’s worth knowing the difference, and I recommend reading Dan’s whole essay.
Elijah Penner 