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215-The Truth About American Exceptionalism

Alex McFarland Show / Alex McFarland
The Truth Network Radio
May 26, 2026 12:00 am

215-The Truth About American Exceptionalism

Alex McFarland Show / Alex McFarland

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May 26, 2026 12:00 am

The concept of American exceptionalism is rooted in the nation's founding on biblical principles, with its unique history, values, and destiny. The idea that America is a distinct, exceptional nation has been shaped by its early leaders, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who believed in the country's potential to inspire the world. However, this concept has been misinterpreted and misunderstood over time, leading to shifting political, educational, and cultural trends. As Christians, it is essential to understand and preserve American exceptionalism, which is based on the recognition that government does not grant rights, but rather guards the rights that individuals inherently possess by virtue of their Creator.

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The Spiritual Condition of America, Politics, Culture, and Current Events Analyzed Through the Lens of Scripture. Welcome to the Alex McFarland Show. In Psalm 33, verse 12, the word of God says, Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Hi, Alex McFarland here. You know, I looked up the word nation in the original language where the Bible says blessed, happy.

prosperous, fulfilled, joyful. Anointed. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. And the word nation means nation. America is a nation, and we were a nation founded on biblical principles.

In early May, I was in Washington for several days, and we were meeting with elected officials. It was the Israel Advocacy Day. I was very honored to be invited. And we met with a number of leaders on Capitol Hill. And as I went through not only the offices of many of the elected officials, but also the Capitol itself and the rotunda, Statuary Hall, You know, all over you see these reminders of our biblical foundation, not the least of which is Moses holding the Decalogue there in the rotunda of the Capitol.

Not long after that was the ceremony, perhaps you saw it on T V of Rededicate two hundred fifty, the rededication of our nation to God. And President Trump read the scripture he read during the Bible reading In late April, I had the privilege of being in Washington for the Read the Bible Through project that was put together by our colleague Bunny Pounds of Christians Engaged. Four hundred and seventy five readers myself included, we read the Bible cover to cover. And during that and during the Rededicate two hundred fifty ceremony, President Trump read, among other scriptures, President Trump read Second Chronicles seven fourteen. If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray And seek my face, says God, and turn from their wicked ways.

Then will I hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. This is really unprecedented, regardless of whether you've been a fan or what you think of President Trump, for twice, all in under 30 days, for a sitting president to read scripture to the nation. This is amazing.

Now, I heard Donald Trump read scripture. It was Good Friday of 2020. And it was on Good Friday, and a phone call was convened of the faith leaders. And President Trump on the phone read Isaiah 53. And then Franklin Graham prayed.

And so this is not the first time President Trump has read scripture to a group of Americans. But I was invited to the White House for the Rededicate 250. I couldn't go. I had to honor a speaking commitment, and I was glad to do so. But here's the point: that America was founded on Christian principles.

Cotton Mather, who was one of the early leaders in our nation, a Christian leader, said that America was planted. from a noble vine. Godly people had come from England. And we were planted from a noble, godly vine.

Now, a lot of people don't believe that today, and even a lot of Christians, maybe they think, well, our home is in heaven. We don't need to be involved in trying to restore our nation or trying to call America back to God. But no, it is every Christian's prayer. Privilege, and I would say duty. To try to be the salt and light in the culture that Christ called us to be.

You know, Thomas Jefferson said this: that Error alone needs the support of government. The truth can stand by itself. Jefferson said that. And so we're living in a time when so many philosophical and spiritual and moral errors are being defended or attempted to be defended by people in the media. AOC Alexandra Acacia-Cortez was in the news about the second week of May saying that the American Revolution was.

A rebellion against billionaires. Which is ludicrous. And what that philosophy is about, and what that just vacuous. False, historically inaccurate statement is about is to try and use class envy or an assumed class envy. to try to get Masses of people to believe that business is bad, success is bad, a free market economy is bad.

And part of what we do with our broadcasts, our camps, our conferences, our events, our publishing. part of what we try to do. And God has used this, and I give Him the glory: is educate people not only about Jesus and salvation. But about citizenship. You know, John Adams, who wrote, Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.

It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. And so our nation I believe so many have urgently worked to try to secularize it, deconstruct it. And I think about the Supreme Court justices and circuit justices that have been so liberal and so socialist. that this Very uh troublesome thing has gotten in their way, which is called the US Constitution. we need to vigilantly stand Not only for the Constitution, obviously, And we need to be very careful and prayful about the persons for whom we vote.

But we need to speak about the philosophical principles that made the Constitution possible, and made the Constitution make sense. And so here we are in this time when there are good things happening. Rededicate 250. That's a good thing. Um 38% plus.

increases in church attendance, mostly by young adults. That's a good thing. Bible sales are up. That's a good thing. But understand, folks, there are threats on the horizon of our free America.

We have a socialist Muslim Who is in charge of the 13th largest economy in the world, the city of New York? He's trying to put in free grocery stores because. Uh it's a human right. To be able to get free groceries, the left would say.

So, folks, if what is going on today in America. had been the predominant worldview in seventeen seventy six, we wouldn't have had the Revolution. If it had been the predominant worldview in seventeen eighty seven, we wouldn't have the US Constitution.

So, I want you to stay with us because I'm going to spend the remainder of this broadcast talking about a phrase that really elicits the ire. Of the left, which is American exceptionalism. Stay tuned. We're coming back after this brief break with more on the Alex McFarlane show. Fox News and CNN call Alex McFarland, a religion and culture expert.

Stay tuned for more of his teaching and commentary after this. Do you have a desire to deepen your faith, better understand Christian apologetics, or to get a biblical perspective on current events?

Well, I've tried to make it simple for you to do just that. On my website, alexmacfarland.com, there's a new section called Ask Alex Online. It's simple, it's clean, and you can read my answers to common questions about God, faith, and the Bible.

So visit the website alexmacfarland.com and look for the section that says Ask Alex Online. Hey, producer Mike here for the Alex McFarlane show, and I'm here with Alex in the studio. Alex, I was just thinking about the Cove and the great time I had last summer out there with my wife. It's coming up again this summer. What's going on?

Oh, wow, Mike.

Well, thank you. We love the Billy Graham Conference Center in Western North Carolina. It is beautiful. The presence of God is so strong there because, you know, Billy Graham and his wife, they prayer walked over those hillsides. And a visit to the Cove will change your life forever.

I'm going to be there July 17 through 19 teaching Bible prophecy. Then I'll be back July 27 through 31 with world-renowned scholar Gary Habermas teaching apologetics how to defend the faith confidently in any situation.

So go to the website thecove.org, T-H-E-C-O-V-E, theCOVE.org, make your reservation, and we'd love to see you there in the summer of 2026. He's been called trusted, truthful, and timely. Welcome back to the Alex McFarlane Show. Welcome back to the program. Alex McFarland here.

We're talking about American exceptionalism. And there is the verse that I began with, Psalm 33:12: Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Whenever I'm on the road speaking and I talk about American exceptionalism, very often people, even Christians, will get sort of viscerally angry and they'll think that we mean, well, America is more deserving of better, or we think we are superior to others.

Well, let me say this: as human beings, I know that we're all sinners. We need the grace of God and we need faith in Jesus Christ, but there are some worldviews. superior to others. Uh like the ones that are actually true. Belief in God, morality, Jesus, that is true.

Rejection of God, rejection of Jesus, that is false. There are some cultural habits and social mores that are, yes, superior to others. The Islamic culture. that allows for the beating of women. And the trafficking of other human beings, and the mutilation of children, and on and on we could go.

That is an inferior, detrimental way of living. That's why, folks, when you're considering casting a vote for an elected official, you need to ask them yes or no. Do you believe Sharia law should exist in American cities? and if they equivocate on any level. then they cannot in good conscience get your vote.

So let's talk about preserving this America. I know individually anybody may believe whatever they choose to want to believe. If someone wants to believe in Allah, not Jesus, that is their prerogative. But in a free, pluralistic constitutional America, Sharia law that is a legal system that cannot exist in an America that is a Judeo Christian equal representation before the law. nation Patrick Henry said this, quote, it cannot be emphasized to Often or too strongly, that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians, not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Now, American exceptionalism. It refers to the natural law and biblical principles that were intentionally integrated into our political structures. American exceptionalism has really shielded this nation from errant laws and practices that could have been our downfall.

Now many utopian political theorists, they bring to the discussion some flawed assumptions. For example, like in the Republic, Plato proposed an ideal government where the enlightened philosopher kings would lead the country. And today woke elites. They are those philosopher kings. They think they know best uh better for us than the rest.

we unenlightened plebeians. And so we need to talk about what makes America unique.

Now America's founders wisely knew that civil government is necessary and is divinely ordained by God. That's in Romans chapter 13, 1 through 7. Government is ultimately under God's control. By the way, if you like this content, This content is predominantly found in my book, Ten Issues That Divide Christians. There are more than 200 footnotes.

And we go into great depth about what is the uniqueness of America. And part of it It's not all of it, but much of the exceptionalism, the difference, the uniqueness, is the recognition that the government does not grant you rights. The government guards the rights you inherently already possess. By virtue of God your Creator.

Now, governments may be guilty of injustice. But Christians should not stop working for justice or cease to be concerned about human rights. But true justice might we say just justice. is based on, as Washington would say, the laws of nature and nature's God. the the French Revolutionary Maximilian Robespierre He lived up until 1794.

He was one of the really philosophical fathers of the American Revolution, but he understood that the French Revolution was more a reign of anarchy because the French Revolution did not. Have the Christian underpinnings of the American Revolution. And Maximilian Robespierre said this: the secret of freedom lies in educating people. Whereas the secret of tyranny lies in keeping people ignorant. End of quote.

That's really true. And the founders said, and great leaders have reminded us throughout history, that part of our job, if we are to preserve American freedom, is to. Generationally, over and over, re-educate and re-repeat. and reinstill the The principles of freedom in the lives of those coming up.

Now Again, American exceptionalism. this concept, this realization. begin to shape the identity and beliefs of the citizens of America. The idea that America is unique, the idea that America is an exceptional nation, distinct from other countries in terms of our history, our values, our destiny. Throughout history, American exceptionalism has, well, it's undergone some various interpretations and misinterpretations.

And the misinterpretations, I would say, largely due to shifting political. and educational and cultural trends. But let's go back a ways. And I think about the poster about tickets west, and you can explore and settle in the west. Passengers from the East Coast got the trains as the railroads went west and could leave Washington, D.C.

for all parts west, said T. H. Parsons.

Okay, American exceptionalism, this vision and this, I guess for lack of a better word, hope. that you can find your fortunes in America. And I'm not talking just about wealth, but you can own property, you can accomplish things, you can innovate, you can work hard and enjoy the fruits of your labor, which, by the way, is biblical. In fact, By the eighteen hundreds another word begin to emerge another phrase, manifest destiny. And we're going to talk about that.

There's a very famous painting that I know you've seen probably. But American Exceptionalism: the belief that the United States is unique. special nation a superior nation. Yes. This conviction has its roots in early American history.

and during the nineteenth century And this, at least up until recently, was a defining point of American identity. The idea that we're a unique nation and every upcoming generation is to be a steward of it. In 1845, the newspaper editor John O'Sullivan coined the term manifest destiny. And that was really a description of the pioneer mindset. That God Himself had blessed and was blessing America and would bless.

Bless our nation. And many things the wanderlust Of the big wide open West And The discovery of gold in California in 1848 moved enthusiastic settlers westward.

Now we've got to take a break, we're going to come back. We're going to talk about us today in the 21st century. And how blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord and that nation could be America once again. and with each of our involvements, it will be. Fox News and CNN call Alex McFarland, a religion and culture expert.

Stay tuned for more of his teaching and commentary after this. Hey, this is producer Mike here from the Alex McFarlane Show. Why are so many Christians divided over important issues? In his powerful book, 10 Issues That Divide Christians, Alex tackles the biggest questions facing the church today. Alex helps believers navigate difficult topics while staying grounded in God's Word.

If you're ready to strengthen your faith and better understand today's spiritual challenges, get your copy of 10 Issues That Divide Christians Today, wherever books are sold. Would you invest a financial contribution to see young people saved, people give their lives to Christ, and people care about God and country? If you would please make a donation securely online, you can give at alexmacfarlane.com or please mail a check to TNG P.O. Box 485 Pleasant Garden, North Carolina, 27313. Your gift will be faithfully handled, fruitfully used, and we thank you in Jesus' name.

He's been called trusted, truthful, and timely. Welcome back to the Alex McFarlane Show. Welcome back to the program. Alex McFarland here. Thank you for listening.

We're going to talk further about American exceptionalism and what. You and I can do to be salt and light in the culture. But I want to tell you about the book that I'm quoting from. It's called Ten Issues That Divide Christians. And I wrote this book because there are a number of believers of all ages, really, that When it comes to things like a just war, or standing with Israel.

Standing for life, standing for morals, marriage, and even standing for America. A number of believers have less than biblical positions on such things, and there's this false dichotomy that either you're standing for God and the gospel or you're culturally, civically engaged. And then there is this epithet, this slur that the left uses. It's certainly been thrown at me plenty, or you're a Christian nationalist. Look, don't let that cower you into silence.

The left. The globalists, the woke critical theory, anti-American, anti-constitutionalists. They would love for persons like you and me to be quiet. And we'd say, oh my goodness, somebody says I'm a Christian nationalist. I don't even know what that means, but it sounds like an insult.

I better just stay in my place. And be quiet. I'm a Christian. I love the Lord. I'm a believer in Jesus.

I'm a patriot. I care about America. care about preserving this 250 year old great blessing of God, this nation that's given more freedom, more liberty, more prosperity to more people, and our America that for a quarter millennia has been at the absolute forefront of Christ's great commission. I love God and country. If that makes me a bad guy, I'll own it.

Don't be afraid of the slur because when Christians cower back, or pious ministers say, Well, I would never preach on politics.

Well, remember that some day. When, apart from God's intervention, you're chained to a cell and maybe awaiting beheading. by a Sharia America When Islam has taken over, I had a four-hour conversation with the VP of CARE, the Council on American Islamic Relations, based out of New Jersey and New York. They're a known terrorist group. And the VP of CARE looked me in the eye and calmly said, America will fall.

This will become a nationwide caliphate. And that they're utterly serious, I assure you. Just a day ago, an Imam Was in the news having said that Sharia will be enforced in the United States. And this is not just a faith system, this is a legal system. This is a cultural movement.

And everywhere Islam goes, it is to the world like cancer is to a human body.

Now people are free to be Muslims if they want to be Muslim, but here in America we cannot let Islamic law And culture become the predominant force. I just interviewed a pastor from. England from Manchester, England, And he said, apart from a major, major miracle of God, it is. Too late.

Now just the second weekend of May there was a great uh movement and ground swell as was public prayer, passing out crosses and waving the Union Jack flag as the Brits suddenly are saying, Oh, my goodness, The most common name of baby boys born in London is Muhammad or a variant thereof. Is there a window of opportunity to take back the UK? This particular pastor that I interviewed said he didn't think so. But here in America, the hour is late. There is a window of opportunity.

My book, 10 Issues That Divide Christians, I really think will help you. And we will send that to you for a donation. If you would help us, we are in front of thousands and thousands of people every year. We're in front of millions of listeners every day.

So if you would send a financial contribution, you may write a check to AMM. as in Alex MacFarlane Ministries, P.O. Box four eight five, Pleasant Garden, North Carolina. 27313. Or you could donate securely online at alexmacfarland.com.

Just look at the donate now button. All of your financial gifts are tax-deductible. Your prayers are much appreciated. And for your donation, Of, I have to say, at least $20. And frankly, we're not making any money on that.

But we will ship you the book. 10 issues that divide Christians that will get you equipped, it will get you confident. And I would ask you to please pray for us and help us. We are making progress. Thousands of young people a year are coming to Christ, and they're enthusiastically receiving the teaching about God and country.

Speaking of which, let's go back to the time we have left. And I do thank you for your prayers and support. By the way, we have a revival meeting June twentieth. You know, we're all across the nation. I'll be in Texas, Colorado, numbers of places this year.

But in Myrtle Beach, the Grand Strand, as we've done for the last two summers, We're continuing our speaker series. You know, we had Charlie Kirk last year, just two weeks before he died. This year we have Eric Metaxas. We've got two former Muslims sharing their testimony. But listen up, June 20th, the Greg Rolls Legacy Theater, R-A-W-L-E-S, our dear friend Greg Rolls.

We will be at his theater. June 20th for a revival meeting. This is really the first part of our two-year tour, Revive U.S. I would love for you to be there. Please go to alexmacfarland.com.

Look at the Revive US meeting in the Greg Rolls Theater, June 20th. It is free. You have to register, but the event itself is free. And you can do that by going to alexmacfarland.com. I hope to see you.

there.

Well, the origins of American exceptionalism go back to the very lives of the founding fathers and early American leaders such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, they saw the United States as a distinct, exceptional nation. They believed America's birth, the Our experiment in self government was unique. They sincerely believed The American story had potential to inspire the world. And then, as I said, was developed the concept of manifest destiny, the conviction that it was America's God given calling to expand all the way to the Pacific Ocean, throughout the continent, From the Canadian border north to the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf of America south. And this belief helped shape American identity, reinforce the notion of American exceptionalism as a divine mission.

And I would say the rugged individualism and the pioneer spirit, the resilience to continue on and not quit. That was born out of the belief that God was with us, and indeed He is.

Now, I'm going to ask you to do something, folks. I'm going to ask you to step out of your comfort zone and take a stand for truth. to influence others, to pray, to be equipped, to support ministries like ours, and to support this ministry, we would love to hear from you. And to join with us in prayer. Folks, God has blessed this nation.

And I think about what Alexis de Tocqueville said, that famous writer that in 1813, he came and researched, and it became a two-volume set, Democracy in America. although we're not a pure democracy, we're a representative republic. But the French intellectual Alexis de Tocqueville, he said, the position of the Americans is quite exceptional, and it may be believed that no democratic people will ever be placed in a similar one. End of quote. like Benjamin Franklin said, it's ours, if we can keep it.

As you speak truth, As you intercede in prayer, as you influence others, And as you are salt and light, This America can be preserved. Let's not miss our chance. Alex McFarlane Ministries are made possible through the prayers and financial support of partners like you. For over 20 years, this ministry has been bringing individuals into a personal relationship with Christ and has been equipping people to stand strong for truth. Learn more and donate securely online at alexmacfarlane.com.

You may also reach us by calling 1-877-YESGOD and the number 1. That's 1-877-Y-E-S-G-O-D-1. Thanks for joining us. We'll see you again on the next edition of the Alex McFarlane Show. Producer Mike for the Alex McFarlane Show, listen to this.

Alex is the Christian voice we need right now. I love listening to him, and the guests he has on the show are just amazing. I highly recommend his podcast. Great words, Alex.

Well, we give God the glory. We thank the listeners for kind sentiments like that, but we give God all the glory. But, folks, please listen in, spread the word. You're spreading the gospel. Tell others about our programming, and we sincerely thank you.

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