American Exceptionalism
Austin is joined today by Dr. John D. Wilsey, author of American Exceptionalism and Civil Religion: Reassessing the History of an Idea (IVP, 2015). Dr. Wilsey has much to teach us about history and how Americans have thought about themselves and their place in the world. While American Exceptionalism has sometimes referred to an imperialist mindset, Dr. Wilsey encourages us to lean into the legacy of people like Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, and Dr. King who called us to live up to the ideals expressed in our nation’s founding documents. We hope this episode encourages you toward greater love of God and neighbor.
LINKS & SHOW NOTES:
- This UWP Podcast Episode was produced by Josh Deng with editing by Roshane Ricketts.
- You can purchase Dr. Wilsey’s excellent book here.
- This is the recent article Austin referenced by Dr. Wilsey
ABOUT UWP
United? We Pray (UWP) is a ministry to help Christians pray and think about racial strife. We want to encourage Christians amid the strife to rely upon God in prayer. So our prayers can be informed, we strive to learn and write about race, racism and its effects, and theology. We aim to be biblical, beneficial, and clear in all our efforts. While we’re burdened for all racial strife, we focus on racial strife between Christians because of the unique privilege and stewardship God has given his people: to bear witness to Him and to love all people, especially one another (Gal. 6:10).
