Has America Forgotten the Role Faith Played in Its Foundation?

A New Book 

In One Nation Always Under God, Senator Tim Scott argues that Christianity has played a central and often overlooked role in shaping the United States. Rather than presenting a traditional political history, Scott tells a series of biographical stories about men and women whose Christian faith inspired them to serve others, persevere through adversity, and contribute to the nation's development. His central thesis is that America's greatest achievements have frequently been rooted in biblical principles such as personal responsibility, compassion, stewardship, courage, and hope. Scott contends that faith has not been confined to churches or private devotion but has influenced education, health care, social reform, science, business, and public life throughout American history. 

The Power of Christian Courage

The subtitle, Profiles in Christian Courage, captures the book's primary focus. Rather than concentrating on famous political leaders alone, Scott highlights individuals who demonstrated extraordinary courage because of their faith. These stories span centuries and include abolitionists, scientists, educators, military heroes, reformers, entrepreneurs, and ordinary citizens. Scott argues that Christian courage is not merely bravery in the face of danger. It is the willingness to obey God's calling even when doing so involves sacrifice, criticism, uncertainty, or suffering. Throughout the book, he emphasizes that faith often empowers ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.

Fred Fox

Fred Fox, a devout Christian, graduated from Princeton in 1939, having been a member of the Princeton Triangle Club, the oldest collegiate musical comedy troupe.  A creative, funny guy, Fred dreamed of performing onstage and enjoying the applause of crowds.  Little did he know how those creative abilities would be put to use in the U.S. Army’s WWII war effort.  Fred was one of eleven hundred men recruited in January 1944 to be a part of a special troop assignment called the “Ghost Army.”  These men were to use inflatable tanks, trucks, jeeps, artillery, and aircraft, and even audio trickery to deceive the enemy into thinking that allied preparations were taking place miles from actual operations, thereby reducing casualties and making it easier for the real plans to succeed.  The Ghost Army took part in more than twenty operations across Europe, including the Normandy landings, the Battle of the Bulge, and the Rhine River crossing.  Though Fred had dreamed of appreciative audiences, the covert exercises of the Ghost Army were unknown to most of the military and remained classified until 1980, a year before Fred died.  His service to God and country, despite the lack of applause, spoke of character and service to a cause higher than one’s self.     

Jim Lovell 

Many people have seen the 1995 movie Apollo 13 about the heroic return of the three astronauts whose spaceship was badly damaged two days into their mission.  Jim Lovell was one of those three men.  While their plan to land on the moon had to be scuttled, their return home looked all but impossible.  “The frigid air made every breath a reminder of the astronauts’ precarious situation. Jim’s thoughts flickered to his wife, Marilyn, and their children waiting anxiously for news.  He knew the gravity of the situation and the slim chances of returning home. There was no time for fear – no time for prayer, even.  It was time to use his God-given talents to preserve the lives He’d given them,” Scott says.  In answer to millions of prayers, the men made it safely home.  “Faced with life-threatening conditions 200,000 miles from Earth, the crew and NASA engineers devised ingenious solutions, turning a near-certain disaster into a ‘successful failure,’ Scott notes.  “This underscores the American spirit of overcoming adversity through creativity, collaboration, and resilience.  Our shared history of overcoming adversity strengthens national identity.”  

The Point

“The book is intended both as a history lesson and as an encouragement for modern Christians to live boldly and faithfully in their own generation,” Scott says.  “I plan to show how the faith of these men and women helped form the foundation of every major institution in this country.  It was the faith of these great Americans that defeated slavery and gave women the right to vote.  From establishing our legal system and educational institutions to developing social services and pursuing human rights, their unwavering belief in a higher purpose was instrumental in shaping the United States into the nation it is today.”  

The book concludes with a challenge. Scott does not want readers merely to admire historical heroes; he wants them to become heroes in their own communities. He argues that the same faith that motivated past generations can still inspire service, courage, generosity, and moral leadership today.

His message is optimistic: America's future is not determined solely by political institutions or cultural trends. It is also shaped by individuals who live out their convictions faithfully. Small decisions, he argues, can create "seismic shifts" when multiplied across families, churches, businesses, and communities. 

To purchase One Nation Always Under God, click the LINK! 

CREDITS

Author, One Nation Always Under God (Broadside Books, 2025) / U.S. Senator from South Carolina, 2013 – present, U.S. House of Representatives, 2011-2013 / South Carolina House of Representatives 2009-2010 / Charleston City Council member, 2995-2008 / owner, operator of Allstate Insurance Company office / B.S. Political Science, Charleston Southern University, 1988 / Married to Mindy, three step-children