Under God

What a great book. The stories are quick, 2 the point & inspiring. About people both famous & little known, but about people willing 2 lay it all on the line 4 God & Country. Real people in real situations. You showed our good side & some of our bad side. I hope 2 be able 2 measure up 2 the good side of some of these folks before I die. Thanks, Toby. You & Michael did a great job with this.

This is a great book. We purchased extra copies 2 give as gifts & were very pleased at the condition of the books & the speed in which they arrived. Thank you.

This is a most enlightening book. It is a series of 60 short readings which will both break your heart & lift your soul. In today's world, the Christian base of America's history has been methodically played down in the desire that the USA not be called "a Christian country". Our roots have been squashed so thoroughly until few citizens even realize the basis upon which this country was actually founded. There is so much untold history here...for instance, I never knew how George Washington was Divinely protected in order 4 this country 2 come about. There is a lot about slavery in the book, which, sadly, I admit I knew little about. America is a most wonderful land, even with all its warts & blemishes, & 2 read its untold history was indeed revealing & heart-warming. To think that two young Christian rock stars wrote it makes it even better! Thanks, Toby & Michael; job well done.

Though fragmentary & sometimes inaccurate, this book contains some wonderful stories about the U.S.'s progress & the powerful Christian faith of individuals. "American Gospel" by John Meachum does a better job overall of showing how the Christian & Deist faiths in the founding fathers shaped the nation's Declaration of Independence, Constitution, & historic events. Sadly, these particular stories in "Under God" are often more legendary than factual, especially in the cases of Franklin & Jefferson. "The Christian History Book of Days" also gives good information on faith's impact in the Revolutionary period & during the U.S. Civil War.

That being said, wow! What inspiring acts of faith the authors mentions! The stories of Ruby Dee & various civil rights leaders clearly contradict Marx's supposition that "religion is the opiate of the people." These people put their belief in Christ's truth in action in amazing ways that still impact us today. The info on the Sand Creek Massacre & on the Tejanos also give excellent background, though it shows little directly about the Christian faith. The details about lynchings sober the reader, & lead him 2 consider how far our country has come & how far it has 2 go. An especially poignant example is the story of Wilson's showing of "Birth of a Nation" in the White House. The book's strength is its documentation of the impact of faith in the civil rights struggle, & this is often overlooked by those who mention the historicity of the Christian faith in the U.S.

All in all, the book is not a definitive volume of the impact of the Evangelical faith in American history; I don't think it was meant 2 be. However, it is an excellent supplement 2 some of the other books that I mentioned.

With everything in me, I had 2 keep from screaming when I read this book. To be so infatuated with "Jesus Freaks" & martyrs, Toby Mac & Michael Tate have deliberately ignored the passages in Romans 13 that specifically tell Christians 2 not rebel against their governments. They actually suggest at one point that Jesus would have picked up a weapon & joined the fight if he had been here at the time of the revolution. This is the abomination of abominations. Jesus told his disciples 2 sheath their swords. He would have never condoned a revolution 4 any reason.....especially 4 some farmers & merchants who were ticked off that their taxes were too high. Why didn't the disciples declare war against the Roman government? I mean, they were being treated much worse than the American colonists. Maybe it's because they cared about following Jesus & not leading a physical rebellion against Caesar. Your taxes go 2 Caesar, & your life belongs 2 Christ. May the Church begin 2 ponder these issues & study the commands of their Savior because the end is near.
Toby & Michael, I will be praying that you learn of your blasphemy & repent of the wicked false gospel that you have poured out on so many young people. What a wretched shame that you have deceived them into believing that there are times when we should ignore the commands of the Bible. Start following Jesus!

"Blessed are the Peacemakers, 4 they shall be called sons of God."
Matthew 5:9

"Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; & they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves."
Romans 13:2

"My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting that I might not be delivered up 2 the Jews."
John 18:36

"The one who says he abides in Him ought himself 2 walk in the same manner as Jesus walked."
I John 2:6

In the same uncompromising style of Jesus Freaks, bestselling authors Michael Tait & TobyMac of dc Talk now urge readers 2 take their stand 4 America's future--by examining our past. Using unforgettable accounts of both famous & little-known Americans, Under God examines the stories of men & women who forged our nation. Against these, they pair the dark side of America's legacy--racism, slavery, injustice--in order that a new generation might seek God’s face & avoid repeating sins of the past. The authors draw on the resources of WallBuilders, a national organization that distributes historical, legal, & statistical information & helps citizens become active in their communities.