The Biblical Refutation of American Exceptionalism

Introduction

This essay is part of a series examining the biblical basis for positions historically held by a majority of Christians that were later refuted or fell into disuse. Previously, we considered how biblical interpretation supported troubling ideologies, such as the German Christian Movement’s alignment with Nazi ideology, and explored their subsequent refutations. In this essay, we analyze American Exceptionalism—its biblical foundations as historically articulated by proponents, its implicit racial dimensions, and a thorough biblical refutation of its central claims.

The Biblical Basis for American Exceptionalism

American Exceptionalism refers to the belief that the United States holds a unique and divinely favored role among nations, guided by distinct moral values and spiritual purposes. Historically, proponents have extensively drawn upon biblical scriptures to justify this position.

Central to this belief is the idea of a special covenantal relationship between America and God, akin to God’s covenant with ancient Israel. Early American settlers, notably the Puritans, viewed their migration and establishment in the New World as divinely ordained, positioning America as a “New Israel.” This conviction was grounded in biblical verses like Deuteronomy 7:6: “For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” In their original historical context, these scriptures referred specifically and exclusively to ancient Israel’s unique relationship with God, not to modern nations. Scriptures such as Deuteronomy 28 reinforced settlers’ belief that America’s prosperity depended on obedience to divine commandments, though these passages originally applied explicitly to ancient Israel’s historical conditions and covenantal obligations.

Further amplifying this theology was John Winthrop’s influential 1630 sermon invoking America as a “city on a hill,” derived from Matthew 5:14-16. Originally, this metaphor emphasized individual ethical and spiritual accountability within a faith community, but Winthrop applied it nationally, suggesting America’s destiny was to serve as a global moral and spiritual exemplar.

In the 19th century, Manifest Destiny became a key expression of American Exceptionalism. Biblical parallels, notably Joshua 1:3 (“Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you”), were historically specific to Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land. American proponents, however, interpreted them as mandates justifying territorial expansion as inevitable and divinely ordained.

Biblical imagery also justified America’s global leadership, utilizing verses like Isaiah 49:6 (“I will make you as a light for the nations”) and Matthew 28:19-20 (the Great Commission), originally spiritual mandates for evangelism and ethical living, but applied politically as justifications for global humanitarian and missionary interventions.

American Exceptionalism further emphasized divine favor tied to national obedience, based on texts like Psalm 33:12 (“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD”) and 2 Chronicles 7:14. Originally, these passages specifically addressed ancient Israel, linking their prosperity directly to covenantal fidelity, but they were applied selectively to assert America’s divine favor.

Lastly, America’s depiction as a promised land akin to Exodus 3:8 (“a land flowing with milk and honey”) significantly influenced national self-perception, presenting America as a sanctuary promising freedom from oppression. However, this ignored the complex historical realities faced by marginalized groups within America.

Selective Biblical Interpretation and Ethical Problems

Selective biblical interpretation has frequently led to severe ethical problems and injustices. Manifest Destiny rationalized forced displacement and genocide of Indigenous populations. Similarly, biblical justification was selectively employed to rationalize slavery and racial segregation, undermining moral accountability and ethical integrity.

Selective interpretation also marginalized immigrant groups, particularly Catholics, Jews, Asians, and later Muslims. Protestant-centric interpretations of scripture and nationalist rhetoric justified exclusionary immigration policies, portraying Protestant values as inherently superior and authentically American, fostering systemic discrimination against non-Protestant communities.

Historical Examples of Biblical Influence on U.S. Policies

Historical examples illustrate these influences clearly. Manifest Destiny shaped policies like the Mexican-American War (1846–1848). Additionally, President McKinley explicitly cited divine guidance when annexing the Philippines following the Spanish-American War, framing colonial expansion as a divinely mandated civilizing and Christianizing mission.

During the Cold War, America portrayed itself as a “city on a hill,” morally opposing communism and significantly influencing involvement in global conflicts such as the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

American Exceptionalism and White Exceptionalism

“White Exceptionalism” refers to the explicit and implicit belief that white Americans hold inherent superiority and centrality in American society and culture. Historically, American Exceptionalism primarily reflected the aspirations of white settlers, systematically excluding Indigenous peoples, African Americans, and immigrants from non-European backgrounds or non-Protestant religious traditions.

Manifest Destiny explicitly disregarded Native American rights, rationalizing forced removals, cultural erasure, and genocide. Biblical narratives selectively justified slavery, segregation, and institutional racism, embedding white supremacy deeply within American identity.

Policies such as slavery, Jim Crow laws, restrictive immigration acts favoring Northern Europeans, and oppressive policies against Asian and non-Protestant immigrants demonstrate American Exceptionalism’s racial biases, reinforcing white Protestant centrality.

Religious rhetoric frequently provided theological justification for racism, segregation, and discrimination, aligning white cultural values and political interests with perceived divine mandates. Today, narratives emphasizing America’s “greatness” implicitly associate authentic American identity with whiteness, perpetuating racial inequalities.

Contemporary Relevance and Consequences

Today, American Exceptionalism significantly shapes U.S. policies domestically and internationally. Narratives of moral superiority continue justifying military interventions abroad, as seen in conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan, portrayed as missions to spread democracy and human rights.

Domestically, exceptionalist rhetoric influences immigration debates, often justifying restrictive measures against refugees and asylum seekers from non-European and non-Christian backgrounds. Contemporary voter suppression efforts disproportionately affecting minority communities reflect historically rooted racial hierarchies perpetuated by exceptionalist narratives. Additionally, the recent rise of religious nationalism, exemplified by the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection, highlights ongoing ideological divisions linked to exceptionalist beliefs connecting American identity closely with Christian nationalism.

The Biblical Refutation of American Exceptionalism

Careful theological examination reveals significant inaccuracies and ethical issues in using scripture to support American Exceptionalism:

• The “New Israel” concept misapplies scriptures like Deuteronomy 7:6, historically exclusive to ancient Israel.
• The “city on a hill” metaphor from Matthew 5:14-16 originally emphasized individual ethical responsibility within a faith community, not national exceptionalism.
• Manifest Destiny’s use of scriptural analogies such as Joshua 1:3 disregarded historical contexts, ignoring severe ethical consequences for Indigenous populations.
• Verses like Isaiah 49:6 and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), originally spiritual calls to humility and service, were misapplied politically, conflating divine mission with national interests.
• Passages such as Psalm 33:12 and 2 Chronicles 7:14 specifically addressed ancient Israel’s covenantal obligations, not unconditional national exceptionalism.
• America’s portrayal as a promised land akin to Exodus 3:8 oversimplifies and obscures complex historical realities like slavery, segregation, and Indigenous oppression.

Scripture consistently warns against national pride, advocating humility, justice, and ethical responsibility—values contradicted by historical exceptionalist interpretations.

Conclusion

American Exceptionalism, historically justified through selective biblical interpretation, has frequently reinforced racial hierarchies, systemic injustices, and ethical contradictions. Faithful biblical interpretation emphasizes humility, justice, equity, and compassion, challenging nationalistic pride and racial supremacy. Recognizing and addressing these historical misuses is essential to aligning America’s national identity and policies genuinely with biblical values, promoting dignity, ethical responsibility, and justice for all communities, regardless of race, ethnicity, or faith.