The following quote is attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville, a French historian most widely known for his 2-volume set, Democracy in America (1835, 1840):
“I sought for the key to the greatness and genius of America in her harbors…; in her fertile fields and boundless forests; in her rich mines and vast world commerce; in her public school system and institutions of learning. I sought for it in her democratic Congress and in her matchless Constitution.
Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.
America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.”
This historians observation for the greatness of America was that in her churches the ”pulpits flame with righteousness”. America’s early churches were not “seeker sensitive”, “contemporary” or “emerging”. They weren’t designed for social activities or entertainment. No praise teams, no electric guitars and drums, no Starbucks in the lobby, no cafe’s in the church. The thing that brought the people together was fire and brimstone, Holy Ghost-filled, Bible preaching. In most of our churches today we are losing this, or have already lost it. You could enter into many churches today and not even need to bring a Bible with you. The Bible is nothing more than a backdrop for our touchy-feely, sensitive, fleshly, conscience-soothing pleasure. You can gather many for “Gospel sings” or “concerts” but those same attendee’s would shun an old-fashioned heaven-sent Bible-preaching revival! The main problem in America today is not our politicians, our courts or our schools; the main problem is our pulpits!