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What made "The Greatest Generation" great? According to prominent conservative scholar John A. Howard, the answer is: three centuries of Christianity. In his book Christianity: Lifeblood of America's Free Society, Howard describes the Christian underpinnings of American society that enabled early Howard describes how pre- and post-World War II America was a time when "God, family and patriotism were of fundamental importance." Divorce was rare and families were strengthened, not torn apart, when they faced the Great Depression. In public schools, children began their days with prayer. "Profanity had no place in mainstream literature and entertainment." Church or synagogue membership was almost universal. Biblical principles produced "cooperation, friendliness, helpfulness and sacrifice." These values so prevailed among Americans that when faced with the challenges of World War II, "the troops and the people on the home front performed so well that they earned the designation of 'The Greatest Generation.'" Howard vividly illustrates the erosion of our greatness as our Christian principles fell out of fashion in entertainment. Purveyors of art and literature became more interested in "human depravity rather than human grandeur." Authors were rewarded for "mocking the virtues of western civilization." John Howard answers the question of how America can return to greatness. He urges a return to private civility and community outreach. He hopes for an America whose civilization is based on the principles and the practice of civility prescribed in the Holy Scriptures. (Summit Press, 2007, 150 pp, $12.95 - paperback) |
settlers to persevere when their ranks were decimated by famine, sickness and brutal conditions. He describes how the Biblical principles of love, justice, mercy, and humility, woven into every aspect of American life including government, entertainment, community and family life, enabled us to build a thriving civilization.
