What does it mean to be a good American? Being a good American means adhering to Individualistic ideals. The Individualistic person is competitive, driven to succeed, never asking for help. The motto for the Individualistic American is "pull yourself up by your own bootstraps." Success is measured by power and money, and educational degrees entitle one to success.

This model of the American Dream has infiltrated the church as well. Rather than clinging to the gospel, with its message of giving up power and helping the powerless (Philippians 2) the American church has followed Individualistic ideals through marketing and church growth, and by the focusing on "hot button" issues. The church has lost its message of transformation.

"Christianity in America: From a Kingdom to a Republic" examines this shift and imagines what the Church would be like if we propelled it past the 1950s. This would mean, first, unwrapping the gospel from the American flag. In order to bring the gospel to a hurting world, Christians must shift the emphasis away from the American Dream and political hot-button issues and back to Christ, who emptied himself of power. Through a renewed focus on the Trinity, the church will regain its power to transform lives and culture.