Those Proclaiming America’s Covenant with God: Are They Heretics?

By David K. Clements

Years ago, I spoke at a candidate event where politicians vied for victory in local races. The organizers leveraged my newfound popularity as a local conservative hero—and liberal punching bag—after I stood against my university’s vaccine mandates and rejected claims that our elections were free from subversion. I’m often ill-suited for these events, as I believe honest candidates have little chance with our current rigged system. Offering sober truth while trying not to demoralize their hopes is a tightrope to walk.

Nonetheless, I stood before a crowded room, ending my speech by lamenting America’s moral decline and reminding attendees of the covenant forged in the Mayflower Compact, which dedicated the pilgrims’ settlement of our country to the “Glory of God,” and the “Advancement of the Christian Faith.” I urged national repentance to claim God’s blessing, as echoed in 2 Chronicles 7:14.

I could tell the message stirred hearts, yet, in the corner of my eye, I saw a pastor who would don his traditional black Lutheran garb and white collar on Sundays, visibly shaking his head in disapproval. I knew this pastor and occasionally attended his church while navigating the personal upheaval of my newfound public status. I was also processing for the first-time in my life, supernatural experiences—an angelic encounter, visions, words of knowledge that pierced my heart, and for a short season, a few prophetic downloads that would come to pass like clockwork.  Had I the nerve to share these encounters with members of my former church, I could imagine their puzzled looks, their internal cataloging of perfectly reasonable and rational alternatives, a polite but nervous listening, and perhaps a few eye rolls after I left the room. How do I know? Because there was a time I would have done the same thing. Skeptics, even Christian skeptics, could argue these were delusions, or fanciful tales of a one-time professor cracking under immense stress. This article's purpose is not to persuade you one way or the other.

I simply provide this backdrop because I suspect I am not alone.  And before anyone's mind starts racing, I do not claim a "mantle" or a particularly strong gifting in any of the fivefold ministries (Pastor, Teacher, Evangelist, Apostle, Prophet).  Yes, I was a teacher, but not of the Bible. A lay servant and friend of Christ is title enough for me.  Having never encountered the supernatural before, however, these new experiences shattered my paradigm, and revealed a hidden and mild disdain for the more charismatically inclined members of the Church.  My previous skepticism was undone by a sublime encounter I can never prove happened, and at the same time, it was an encounter I will never recant, even if you put a gun to my head. So count me a believer in all of the spiritual gifts.

In any event, I later learned the pastor denounced my covenant claim that blessing comes from national repentance as a false teaching during a Sunday sermon. Though he didn’t name me, his aim was clear. And as my documentary "Let My People Go" gained traction and I continued promoting national repentance, I found a social media post from him once again indirectly accusing me of presenting a “false gospel.”

This hurt. I was disappointed that the pastor didn’t discuss his concerns with me privately before addressing the church I had worshipped with on Sundays—a choice I found lacking in courage. After all, we had met previously to discuss doctrine, as his church practiced closed communion, and I desired to fully participate in my faith by observing the sacraments. During these meetings, I posed questions, some rooted in my newfound supernatural experiences, to understand his stance. Clearly, he held that spiritual gifts—tongues, prophecy, the expectation of great miracles—ceased when the Scriptural canon was completed. His theology rendered modern day apostles and prophets with little regard, leaving a three-fold ministry of pastor, teacher, and evangelist, marked by Lutheran doctrinal purity, as the only path to the Lord’s table. What I was going through had no place in his church.

I have come to grips with the fact that those who receive revelation are often held in contempt by those who do not.  And because I wasn’t ready to confess a doctrinally rigid creed regarding communion where I saw profound mystery at work, the pastor likely saw me as a lost cause.  Perhaps my continued call for national repentance was the final nail in my coffin within his reformed theology framework that he felt necessitated a public rebuke.  Looking back, it makes sense now.  In his church I was separated from the Lord’s supper (and the blessing that comes with it) even though the pastor did not doubt my profession of faith.  Likewise, under a theology that presents God as cold and indifferent to the solemn promises of our nation’s spiritual founders, America should also prepare itself to be separated from the promise of blessing.

My wound from the pastor’s rebuke was not from theological pride but sorrow. My family was seeking a church home, as many congregations succumbed to government-imposed mask mandates. Being a public figure invited rebukes of every kind, but his one stung more as we longed to find a new church home.

A Rebuttal

Had I sat down with the pastor, our conversation might have unfolded as follows.

The pastor argued that the promise of national blessing in 2 Chronicles 7:14 was exclusive to Israel and offers no covenant or healing for America. Likely relying on Romans 11:17, he claims that Gentiles were grafted into Israel’s place, fulfilling the old covenant and rendering Israel’s role as God’s chosen people obsolete. He views the Christian church as the new Israel, urging its members to seek heavenly citizenship, not earthly covenants or national healing. Simply put, he rejected the notion that America could similarly covenant with God.

This claim falters under Scripture’s weight. If Gentiles are grafted into Israel’s olive tree (Romans 11:17), why can’t Christians covenant with God as Israel did? The church’s spiritual inheritance includes faith-driven commitments, as Abraham’s covenant began with belief (Genesis 15:6) long before Israel even existed as a nation.

Scripture also denies Israel’s replacement, affirming her enduring role. Romans 11:25-27 states: “Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, ‘The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob’; ‘and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.’”

This scriptural cornerstone against replacement theology shows Israel’s temporary hardening, with future restoration tied to Christ’s return. Romans 11:11-15 reinforces this. Israel’s stumble brought salvation to Gentiles, to make Israel “jealous,” leading to their later “full inclusion” through spiritual revival. Zechariah 12:10 foresaw a day when Jews would mourn “him whom they pierced,” recognizing the Christ.  Revelation 1:7 envisions those who pierced Him wailing at His return. These verses seem to affirm that Israel’s covenant endures until their hardening subsides, providing a final merciful opportunity to see Christ as their Messiah.

An Argument for America’s Covenant

2 Chronicles 7:14 states:

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Does this passage suggest a one time promise to Israel, or does it highlight a universal if/then proposition that God blesses all who seek Him?  And who exactly are considered God’s people?

Jeremiah 18:7-8, written approximately 300 years later, provides a clear answer: “If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it.”  Notice how repentance (turning from evil) elicits God’s mercy, and is not confined to Israel, but any nation.  As you will see below, God has engaged in this if/then covenantal mercy with non-Israelite peoples throughout history.  All of which support America’s covenantal capacity.

·      The Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9:13-17): God’s rainbow, set as a sign for “every living creature” and “all generations,” where God vowed that no flood would destroy the earth. Predating Israel, this covenant binds all humanity to God’s mercy, showing His intent to engage every nation.

·      Nineveh’s Repentance (Jonah 3:5-10): A pagan Assyrian city heeded Jonah’s call, with their king decreeing fasting and repentance. God spared them, a covenant-like act of mercy, fulfilling Jeremiah 18:7-8.  The pastor’s pessimism of America’s capacity to covenant or perhaps being deserving of God's wrath, reminds me of Jonah’s hard-heartedness and unwillingness to give Nineveh the chance to experience God’s mercy. Jonah wanted Nineveh to be destroyed and tried to flee from God's command. God’s covenantal character was so unyielding that he forced a defiant Jonah to Nineveh’s shores after being swallowed by a whale.  The message was clear, even to a non-Israelite nation: repent and mercy will follow.

·      Rahab’s Faith (Joshua 2:11, Matthew 1:5): Joshua sends two spies to scout Jericho before Israel’s conquest of Canaan. Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute, hides them and expresses her faith in Israel’s God. She confesses, “The Lord your God, he is God,” securing a covenant of protection. Her faith wove her into Christ’s lineage, showing God’s openness to non-Israelites.  If a Canaanite prostitute can weave into Christ’s lineage, why would an American nation confessing the same thing, not be able to experience the national benefits that come from grafting into Israel’s olive tree?

·      Gibeonites’ Treaty (Joshua 9:15): The Gibeonites, a Canaanite people, deceived the Israelites into believing they were from a distant land. Fearing destruction, they sought a peace treaty. Joshua and the leaders, without consulting God, swore an oath to spare them.  This oath was binding, even after their deception was discovered, due to the sanctity of vows made in God’s name.

·      Future Nations (Isaiah 2:2-4): Isaiah envisions “all the nations” streaming to God’s mountain, learning His law. This hope includes Gentiles alongside Israel, affirming universal covenantal potential. In Matthew 5:14, Christ called for His people to be “light,” and shine as a “city on a hill.”  America’s Mayflower Compact fits this vision, and its language mirrors the Israelites’ collective pledge to obey God’s commands, after they fled their pagan Egyptian persecutors (Exodus 19:8).  Likewise, the Pilgrim settlers fled from religious persecution to make similar vows.

Historical Examples of Blessing

In 1904, Wales saw taverns empty, and crime plummet, under Evan Roberts’ preaching, echoing 2 Chronicles 7:14. In 1949, the Hebrides blazed with prayer, transforming islands through repentance led by Duncan Campbell. These non-Israelite peoples saw blessing, proving Scripture’s principle applies beyond Israel. The pastor’s rebuke overlooks Matthew 28:19-20, commissioning us to “make disciples of all nations.” While he could argue this is an individual call, America’s unique representative Republic invites “We the People” to inhabit our institutions and govern the nation as Christians. 

A Word on Cessation

Based on the above, I believe I was on strong scriptural footing to promote national repentance on behalf of America. But here is the thing. I did not set out to test the boundaries of covenantal theology, or to offend a theologian. The Holy Spirit put a burden on my heart to speak. And as I've grown older I have learned to differentiate between the Lord's voice, and the voice in my head. I believe so many prominent pastors have grieved the Person of the Holy Spirit in their need to control their environments. And that's why their pews are either empty, or filled with modern day pharisees puffed up with a knowledge in service to their little denomination rather than God's Kingdom.

1 Corinthians 13:8-10 says gifts like prophecy cease “when the perfect comes.” Can we agree that Christ’s return has not occurred? Moreover, Acts 2:17 declares: “And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.”

I believe we are in the last days (whether a day or a thousand years I don't know).  Should we be deprived of prophecy, visions, and dreams when we need them most?  Ephesians 4:11-13 declares a fivefold ministry, not a threefold one.  Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are to equip the church until we reach “the fullness of Christ.” Putting the fantastic exploits of Peter and Paul aside, I acknowledge that to be an apostle is not a guarantee a person with that mantle will demonstrate great signs and wonders.  But don't let a diminished faith rob you of an opportunity to experience something marvelous. And even with a more humble definition of what an apostle is--"one that is sent,” are we done sending God’s people to plant churches? If not, then we need our Kingdom builders. Modern day prophets, who are largely mocked by most 501 (C)3 churches, have emerged in recent years, encouraging the Body of Christ to hope amid global upheaval, while those denying the prophetic ministry failed to discern the times. Ignorance of a rigged and stolen national election, and complicitness with Covid-19 tyranny are two prime examples of the organized church’s astonishing blindness. Give me a prophet who talks with God over the spiritually dead seminary graduate any day of the week.

Faith activates God’s power.  And if a pastor’s theology denies spiritual gifts in this age, why would he expect to see them in his congregation? A lack of faith is the great douser of flames that could set a city ablaze with miracles.

In a war against the kingdom of darkness, I contend that no one loves the doctrine of cessation more than Satan. He wants us weak and deprived of gifts that woud send him running. As for me and my house, we will exercise the authority spoken of in Luke 10:19.  We will “tread on serpents… and over all the power of the enemy,” and receive every good gift God has to offer.

Conclusion

The pastor’s rebuke, though sincere, confines God’s work to a replaced Israel, a silent Spirit, a sealed church, and an uncalled nation. Scripture paints a broader canvas: Israel’s covenant endures, nations like America can acknowledge where it has missed the mark and receive blessing, and gifts can still blaze with demons fleeing before Christ’s authority. 

I’m no false teacher presenting a false gospel. From Nineveh to New Mexico, God’s heart beats for all who turn to Him, calling apostles, prophets, and knights of His Kingdom to stand in these last days. Let us not cling to pages alone when King Jesus bids us to don His armor and fight.

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David K. Clements is a seasoned attorney, former law professor, filmmaker and dedicated advocate for election integrity and constitutional rights. If you think he's on to something, consider being a monthly sponsor of his independent journalism at: https://www.givesendgo.com/ProfessorDavidClements/donate