As America approaches its 250th anniversary, author and commentator Eric Metaxas is urging Americans to revisit the nation’s founding story—not merely as a political event, but as a spiritual one.
Speaking with commentator Dinesh D’Souza, Metaxas argued that the American Revolution stands alone in world history because it produced something unprecedented: a self-governing constitutional republic that has endured for nearly two and a half centuries.
“There has never been a revolution in the history of the world to compare with the American Revolution,” Metaxas said.
According to Metaxas, the success of the American Revolution cannot be explained apart from the founders’ belief that liberty required moral responsibility and submission to God.
“Only in America did we actually accomplish what we set out to do,” Metaxas said, contrasting America’s experience with revolutions in France, Russia and elsewhere.
Metaxas argued that while other revolutions sought to overthrow existing authority, America’s founders understood that freedom could not survive without virtue. He pointed to the founders’ repeated references to Scripture, divine providence and covenantal ideas drawn from biblical history.
“The men of the revolution in America understood that if we get rid of an earthly king, we have to look to God directly,” Metaxas said.
To order Dinesh D’Souza’s new book, The End of Time, visit Amazon.com.
Throughout the conversation, D’Souza and Metaxas discussed how biblical themes—including the Exodus story and the covenant relationship between God and Israel—influenced the founders’ understanding of self-government.
Metaxas noted that even figures often portrayed as less religious, such as Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, frequently referenced biblical imagery when discussing America’s future.
The interview also addressed concerns about America’s current cultural trajectory. Metaxas warned that modern society has increasingly disconnected liberty from virtue and faith, creating a dangerous misunderstanding of freedom itself.
“If we don’t have it, we cannot have liberty,” he said, referring to the moral and spiritual foundations that historically sustained self-government.
The author further argued that many Americans have lost touch with the nation’s founding principles, leaving younger generations vulnerable to distorted narratives about America’s origins.
“God at the center of American culture gave us the freest, most prosperous nation in the history of the world,” Metaxas said.
As preparations continue for celebrations surrounding America’s semi-quincentennial, Metaxas believes the moment presents an opportunity for national reflection. He encouraged Americans to rediscover the stories, sacrifices and convictions that shaped the nation and to recognize what he views as God’s providential hand throughout its history.
“It is unique. It is outrageous. It ought never to have happened, but God ordained that it might happen, and it did happen,” Metaxas said.
For believers, the conversation serves as a reminder that America’s story is not merely one of political independence. It is also a story of faith, responsibility and the enduring conviction that true liberty flourishes only when rooted in God’s truth.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
