What do you think?
Rate this book
The Covenant: One Nation Under God - America's Sacred and Immutable Connection to Ancient Israel
Why did Christopher Columbus assert that he was "guided by an angel" at the moments of greatest distress? What prompted the original colonists to embrace the notion that the land of America was "New Israel" to them? What power urged Washington and his rag-tag army to successfully go against the greatest military power in the known world? What brought about the the terrible national crisis that left our nation grieving, humbled and repentant after the desolation of the Civil War?
What is the secret behind the nation's unsurpassed record of prosperity, protection and liberty? What are the responsibilities and consequences incumbent upon a people so blessed?
The answer to these, and many other questions relating to our country's real national treasure are found in the pages of THE COVENANT.
Ballard's book reveals a new interpretation of American history that has never been articulated this way before. THE COVENANT: America's Sacred and Immutable Connection to Ancient Israel is an extraordinary work bringing to light the profound connection between America and the Promises made to the ancient House of Israel.
To be clear, this book is not about America's tie to the modern State of Israel (the tribe of Judah gathering since 1948) but rather, the text harks back to 743 B.C. to the Northern Kingdom of ancient Israel and the Ten Tribes who were scattered into the "Northlands" of Western Europe, Great Britain and Scandinavia, who carried in their blood line the right to invoke "the Promises made to the Fathers."
Every freedom-loving patriot in modern times (in every nation of the world) has already been inspired by the blessings emanating from the "just and holy principles" upon which America was founded. Could it be that America was designed to be much more than just a political entity and that her founders understood and endeavored to teach the rising generations what it would take to preserve those blessings forever?
While as a nation we have breached the Covenant in many instances and suffered as a result, this book is written to leave all without excuse. We have within our grasp the freedom to choose to honor or to violate the terms of the Covenant and surely as a nation, we will live or die by the consequences of that choice.
What is the secret behind the nation's unsurpassed record of prosperity, protection and liberty? What are the responsibilities and consequences incumbent upon a people so blessed?
The answer to these, and many other questions relating to our country's real national treasure are found in the pages of THE COVENANT.
Ballard's book reveals a new interpretation of American history that has never been articulated this way before. THE COVENANT: America's Sacred and Immutable Connection to Ancient Israel is an extraordinary work bringing to light the profound connection between America and the Promises made to the ancient House of Israel.
To be clear, this book is not about America's tie to the modern State of Israel (the tribe of Judah gathering since 1948) but rather, the text harks back to 743 B.C. to the Northern Kingdom of ancient Israel and the Ten Tribes who were scattered into the "Northlands" of Western Europe, Great Britain and Scandinavia, who carried in their blood line the right to invoke "the Promises made to the Fathers."
Every freedom-loving patriot in modern times (in every nation of the world) has already been inspired by the blessings emanating from the "just and holy principles" upon which America was founded. Could it be that America was designed to be much more than just a political entity and that her founders understood and endeavored to teach the rising generations what it would take to preserve those blessings forever?
While as a nation we have breached the Covenant in many instances and suffered as a result, this book is written to leave all without excuse. We have within our grasp the freedom to choose to honor or to violate the terms of the Covenant and surely as a nation, we will live or die by the consequences of that choice.
455 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2012
110 people are currently reading
697 people want to read
About the author
Timothy Ballard
19 books256 followersTIMOTHY BALLARD graduated cum laude from Brigham Young University in Spanish and political science, then went on to receive an MA (summa cum laude) in international politics from the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Tim has worked for the Central Intelligence Agency as well as an agent for the Department of Homeland Security. He is also the author of The American Covenant: One Nation under God. He lives in Southern California with his wife and six children.
http://deseretbook.com/Timothy_Ballar...
http://deseretbook.com/Timothy_Ballar...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 4, 2013
Read it twice on Kindle, bought the book and read it again.
The real test of a book like this is the negative comments. How close to the target is Ballard flying? Pretty close.
The NYT just posted an article today (2013.01.02) stating how useless the Constitution is in today's world. If you agree with Progressives that "good intentions" and benevolent elites will protect any of your rights and liberties, then this book is NOT FOR YOU.
If, however, you believe that God does live, and that he has always covenanted with man protection, prosperity, and posterity (my words, not Tim's, his are much better), under the conditions of obedience to his commandments, then this is your book.
Since the Progressive era began, social engineering has played a major role in pulling god out of his divine role in the founding of this country. Mr. Ballard is very careful to point out why the founders did not mention god in any specific term because that would have almost immediately smacked of a state sponsored religion and the same priest-craft practiced abroad would be established here.
We very narrowly avoided that, and this is the story of how and why. Mr. Ballard tell us the true history of how LIBERTY was established in this promised land. He also shows us how easily it may be lost.
Some have criticized this as being LDS doggerel. Many LDS leaders are quoted. However, much of the references are of those who lived years, and some centuries ago. Mr. Ballard is careful about making this a book on The Covenant and not just for LDS readers alone.
The real test of a book like this is the negative comments. How close to the target is Ballard flying? Pretty close.
The NYT just posted an article today (2013.01.02) stating how useless the Constitution is in today's world. If you agree with Progressives that "good intentions" and benevolent elites will protect any of your rights and liberties, then this book is NOT FOR YOU.
If, however, you believe that God does live, and that he has always covenanted with man protection, prosperity, and posterity (my words, not Tim's, his are much better), under the conditions of obedience to his commandments, then this is your book.
Since the Progressive era began, social engineering has played a major role in pulling god out of his divine role in the founding of this country. Mr. Ballard is very careful to point out why the founders did not mention god in any specific term because that would have almost immediately smacked of a state sponsored religion and the same priest-craft practiced abroad would be established here.
We very narrowly avoided that, and this is the story of how and why. Mr. Ballard tell us the true history of how LIBERTY was established in this promised land. He also shows us how easily it may be lost.
Some have criticized this as being LDS doggerel. Many LDS leaders are quoted. However, much of the references are of those who lived years, and some centuries ago. Mr. Ballard is careful about making this a book on The Covenant and not just for LDS readers alone.
November 15, 2012
I wanted to like this book. It combines a few areas that I am quite passionate about. I love Old Testament theology and I love American History. I found myself asking over and over while reading this book, "How would I write differently if I were to author this book?" The answer was hard for me to come up with.
I agree that God's hand was in the foundation of America. I also agree that one purpose for the freedom we enjoy was to allow a restoration of the Gospel of Christ to be come forward. So what bothers me about Ballard’s approach?
I think that so often, literally dozens of times, Ballard tells a story about the founding with the end in mind. He states exactly what God's purpose was in the event. Even the participants could not see what God (and Ballard) can now see. I thought that maybe God should have been the co-author. That is too harsh. In reality, we all look for signs that God is on our side or that our interpretation of the "facts" are the most informed or consistent with his will.
To his credit, Ballard did quote many of my favorite historians. Gordon Wood is my favorite historian of the Revolutionary period. The extensive biography at the end of each chapter was a pleasure to review. I liked his in-depth notes at the bottom of some pages and in the end-notes. They were very insightful.
I did enjoy the commentary on the faith of many of the founders. I still differ with many who find Thomas Jefferson to be a profoundly religious man. I think he wanted to have a fair marketplace for all religions, not because he was a believer, but because he was consistent in wanting to minimize the role of government in our lives.
As an LDS reader, one more comment is in order.
Ballard seems to have the church’s teachings and doctrines in mind. He advocates many ideas that are consistent with our doctrines. Yet he skirts along the edges of the church and never comes out and states the source of his beliefs. For example, when quoting Gordon Hinckley on page 70 (footnote 37) he states, “As one modern Christian leader noted, …” yet he quotes Herbert Armstrong by name repeatedly. Many other LDS authorities and scholars are quoted frequently. Yet their religious beliefs remain obscured. Why does it matter? It matters because our doctrine is clearly the framework from which he is writing, thinking and interpreting history. I feel that it would have been more authentic to state what we believe rather than to try to construct the entire book in a way that will lead an “objective” reader to come to the same conclusions that many LDS members hold. Why not write a book of faith, using selected history to tell the story?
As you can tell from my ramblings, thank goodness I didn't try to write this book. There is a treasure-trove of well-known stories and many more that are not well-known. As noted above, the bibliography convinces me that Ballard is very well-read and has put his considerable talents to good use in presenting this treatise. I don’t believe that religious freedom was even on the radar at the time of the revolution, but thank God that it flourished in America.
I agree that God's hand was in the foundation of America. I also agree that one purpose for the freedom we enjoy was to allow a restoration of the Gospel of Christ to be come forward. So what bothers me about Ballard’s approach?
I think that so often, literally dozens of times, Ballard tells a story about the founding with the end in mind. He states exactly what God's purpose was in the event. Even the participants could not see what God (and Ballard) can now see. I thought that maybe God should have been the co-author. That is too harsh. In reality, we all look for signs that God is on our side or that our interpretation of the "facts" are the most informed or consistent with his will.
To his credit, Ballard did quote many of my favorite historians. Gordon Wood is my favorite historian of the Revolutionary period. The extensive biography at the end of each chapter was a pleasure to review. I liked his in-depth notes at the bottom of some pages and in the end-notes. They were very insightful.
I did enjoy the commentary on the faith of many of the founders. I still differ with many who find Thomas Jefferson to be a profoundly religious man. I think he wanted to have a fair marketplace for all religions, not because he was a believer, but because he was consistent in wanting to minimize the role of government in our lives.
As an LDS reader, one more comment is in order.
Ballard seems to have the church’s teachings and doctrines in mind. He advocates many ideas that are consistent with our doctrines. Yet he skirts along the edges of the church and never comes out and states the source of his beliefs. For example, when quoting Gordon Hinckley on page 70 (footnote 37) he states, “As one modern Christian leader noted, …” yet he quotes Herbert Armstrong by name repeatedly. Many other LDS authorities and scholars are quoted frequently. Yet their religious beliefs remain obscured. Why does it matter? It matters because our doctrine is clearly the framework from which he is writing, thinking and interpreting history. I feel that it would have been more authentic to state what we believe rather than to try to construct the entire book in a way that will lead an “objective” reader to come to the same conclusions that many LDS members hold. Why not write a book of faith, using selected history to tell the story?
As you can tell from my ramblings, thank goodness I didn't try to write this book. There is a treasure-trove of well-known stories and many more that are not well-known. As noted above, the bibliography convinces me that Ballard is very well-read and has put his considerable talents to good use in presenting this treatise. I don’t believe that religious freedom was even on the radar at the time of the revolution, but thank God that it flourished in America.
November 12, 2012
The premise of "The Covenant" is an interesting one. Is America an actual heir to Israel's lost tribes - particularly Judah? Could it possibly be that our European ancestors were actually part of the original tribes of Israel?
Timothy Ballard's book attempts to link the lost tribe to the settling and establishment of the United States.
Unfortunately, there is very little evidence to demonstrate other than a few bible passages that may or may not have the same interpretation as the one the Ballard arrives at.
He uses the founding father's beliefs that in setting up the United States is God's will, but again, just because John Adams or George Washington might believe it doesn't mean that it's true.
Regardless, the book is an interesting read, and if you are a believer of God and America's destiny this book will reconfirm that idea. If you're not, it will not convince you.
Timothy Ballard's book attempts to link the lost tribe to the settling and establishment of the United States.
Unfortunately, there is very little evidence to demonstrate other than a few bible passages that may or may not have the same interpretation as the one the Ballard arrives at.
He uses the founding father's beliefs that in setting up the United States is God's will, but again, just because John Adams or George Washington might believe it doesn't mean that it's true.
Regardless, the book is an interesting read, and if you are a believer of God and America's destiny this book will reconfirm that idea. If you're not, it will not convince you.
October 18, 2012
Interesting take on the link between God's covenant with the "Promised Land" and our ties with Ancient Israel. There may have been a few points of analysis that I didn't necessarily agree with, but they were minor and minimal. Ballard makes a great case, though, of why America is a chosen land and why we can't shirk our duty to Him and our country. Documented in several chapters of this book are the numerous instances where we can see God's hand during the Revolution. This country is no accident. We have a responsibility to keep God in the center of the public square, and that can be done without forcing an established religion down the throat's of the citizens. Ballard also successfully argues that the Founders were very religious, based this country's foundation off the Bible, and emphasized that we could not survive if we failed to be religious. (Something that is becoming more and more pertinent today.)
Not so much a page turner, but more thought-provoking and needs to be digested in parts. The writing is clear and articulate, and the arguments are easily understood. A good read for anyone who loves this country and its Founders.
Not so much a page turner, but more thought-provoking and needs to be digested in parts. The writing is clear and articulate, and the arguments are easily understood. A good read for anyone who loves this country and its Founders.
June 8, 2021
Every American should read this book in order to understand the very foundation of our nation. Ballard's arguments and theories are interesting and thoroughly researched. If anything, this is a fantastic collection of stories and quotes where we see God's divine hand in the founding of America.
"Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks, no form of government, can render us secure. To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without the virtue of the people, is a chimerical idea." - James Madison
"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need for masters." - Benjamin Franklin
"Nothing is more important for the public weal, then to form and train up youth in wisdom and virtue." Benjamin Franklin
"The genuine and simple religion of Jesus will one day be restored; such as it was preached and practiced by Himself. Very soon after His death it became muffled up in mysteries, and has been ever since kept in concealment from the vulgar eye." - Thomas Jefferson
"Truth will prevail over fanaticism, and the genuine doctrines of Jesus, so love perverted by his pseudo-priests, will again be restored to their original purity. This reformation will advance with the other improvements of the human mind, but too late for me to witness." - Thomas Jefferson
"Patrick Henry had grown to understand how God moved through him and how to yield to the Holy Spirit to say what God wanted him to say."
"We bear beatings very well... The more we are beat, the better we grow." - Nathaniel Greene
(On the mistakes of Christopher Columbus) "Fortunately for us all, perfection is not a requirement to be an instrument in the hands of God."
"Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks, no form of government, can render us secure. To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without the virtue of the people, is a chimerical idea." - James Madison
"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need for masters." - Benjamin Franklin
"Nothing is more important for the public weal, then to form and train up youth in wisdom and virtue." Benjamin Franklin
"The genuine and simple religion of Jesus will one day be restored; such as it was preached and practiced by Himself. Very soon after His death it became muffled up in mysteries, and has been ever since kept in concealment from the vulgar eye." - Thomas Jefferson
"Truth will prevail over fanaticism, and the genuine doctrines of Jesus, so love perverted by his pseudo-priests, will again be restored to their original purity. This reformation will advance with the other improvements of the human mind, but too late for me to witness." - Thomas Jefferson
"Patrick Henry had grown to understand how God moved through him and how to yield to the Holy Spirit to say what God wanted him to say."
"We bear beatings very well... The more we are beat, the better we grow." - Nathaniel Greene
(On the mistakes of Christopher Columbus) "Fortunately for us all, perfection is not a requirement to be an instrument in the hands of God."
October 14, 2022
I am combining two books in this review: The Covenant--One Nation Under God, Volume 1, and The American Covenant--One Nation Under God, Volume 2. I will do a second review, with the reading dates and additional information about my reading of Volume 2.
Volume 1, "America's Sacred and Immutable Connection to Ancient Israel," defines the American covenant. Ballard not only shows the unprecedented blessings America has received as a result of obedience to God. He also shows what each citizen today can do today to honor our national covenant. I felt such a part of this book as I read each chapter. Both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are integral parts of the American Covenant.
This read, as well as Volume 2, caused me deep pause. How am I, as an American in today's world, keeping MY end of the covenant? And, what do WE as a nation, need to do to shore up this important part of our heritage?
As Ballard addresses America today, "May we, as Americans, follow the pattern Washington set to bring us liberty, protection, and prosperity."
See my second review for additional commentary on Volume 2, The Constitution, the Civil War, and Our Fight to PReserve the Covenant Today".
Volume 1, "America's Sacred and Immutable Connection to Ancient Israel," defines the American covenant. Ballard not only shows the unprecedented blessings America has received as a result of obedience to God. He also shows what each citizen today can do today to honor our national covenant. I felt such a part of this book as I read each chapter. Both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are integral parts of the American Covenant.
This read, as well as Volume 2, caused me deep pause. How am I, as an American in today's world, keeping MY end of the covenant? And, what do WE as a nation, need to do to shore up this important part of our heritage?
As Ballard addresses America today, "May we, as Americans, follow the pattern Washington set to bring us liberty, protection, and prosperity."
See my second review for additional commentary on Volume 2, The Constitution, the Civil War, and Our Fight to PReserve the Covenant Today".
July 31, 2020
There were stories and history that I was unfamiliar with. I felt the book was fairly easy to read. You didn't need to be a history buff in order to enjoy the book. Even at the end I guess you could say that it left you with, 'action items'.
At times I felt the book went into a bit more detail then what I felt was needed. I would recommend this book to anyone that is looking to see how God worked in the creation of important documents in the US. All to say it was fairly interesting.
At times I felt the book went into a bit more detail then what I felt was needed. I would recommend this book to anyone that is looking to see how God worked in the creation of important documents in the US. All to say it was fairly interesting.
August 24, 2022
3.5 for all the great information here, but not quite a 4-star read because it's just too wordy and repetitive. The last two chapters were really good and inspiring, with the hope of how to keep America free and blessed.
December 3, 2023
Everyone needs to know and do the National Covenant
Everyone should understand the American covenant. The covenant holds truths that all are to be what God and man agree to together. This book documents people who knows the truth about America's destiny with God.
Everyone should understand the American covenant. The covenant holds truths that all are to be what God and man agree to together. This book documents people who knows the truth about America's destiny with God.
September 6, 2019
Agree with the ideas, not necessarily the "how" of some of it. But it's good to know of the inspiration of the Founders and the explorers. And the miracles.
May 3, 2023
Never again. This guy can’t write.
July 28, 2024
I thought it was really interesting and liked the historical part. I loved the founding fathers and had so much faith that their cause.
December 4, 2015
I learned a lot in this book. The content is a marriage of history and Biblical doctrines, written in a highly engaging and intelligent manner. The author is clearly well-versed in both Constitutional history and in Christian theology. Although his bio states he was educated in part at BYU, there is never an overt bow to Mormon definitions of covenant theology – but being LDS myself, I see it all over his viewpoints, his resources, and in his language - and I wonder how well this communicates to other Christians. Do they view covenantal promises in the same light? I don’t know for sure. It could be the case that everyone sees his own beliefs couched therein. Ballard draws almost exclusively on Old Testament Mosaic and Abrahamic covenant examples, a foundation which I assume all Christians agree upon. I’m considering giving this book as a gift to a freedom-loving friend outside my church circle, and although he’s an avowed Christian, I am genuinely not sure what he will think about it. I suppose the only way to find out is to do it and then have a discussion after he reads it.
I alternately thrill to and bristle from Ballard’s language and “lectures”. I often just wanted to hear and ponder the actual quotes of the founding fathers (as a repository of quotes this book gets my highest praise!), and then draw my own conclusions rather than be treated to his – but when I think about how I would write such a book, there is really no alternative to how he did it. The ideas connecting the founding of America to Godly influence and covenant-making associated with ancient Israel have to be stated in a straightforward and clear manner. The founding fathers clearly understood the connection in their time. But I fear these ideas are now so antiquated and unpopular in our current culture, that they will sound jarring to modern ears – even my spiritually minded modern ears. Which is cause for soul-searching. Why do I have this reaction? Have the PC police invaded even my internal thoughts?? This is horrible to contemplate.
The bottom line is that, upon reflection, I agree with everything this author says. The ideas resonate, and they seem blatantly obvious when looking at the causes and effects of diminishing freedoms – or the threat thereof. The material is credible in looking backward toward our roots, and it is prophetic in looking at the present, and probably the future. American society, as a whole, is not holding to the “people end” of the Covenant bargain. What we do from here will determine our future.
A quote I like from the book:
“First, as the Constitution allows vast freedoms to the people, it becomes incumbent upon the people to apply virtue to their own lives, thus keeping their passions and desires in check. Only then can the government trust the citizenry to take care of itself, without having to apply oppressive controls to keep order. But if the people fail to keep themselves in check, the government is pressed to intervene, which might help to temporarily bridle the wicked, but ultimately represents a general decline in the ability to acquire the blessings of the Constitution, particularly the blessings of liberty and prosperity. For once governments begin to grow in influence, too often they grow so large that they begin to impede and stomp on individual and economic freedoms.” (p. 388)
Current examples related to the quote: proposed gun control laws (because of the abuse of a few, many are threatened with losing freedoms to obtain, own, and use guns for lawful purposes and protection); economic prosperity increasingly impeded by regulations (meant to protect the innocent from the greedy) that in the end strangle growth and creative freedom. Also threatened: religious liberties to not only believe but to act on those beliefs (increasingly now seen as offensive and limiting to the beliefs and lifestyle others can freely choose).
WHAT ARE FREEDOM-LOVING AMERICANS GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS? The conclusion chapter, A Charge to Keep: Living the Covenant Today, has some outstanding suggestions.
I alternately thrill to and bristle from Ballard’s language and “lectures”. I often just wanted to hear and ponder the actual quotes of the founding fathers (as a repository of quotes this book gets my highest praise!), and then draw my own conclusions rather than be treated to his – but when I think about how I would write such a book, there is really no alternative to how he did it. The ideas connecting the founding of America to Godly influence and covenant-making associated with ancient Israel have to be stated in a straightforward and clear manner. The founding fathers clearly understood the connection in their time. But I fear these ideas are now so antiquated and unpopular in our current culture, that they will sound jarring to modern ears – even my spiritually minded modern ears. Which is cause for soul-searching. Why do I have this reaction? Have the PC police invaded even my internal thoughts?? This is horrible to contemplate.
The bottom line is that, upon reflection, I agree with everything this author says. The ideas resonate, and they seem blatantly obvious when looking at the causes and effects of diminishing freedoms – or the threat thereof. The material is credible in looking backward toward our roots, and it is prophetic in looking at the present, and probably the future. American society, as a whole, is not holding to the “people end” of the Covenant bargain. What we do from here will determine our future.
A quote I like from the book:
“First, as the Constitution allows vast freedoms to the people, it becomes incumbent upon the people to apply virtue to their own lives, thus keeping their passions and desires in check. Only then can the government trust the citizenry to take care of itself, without having to apply oppressive controls to keep order. But if the people fail to keep themselves in check, the government is pressed to intervene, which might help to temporarily bridle the wicked, but ultimately represents a general decline in the ability to acquire the blessings of the Constitution, particularly the blessings of liberty and prosperity. For once governments begin to grow in influence, too often they grow so large that they begin to impede and stomp on individual and economic freedoms.” (p. 388)
Current examples related to the quote: proposed gun control laws (because of the abuse of a few, many are threatened with losing freedoms to obtain, own, and use guns for lawful purposes and protection); economic prosperity increasingly impeded by regulations (meant to protect the innocent from the greedy) that in the end strangle growth and creative freedom. Also threatened: religious liberties to not only believe but to act on those beliefs (increasingly now seen as offensive and limiting to the beliefs and lifestyle others can freely choose).
WHAT ARE FREEDOM-LOVING AMERICANS GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS? The conclusion chapter, A Charge to Keep: Living the Covenant Today, has some outstanding suggestions.
July 15, 2014
"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other... it is religion and morality alone, which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand." -John Adams as quoted by Timothy Ballard.
Ballard does an excellent job of laying out the idea that the Constitution of the United States was written as a covenant between America and the Lord. As long as the American people live righteously and morally, the Lord will bless this land to be a land of liberty, protection and prosperity. He begins by presenting Biblical prophecies that indicate that the land of America is a land preserved and protected by the Lord so that He can fulfill His work in the latter days. He compares the exodus of the Children of Israel from Egypt, and their journey towards the promised land, with later descendants of the tribes of Israel (particularly Joseph's descendants), ending up in Europe and then being guided towards America, their land of promise.
He then cites many examples of God's miracles during the revolutionary war, many times preserving and protecting His people in America so that He could establish a nation where people would be free to seek truth, find truth, and be protected in their decision to live accordingly. Ballard also gives us a brief history of some of the founding fathers, including George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, detailing their conviction and testimony that this land was being preserved and protected by the Almighty.
I learned a lot by reading this book. Although it didn't read like a novel, it still flowed very well and kept me interested. Ballard included a summary at the end of each chapter, which seemed redundant and made the book a little long, but made clear the point he was trying to make. I agree with Ballard that as a nation we are turning away from God and thus breaking our side of the covenant that was made over 200 years ago. As a nation we need to repent and turn to God to prevent our downfall.
Ballard does an excellent job of laying out the idea that the Constitution of the United States was written as a covenant between America and the Lord. As long as the American people live righteously and morally, the Lord will bless this land to be a land of liberty, protection and prosperity. He begins by presenting Biblical prophecies that indicate that the land of America is a land preserved and protected by the Lord so that He can fulfill His work in the latter days. He compares the exodus of the Children of Israel from Egypt, and their journey towards the promised land, with later descendants of the tribes of Israel (particularly Joseph's descendants), ending up in Europe and then being guided towards America, their land of promise.
He then cites many examples of God's miracles during the revolutionary war, many times preserving and protecting His people in America so that He could establish a nation where people would be free to seek truth, find truth, and be protected in their decision to live accordingly. Ballard also gives us a brief history of some of the founding fathers, including George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, detailing their conviction and testimony that this land was being preserved and protected by the Almighty.
I learned a lot by reading this book. Although it didn't read like a novel, it still flowed very well and kept me interested. Ballard included a summary at the end of each chapter, which seemed redundant and made the book a little long, but made clear the point he was trying to make. I agree with Ballard that as a nation we are turning away from God and thus breaking our side of the covenant that was made over 200 years ago. As a nation we need to repent and turn to God to prevent our downfall.
July 8, 2012
Even though I agree with the overall story of the book (that America could be foretold in the bible as the new promised land), I was disappointed by the way the author exaggerated and glossed over parts of history at times to be able to point directly to God. The story of our revolution is miraculous enough without trying to make other dubious connections. In fact, if God is behind everything as I believe there is no reaso n to do that. All in all though I agree with most of the premises in the book and enjoyed it.
August 20, 2014
I like history, and am familiar with many Revolutionary War stories. And I have always believed North America to be a "promised land," and that God's hand was in its founding. I also believe that the American people have a responsibility to remain true to their faith in the Divine, and hold their elected leaders accountable. So, I guess I already believed in the covenant Ballard is trying to express. I feel Ballard spent too much time repeating himself making his case. Could have said the same thing in half the pages.
October 2, 2016
Timothy Ballard has captured the essence of America's greatness and dependence on a Higher Power in this excellent book about God's connection with the establishment of this country, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of this blessed land. Just wish our current political leaders could read this book and come to understand how far off the track we've become with secularism. My understanding and appreciation for our Founding Fathers and the blessing it is to live in this country has greatly increased!
March 26, 2013
I enjoyed the detail of this book, and appreciate the conclusions that God's hand is in the bringing about of our great country. I also believe that to get an accurate account of history one must indulge in many resources and listen to many voices to get a well-rounded and accurate picture of events. There were many great passages in this book, and it is indeed an intriguing read.
August 2, 2012
You'll want to read this book before the November Presidential election. Ballard makes the connection between ancient Israel and America. His evidence is solid. You will come away with even greater feelings of respect and honor for our great nation.
January 20, 2013
Truly a book for any patriot who loves America. It explains clearly about Who you are as an American and guides you through the Founding Fathers lives and how they established our Constitutional Covenant with God.
February 3, 2015
Fantastic. I have always been a major lover of the Constitution and of the whole history of the Founding of our Nation. I felt powerful feelings of deep gratitude for our Founding Fathers once again as I read this book. Let's keep our end of the covenant to keep America great!
June 11, 2012
This did seem long at times, but given the gravity of the topic/ message I am going w/ 5 stars
December 29, 2012
excellent book, If you are a Christian American, you need to read this one.
February 5, 2013
The evidence of our National Covenant is all around us. Even so, it appears to have been broken.
April 22, 2014
Makes a very compelling argument that with our freedom comes responsibility. If we disregard that responsibility we will lose the freedoms we enjoy. We are seeing the process now.
June 12, 2018
Mind=Blown - A Million Times Over!!!
The quantity and quality of important spiritual and temporal truths essential for our day - in this book, are absolutely amazing!
The quantity and quality of important spiritual and temporal truths essential for our day - in this book, are absolutely amazing!
January 25, 2020
Worth the read
Interesting take on how we are a promised Land. Makes you think god really plays a part in our nation. He cares about our nation
Interesting take on how we are a promised Land. Makes you think god really plays a part in our nation. He cares about our nation
June 22, 2020
Very interesting book especially in these times. It would be a great reference for research. I stopped before ending the book and it was enough for me.
Read
February 10, 2021Amazing book. Our Constitution was so inspired.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews