AMERICA'S JUDEO-CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION
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INTRODUCTION. July 4 (Independence Day), is the anniversary of a momentous event which shaped the United States and freedom-loving peoples throughout the world. On July 4, 1776, a handful of patriots— all visionaries who surely were led by the Holy Spirit— adopted a document, The Declaration of Independence. See: Declaration of Independence text and History of writing the Declaration. This declaration set thirteen British colonies in North America on the path of liberty. That path led to the greatest form of government, a constitutional republic, ever devised. How much longer will that country, the United States of America, endure? I will explain the reason for the two subtitles in the following text.
OVERVIEW— A JUDEOCHRISTIAN NATION FROM THE VERY BEGINNING. The United States was clearly established under Judeo-Christian precepts. Americans once proudly claimed Jesus as their Savior. America has become a casualty of the end times. Christian faith is weakened, due to apostasy, apathy, the antichrist spirit, and rampant sin without repentance. Many persons and institutions actively try to destroy Christianity in America. It is a Christian's responsibility to defend his or her faith, regardless of pressure put upon the faith, as the return of Jesus nears!
INTRODUCTION. Independence Day, one of the most important days in America's history, is observed on July 4. On this day in 1776, a small number of men, after deliberating for weeks, signed an important document— a document which has served as a beacon for freedom-loving peoples everywhere. This document— the Declaration of Independence— explained the reasons American colonists should rebel against the tyrannical British government of King George III. More than just recounting the grievances the American colonies had against the British government, the document established the soul of the nation.
The United States of America, founded on Christian principles, existed as a Christian nation since 1776. Many persons recently have worked intently to re-write history and teach this revised history in America's schools. These history revisionists would have us believe that our Christian forebears were Deists,* atheists, or other non-Christian adherents. (*A Deist acknowledges there is a god, a creator of the Universe, but teaches that this god abandoned the world and left man to his own devices. Contrast the Deist's view with the Christian's view. A Christian believes that God loves His children, watching over and caring for them as a Father with boundless love.)
“ONE NATION UNDER GOD.” The first subtitle of this entry comes from a phrase in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. This pledge of loyalty to the flag and republic of the United States was composed by Francis Bellamy in 1892. Two words— "under God" — were inserted into the Pledge in 1954. These two words have precipitated lawsuits and rancor from atheists since that time. Atheists are also opposed to the United States' motto, "In God We Trust," which is reproduced on American currency and coins. To date, judges have refused to strike down these references to God as being an unconstitutional breach of the First Amendment (the mythical "separation of church and state").
Recently (June 19, 2011), the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) prepared an impressive homage to the Pledge as part of its U.S. Open coverage, but they purposefully omitted “... under God...“ from the Pledge. When a national outrage arose, NBC lamely answered that “a portion” was edited out, but certainly “without malicious intent.” I personally refuse to watch national (network) television channels for such reasons as this, and my intention is totally malicious. I will not waste my time patronizing any organization which detracts from or belittles my God.
If you pledge the American flag, do it with pride— especially the phrase "one nation under God." I always say this part louder, hoping I irritate Satan even a little more. Satan and his politically correct minions will not rob me of my heritage and beliefs.
THE AMERICA I KNEW THEN AND NOW. I was born in 1941. I was a teenager in an ideal time for a young person to live— the 1950s. I lived in the "Bible Belt of the South." The America I knew in the 1950s was religious and patriotic. I worshiped in a church regularly, and I accepted God in all three Persons without question at an early age. In elementary school, each morning began with a recitation of both the Pledge of Allegiance and the Lord's Prayer, and the teacher read a passage from the Holy Bible. I grew up with morals and values. Little did I know (thank God!) that my civil rights were being violated by being taught morality and values from those “mean, evil” teachers who wanted me to learn to love my country and my God.
The America I loved began unraveling in the 1960s. Atheistic professors started eroding students' faith in the classrooms. A sexual revolution began, with loss of morality and weakening of the family structure. As more "things" to do appeared, God and church became less important in lives. Today, the America of my youth is only a fond memory, and that America will never be regained.
Present-day America is vastly different from America in the year of my high school graduation (1958). I greatly miss the "old America," and I find little to celebrate or embrace in the "new America." My life was better than my children's lives, and my children's lives were better than my grandchildren's lives.
Because I read Bible prophecy, I know that God told His prophets that the end times would be exactly as they are now. I still am grieved, though, at the loss of the America of my youth.
WHAT SHOULD WE BELIEVE ABOUT THE FOUNDING OF AMERICA? The United States of America has three important foundational documents:
• The Declaration of Independence, which was signed July 4, 1776.... See TEXT of Declaration of Independence.
• The Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution, which was written by November, 1777 and ratified by the states by March, 1781.... See TEXT of Articles of Confederation. and
• The Constitution, which was adopted on September 17, 1787. The most important Bill of Rights (the first ten amendments) was ratified by the states on December 15, 1791. The Constitution has been amended occasionally in later years.... See TEXT of U.S. Constitution and TEXT of Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights is a portion (the first ten amendments) of the Constitution.
Enemies of the cross maintain a steady attack against America's Founding Fathers, arguing that they were not Christians, but were Deists. America's Founding Fathers and early leaders most definitely were Christians, many of whom were devout in their faith. Many of these men* were pastors. (* "Men" is not a sexist designation, here. In truth, only men participated in politics and government at this time. It would be many decades later before women's minds would be valued in matters of government.)
Consider some quotations from America's Founding Fathers and early leaders (reproduced in alphabetical order):
JOHN ADAMS (second president, Declaration of Independence signer). Quotations:
"We recognize no Sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus!"
"The general principles upon which the [Founding] Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity.... I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God."
"[The Fourth of July] ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty."
"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion.... Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other."
"I have examined all religions,...; ... the Bible is the best Book in the world...."
“Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the Bible as their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God.... What a Eutopia, what a Paradise would this region be.”
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS (sixth president). Quotations:
"The first and almost the only book deserving of universal attention is the Bible. I speak as a man of the world,... and I say to you, 'Search the Scriptures.'"
"Is it not that the birthday of the nation [July the Fourth] is indissolubly linked to the birthday of the Savior? That it forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer's mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?"
“The hope of a Christian is inseparable from his faith. Whoever believes in the divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures must hope that the religion of Jesus shall prevail throughout the earth. Never since the foundation of the world have the prospects of mankind been more encouraging to that hope than they appear at the present time. And may the associated distribution of the Bible proceed and prosper till the Lord shall have made 'bare His holy arm in the eyes of all nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God' (Isaiah 52:10).”
SAMUEL ADAMS (Declaration of Independence signer). Quotations:
"He who made all men hath made the truths necessary to human happiness obvious to all.... Our forefathers opened the Bible to all."
“And as it is our duty to extend our wishes to the happiness of the great family of man, I conceive that we cannot better express ourselves than by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world that the rod of tyrants may be broke n to pieces, and the oppressed made free again; that wars may cease in all the earth, and that the confusions that are and have been among nations may be overruled by promoting and speedily bringing on that holy and happy period when the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and all people everywhere willingly bow to the sceptre of Him who is the Prince of Peace.”
CHARLES CARROLL (Declaration of Independence signer). Quotation:
"Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure... are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments."
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (both Declaration of Independence and Constitution signer). Quotations:
"God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain to build it. I firmly believe this. I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in the political building no better than the builders of Babel."
"In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered.... Do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?"
In writing the plan of education for Pennsylvania's public schools (1794), Benjamin Franklin demanded the schools teach "the excellency of the Christian religion above all others, ancient or modern." Upon helping to found Benjamin Franklin University (1787), Benjamin Franklin dedicated the university as "a nursery of religion and learning, built on Christ, the Cornerstone."
“Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence. That He ought to be worshiped. That the most acceptable service we render to him is in doing good to his other children. That the soul of man is immortal, and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this. These I take to be the fundamental points in all sound religion, and I regard them as you do in whatever sect I meet with them. As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals and his religion, as he left them to us, ids the best the world ever saw, or is likely to see. But I apprehend it has received various corrupting changes, and I have, with most of the present dissenters in England, some doubts as to his divinity; though it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an opportunity of knowing the truth with less trouble. I see no harm, however, in its being believed, if that belief has the good consequence, as probably it has, of making doctrines more respected and more observed; especially as I do not perceive, that the Supreme takes it amiss,l by distinguishing the unbelievers in his government of the world with any peculiar marks of his displeasure.”
ALEXANDER HAMILTON (Federalist Papers author, Constitution signer). Quotations:
Alexander Hamilton co-founded the Christian Constitutional Society to help spread throughout the world the two things which Hamilton believed made America great: Christianity and a Constitution formed under Christianity. Hamilton said: "The Christian Constitutional Society, its object is first: The support of the Christian religion. Second: The support of the United States.
"For my own part, I sincerely esteem [the Constitution] a system which without the finger of God, never could have been suggested and agreed upon by such a diversity of interests."
“I have carefully examined the evidences of the Christian religion, and if I was sitting as a juror upon its authenticity I would unhesitatingly give my verdict in its favor. I can prove its truth as clearly as any proposition submitted to the mind of man.”
"I have a tender reliance on the mercy of the Almighty, through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am a sinner. I look to Him for mercy; pray for me." [deathbed statement]
JOHN HANCOCK (Declaration of Independence signer). Quotations:
"Principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it; and my body I recommend to the earth... nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mercy and power of God."
“Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual.... Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us.”
PATRICK HENRY (governor of Virginia). Quotations:
"It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom to worship here."
"The Bible is worth all other books which have ever been printed."
"This is all the inheritance I can give my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed." [Henry's Last Will and Testament]
JOHN JAY (Federalist Papers author, first chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court). Quotations:
"Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christianity for their rulers."
“The Bible will also inform [people] that our gracious Creator has provided for us a Redeemer, in whom all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; that this Redeemer has made atonement “for the sins of the whole world,” and thereby reconciling the Divine justice with the Divine mercy has opened a way for our redemption and salvation; and that these inestimable benefits are of the free gift and grace of God, not of our deserving, nor in our power to deserve.”
“In forming and settling my belief relative to the doctrines of Christianity, I adopted no articles from creeds but such only as, on careful examination, I found to be confirmed by the Bible.”
THOMAS JEFFERSON (principal author and signer of the Declaration of Independence and third president). Quotations:
"The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend to all the happiness of man."
"Of all the systems of morality, ancient or modern which have come under my observation, none appears to me so pure as that of Jesus."
"I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus."
"God who gave us life, gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction of the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God? That they are not to be violated but without His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever."
HENRY KNOX (Revolutionary War general). Quotation:
"... to the supreme head of the universe— to the great and tremendous Jehovah— Who created the universal frame of nature, worlds, and systems in number infinite... to this awfully sublime Being do I resign my spirit with unlimited confidence in His mercy and protection."
JAMES MADISON (Federalist Papers author, principal author of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, fourth president). Quotations:
"We have staked our future on our ability to follow the Ten Commandments with all our heart."
"It is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity toward each other."
“Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ.”
At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, Madison revealed that he discovered the model for the federal government (dividing it into three branches), after reading Isaiah 33:22: (For the LORD is our Judge1; the LORD is our Lawgiver2; the LORD is our King3; He will save us.)
NOTE:
1The LORD as Judge became the model for the Judiciary Branch of government.
2The LORD as Lawgiver became the model for the Legislative Branch of government.
3The LORD as King became the model for the Executive Branch of government.
James Madison, paying close attention to God's prophet Isaiah was given the model for the checks and balances system of the three powers of government!
FRANCIS ("SWAMP FOX") MARION (brigadier general in the American Revolutionary War, South Carolina militia, and later South Carolina state senator). Quotation:
"Who can doubt that God created us to be happy, and thereto made us to love one another? It is plainly written as the Gospel. The heart is sometimes so embittered that nothing but Divine love can sweeten it, so enraged that devotion can only becalm it, and so broken down that it takes all the forces of heavenly hope to raise it. In short, the religion of Jesus Christ is the only sure and controlling power over sin."
JAMES MONROE (fifth president). Quotation:
“When we view the blessings with which our country has been blessed, those which we now enjoy, and the means which we possess of handing them down unimpaired to our latest posterity, our attention is irresistibly drawn to the source from whence they flow. Let us then, unite in offering our most grateful acknowledgments for these blessings to the Divine Author of All Good.”
JEDEDIAH MORSE (influential educator in Colonial America). Quotation:
"To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil freedom, and political and social happiness which man now enjoys.... Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government, and all blessings which flow from them, must fall with them."
THOMAS PAINE (pamphleteer, author of Common Sense). Quotation:
"It has been the error of the schools to teach astronomy, and all other sciences, and subjects of natural philosophy, as accomplishments only; whereas they should be taught theologically, or with reference to the Being who is the author of them: for all the principles of science are of divine origin. Man cannot make, or invent, or contrive principles: he can only discover them; and he ought to look through the discovery to the Author. The evil that has resulted from the error of the schools, in teaching natural philosophy as an accomplishment only, has been that of generating in the pupils a species of atheism. Instead of looking through the works of creation to the Creator himself, they stop short, and employ the knowledge they acquire to create doubts of His existence. They labour with studied ingenuity to ascribe every thing they behold to innate properties of matter, and jump over the rest, by saying, that matter is eternal."
WILLIAM PENN (founder of Pennsylvania). Quotation.:
"I do declare to the whole world that we believe the Scriptures to contain a declaration of the mind and will of God in and to those ages in which they were written; being given forth by the Holy Ghost moving in the hearts of holy men of God; that they ought also to be read, believed, and fulfilled in our day; being used for reproof and instruction, that the man of God may be perfect. They are a declaration and testimony of heavenly things themselves, and, as such, we carry a high respect for them. We consider them as the words of God Himself.”
BENJAMIN RUSH (Declaration of Independence signer). Quotations:
"My only hope of salvation is in the infinite, transcendent love of God manifested to the world by the death of His Son upon the cross. Nothing but his blood will wash away my sins. Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!"
"Christianity is the only true and perfect religion, and that in proportion as mankind adopts its principles and obeys its precepts, they will be wise and happy."
"If moral precepts alone could have reformed mankind, the mission of the Son of God into our world would have been unnecessary. The perfect morality of the gospel rests upon the doctrine which, though often controverted has never been refuted: I mean the vicarious life and death of the Son of God."
“The gospel of Jesus Christ prescribes the wisest rules for just conduct in every situation of life. Happy are they who are enabled to obey them in all situations!”
ROGER SHERMAN (both Declaration of Independence and Constitution signer). Quotation:
"I believe there is only one living and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the same in substance equal in power and glory. That the scriptures of the old and new testaments are a revelation from God, and a complete rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. That God has foreordained whatever comes to pass, so as thereby he is not the author or approver of sin. That he creates all things, and preserves and governs all creatures and all their actions, in a manner perfectly consistent with the freedom of will in moral agents, and the usefulness of means. That he made man perfectly holy, that the first man sinned, and as he was the public head of his posterity, they all became sinners in consequence of his first transgression, are wholly indisposed to that which is good and inclined to evil, and on account of sin are liable to all the miseries of this life, to death, and to the pains of hell forever. I believe that God having elected some of mankind to eternal life, did send his own Son to become man, die in the room and stead of sinners and thus to lay a foundation for the offer of pardon and salvation to all mankind, so as all may be saved who are willing to accept the gospel offer: also by his special grace and spirit, to regenerate, sanctify and enable to persevere in holiness, all who shall be saved; and to procure in consequence of their repentance and faith in himself their justification by virtue of his atonement as the only meritorious cause. I believe a visible church to a congregation of those who make a credible profession of their faith in Christ, and obedience to him, joined by the bond of the covenant. I believe that the souls of believers are at their death made perfectly holy, and immediately taken to glory: that at the end of this world there will be a resurrection of the dead, and a final judgment of all mankind, when the righteous shall be publicly acquitted by Christ the Judge and admitted in everlasting life and glory, and the wicked sentenced to everlasting punishment.”
GEORGE WASHINGTON (commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, Constitution signer, first president). Quotations:
"It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible."
"What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ."
"To the distinguished character of patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian." Upon taking the oath of office to become the United States' first president, Washington asked for a Bible. He repeated the oath, adding to the end of the oath the phrase, "So help me, God!" Then he leaned over and kissed the Bible.
"The name of American, which belongs to you,... must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism,.... With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion.... Reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in the exclusion of religious principle...." [from Washington's Farewell Address]
Nelly Curtis-Lewis, George Washington's adopted daughter, when asked if General Washington was a Christian, remarked that Washington had two mottoes: "Deeds, not words" and "For God and my country."
JAMES WILSON (signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, Supreme Court justice). Quotation.:
"Christianity is part of the common law."
JOHN WITHERSPOON (signer of the Declaration of Independence and president of Princeton University). Quotation.:
"While we give praise to God, the Supreme Disposer of all events, for His interposition on our behalf, let us guard against the dangerous error of trusting in, or boasting of, an arm of flesh.... If your cause is just, if your principles are pure, and if your conduct is prudent, you need not fear the multitude of opposing hosts. What follows from this? That he is the best friend to American liberty, who is most sincere and active in promoting true and undefiled religion, and who sets himself with the greatest firmness to bear down profanity and immorality of every kind. Whoever is an avowed enemy of God, I scruple not to call him an enemy of his country.”
Et cetera: Only a sample of Christ-honoring quotations from America's Founding Fathers is included in this lesson. Many more quotations could be given, if space permitted. The point is this: Were these statements made by men who deeply believed in Jesus the Christ? Or, were they made by men who did not believe in Jesus? It is obvious that these men were deeply faithful Christians. Once again, Satan's followers have lied to us. America WAS founded on Judeo-Christian principles.
SAMPLING OF OTHER SENTIMENTS IN EARLY AMERICA.
Constitution of Delaware of 1776:
Article 22 required all officers to take an oath of allegiance and declare the following: "I, ____, do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for evermore; and I do acknowledge the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by divine inspiration."
The New England Primer:
The Primer, widely used in public schools from 1690 to 1900, contained a song of praise to God, prayers in Jesus' name, the Bible alphabet, and a Catechism of faith in Jesus Christ.
Rhode Island Charter of 1763:
"We submit our person, lives, and estates unto our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, and to all those perfect and most absolute laws of His given us in His Holy Word."
WHAT ABOUT THOMAS JEFFERSON? Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States and principal author of the Declaration of Independence, was probably America's most brilliant and accomplished president. Enemies of the cross have made him the "poster boy" for anti-Christian sentiment in America's Founding Fathers. But, is this correct? No. Once again, anti-Christian zealots distort and lie in their attempt to belittle Jesus and His followers. Consider the following:
Evidence of faith written into the Declaration of Independence: Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. Consider the loving references to God in this beautiful document by a Christian author for a Christian nation:
• ”... the laws of nature and nature's God ...”
• ”... endowed by their Creator ...”
• ”... appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world ...”
• ”... a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence ...”
Evidence of lack of faith in the U.N. Charter: The American Declaration of Independence and the United Nations' Charter share many similarities, with one major difference:
• The American document states that mankind is endowed with certain unalienable rights by their Creator. Only God— not man— can take away these rights. The United States was founded on Judeo-Christian principles.
• The United Nations' document states that rights come from government. Man can, therefore, take away these rights, without any consideration of God. The United Nations was founded as a godless institution, with no religious principles or beliefs.
Separation of church and state: Enemies of the cross are fond of the phrase "separation of church and state," and they will use it immediately to argue that the United States must be divorced completely from religion (especially Christianity). This phrase ("separation of church and state") is not in the Constitution, however. The Constitution was intended as a restrictive document— a document concerned more with limiting powers of government than with granting powers to government. (That is, the Constitution was crafted to protect the people from an out-of-control, tyrannical government.) The framers of this magnificent document intended for a centralized government to be strong in a few enumerated (specifically named) areas of shared needs (military defense of the country, for example), but weak in all other areas, deferring power to the states or to the people. The federal government has seized powers never intended in the Constitution and has used/ is using these usurped powers in a nearly dictatorial fashion. America's Founding Fathers/ Framers of the Constitution would not recognize the monstrosity that America's government has become.
The First and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution address the question of religion. (First Amendment, for example): Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;.... In early years of the nation, prayer meetings and other Christian services were held in federal buildings in Washington DC.
Danbury (Connecticut) Baptists were in the minority, and feared governmental favor for larger denominations (denominations forming the majority). They wrote Thomas Jefferson in October, 1801, seeking his opinion. Jefferson replied on January 1, 1802 in a now famous letter. He stated: "I contemplate with sovereign reverence that... [American legislatures] should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between church and state." Jefferson likely was heavily influenced by English philosopher John Locke. Many have used this "wall of separation" statement as an excuse to completely eliminate expression of Christian and Jewish faith from any public venue.
Jefferson's letter can be read with equal correctness in holding that governments should stay completely out of all religious matters, and certainly not limit free speech (sermon topics and statements) in any manner. We will soon see more governmental intrusion, as hate speech legislation is adopted. I can envision a time in the near future in which churches will be punished (by removal of tax-exempt status, for example) for engaging in such “hate speech” as declaring homosexual practice to be immoral, arguing against abortion on demand, declaring God to be Jehovah (not Allah), declaring God's Word to be the Bible (not the Koran), and arguing that the law of the land should based entirely on the Constitution (not Shariah law).
Jefferson— Christian or Deist? It is popular to label Jefferson a Deist. By Jefferson's own writings, he was a Christian. He:
• Started Christian church services in the U.S. Capitol in 1800, and also started Sunday church services in the U.S. Departments of War and Treasury.
• Protected Christian schools in the newly purchased Louisiana Purchase lands.
• Founded the Virginia Bible Society, and caused the University of Virginia to obtain a large collection of Christian literature.
• Invited several denominations to establish seminaries at the University of Virginia.
When he signed presidential documents, he deviated from earlier presidents and convention in recording the date as, "In the year of our Lord." He embellished the date as, "In the year of our Lord Christ."
Scholars now have access to approximately 19,000 letters written by Jefferson. They have studied these letters in great detail. In only six of his 19,000 letters, did he raise some concerns and questions about the Divinity of Jesus.
Jefferson, when living in France, studied the writings of David Hume, an atheist philosopher. He undoubtedly was influenced for a while by these writings, but he would later liken these writings to poison and explain: "In my youth, I studied Hume's writing and it has taken decades to get the poison out of my system."
In a letter to David Rush, Jefferson wrote: "I am a Christian."
WHAT IS THE TRUTH? Satan is a liar, who accuses us and tries to steal from us our faith in Jesus. Satan's evil intentions are carried out by the many enemies of the cross who, working through the courts, the media, entertainment arts, the educational system, and other ways, try to remove the Holy names of God and Jesus from our consciousness. The spirit of antichrist grows daily, magnified by the idiotic suppression of free speech and thought embodied in "political correctness;" by the growing hostility toward Christianity in the federal government; and by oppressive court decrees. There is a growing, increasingly successful attempt by atheists and Jesus haters to squelch Christian speech. Many weak Christian pastors hide their heads in the sand, too timid to proclaim boldly, "Thus saith the Lord...." In my lifetime, I have seen great deterioration in the expression of Christian faith. Bible prophecies tell us such will be the case, just before Jesus returns.
Christians or Deists? I have reproduced in this lesson only a sample of quotations from America's Founding Fathers and early leaders. Do these men sound like Christians? Or, do they sound like Deists or atheists? They were deeply faithful Christians, of course. Those who hate Jesus have lied to us once again!
America— A Christian nation or a Muslim nation? I find no quote from our early leaders related to derivation of American law from the Koran, commending Islam, promoting Sharia law, or upholding belief in Muhammad or Allah. While Muslims are growing in number in America (as part of the worldwide Islamization phenomenon), they still are in the minority and are greatly outnumbered by Christians. (Muslims account for one-half of one percent of the American population, or one Muslim for every 200 non-Muslim Americans.) Barack Obama lives in a world of delusion or deception, when he promotes the "great contributions" to America by Islam, while downplaying the far, far greater contribution to America by the Judeo-Christian faith. The United States was founded as a Christian nation, and its greatness began eroding when the Supreme Court and other enemies of the Christ started tearing loose the fabric of Christianity from the people.
Many persons, even in America, extol Islam, while downplaying the contributions of Christianity and failing to embrace the only democratic Middle East nation of Israel. These critics should acknowledge the great gifts of Christianity to this nation and the world.
• How many schools, hospitals, orphanages, soup kitchens, disaster relief organizations, and other charitable organizations have been founded by American Christians? In contrast, how many such organizations have been founded by American Muslims or atheists?
• How many missions have been sent to foreign countries to spread love, feed and clothe persons in need, and extend medical care (including malaria control and treatment of AIDS) by American Christians, asking nothing in return? In contrast, how many American Muslim or atheist organizations have done the same?
• When needs for compassion and assistance become evident, how many American Christian organizations rush to meet these needs? In contrast, how many American Muslim or atheist organizations do the same?
• When disasters occur in the world (even in Islamic nations), how many American Christian organizations send aid? in contrast, how many American Muslim or atheist organizations do the same?
Christianity is based on love of God and love of fellow man. (See Matthew 22:35-40.) Never let Christ-haters spread lies about the application of Christ's love.
Christians must:
• Fight for Christian beliefs.
• Walk in Christ's footsteps with pride and confidence.
• Apply Christian principles to all aspects of life.
• Oppose (peacefully at the ballot box) all politicians who deny Christian principles and who support policies clearly contrary to teachings of the Bible.
Each believer will be judged by his or her individual character and actions, not the character and actions of the nation in which he or she lives.
“IF YOU CAN KEEP IT.” The second subtitle of this lesson quotes Benjamin Franklin. At the close of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, a woman asked Dr. Franklin, a delegate to the Convention, what type of government the Constitution would bring to the new nation. Franklin simply replied, "A republic, if you can keep it."
If the woman had asked Franklin what nation of faith was being established, I suspect Franklin might have replied, "A Christian nation, if you can keep it."
The United States began as both a constitutional republic and a Christian nation, but both are fading fast and are in danger of disappearing.
The great American experiment is less than two-hundred and fifty years in age. Only God knows how much longer this experiment will last.
No matter how much America and the world deteriorate, a Christian must know where his or her true citizenship is (1 Peter 2:9-10): But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
John the Revelator clearly explained in the Book of Revelation that believers whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life will be admitted to live eternally in New Jerusalem (Heaven).
Whether America lasts another month, year, decade, or longer, it will fade (as have all previous empires). God's Kingdom is eternal, though. All Christians of every nationality should rejoice that their true homes are in New Jerusalem. Maranatha!
FINALLY, DOES ANY OF THIS REALLY MATTER? You may find the preceding quotations tedious to read. Why even consider the quotations?
I believe they are important for at least three reasons:
An explanation for God's blessing: God has blessed America far more than most other nations have been blessed. I believe God established the United States and blessed her for these reasons:
• To spread the Gospel throughout the world. Jesus said of the last days (Matthew 24:14): "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." Churches and Christian organizations in America have diligently and faithfully spread the Gospel throughout the world, as commanded by Jesus. Our faithful labor in telling other nations about the Savior has secured our blessing.
• To defend Israel. The LORD promised a blessing to anyone who defends and befriends the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 12:2a): "I will bless those who bless you,....". In the twentieth century, Israel had no greater friend than the United States. Today, even though all nations of the world are turning against Israel, this beleagured nation still has one staunch friend— the evangelical church in America (but all other American institutions and churches have turned against Israel.)
Additional proof of Satan as a liar: The documentation of the Founding Fathers and early leaders as being strong, devout Christians once again proves the lying nature of Satan and those who follow him (John 8:44): [Jesus said of Satan] "You are of [your] father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own [resources], for he is a liar and the father of it." Satan will tell a Christian any lie to weaken his or her faith in God or God-inspired institutions.
Sign of the soon-coming Tribulation: I believe Jesus will return soon to call His Church home. The Tribulation will, then, follow. Good will be replaced by evil. Sovereign nations will be replaced by a global (one-world) government, with one-world economy and religion. After the Rapture, there will not be a Christian Church, but only the False Prophet's sham religion. As the Christian Church, Christian nations, and Christian institutions weaken in our lifetime, we can see that the world is rushing toward the reign of the Unholy Trinity.
NOW, AMERICANS, BLESS GOD! |
NOW, AMERICANS, BLESS GOD! |
NOW, AMERICANS, BLESS GOD! |