Love the LORD
The Founding
and Establishment
of the United States
As we analyze the founding of America, we realize that the discovery of the
New World was in the fullness of time. Christopher Columbus' quest was to
sail to Asia by going west from Europe. You know the story. He convinced
Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain to finance the journey, and in
1492 he sailed west ultimately to find the New World. What you probably do
not know is that this flawed and complex man professed Christ as Savior. His
very name meant "Christ Bearer". He named his first landfall, San Salvador
(Holy Savior). In 1504 he wrote a book. In the book he wrote,
I prayed to the most merciful Lord about my heart's great desire ... It was
the Lord who put into my mind ... the fact that it would be possible to sail
from here to the Indies. There is no question that the inspiration was from
the Holy Spirit....
Columbus also wrote, "...I am a most unworthy sinner, but I have cried out
to the Lord for grace and mercy, and they have covered me completely."
From the beginning, Christians in Europe viewed the New World as a place for
religious freedom and a haven and an opportunity to spread the Gospel. Their
earliest legal documents reflect their commitment to Christ and their
mission. In 1620, the Pilgrims established the Mayflower Compact before they
landed at Plymouth Rock. The document said,
In the presence of God, Amen. We...do by these presents solemnly and
mutually in the presence of God, and one another, covenant and combine
ourselves into a civil body politic.
In the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, often called the first American
Constitution, written in 1638, the drafters said, "[We] enter into a
combination and confederation together to maintain and preserve the liberty
and purity of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, which we now profess."
This document recognized for the first time that mankind's rights come from
God.
The Declaration of Independence, signed by the delegates to the Continental
Congress, on July 4, 1776, stated that, "We hold these truths to be self
evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness - That to secure these rights, governments are
instituted among men...."
The Declaration of Independence acknowledges that mankind is created and
that the Creator God bestows the rights. That means, that no man can take
them away, and that government, instituted by God, is to protect those
rights. By implication, government cannot deprive a person of those rights
absent due process of law. Thus, God gave mankind free will, and a function
of government is to protect the electorates exercise of free will. That is a
Christian concept.
The Declaration of Independence
acknowledges that mankind is created and
that the Creator God bestows the rights.
By the way, did you know that the Continental Congress called for a day of
fasting and prayer within the colonies, beseeching God to give guidance and
direction as to whether they should secede from England before the
representatives to the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of
Independence? In 1777, while the colonies were struggling in the
Revolutionary War, the First Continental Congress called the Bible "the
great political textbook of the patriots" and appropriated funds to import
20,000 Bibles for the people. Are you aware that the Continental Congress
began its sessions with prayer, a practice that is followed by both houses
of congress even today?
Long before the United States Constitution, the colonies had written
documents that established government and citizen's rights under God's
authority. The drafters of the U. S. Constitution were aware of these
documents and considered them in drafting the document. The expression of
America's early documents is unmistakably Christian. They were
philosophically anchored in Biblical principles, and the expression of the
colonists in these legal documents of what became the states was undeniably
Christian. These documents recognized the existence, importance and nature
of God.
For example, He was referred to in the constitutions and legal documents of
the colonies and later the thirteen states as: one God in South Carolina and
Connecticut; Almighty in North Carolina, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
and Vermont; in Massachusetts, He was called, the Supreme Being, the
Creator, Good, and the Great Legislator of the Universe; He was called the
Governor of the Universe in Pennsylvania, and Vermont; and the inspirer of
the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments in South Carolina and
Pennsylvania. His Divine Providence was recognized in New York, Connecticut
and Massachusetts. In Connecticut he was called Savior and Lord. Do you
think the classrooms in our country ever study these documents today?
Colonial America believed that individual
rights were God given, not man made.
The references to God in these documents and their understanding that He is
God, make clear that our founding fathers recognized and acknowledged God's
nature and authority, as well as mankind's dependence upon the Lord. These
documents acknowledged rights, but the context of the documents conceded
that the documents did not first create the rights. Colonial America
believed that individual rights were God given, not man made. They made it
clear that essential to the maintenance of virtue and liberty depended on
the worship of God. These constitutions, declarations and bills of rights of
the colonies were the pattern for the Constitution of the United States and
its Bill of Rights. They were the models for the nation's founders.
What about the people, the individuals, who actively participated in
establishing this nation? Were they Christians? The truth is that some were
and some were not, of course. But even those who were not were influenced by
the principles of Christianity. By examining what many of them said and
wrote we gain insight into their beliefs and the source of their commitment.
Many of them had been influenced by the "Great Awakening" and its' residual
effect. Around 1750, people like Jonathan and Sarah Edwards led in the
expression of the awareness of God; the sinfulness of mankind; the
consequences of sin; and God's mercy manifested by Christ's death and
resurrection.
Patrick Henry, the great orator who said on the floor of the House of
Burgesses in Virginia, "Give me liberty or give me death" also said,
It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was
founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on
the Gospel of Jesus Christ! For this very reason peoples of other faiths
have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.
John Adams of Massachusetts, a lawyer and the second president, wrote in a
letter to Jefferson on June 28, 1813. He said, "The general principles on
which the Fathers achieved independence, were . . . the general principles
of Christianity."
Samuel Adams, cousin of John Adams, is called the "Father of the American
Revolution." He incited the Boston Tea Party, signed the Declaration of
Independence and called for the first Continental Congress. He said as the
Declaration of Independence was being signed, "We have this day restored the
Sovereign to whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and from
the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come." Samuel Adams
also said, "First of all, I ... rely upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a
pardon of all my sins."
Thomas Jefferson...said, "The reason that
Christianity is the best friend of government
is because Christianity is the only religion
that changes the heart."
Benjamin Franklin, considered a deist by many, said, "He who shall introduce
into the public affairs the principles of a primitive Christianity, will
change the face of the world." And Thomas Jefferson, also considered a
deist, said, "The reason that Christianity is the best friend of government
is because Christianity is the only religion that changes the heart."
Jefferson is even quoted as having said, "I am a Christian, that is to say,
a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ."
George Washington, the father of our nation said, "It is impossible to
rightly govern the world without God and the Bible." Can you imagine the
stress on this man the winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania? He
knew overwhelming British forces awaited him in the spring. The entire
future of the fledgling nation was on his shoulders. If he were defeated,
the new nation would no longer exist. He and the signers of the Declaration
of Independence would probably be hanged, and his soldiers were dying at the
rate of twelve per day. Many didn't have blankets or shoes.
Isaac Potts, who was Washington's temporary landlord at Valley Forge the
winter of 1777-78, gave a famous account of Washington's resolution. As
Potts was traveling the dark forest, he heard some distance from him a voice
that became more intense as he approached its origin.
Washington was praying for the new nation,
for guidance, and for the men under his
command.
As Potts approached, he saw the Commander-in-Chief of the armies of the
United Colonies on his knees in prayer to the Creator and Ruler of the
Universe. Washington was praying for the new nation, for guidance, and for
the men under his command. Potts, a Quaker, returned to his home and his
wife where he declared, "I have seen this day what I shall never forget.
Till now I have thought that a Christian and a soldier were incompatible;
but if George Washington be not a man of God, I am mistaken, and still more
shall I be disappointed if God does not through him perform some great thing
for his country."
When Washington was inaugurated the first President of the United States in
New York in 1789, a public prayer meeting was conducted to commit the new
nation to the "blessings of the Creator." Later the same year, on October 3,
1789, President Washington issued a Thanksgiving Proclamation. The document
begins,
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of
Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly
to implore His protection and favor ... Now, therefore, I do recommend and
assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of
these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the
beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be -...
James Madison, the fourth president and the Father of the Constitution said,
The future and success of America is not in this Constitution but in the
laws of God upon which this Constitution is founded.
John Jay was the first Chief Justice of he Supreme Court. He said,
"Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers. And it is
the duty as well as the privilege and interest of a Christian nation to
select and prefer Christians for their rulers."
Fifty-three of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence were
reportedly Christians. I have already referred to statements made by some.
These are the statements of three less well-known signers. There are many
more.
John Dickinson said, "To my Creator, I resign myself, humbly confiding in
His goodness and in His mercy through Jesus Christ for the events of
eternity."
Gabriel Duvall, later a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and an
appointee to the Supreme Court said, "I resign my soul into the hands of the
Almighty who gave it in humble hopes of his mercy through our Savior Jesus
Christ."
And lastly, John Witherspoon, pastor and President of New Jersey College
(Princeton University today) said, "I shall entreat ... you in the most
earnest manner to believe in Jesus Christ, for there is no salvation in any
other" [Acts 4:12] ... [I] f you are not clothed with the spotless robe of
His righteousness, you must forever perish."
Political Science professors at the University of Houston, curious about who
influenced the founders, gathered 15,000 quotes made by them. The effort
took over ten years. They reduced the number to those that had a significant
impact on the founding fathers and the result was 3,154 quotes. They
determined that the Bible was quoted far more than any other source.
Thirty-four percent of all quotes were from the Bible, and another 60% of
the quotes were from men who were using the Bible to make their point. God's
word was important to the nation's founders.
Political Science professors at the
University of Houston...determined
that the Bible was quoted far more
than any other source.
It was not just the founding fathers who expressed their Christian beliefs
or recognition in the value of Christian principles as fundamental to the
nation. Many of the leaders who followed and influenced this nation were
Christians. Andrew Jackson, president and military hero of the War of 1812,
said, "The Bible is the rock upon which this Republic stands."
Abraham Lincoln, preserver of the Union said, "I believe the Bible is the
best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the
world is communicated to us through this book."
The Civil War represented the culmination of the struggle this nation
experienced in addressing slavery. The founding fathers could not do it and
form the Union, so they didn't, although their documents for the most part
expressed the truth of the equality of mankind. The issue was the seed of
division and war erupted in 1861. The south, lead by South Carolina, seceded
from the union.
Without the moral imperative that the abolition of slavery provided and the
determination of Lincoln, a man who appears to have been anointed for the
immense task of saving the Union, it's very possible that this nation would
be as South America is, many weaker nations on the continent. Slavery was
abolished. In a very real way, slavery represents sin. It festered. It
wouldn't go away until it was addressed. The consequences were horrific to
individuals and to the nation just as sin is in our lives when we do not
repent and turn from it.
In 1862, as this nation struggled for its existence, Julia Ward Howe wrote
the words to the song that captured the heart of the quarrel, acknowledging
God's involvement. Have you ever paused to consider the message and power in
her words? The last verse says: "In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born
across the sea, With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me; As
he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, While God is marching
on." The north marched to war as its song acknowledged Christ as savior.
Benjamin Harrison, 23rd President of the United States once wrote his son,
Russell, "It is a great comfort to trust God...."
Woodrow Wilson said in a 1911 pre-presidential campaign speech,
America was born a Christian nation. America was born to exemplify that
devotion to the elements of righteousness, which are derived from the
revelations of Holy Scriptures. ...Part of the destiny of Americans lies in
their daily perusal of this great book of revelations. That if they would
see America free and pure they will make their own spirits free and pure by
this baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Harry Truman "the man from Independence" was an avid reader. He read the
Bible. He said,
The fundamental basis of this nation's law was given to Moses on the Mount.
The fundamental basis of our Bill of Rights comes from the teaching we get
from Exodus and St. Matthew, from Isaiah and St. Paul.
Members of the Supreme Court have acknowledged the significance of our
Christian heritage. Some historians recognize John Marshall the greatest
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He established the authority of the
Court as a strong independent third branch of government. He said in a
letter to Jasper Adams on May 9, 1833
The American population is entirely Christian, and with us Christianity and
Religion are identified. It would be strange indeed, if with such a people,
our institutions did not presuppose Christianity, and did not often refer to
it, and exhibit relations with it.
In 1892, the Supreme Court wrote the decision of Church of Holy Trinity v.
United States, 143 U.S. 457 (1892). The decision cites a number of examples
that America was founded on Christian principles, and concludes, "this is a
Christian nation."
The founders of Harvard College, established
in 1636, professed that, "All knowledge
without Christ was vain."
Politicians weren't the only Christians impacting on America. Ninety-percent
of the private colleges of this country were founded as Christian
institutions to teach the Gospel. Harvard, Yale and Princeton are three
examples. All three were established to teach young men to be pastors. The
founders of Harvard College, established in 1636, professed that, "All
knowledge without Christ was vain." The word "Veritas" appears on the crest
of Harvard even today. The word meant Divine truth. The motto of Harvard was
officially, "For Christ and the Church."
Christianity permeated our culture from the arrival of the Pilgrims into
this century. For yet another example, the New England Primer, a reader used
in what would be our 1st grade, was introduced in 1690 and taught children
how to read for 200 years, until 1900. The Alphabet was taught with Bible
verses that began with each letter of the alphabet. Lessons had questions
about the Bible and the Ten Commandments. An example of the Primer is, A =
In Adam's fall, we sinned all. B = Heaven to find, the Bible mind."
We are uniquely American. We come from different cultures. Our ancestors
came from England and China; Germany and Italy; Africa and South America. We
come from Japan and Vietnam; from Mexico and Canada. We come from every
nation of the world. We enjoy our unique backgrounds, but we are not what
our ancestors were. We're Americans. No one has ever been quite like us. We
like football, baseball and basketball - all three invented here. We hear
the national anthem and stand, and sometimes we swell with a bit of pride.
We yell at the umpire, but we're the most giving nation in history. We like
hotdogs, popcorn, iced tea, ice cream, and yes, apple pie. We're Americans,
and many of us are Christians, but for all of us, our nation was founded by
Christians on Christian principles, and that's good because we know that God
gives rights to everyone, including non-Christian.
Today the Ten Commandments hang from the U.S. Supreme Court courtroom, the
coins of America say, "In God We Trust," and we say in the Pledge of
Allegiance, "One nation under God." Time does not permit me to list more
examples of how fundamentally important Christ was to our ancestors who
founded this nation. Thousands of examples of Godly men and women who
advocated the importance of Christian principles expressed in the Bible and
who wrote the historical documents that established this nation
overwhelmingly demonstrates, that from the beginning, this nation was a
Christian nation. It was begun by Christians who recognized God as ruler of
the universe and mankind's dependence on Him and His Gospel of salvation.
