America 250 - Freedom Founded In Faith

Today marks the highly anticipated 250th birthday of America. On this day, July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. This historic document has since established America as the most successful nation over the past two and a half centuries. People worldwide aspire to reach the United States, seek the American dream, and flourish in a free nation.
 
Long before the railroads, a powerful economy, sophisticated travel systems, impressive technology, and an unprecedented military, America had something else going for it: a freedom founded in the faith taught in the Holy Scriptures.  
For example, the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence, Charles Carroll, who died at the age of 95, when asked to share his final thoughts before his passing on this special document we celebrate today, wrote, “Grateful to Almighty God for the blessings which, through Jesus Christ Our Lord, He has conferred on my beloved country in her emancipation.”

There are also numerous other indications that the Christian faith not only played a role in crafting the Declaration of Independence and our nation's birth, but was also the very foundation on which we stand today.  

Consider the following:

John Adams, the Second President of the United States and one of the five men tasked with authoring the Declaration of Independence, once said, "I have examined all religions, and the result is that the Bible is the best book in the world."

Thomas Jefferson, the Chief writer of the Declaration of Independence, Governor of Virginia, Secretary of State, and Third President of the United States, said, "The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend all to the happiness of man."

Jefferson also profoundly said, "No nation has ever existed or been governed without religion, nor can be. The Christian religion is the best religion that has been given to man, and I, as Chief Magistrate of this nation, am bound to give it the sanction of my example."

Samuel Adams, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and Governor of Massachusetts, once said, "I rely upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins."

Josiah Bartlett, military officer, signer of the Declaration of Independence, judge, and Governor of New Hampshire, called on his constituents to "Confess before God their aggravated transgressions to implore His pardon and forgiveness through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ."

Gunning Bedford, military officer, member of the Continental Congress, signer of the Constitution, and Federal Judge, stated plainly, "To the triune God — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost — be ascribed all honor and dominion, forevermore – Amen."

John Dickinson, signer of the Constitution, General in the American Revolution, and Governor of Pennsylvania and Delaware, profoundly said, "Governments could not give the rights essential to happiness… We claim them from a higher source: from the King of kings and Lord of all the earth."

John Jay, President of Congress, Author of the Federalist Papers, Original Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and Governor of New York once declared, "Condescend, merciful Father! to grant as far as proper these imperfect petitions, to accept these inadequate thanksgivings, and to pardon whatever of sin hath mingled in them for the sake of Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Savior; unto Whom, with Thee, and the blessed Spirit, ever one God, be rendered all honor and glory, now and forever."

These men didn't just give soundbites or make politically expedient statements about God. In the early years of the nation, they actively supported the establishment and accessibility of the Christian Bible.

For example, on December 12, 1808, America's first Bible Society, based in Philadelphia, was officially established. Two men were primarily responsible: Dr. William White, a minister and president of the society, and the vice president, Benjamin Rush, who happened also to be a signer of the Declaration of Independence.  They noted that society was formed to ensure that every person in Philadelphia had proper access to the "existence, character, will, works, and grace in Jesus Christ in the Bible."

Eight years after the founding of this society, 121 additional Bible societies were established across the nation, receiving support and involvement from America's Founding Fathers. Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Mauro were lifetime members of the Virginia Bible Society, which was formed in 1813.

Notable leaders associated with the American Bible Society, founded in 1816, included Elias Boudinot, President of Congress and framer of the Bill of Rights; John Jay, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court; Charles Pinckney, a military general and signer of the U.S. Constitution; Bushrod Washington, U.S. Supreme Court Justice; and William Wirt, Attorney General of the United States, among many others.

Perhaps when these faithful and courageous men were founding our nation on freedom, the words of Jesus at the end of the Sermon on the Mount came to mind.  

Matthew 7:24-27,  “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

As we celebrate America today, remember God's faithfulness and our need always to be a nation that seeks Freedom Founded in Faith.