I love America! And I love celebrating the 4th in DC!
It's sad to me that we live in a a day and age where we almost have to
defend our patriotism. I'm certainly not suggesting that America is
above reproach. Far from it. But a few years ago I did extensive research for a sermon series on our
spiritual heritage. And I walked away with a renewed
sense of destiny. There is so much
revisionist history out there that we tend to forget that a lot of our
Founding Fathers were
motivated by their faith in Christ.
Just thought I'd share some
backstory about some of the
fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence. Most Americans know next to nothing about these fifty-six heroes who pledged their lives and fortunes to the cause of freedom.
John Witherspoon was an
ordained minister and authored several
books of sermons, as well as
editing America's first family Bible published in 1791.
Charles Thomson served as Secretary of Congress and was
a Biblical scholar. He helped edit
the first American translation of the Greek Septuagint into English.
Charles Carroll, the last of the fifty-six signers to pass away at the age of 95 in 1832, wrote out his
declaration of faith at the age of eighty-nine.
On the mercy of my Redeemer I rely for my salvation, and on His merits; not on the works I have done in obedience to His precepts.
Another Founding Father,
Benjamin Rush, is considered the "Father of American Medicine." He personally trained three thousand medical students. Dr. Rush also founded "
The First Day Society" which was
the precursor to the Sunday School movement, as well as
founding America's first Bible society. It was Benjamin Rush who said the Constitution was "
as much the work of Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament were the effects of divine power."
Francis Hopkinson was
a church music director and
edited one of the first hymnals printed in America in 1767. He also set 150 psalms to music.
Roger Sherman is the only Founding Father to sign all four of America's Founding documents: the Articles of Association in 1774, the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the Articles of Confederation in 1778, and the U.S. Constitution in 1787. Roger Sherman was also
a theologian. He wrote
a personal creed that was adopted by his church:
I believe that there is one only 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.
I could share story after story, but the bottom line is this:
many, if not most, of our Founding Fathers were motivated by their Faith in Christ. They wrote sermons and creeds and hymns. They founded Bible Societies and Sunday Schools. They served God's purposes in their own generation.
Hope that
adds a dimension of gratitude to your 4th of July celebration!
