As America celebrates the 250th anniversary of our founding, we’re reminded that our nation is built on shared ideals rather than ethnicity. A great many of those ideals began in our Bible and our Christian faith. Read on to see five ways Christianity shaped America.
We Are Free to Worship!
Many of America’s first settlers were Christians who faced extreme religious persecution in Europe. They made dangerous journeys so they could have the freedom to live and worship according to their consciences. This led the Founders to include the First Amendment provisions prohibiting a national religion (The Establishment Clause) and guaranteeing freedom of worship (Free Exercise Clause).
Biblical Principles Shaped Our Government.
America’s Founders found guidance for establishing our new government in their Bibles. Aware of the biblical truth that humans are sinful by nature (see Jeremiah 17:9, Mark 7:21-23), they created three separate branches of government, which echo the three roles of God found in Isaiah 33:22—God as Judge became the judicial branch, God as Lawgiver became the legislative branch, and God as King became the executive branch. They added safeguards against all three branches becoming corrupt at once.
Our Education System Began with the Bible.
Many of America’s first settlers were Many of America’s first settlers were Protestants who believed reading the Bible personally was essential to salvation. They established universal education so all children could learn to read the Bible. In addition, many prominent colleges and universities—including Harvard, Princeton, and Yale—were founded by Christian denominations to educate future ministers and leaders.
We Seek Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness for All.
The biblical viewpoint that all are created in the image and likeness of God has consistently mobilized American Christians to work to improve society. Beginning with the Quakers in the seventeenth century and continuing through the present, Christians lobbied for abolishing slavery, reforming child labor, civil rights, and improvements to institutional care in prisons, mental facilities, hospitals, and orphanages. Many of them cited Scripture in their reasoning for seeking reforms.
We Love Our Neighbors and Minister to Those in Need.
Many of America’s hospitals were established by churches and Christian organizations. Throughout history and into current times, there are countless examples of Christians providing necessities for people in crisis, including housing programs and food banks, disaster relief and recovery, addiction recovery programs, and other efforts.
Christians bringing their faith into their daily lives and conversations have impacted every aspect of America, from its founding days until today. Share this post with others and show the role our faith has played in shaping America—and how God has been working on our country’s behalf all along.
— Allen Jackson Ministries
This is the second post in a series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. You can view the first post here.