Many of the earliest settlers came to America seeking freedom to follow Christ as their consciences dictated, and it is a documented fact that the Christian faith of our Founding Fathers helped shape our nation. Take a look at what they said:
Samuel Adams:
“The right to freedom is the gift of God Almighty. …The rights of the Colonists as Christians … may be best understood by reading, and carefully studying the institutes of the great Lawgiver and Head of the Christian Church, which are to be found clearly written and promulgated in the New Testament.”
Leader of the Sons of Liberty and Declaration of Independence signer, Sam Adams, wrote this in the 1772 pamphlet, “The Rights of the Colonists.” Read the full text here.
General George Washington:
“While we are zealously performing the duties of good Citizens and Soldiers we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of Religion. To the distinguished Character of Patriot, it should be our highest Glory to add the more distinguished Character of Christian. The signal Instances of providential Goodness which we have experienced and which have now almost crowned all our labors with complete Success, demand from us in a peculiar manner the warmest returns of Gratitude and Piety to the Supreme Author of all Good.”
Commander of the Continental Army and first President of the United States, General George Washington, wrote this in a June 8, 1783, circular letter to the governors as he prepared to step down as army commander. Read the full text here (see pages 108–109).
Dr. Benjamin Rush:
“The only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government is the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by means of the Bible.”
Declaration of Independence signer and founder of Dickinson College, Dr. Benjamin Rush, wrote this in his 1786 essay “Thoughts Upon the Mode of Education Proper in a Republic.” Read the essay here.
Benjamin Franklin:
“I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. 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, Sir, in the sacred writings that ‘except the Lord build the House they labor in vain that build it.’ I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without [H]is concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel.”
Declaration of Independence signer, ambassador, inventor, and author, Benjamin Franklin, spoke this to the Constitutional Congress on June 28, 1787, encouraging the Congress to begin with prayer. Read this account and more details on the Federal convention of 1787 here (see page 451).
John Adams:
“The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”
Declaration of Independence signer and second Vice President of the United States, John Adams, wrote this in a June 28,1813, letter to fellow Founding Father, Thomas Jefferson. Read this letter (located on page 2) and others written between Adams and Jefferson here.
All but one of the men above signed the Declaration of Independence, an act that would have caused them to be hung as traitors had the colonists not prevailed. The one who didn’t sign it—General George Washington—spent years in hardship on the battlefield to help ensure the others were not hanged. Because of their Christian faith, they believed liberty is a right bestowed by God, and one worth fighting and dying for.
Few of us will be called to put our lives on the line as they did, but we all have a role to play in ensuring the liberty they fought for continues to be available for our generation and the generations to come. True faith is when you express your faith at your jobs, in your community, and anywhere God sends you.
— Allen Jackson Ministries
This is the third post in a series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. You can view the other posts here.