Yes, you read that right.
Today, on July 4th, we again celebrate America. Except for a few liberal politicians, left wing commentators and clueless college students, most people today see America as a good place overall, with far more good than evil, and that the world would be far worse without it. Are you one of them? I am. In fact, it is a result of my Christian faith that I was finally able to see through the negative indoctrination of my secular education and see the unique blessings of our country. America is a bastion of freedom, prosperity, and generosity. That’s why the world wants to come here.
Why did this happen? Is it just an accident, as secular historians have tried to make us believe?
America was initially settled, especially in the northern colonies, by people seeking religious freedom, and with it, economic freedom. They understood you cannot have one without the other. The Mayflower Compact states that they undertook this dangerous voyage (almost half died the first year) for “the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith.” Their faith fueled their efforts, giving them the needed resolve and virtue to build a better society.
John Adams, America’s second President, writes,
I always consider the settlement of America with reverence and wonder, as the opening of a grand scene and design in Providence for the illumination of the ignorant, and the emancipation of the slavish part of mankind all over the earth.[1]
In the battle for independence, George Washington credits God for the victory against the overwhelmingly superior British army in his inaugural address,
“The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this (the course of the war) that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith and more wicked that has not gratitude to acknowledge his obligations;”[2]
Did you get that? He was basically saying they would be ‘more wicked’ than an infidel if they failed to acknowledge their obligations to God in the light of His intervention in our fight for independence.
In his farewell address, Washington, arguably the most influential person in our nation’s history, admonishes them (and us),
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. …And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.[3]
Basically, Washington said it’s ‘religion’, which then meant the Christian religion, and the morality that comes from it, that enables us to have a free and prosperous society.
Our Declaration of Independence has no less than four references to God! Take that, agnostics and atheists! It basically says our rights come from God, not the government. It was penned by Thomas Jefferson who many claim was something between an atheist and a deist. All you have to do to know this is incorrect is read the words on the Jefferson Memorial. In case you haven’t,
God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm bases, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; That is justice cannot sleep forever.
Does this sound like a deist or an atheist? You decide.
As we celebrate our freedoms today, we should take note of the words of the French philosopher, diplomat, and social scientist Alexis de Tocqueville, who did a two year study of our nation in the mid 1800’s to attempt to understand our amazing success and strength in such a short time,
“Americans combine the notions of Christianity and of liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to make them conceive the one without the other.” (1851)
The evidence is overwhelming; we would not have the kind of country we have today were it not for the devout Christian faith of our founders. We owe them a debt of gratitude. More importantly, we our gratitude and allegiance to the One to Whom they swore allegiance – Jesus Christ. If you see the goodness of our land, recognize the Source. God does not favor America because it is America, but rather because we have favored Him over the years. The most patriotic thing you can do in a nation such as ours is to be a devout follower of Jesus Christ, as George Washington said over 200 years ago.
[1] America’s God and Country by William Federer, p. 5
[2] Ibid., p. 643
[3] Ibid., p. 661
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