7/12/2015
The Christian Heritage Of America Pt. 2
The claim that America has a distinct Christian heritage does not mean that every American is or was Christian. It does not mean that the Church or State should force people to attend religious services. Belief in America’s Christian heritage doesn’t mean that non‑Christians, or dissenting Christians can’t hold contrary opinions in a climate of a general Christian consensus.
The Founders Were Unambiguous Believers in Christ As Personal Savior
I entreat you in the most earnest manner to believe in Jesus Christ, for, “there is no salvation in any other.” Acts 4:12 . . . If you are not reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, if you are not clothed with the spotless robe of His righteousness, you must forever perish! John Witherspoon —Signer of the Declaration of Independence
The Founders Readily Articulated Christian Doctrine
I think it proper to subscribe to the entire belief of the great and leading doctrines of the Christian religion, such as the Being of God, the universal defection and depravity of human nature, the divinity of the person and the completeness of the redemption purchased by the blessed Savior. Robert Stockton Signer of The Declaration of Independence
Roger Sherman Signer of the Declaration & the Constitution
I believe that there is One Only Living and True God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. . . . That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are a revelation from God. . . . that God did send His own Son to become man, die in the stead of sinners, and thus laid a foundation for the offer of pardon and salvation to all mankind so as all may be saved who are willing to accept the Gospel offer.
The Gospel Permeated Early American Thought
I desire to bless and praise the name of God Most High, for appointing me my birth in a land of Gospel Light where the glorious tidings of a Savior and of pardon and salvation through Him have been continually sounding in mine ears. Robert Treat Paine Signer—Declaration of Independence
Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–1859), author of Democracy in America
Christian morality is everywhere the same. . . There is no country in the world where the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America.
Christian Thought Birthed American Freedoms
I believe the entire Bill of Rights came into being because of the knowledge our forefathers had of the Bible and their belief in it…Chief Justice Earl Warren (1891–1974)
Early American Leaders Held The Bible In High Regard
The rich do not possess aught more precious than their Bible…the poor cannot be presented by the rich with anything of greater value… It is a book of councils and directions, fitted to every situation in which man can be placed.” — Bibles are strong entrenchments. Where they abound, men cannot pursue wicked courses.
James McHenry Signer of the Constitution, Aide to General George Washington, Secretary of War under President Washington and President John Adams; founder of the Baltimore Bible Society now the Maryland Bible Society
Early Colonial America
Bound Their Governance Around The Gospel
It hath pleased Almighty God by the wise disposition of His Divine providence to order & dispose of things that we the Inhabitants and Residents of Connectecotte…well knowing where a people are gathered together the Word of God requires that to maintain the peace & union of such a people there should be an orderly and decent Government established according to God…do therefore associate & conjoin ourselves to be as one Commonwealth; & do …enter into Confederation together, to maintain & preserve the liberty & purity of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus which we now profess…Fundamental Orders of Connecticut 1639
The Earliest State Constitutions Codified Personal Faith
As A Requirement For Political Leaders
Constitution of North Carolina—December 18, 1776
XXXII.(5) …no person, who shall deny the Being of God or the truth of the Protestant Religion, or the Divine authority either of the Old or New Testaments, or who shall hold religious principles incompatible with the freedom and safety of the State, shall be capable of holding any office or place of trust or profit in the civil department within this State.
Constitution of Pennsylvania – September 28, 1776
…each member, before he takes his seat, shall make and subscribe the following declaration; I do believe in one God, the Creator and Governor of the universe, the Rewarder of the good and the Punisher of the wicked. And I do acknowledge the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by Divine inspiration
The Intent Of The Gospel Is To Transform and Form Culture!
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.