America’s Christian Roots

Every Fourth of July, I enjoy reflecting on the Christian roots in American history. In the following article, I will highlight some of my favorite reminders of the great spiritual legacy our forefathers gave us.

The Faith of the Founders

Let us start with Mr. America himself, George Washington. He was the first President of the United States, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He presided over the convention that drafted the United States Constitution. (In other words, he is the MAN! J) Mr. Washington concluded a letter written to thirteen governors with this prayer: "Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection . . . dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion. And without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Think about that sentiment from President Washington: we can never hope to be a happy nation without imitating Christ. Washington knew that without Jesus, our nation would reap sorrow. This is because Jesus is the source of all blessings for every individual and nation. Jesus saves, but salvation is more than just what we are saved from; salvation is also for today and having life in Jesus' name. Jesus changes hearts for changed living: changed marriages, changed relationships, changed purpose, and changed family destinies. Jesus makes a wonderful improvement in all of living.

I have often joked with our congregation here that life without Christ turns our nation into a giant Jerry Springer show, for those of you who are familiar with the television show. Without Christ, parents ask: who is the baby's daddy? (If you are younger and unfamiliar with this reference, you are not missing much.) Families and eventually nations fall apart and decay without a solid foundation in Christ.

The majority of the founding fathers of the United States were professing Christians. Fifty-four of the fifty-five founding fathers were members of a Christian denominational church. They understood what President Ronald Reagan put very well: "If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." Benjamin Franklin, the one founding father who was not a church member, was friendly toward faith in Christ. When the drafting of the Constitution stalled and the members had hit an impasse, Franklin said, "In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor . . . Have we now forgotten this powerful Friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? 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 man. 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 . . . I, therefore, beg leave to move that henceforth, prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven and its blessing on our deliberation be held in this assembly every morning." After relying upon God in prayer, the Constitution was produced by God's grace. The one founding father not a church member called for Christians to pray! Remarkable. 

The Bible in American Education

Moving on from the Founding Fathers, we also find the Bible at center stage in early America. The first official textbook in America was the New England Primer. I have a reprint of that old Primer, which started in 1690. Mine is a reprint of a 1777 edition from Boston. New England Primer reprints can be purchased readily from most booksellers. In this primer, children would learn their alphabet and learn to read. Bible teaching features prominently throughout this little elementary textbook. Let me share some examples from this book of early American education. 

Example 1: A lesson for children: Pray to God, Love God, Fear God, Serve God. Take not God's Name in vain, Do not swear, Do not steal. This is so amazing to me because school today is not allowed by law to teach children to pray to God through the Lord Jesus Christ, or to teach children the importance of loving God, or keeping the Ten Commandments. However, it wasn't always that way.

Example 2: A lesson for learning ABCs – A – In Adam's fall, we sinned all; B – Heaven to find, the Bible to mind; C – Christ crucified, for sinners died. How about those ABCs for children?!

In the old one-room schoolhouses of the 1700s, this is how children learned. The early Americans were not just concerned for children to learn the ABCs, but more importantly, to learn about God, to learn about Christ, and to learn about sin and salvation – all contained in the Bible!

I went to college and did well in school as a young man. Nevertheless, I did not hear of Jesus or the Bible in my school. I received a college degree, but I was a college-educated fool who crashed my life in the ditch one night, drunk and high. What good is education without Christ?! While we are on the topic now, let us talk about higher education for a moment.

Ivy League and Its Christian Founding

Did you know that America's first Ivy League college was a Christian college? I was so surprised to learn that Harvard, Yale, and Princeton (often recognized as the foremost universities in America) were started as Christian universities. Now, today, they have drifted very far from Christ and the Bible, but back then, it was different.

It took only 18 years from the time the Pilgrims set foot on Plymouth Rock until the Puritans founded Harvard to train preachers for the country. Harvard's first president insisted there could be no true knowledge or wisdom without Jesus Christ. In Harvard's rules and precepts from 1646, it was stated for students,

"Everyone shall consider the main end of his life and studies to know God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life."

"Seeing the Lord giveth wisdom, everyone shall seriously by prayer in secret seek the wisdom of Him."

"Everyone shall exercise himself in reading the Scriptures twice a day so that he is ready to give an account of his proficiency therein, both in theoretical observations of language and logic and in practical and spiritual truths..."

This page from American history reminds us that the highest goal in education and life is knowing Christ! Without knowing Christ, there is no eternal life! Without Christ, there is no relationship with God! Without Christ, the sinner is lost forever in Hell! Harvard believed that back then. Early America believed that. We do well to uphold the truth and make knowing and walking with Christ the highest goal for eternal life for true "higher education." 

Happy Birthday, America! I love this country, and I love our history. I am proud of the Christian legacy the founders of this country left for us. May we continue to honor their legacy by lifting high the banner of Christ and feeling good while doing so. It is patriotic to do so. The good of our nation is found in the continual promotion of Christ and all that is good. President George Washington would be glad.

Happy Fourth of July to you all!