Stand Strong America (eBook)

CHAPTER 1

HOW CHRISTIANITY SHAPED AMERICA’S FOUNDATION

You’ve seen the news headlines: A city courthouse will no longer display the Ten Commandments; a school will no longer include Christmas carols with religious lyrics; a state capital will no longer allow a nativity scene on its property. Today’s increasingly post-Christian, secular environment seeks to remove any and all religious influence from every area of public life. Yet America would not exist without Christianity and the godly lives of its early citizens.

For example, in his inaugural speech George Washington stated, “If I could have entertained the slightest apprehension that the Constitution which was framed in our convention, where I had the honor of presiding, might possibly endanger the religious rights of any ecclesiastical society [that is, a church or denomination], certainly, I would never have placed my signature upon it.”1 Our nation’s first president understood, and publically proclaimed, the importance of religious freedom. This was not to exclude faith from public life; rather, it was to offer the maximum amount of freedom for those who sought to worship God.

And George Washington was not alone in his quest to encourage American citizens to freely worship the God of the Bible. James Madison, the fourth president of our nation, served as chief architect of the US Constitution. He once noted:

Madison’s goal was freedom, including freedom to worship according to the commands of God’s Word.

In 1831, French writer Alexis de Tocqueville traveled to America to observe the power of its increasing greatness among nations. He noted in his two-volume work, Democracy in America, “There is no country in the world where the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men, than in America.”3 His investigation noted that the key to America’s greatness and freedom could be found in its faith.

Why Does This Matter?

We (Alex and Jason) often discover people who fail to see the importance of studying America’s Christian heritage. Many people tend to focus on the here and now—the latest smartphone or the most recent news headline. So why does it matter whether or not we know about America’s spiritual foundations?

I (Alex) will admit, I once fell into the category of those who cared more about what was happening now and little about the past of our nation. However, all of this changed in college when I first seriously encountered American history. What began as a course to complete a requirement introduced me to a world of powerful leaders and a godly legacy I had failed to previously recognize.

Furthermore, I realized that many of the events recorded throughout our nation’s history have repeated themselves in various forms. For example, Lincoln’s assassination during the era of the Civil War strangely resembled the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan during the Cold War. When President George W. Bush and New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani rallied Americans in unity following the attacks of 9/11, their words often reflected the attitudes of Americans following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 that led to the nation’s entry into World War II.

Thirdly, I realized the tremendous influence of Christianity in the founding of America. I had heard about the Puritans and knew the Pledge of Allegiance included “one nation under God,” but the stories behind this history forced me to grow in my own faith. Would I have responded as these brave men and women did so long ago?

We often fail to recognize the many ways in which Christianity has influenced America. A quick look reveals twelve key areas in which our faith has had tremendous influence on our society today.

1. Human Rights. People are created in the image of God and are equal in His sight, which is something affirmed in our nation’s Constitution.

2. Women’s Rights. Still today, it is illegal for women to drive in Saudi Arabia. Why is this? It is simply because the nation does not have a Christian worldview regarding women’s rights. Instead, America offers equality for women, and, though far from perfect, it far exceeds the rights of women in non-Christian societies.

3. The Rights of Children. Christianity has caused many to join the pro-life movement to save the lives of the preborn. Historically, Christian convictions have also been behind the creation of child labor laws, Christian schools, increased emphasis on education, and social services to help children in need, whether due to abuse, special needs, disability, or any other need.

4. The End of Slavery and Legalized Discrimination. On the negative side, it is true some have used the Bible to justify slavery and racism. However, it is also true that it has been Christians who have led the way to end slavery and legalized discrimination. For example, Martin Luther King Jr. was known as a Baptist minister long before he was known as a civil rights activist.

5. Education. America’s earliest schools were held in churches. In fact, Christians started the first colleges in America, including Harvard, to further higher education and to train ministers.

6. Health Care. Still today, some of the most notable hospitals in our nation include the names Baptist, Methodist, or Presbyterian at the end, acknowledging the fact that they were started by churches and Christian organizations.

7. Marriage and Family. Christian convictions regarding marriage focused on heterosexual monogamous love and the rearing of children within a marriage relationship.

8. Government. Fifty of the fifty-five signers of the US Constitution were Christians. The concept of checks and balances and many other aspects of our founders’ beliefs were based on biblical concepts. Still today, the Liberty Bell reminds us of the Bible’s influence through its inscription of Leviticus 25:10, which reads in our modern translation: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.”

9. Science. The scientific revolution that has so influenced our nation’s economic and educational advancements developed prior to Darwinian theory, building its basis upon a God who created all things—even rational truth and scientific laws.

10. Free Enterprise. Where Christianity exists as the predominant religion, free enterprise is generally the result. The Protestant work ethic that was popularized by John Calvin during the Reformation became the basis for America’s system of work and employment.

11. The Arts. Many of America’s greatest artists, musicians, and literary geniuses have been people of the Christian faith. Even much of America’s early architecture was inspired by Christian religious themes.

12. Foreign Relations. America has long served as a leader among the world’s nations. This is greatly influenced by the Christian beliefs of loving one’s neighbor as one’s self as well as belief in the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. Furthermore, American Christianity, despite its flaws, has led the modern missionary revolution. In addition, Christians working in foreign relations in American government have had great influence to often improve the lives of those in other nations, encouraging democracy and peace, and offering humanitarian aid to those in need.

Our hope is that these twelve themes that have shaped our own faith will influence your faith as well. When we encounter the importance that faith has made in the lives of the early influencers of our nation, we can then learn how to better influence our nation—and our world.

Fascinating Facts about Christopher Columbus

One important example is found in the life of Christopher Columbus. Modern historians realize Europeans and other travelers visited America prior to Christopher Columbus in 1492. However, many do not realize the spiritual background of his writings upon his voyage to this new world. He wrote in Columbus’s Book of Prophecies: