KINGDOM OF GOD
AMERICAN REVOLUTION 1650-1850 A.D.
Psalms 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.”
We cannot go into all the details now regarding the founding fathers, but one thing that stands out is that there was a sense among them that God’s hand was upon this new continent. Listen to the words of Benjamin Franklin:
“In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understanding?
“In the beginning of the Contest with G. Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer 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.
“To that kind Providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that 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 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 his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel…
“I therefore beg leave to move — that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business.”
The question now comes: How will the colonies respond? Will they deteriorate into anarchy and senseless violence, like France would do a decade later? Or, would they respond to the admonition that Benjamin Franklin gave to call upon divine help in laying the foundation of a Biblical nation, a nation that is based on Biblical law and order?
In the American and French Revolution we see that both extolled the ‘virtues’ of human rights. The difference between the American and French Revolution is that the American Revolution believed that human rights came from God, whereas in the French Revolution human rights came from the government. In the Western world today, this is the way that we are moving; that our government gives us our rights and not God.
What are the foundations that were laid by our founding fathers here in the United States of America?
1. An aggressive acceptance of Biblical Christianity. We see this in the words of Benjamin Franklin quoted above. President Obama made the statement that we are not a Christian nation but a nation made up of many different faiths. Was he right in saying this?
What is a Christian nation? Stephen McDowell said in his book Liberating the Nations: “A Christian nation is one that is founded upon Christian principles, whose laws and institutions reflect a Christian worldview.” Have we been founded on Christian principles? The answer is a definite yes!
2. An in-depth knowledge of the Bible by citizens. Our founding fathers were men of the book and as Stephen McDowell goes on to say: “The Bible teaches, and history confirms, that to the degree that nations have applied the principles of the Bible in all spheres of life – it is the degree to which they have prospered, been free, and acted justly.” If we do not recognize God as sovereign, then there will be someone or something else – most usually the government or some individual that we recognize instead.
3. Rejected the influences of the Renaissance.
4. A keen understanding of history and its causes and effects with obedience to God. They recognized that history was God’s story and not just a lot of isolated incidents, dates, places, etc. It was God working out his plan and purpose.
5. No toleration of pornography.
6. Voting with secret ballots.
7. An economy based on the Puritan work ethic.
8. A media dominated by religious writings.
9. The days of fasting and prayer for battles, elections, and by pastors and civil authorities.
When I look at these foundations I think of the words of Benjamin Franklin when he quoted the Scripture: “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.” (Psalms 11:3) “If the foundations should be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” This is the question that we need to be asking ourselves.