Barnes church of Christ

In this last article addressing the thoughts and attitudes toward the Bible and Christianity. Having looked at the first six Presidents and what they thought about the Bible and Christianity. We also looked at Benjamin Franklin. It is time that we look more at those of the time who never served as President. One name that comes to mind, who was a “founding father,” is that of John Jay.
Jay was born December 12, 1745 and died on May 17, 1829. However, between these two dates, Jay served this nation well and in several ways! It is the case that when we are thinking about the “founding fathers” of this nation, we think of those who helped bring independence to the Colonies and create a Constitution, that would bring democracy to the new nation! John Jay was one of them! First, he attended Columbia University. The name Columbia University brings us to a very important question: “Why were the Ivy League Schools started?” In answering this question, it will allow us to get a better idea of what the mind of the “founding fathers” was set on. Therefore, the question: “Why were the Ivy League Schools started?”
Here is a statement that will help us understand the reason for these schools. Their story, in brief, is etched in the entry way to Harvard Yard: “After God had carried us safely to New England, and we had built our houses, provided necessaries for our livelihood, reared convenient places for God’s worship, and settled the civil government; one of the next things we longed for, and looked after was to advance learning, and perpetuate it to posterity; dreading to leave an illiterate ministry to the churches, when our present ministers shall lie in the dust.” It was not lawyers and the like that was in the minds of those who started these schools now known as the “Ivy League Schools.” It took but eighteen years from the time the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, that they, being the most educated people of their day, founded the first and the perhaps the most famous Ivy League Schools. Just a note, to bring us back to the present, these schools are no longer thus minded!
One writer put it this way: “Harvard College’s first presidents and tutors insisted that there could be no true knowledge or wisdom without Jesus Christ, and but for their passionate Christian convictions, there would have been no Harvard.” (“The Forerunner,” By Editorial Staff, Published April 6, 2008). Today, we do not hear such things as: “it would surprise most to learn that almost every Ivy League school was established primarily to train ministers of the gospel – and to evangelize the Atlantic seaboard.” (ibid). Now, you are asking why are we writing about Harvard and not Columbia University? As Columbia was the school of John Jay, the “founding fathers” of whom we write. What was true of one of the now “Ivy League Schools” was also true of Columbia! This is the school of learning where John Jay was a student!
Jay after attending Columbia, practiced law and established a good reputation in New York. He was elected to serve as delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses! Jay with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison let it be known that they were not arguing for the creation of a new and more powerful system of government, but one that was balanced! They explained their proposes in the “Federalist Papers,” in a series of not less than eighty-five articles and five of them were written by John Jay!
Harvard’s Rules and Precepts adopted in 1646 included the following essentials: “Every one 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, every one shall seriously by prayer in secret seek wisdom of Him. Every one shall so exercise himself in reading the Scriptures twice a day that they be ready to give an account of their proficiency therein, both in theoretical observations of languages and logic, and in practical and spiritual truths….”
With the above in mind, we turn our attention to John Jay. Here is one quote from him: “The Bible is the best of all books, for it is the word of God and teaches us the way to be happy in this world and in the next. Continue therefore to read it and to regulate your life by its precepts.” (1784). Here is a quote that is most interesting: ““I do not recollect to have had more than two conversations with atheists about their tenents. The first was this: I was at a large party, of which were several of that description. They spoke freely and contemptuously of religion. I took no part in the conversation. In the course of it, one of them asked me if I believed in Christ. I answered that I did, and that I thanked God that I did.” (In 1811, in a letter to John Bristed). Before concluding this long article, one more quote will serve us well: “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers. National prosperity can neither be obtained nor preserved without the favor of Providence.” (October 12, 1816).
Finally, let it be known, that John Jay, in 1789, after Jay declined George Washington’s offer of the position of Secretary of State, the president offered him the new opportunity of becoming Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, which Jay accepted!
It is very important that we have some idea of the thoughts and attitudes of our “founding fathers” toward the Bible and Christianity! The one thought that I call your attention to, is that one thought that ran through many of our “founding fathers;” it is here well stated: “So it was natural for the early Americans to turn to the Bible for guidance as to how to make civil law. This was the standard for law beginning with the Mayflower Compact all the way through the constitutions of all 50 states. By the way, what was the stated purpose of the Pilgrims as expressed in the Mayflower Compact? Contrary to revisionist history, their purpose was not to find religious freedom – they already had found religious freedom in Holland. Their purpose is clearly stated as being for the “Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith.”

Frank R. Williams

Were the words, “founding fathers,” limited to those who served as President, were there others who could rightfully be called “founding fathers?” If so, just who were they? The answer is, “Yes,” there were others who are rightfully called “founding fathers,” who never served as President! Therefore, who were these men?
If you are a student of history, and every American should be, then you would know or should know of those who rightfully are called “founding fathers.” However, there may not be total agreement on this subject! Well, this is alright! The first thing that we need to do is to learn how these men might be so identified. One person put it this way: “The United States of America was a collaboration among several brilliant men, focusing on enlightenment and the concept of equality for all men, regardless of birth. We use the term “Founding Fathers” to refer to the men who shaped the concept and destiny of America, including diplomats, inventors, soldiers, and philosophers.” Each of these men had a unique contribution to the concept of a democratic republican government by the people, for the people. Working together, these leaders determined a workable frame of government that is now a model. Just for a moment, stop and think what these men did and how they finally came together and gave to us a government unlike any that had been seen before!
Here is a list of those who are considered “founding fathers;” we have already noted the first six Presidents; therefore, our search will look elsewhere. Richard B. Morris, a historian in 1973 identified the following seven figures as the key “founding fathers”: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington. Could there be others that belong on this list, “Yes!”
Now, turning our attention to Benjamin Franklin, we ask our question, “What were his views about the Bible and Christianity? Frist he was: a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, humorist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. Franklin was foundational in defining the American ethos as a marriage of the practical values of thrift, hard work, education, community spirit, self-governing institutions, and opposition to authoritarianism both political and religious, with the scientific and tolerant values of the Enlightenment. (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). He was well known for writing Poor Richard’s Almanac. Is there a Biblical verse that says this? In general, he wrote: “Here is my Creed, I believe in one God, Creator of the Universe.. That He governs it by his Providence. That he ought to be worshipped. That the most acceptable Service we render to him, is doing Good to his other Children. That the Soul of Man is immortal, and will be treated with Justice in another Life respecting it Conduct in this. These I take to be the fundamental Principles of all sound Religion, and I regard them as you do, in whatever Sect I meet with them.” (Benjamin Franklin His Autobiography 1706 – 1757).
Now on Jesus, he wrote: “Well, as for Jesus of Nazareth, my Opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of Morals and his Religion as he left them to us, the best of the World ever saw, or is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupting Changes, and I have, with most of the present Dissenters in England, some Doubts to his Divinity; tho’ it is a Question I do not dogmatise upon, having never studied it, and think needless to busy myself with it now, where I expect soon as Opportunity of knowing the Truth with less Trouble.” (ibid).
Benjamin Franklin may be better known for a saying of which he may not have said. What is it: “God helps those who help themselves?” However, it is quoted in Poor Richard’s Almanac in 1757. Is there a verse that has these words in it? No! Do they express a New Testament principle? You can go in search for the answer yourself! (2 Thess. 3:10-14). It is said, that the phrase originated in ancient Greece and may originally have been proverbial. It is illustrated by two of Aesop’s Fables and a similar sentiment is found in ancient Greek drama. Although it has been commonly attributed to Benjamin Franklin.
Before concluding this article, there is a question the reader needs to consider. Have you noticed anything in common among those we have studied? This answer will be looked at when this series of articles is completed.

Frank R. Williams

Did all the “founding fathers” believe in the Bible; did they all believe in Christianity? The answer is, “No!” Just as you could go into any town across America today and ask the question and the answer would be the same; be it in the early years of America or today. Therefore, no one should be surprised to learn that not all the “founding fathers” all believed in the Bible, or that all of them believed in Christianity!
Just as we learned in the last article that James Madison was one who did not hold the Bible as from God. What Madison did believe was that there should be a “separation of church and state.” What were some of the reasons that several of the “founding fathers” expressed the view of “separation of church and state?” We have noted that Thomas Jefferson was one such! Keep in mind, that one of the major issues of the time was that the new government should not be under “church” control. This was a major thought expressed, for this was one thing they had left the countries they came from; as the Roman Catholic Church ruled much of the world and the same was true of the Church of England, in controlling the English government. In England the king was the head of the Church of England and this was one thing they had hoped to have left behind. Thus, “the separation of church and state!”
Now, let us look at the sixth President of the United States of America! John Quincy Adams served as President from 1825 – 1829; he was a statesman, diplomat, lawyer, and a diarist. He also served as: Secretary of State from 1817 to 1825, Adams also served as an ambassador, and represented Massachusetts as a United States Senator and as a member of the United States House of Representative, during his long diplomatic and political career! He was the son of John and Abigail Adams. Before getting to the thoughts of John Quincy Adams and his beliefs regarding Christianity, let us notice the thoughts of John Leland and his objection to the new Constitution, it was that it did not sufficiently secure, his view was, “if a Majority of Congress with the President favour one System more than another, they may oblige all others to pay to the support of their System as much as they please.” This well expresses the concern of many at that time. Though they may not have uttered the words, “separation of church and state,” they did not want a “state church!”
Before getting back to John Quincy Adams and his thoughts on Christianity and Bible, please notice the thoughts of George Washington and John Adams, the first and second Presidents. They were firm believers in the importance of religion for republican government. As citizens of Virginia and Massachusetts, they had what would not even be considered today! What was it? Both were very sympathetic to a general religious tax being paid by the citizens of their respective states to the churches of their choice! Yes, they believed that churches should receive tax money from the states. However, they did not believe this on a national level!
Turning our attention to a few quotes of the sixth President of the United States of America, as regarding Christianity, they were as follows:
1) “The highest, the transcendent glory of the American Revolution was this — it connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the precepts of Christianity.” (in a letter to an autograph collector, Apr. 27, 1837)
2) “The Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer’s mission upon earth … it laid the corner stone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity, and gave to the world the first irrevocable pledge of the fulfilment of the prophecies, announced directly from Heaven at the birth of the Saviour and predicted by the greatest of the Hebrew prophets six -hundred years before.” (in an oration at Newburyport, Jul. 4, 1837)
3) “I cannot ask of heaven success, even for my country, in a cause where she should be in the wrong.” (in a letter to John Adams, his father, Aug. 1, 1826)
From these three quotes it is easy to see that Christianity was important to John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States of América! It is also easy to note that he saw Christianity as a corner stone in governing America!
Here is a quote that all should note and emulate into their lives: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” (John Quincy Adams). It seems to me that these words express the true qualities of a leader!
One must keep in mind, that “the founding fathers” were yet building a nation, even through she had the sixth President in office.

Frank R. Williams

Just how far removed from the revolutionary war do we go until those who served this nation are no longer considered to be part of that group of leaders, are no longer part of the “founding fathers?” The Constitution became the authority by which America would be governed; it is the base, the foundation of law! Those who worked on it, for sure, are correctly called “the founding fathers!” Also those who served this nation in giving the Constitution.
Just a brief look at the events that produced our Constitution and how it became the legal body of law for the United States of America is here given. The Continental Congress met in Philadelphia with the Declaration of Independence would also rightly belong in that group of these men who are called “the founding fathers!” The Continental Congress selected a committee to produce a draft of the “Declaration of Independence” from England. The group of men appointed were: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman. It should be noted that two of these men would serve as President of the United States of America and they are John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.
With this bit of history, we are ready to look at the thoughts of the fourth President of America. He was, of course, James Madison, Jr. (March 16, 1751 – June 28, 1836), who was an American statesman, lawyer, diplomat, philosopher, and one of the “Founding Fathers” of our great Nation. He served as President from 1809 to 1817; a total of eight years! Here is a most important point about Madison; he was nicknamed “Father of the Constitution” later in life for his important contribution to the creation of the Constitution! Before continuing, it should be called to the readers attention that he was co-writer of the Federalist Papers.
Now, what were the thoughts and views of Madison on the Bible? Not only was Madison known as the “Father of the Constitution,” but he was also known as the “defender of religious freedom!” Madison said: “all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion.” He was baptized (More than likely he was sprinkled.) an Anglican but studied under both a Presbyterian educator and the president of the College of New Jersey (which is now Princeton University) and who embraced the Presbyterian Faith and logic alike. However, there is little information about his religion. Most historians have found little indication of his religious leanings after he left college, there are scholars who indicate he learned toward “deism.” Still others maintain that Madison accepted Christian tenets and formed his outlook on life with a Christian world view. Therefore, the conclusion is reached that Madison’s own beliefs embraced “religious liberty!”
Therefore, though our fourth President does not help our search for what the “founders” thought about the Bible and Christianity, his embrace of “religious liberty” is very important to our study. The person who believes in Christianity and who embraces “the teaching of Christ,” but Madison’s strong belief that there should be no “state religion,” is also very important to our study! The Christian has no use for a “state religion;” thus, it might be said that the Christian does believe in a “separation of state and church,” but these words do not mean what is generally put forth when such words are used! If these words are used to say that there should be no “state church,” then the Christian agrees! On the other hand, if these words are used to say that “the state (government) should reject and have nothing to do with Christianity,” then the Christian disagrees!
The question might be asked, “Why include a ‘founding father’ who did not believe in the Bible and who had little to nothing to say about the Christianity?” It is a matter of honesty! If a person only looks at one side of the subject, he is dishonest and this we refuse to be! It has never been the case that the “founding fathers” were all believers in the Bible, nor has it been the case that we believed that all the “founding fathers” made a claim of being Christians! Our aim is to honestly show that the majority of our “founding fathers” did believe in the Bible and had good things to say about Christianity and the Bible; and show that this nation was founded upon the precepts and principles of the New Testament!

Frank R. Williams

The Jefferson Bible! You may have heard of what is called the Jefferson’s Bible but just what is it? Does the Jefferson Bible mean that the third President of the United States of America was a person who embraced Christianity? We know, as it has become a common phrase, “a wall of separation between church and state,” and that this phrase has been etched into our legal system, even though it is not part of the Constitution of America. Therefore, an interest in Jefferson’s spiritual thoughts and what he really thought about the Bible and our nation.
First, just what was the Jefferson Bible? It needs to be noted that Jefferson constructed two religious works: 1) The Philosophy of Jesus of Nazareth, was completed in 1804, but no copies exist today and 2) The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth, was completed in 1820. It is most interesting to learn how Jefferson did his work on the second one. He did not write it, but he put it together by cutting and pasting with a razor and glue numerous sections from the New Testament extractions of the doctrine of Jesus. Jefferson’s condensed composition is especially notable, for it excluded all the miracles by Jesus along with most of the supernatural events; however, he also removed sections of the four gospel accounts that covered the resurrection and the passages that portrayed Jesus as divine. With this, Jefferson removed the truth that Jesus was the Son of God and the authority behind his moral life! Jefferson’s exclusions reveal a great deal in understanding his view of the New Testament; it was not inspired!
Second, if not inspired, just what was Jefferson’s view of Jesus? The name of the work will reveal what the book was about as he entitled it: “The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth.” Jefferson was seventy-seven years old at the time. By this it is seen that he believed that Jesus’ life and teaching were very valuable to be emulated by Americans! In this work, he arranged the passages in a chronological order, thus, telling the story of Jesus’ life, parables and his moral teachings! While this is good, it also reveals, that Jefferson saw Jesus as a good man with worth while teachings, but he was only a man! This sounds much like a growing number of professors in our universities and colleges today!
With this one can see that Jefferson saw the value and the need for Americans to embrace what he put in the Jefferson Bible! His goal was to clarify the teachings of Jesus, which he believed provided “the most sublime and benevolent code of morals which has ever been offered to man!”
In 1787, Jefferson wrote: “Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear.”
Jefferson lived in a world where political rulers routinely established a single faith as the official religion. He promoted religious freedom in order to secure the rights of differing religions and to protect the freedom of an individual to practice the religion of their choosing. It is within this context that we must take Jefferson’s words: ““a wall of separation between church and state!” Yet, he wrote in the front of his personal Bible: “I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus.” If only more people today would have this understanding! One more point just here, Jefferson wrote referring to the Bible: ““So strong is my belief, that when duly read and meditated on, it is of all books in the world, that which contributes most to making men good, wise and happy.”
One more interesting fact, the Govern-ment printing office published a facsimile of the Jefferson Bible in 1904 which was distributed to the two chambers of Congress! Following the elections, each newly elected Senator was presented with a copy of the book until the supply ran out in the 1950’s. With these concluding remarks, it is hoped that the reader will have a better view of Jefferson’s words: “a wall of separation between church and state!” He did not want a state religion but was not opposed to religion and the state!

Frank R. Williams

The third President of the United States was Thomas Jefferson and he served from 1801 – 1809. Jefferson was educated at the College of William and Mary and was described as “the penman” of the America Revolution! He also served as Governor of Virginia from 1779 to 1781. In 1784, he went to France as a member of a trade commission and a year later, he succeeded Benjamin Franklin as minister of France. He was in France for five years! It is believed that his greatest achievements while in office as the third President was the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803; this more than doubled the size of the United States!
With the above before us, let us turn our attention to what Jefferson thought about the Bible and where it belonged in America. First, let us note that within a year of his inauguration, Jefferson began attending church service in the House of Representatives! Did you get that? The “church service” was “in the House of Representatives!” Would this be allowed today? Another interesting point is that throughout his administration, Jefferson permitted church services in the executive branch buildings and the gospel was also preached in the Supreme Court chambers! This action appears to be at odds with his view, that there should be “a wall of separation between church and state.” Just what did Jefferson mean by the words, “a wall of separation between church and state?” He was apparently declaring his opposition, as Madison had done in introducing the Bill of Rights, to a “national” religion. However, he did not have in mind what is set forth today, as it is believed he and Madison were by attending worship services on public property, consciously and deliberately, offering support to religion as a prop for republican government! Let us here go a little further with this thought. Just where did the phrase, “a wall of separation between church and state,” first appear? It was in a letter written by Jefferson, on January 1, 1802, in reply to an address of congratulations from the Danbury (Connecticut) Baptist Association. In his letter, he used for the first time now, so now well-known phrase, “a wall of separation between church and state.” If you would, please notice the order of the words used by Jefferson, he put the word “church” first, followed by the word “state.” Therefore, it appears to me, that he put forth that he was showing, that the “church” should not be setting forth rules and laws for the “state.” Had he used the words in the reverse order, he would have meant, or he would have been showing his concern that the “state” should not be setting rules and laws for the “church!” Today, this has reached the point, of using these two words, “church” and “state,” in the reverse order; in that the “state” has been making rules and laws for the “church!” Neither are right!
Nevertheless, many in the United States, including the courts, have used this phrase to interpret the “Founder’s” intentions regarding the relationship between the government and the “church,” as set forth in the First Amendment to the Constitution, which reads: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; …” as declaring a “separation between the church and the state, in the broadest terms! The three key words are “establishment of religion.” First, what does the word “establishment” means? Here is what the word means: “the act of forming something.” Question, does it mean that government, when allowing worship service in a government building or on government land, serves as “the act of forming religion?” The answer is no!
Thomas Jefferson’s religious beliefs are not easy to state but he was religious. He wrote: “I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus.” He did not believe in much of the New Testament; nevertheless, Henry S. Randall, a Jefferson biographer, wrote that Jefferson “attended church with as much regularity as most of the members of the congregation — sometimes going alone on horseback, when his family remained at home.”
The final question, does a person who regularly worshiped with a congregation, find it, repulsive, in what he has no belief in, does a person regularly associate with people whom he has nothing in common? The answer to these questions is answered in one word, No!

Frank R. Williams
(Editor’s note, we will have more on Thomas Jefferson in the next article.)

The reader may have little interest in knowing what our “founding fathers” thought about the Bible, but there is a need to know! If we do not know where we were, how can we know where we are going? In other words, what was the thinking of our “founding fathers” and the state of our new nation? We all know the world has changed greatly through the passing years, but in what direction did we go; was it for better or worse?
Before moving on, that is away from the thinking of George Washington, to John Adams, there was one thought that appeared in the search, that I would like to call to your attention. I found it really striking! Here is the quote: “Washington’s genius, his greatness, lay in his character. He was, as Chateaubriand said, a ‘hero of an unprecedented kink.’ There has never been a great man quite like Washington before. Washington became a great man and was acclaimed as a classical hero because of the way he conducted himself during times of temptation. It was his moral character that set him off from other men.” We do not have such men today! Then, there were the words of Daniel Webster, “American has furnished to the world the character of Washington. And if our American institutions had done nothing else, that alone would have entitled them to the respect of mankind.” Is there anyone today in the political world that one might write such words about? This is not to demean every elected person today but to show the character of George Washington!
It is time to notice the words of John Adams, who said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” If one were to question what is wrong with America today, could it be that our leaders today would never use such words to describe our nation! Then, there are these words, “The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.” If America is in trouble today, and she is, could it be because the American people at large, would be fearful that such a thought might be uttered today. At the present time, a growing majority want no part of a nation that would yield itself to be governed by any relationship with Christianity!
Just for the younger folks who might read this article, let it be noted that John Adams was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, judge, diplomat, he also signed the “Bill of Rights,” and was the first Vice-President and the second President of the United States. Adams also said, “The Christian religion is, above all the religions that ever prevailed or existed in ancient or modern times, the religion of wisdom, virtue, equity and humanity.” Here is an interesting thought from the mind of John Adams, “Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. . . . What a Eutopia – what a Paradise would this region be!” No, America has never been a Christian nation, she has never been a “Eutopia,” but she has been in her past years a nation that has stood above all others, because her leaders believed and expressed their faith in the greatness of the nation which was built upon the principles of Christianity!
Today, our nation is being tested by the desire of some, that even a cross might be on land owned by this nation. In the mind of some, every time a cross is seen, it must express Christianity! However, could it be, that a cross simply expresses that a loved one died here? In other words, when we see a cross, we do not think of Jesus or Christianity, but death, as in a loved one died here! But those who hate Jesus and Christianity, it never enters their “little” minds that the cross may be no more than a symbol of death.
If only our nation today had such leaders as those in her early years! Those who not only believed in the greatness of Christianity, but in their humble lives lived more closely to the principles of Christianity. They also knew even as they wrote the laws, that would govern this nation, they understood the laws they wrote for a people that believed in the Bible

Frank R. Williams

The search we have before us is to find the way our “founding fathers” viewed the Bible and their thoughts as to where the Bible should be in our nation. We can learn what the “founding fathers” thought about our nation and the Bible can be seen in their own words as recorded in history!
As we think about our ‘founding fathers,” we start with George Washington, as there is no one who is more a “founder” than he is! Their action and words serve as the foundation upon which this nation was built. First, most of these “founding fathers” were religious, and the Bible played a great part in how they cultivated the laws by which this great nation was built up. In order to build a nation that would be secular but built upon the Bible’s “precepts” was natural to them. The only way this could be done, was to make laws that were in harmony with the Bible and this they did!
A few words about George Washington; 1) he was the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, 2) He presided over the convention that drafted the current United States Constitution, 3) He was the father of the U.S. military and 4) he was the first President of the United States (1789–97). These are some of the reasons he was known during his own lifetime as “the father of this country.” However, these points do not reveal his thinking about the Bible and our nation. Here are a few things about Washington you may not know. Throughout his life, Washington suffered from a laundry list of ailments: diphtheria, tuberculosis, smallpox, dysentery, malaria, quinsy (tonsillitis), carbuncle, pneumonia, and epiglottitis—to name a few. But we are still searching for what he thought about the Bible and its place in the laws of our nation. How did this man, “the founder” and “father of this nation.” see God and his word?
The following will help us understand Washington and God in the forming of this great nation. He wrote in June, 1783, to the Governors of the several States: “I now make my earnest prayer that God would have you and the States over which you preside in his holy protection; that he would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate the spirit of subordination and obedience to government …; and, finally, that he would be most graciously pleased to 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 an humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. (Morris, p360, Federer, p646, and Barton, pp 108f).” In the eyes of Washington, the “precepts” of the Bible were utmost in his mind as he looked upon the nation. On October 3, 1789, Washington issued the following National Day of Thanksgiving Proclamation: “Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor; … Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the twenty-sixth day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we then may all unite unto him our sincere and humble thanks for his kind care and protection of the people of this country … And, also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions; …to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue…. (Morris, pp 329,330, Federer, p654, and Barton, pp 115f; cf. Wikipedia article on “George Washington and Religion”)”
The “founder” of our nation, George Washington looked to God, and it was our duty: “to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue.” Our nation today is moving away from the thoughts of Washington and his views of God and the Bible and we are the worse for it!

Frank R. Williams

In asking, where does the Bible belong in our nation, it is necessary to go back into the history of America. This requires us to ask two more questions: 1) what did our “founding fathers” think of the Bible, and 2) what was their thinking regarding the Bible? It may be necessary to ask more questions as we proceed in our study of, where does the Bible belong in our nation?
First, what was the thinking of the “founding fathers” as to the Bible? Before even getting to our first question, it would be good if we knew a little more about their religious thinking. Let us start with George Washington. He was baptized, but more than likely this means he was sprinkled as an infant! Therefore, he was not baptized at all, as sprinkling is not baptism as the New Testament writers use the Greek word, baptizo, which means to immerse, to submerge (Thayer). Nevertheless, he was a member of the Anglican Church (the Church of England) but due to the fact, that the clergy had to swear an Oath of Supremacy to the Monarch, the King of England, the American churches established the Episcopal Church after the American Revolution. Washington was a member of the “Vestry,” which means, that he was a member of the “lay council.” All of this means that Washington was a religious man. He was also a member of the “House of Burgesses,” (Which would be another study altogether but an interesting one.) “His 1796 Farewell Address, written by Alexander Hamilton and revised by himself, said that it was unrealistic to expect that a whole nation, whatever might be said of minds of peculiar structure, could long be moral without religion, that national morality is necessary for good government, and that politicians should cherish religion’s support of national morality: Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.” All this simply means is that Washington was a very religious man and regarded the Bible as the place to find the moral disposition that would keep America strong!
Do you know when “swearing on the Bible” started? Well, it started with our first President; that’s right, it started with George Washington! Here is what “swearing with hand on the Bible meant at this time, according to one writer: “Swearing on the Bible, especially back in Washington’s day, was seen as basically promising God you would do what you swear to do, with fear of God punishing you keeping you from breaking your oath.” (TruthFinder). Whoever wrote this, sure did understand the meaning of “swearing with hand on the Bible!” Here is a quote from Washington on the importance of the Bible and our nation: “It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.” (Just a note, sometimes a quote is given which is attributed to a person but is questioned, did the person who is said to have uttered the words, really say it? This is certainly true of things credited to George Washington; therefore, the reader is here warned of this possibility. Nevertheless, the quotation assigned to Washington is believed to be his.) However, just to support the idea of this article, President Abraham Lincoln said: “In regard to this great Book, I have but to say it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good the Savior gave to the world was communicated through this Book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man’s welfare, here and hereafter, are found portrayed in it.”
Was America morally better in her early years, or is America morally superior now? How do we answer such a question? We do so by asking more questions! Each question would be answered in the negative by the more liberal of today. But this only goes to show that we are less moral today than in the earlier years. Question: 1) Did mothers fight for the right to put their own child to death then or now? First, and this might surprise you, the Judiciary Act of 1789 was passed by Congress and signed by President George Washington, establishing the Supreme Court of the United States as a tribunal and was made up of six justices who were to serve on the court until death or retirement! The first decision of the Court was as follows: “West v Barnes, this case was on August 2, 1791 and the decision was made on August 3, 1791.” However, the right for mothers to have their unborn child put to death was issued by the Supreme Court on January 22, 1973, with a 7 to 2 majority vote in favor of the right of a mother to have her unborn child put to death, and abortions became the law of the land. There have been 50 million babies aborted chemically since 1973 in the USA: http://www.pfli.org/ Are we better now or were we a better nation then?
If we regard life as God does, we will answer the last question, were we better “then” or now in the negative! Any nation is better when it allows the word of God to set the moral standard! The words of the “wise man” will reveal this truth: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Pro. 14:12)!

Frank R. Williams

If we knew all there is to know of the things of this world, but if we did not know what the Bible teaches, our learning would be incomplete! Our “founding fathers” understood the importance of the Bible; Noah Webster (1758-1843) said this: “The moral principles and precepts contained in the scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws. All the miseries and evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery, and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible.” Webster stated it well and his words help us understand what is wrong with today’s America! If only the greater part of our nation understood this simple truth!
When “the moral principles and precepts” of the New Testament are removed, as they have been through the years, America is on a downward free fall. If only the greater part of our nation understood this simple truth! But it has been the case, that in the United States of America, that “the moral principles and precepts” of the New Testament have systematically been removed from our conscience!
The Bible has been under attack for years, and the more we as a nation, move away from “the moral principles and precepts contained in the scriptures,” the more our nation is like other nations who have long ago moved away from “the moral principles and precepts contained in the scriptures!” With the speed of today’s informational world, where in a moment information, a mere thought is spread around the earth, as in what takes place in one nation is found in several nations! The old song, “Give Me The Bible,” is largely lost on today’s world. It would be good for our nation to hear and heed the words of this old song; “Give me the Bible, holy message shining; Thy light shall guide me in the narrow way; Precept and promise, law and love combining; Till night shall vanish in eternal day.” Compare these words with those of the Psalm: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and light unto my path.” (Psa. 119:105). The world of today does not seek the “lamp” to guide them through their sojourn upon this earth; therefore, the moral downward spiral!
Give thought to the words of Rep. Randy Forbes on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives: “Biblical absolutes enshrined into law offered a consensus that meant freedom without chaos. One aspect of this is that, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, there exists ‘unalienable rights’ of men. Rights were unalienable because they were given by God. This is very significant because in most societies up until that time (and indeed even today), rights are only conferred by whoever is in power at the time.” It is good, is it not, to know that some still are not ashamed to read the Bible; even in such a place as the House of Representatives? (Faith Facts, Biblical principles for America’s Laws, June 22, 2009)). If only our schools of higher learning would study the subject of our “unalienable right!”
Without the Bible, we are a nation adrift, without foundation; hear the words of Forbes once more: “So it was natural for the early Americans to turn to the Bible for guidance as to how to make civil law. This was the standard for law beginning with the Mayflower Compact all the way through the constitutions of all 50 states. By the way, what was the stated purpose of the Pilgrims as expressed in the Mayflower Compact? Contrary to revisionist history, their purpose was not to find religious freedom – they already had found religious freedom in Holland. Their purpose is clearly stated as being for the “Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith.” The Pilgrims were missionaries.”
Here is a question: just how far down into the depth of debauchery and the justifying of death of the most innocent will this nation go? We have moved from putting to death the unborn, to nearly born, to being willing to murder the new born who is not put into the arms of the mother but is put upon a cold table until the mother determines to keep or kill her child! When are we as a nation going to stop our downward spiral into the pit of spiritual darkness? Are we as a nation too far gone to come back?
The framers of this once great nation desired that every aspect of it be based on the Bible! (See DeMar’s book listed below, America’s Christian History, pgs. 57-58). For example, the first state constitution was the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1639) This document was a model for other constitutions, including the U.S. Constitution which followed. The Bible was not unknown but very known!

Frank R. Williams
(DeMar, Gary, America’s Christian History: The Untold Story; and God and Government: A Biblical and Historical Study (3 volumes). These books and other excellent resources available from American Vision)