Preserving Our Christian Heritage
In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten… Having undertaken, for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith and honor of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia…” — The Mayflower Compact, signed by the Pilgrims on November 11, 1620
“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not be religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” — American Revolutionary leader and orator Patrick Henry
You may have heard the phrase which says “Freedom isn’t free.” The freedoms that we have as Americans, including the freedom to worship God as we please, to witness to others about our faith, and to send missionaries to other nations, came at a great cost. Thousands of Christians died in the Revolutionary War and the others that have followed to purchase and maintain that freedom. Will we allow those freedoms to slip away?
In the war of ideas that rages today, media and academia try to tell us that our founders were deists and wanted a secular state, with complete separation between church and state. They were not all Christians, but the evidence paints a much different picture. George Washington said “it is impossible to rightly govern… without God and the Bible.”
Most would agree that Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson were among the least religious of our Founding Fathers. However, Franklin gave a powerful speech in 1787 calling the delegates at the Constitutional Convention to begin each day in prayer. As President, Jefferson approved federal funds for military chaplains and missionaries to native American tribes. For the city of Washington D.C., he authored the first plan of education, which used the Bible and Issac Watt’s Hymnal as the principal books.
What You Can Do
1. Learn more about our nation’s rich spiritual heritage. Tough Faith by Janet & Craig Parshall is a helpful book. The resources listed below can also help you do this.
2. Take an active role in teaching your children (or grandchildren) about our Christian heritage. Holidays such as Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving, and President’s Day present natural opportunities to discuss the events and people.
3. Support the work of organizations that are working to defend our Christian rights in the courts. Two of the largest groups are the Alliance Defense Fund (www.alliancedefensefund.org) and the American Center for Law & Justice (www.aclj.org). Both groups can help you to better understand your rights in the school, the workplace, and the community. They are also ready to help you to defend or reclaim them when necessary.
4. Last but certainly not least, thank God for our heritage and freedoms. Ask Him to change the hearts and minds of Americans, drawing them back to the authority of His Word. Seek His will about your involvement in the battle for our nation’s future.
Helpful Resources
Coral Ridge Ministries has recently published three colorful coffee table books, titled the “American Destiny Series.” The three books, America’s Heritage, America Adrift, and America Restored can be purchased individually or as a set. These and other helpful resources can be obtained by calling 1-800-988-7884 or online at www.coralridge.org.
WallBuilders, an organization committed to “rebuilding the religious, moral, and constitutional heritage of America”, has books, pamphlets, posters, audio, and video resources. One of the best is a video / DVD “Spiritual Heritage Tour” of our nation’s Capitol building conducted by WallBuilders founder and historian David Barton. You can reach them at 1-800-873-2845 or www.wallbuilders.com.
Rev. Peter Marshall, son of the famous U.S. Senate chaplain, has written several books on America’s Christian heritage, including The Light and the Glory, From Sea to Shining Sea, and Sounding Forth the Trumpet. Children’s versions are now also available. He has two helpful websites, www.restoringamerica.com and one specifically targeted to young people at www.4america.com.