In for a penny…
Teaching the importance of Christianity in U.S. history is common sense, asserted several evangelical leaders in defending a new Texas law that requires public schools to incorporate Bible literacy into the curriculum.
Americans can disagree on a personal level with what Christianity claims to be true, wrote Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family, but they “cannot question” the “central importance” of those Christian truths to the men who help founded the nation.
“Understand America’s history without any reference to her Christian heritage? You might as well try to tell the story of Huck Finn without mentioning the Mississippi River,” Daly wrote in a column posted in The Washington Post.
Daly was among several prominent evangelical figures who participated in the “On Faith” opinion blog in The Washington Post to discuss the question “Should public schools teach religion?” (You can read the rest here.)
But, before you do…
George Washington:
“Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause. Of all the animosities which have existed among mankind, those which are caused by the difference of sentiments in religion appear to be the most inveterate and distressing, and ought most to be depreciated. I was in hopes that the enlightened and liberal policy, which has marked the present age, would at least have reconciled Christians of every denomination so far that we should never again see the religious disputes carried to such a pitch as to endanger the peace of society.” – letter to Edward Newenham, 1792
“Gouverneur Morris had often told me that General Washington believed no more of that system (Christianity) than did he himself.” -Thomas Jefferson, in his private journal, Feb. 1800
John Adams:
“As I understand the Christian religion, it was, and is, a revelation. But how has it happened that millions of fables, tales, legends, have been blended with both Jewish and Christian revelation that have made them the most bloody religion that ever existed?” -letter to F.A. Van der Kamp, Dec. 27, 1816
“I almost shudder at the thought of alluding to the most fatal example of the abuses of grief which the history of mankind has preserved– the Cross. Consider what calamities that engine of grief has produced!” -letter to Thomas Jefferson
“The priesthood have, in all ancient nations, nearly monopolized learning. And ever since the Reformation, when or where has existed a Protestant or dissenting sect who would tolerate A FREE INQUIRY? The blackest billingsgate, the most ungentlemanly insolence, the most yahooish brutality, is patiently endured, countenanced, propagated, and applauded. But touch a solemn truth in collision with a dogma of a sect, though capable of the clearest proof, and you will find you have disturbed a nest, and the hornets will swarm about your eyes and hand, and fly into your face and eyes.” – letter to John Taylor
“. . . Thirteen governments [of the original states] thus founded on the natural authority of the people alone, without a pretence of miracle or mystery, and which are destined to spread over the northern part of that whole quarter of the globe, are a great point gained in favor of the rights of mankind.” – “A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America” [1787-1788]
And do we really need to discuss Thomas Jefferson?
I will readily agree what Christians played a large part – and that biblical principles played a large part – in creating this country and indeed, the government of this country; however, this does not make it a Christian nation founded on Christianity.
I post on this because so many have this desperation to hold on to a city made by hands instead of looking to a city made without hands.
Joel L. Watts holds a Masters of Arts from United Theological Seminary with a focus in literary and rhetorical criticism of the New Testament. His interests include exploring the role of mimesis in human civilization, specifically in the study of religion and media, as well as science fiction and the way in which it has allowed mythology to be explored in light of scientific discoveries of the past century. He is the author of Mimetic Criticism of the Gospel of Mark: Introduction and Commentary (Wipf and Stock, 2013) and a co-editor and contributor to From Fear to Faith: Stories of Hitting Spiritual Walls (Energion, 2013).
Website: → Unsettled Christianity
Connect
So what is the role of the Bible in America, and the evangellical theology? If the secular world view goes unabated, what will become of the Judeo-Christian world view in America?
So what is the role of the Bible in America, and the evangellical theology? If the secular world view goes unabated, what will become of the Judeo-Christian world view in America?
I think the bible played a large part. I believe we have to understand the context of such words as ‘Character’ and ‘religion.’ Character was public conduct and religion was a private obligation, however, Biblical ideas (I have a notion that the Founding Fathers would have objected to ‘Judeo-’ anything) did have their place in making our laws and our system of Government – why? Because the Founding Fathers thought this was the best source of information – even without personally believing the inspiration or the need for it.
[...] Schools Should Teach Christianity’s Role in U.S. History, Say Evangelicals [...]
I disagree Character was a puiblic conduct. Character was, and is, the internal characteristics which are lived out in one’s behavior in private and public life.
If biblical ideas, Christians, and Christianity, played an important role in the founding of our nation, should not that be taught, rather than ignored? I’m not speaking of teaching religion, but of the important role that religion has played in our society? There are those who would not teach anything (or anything positive) regarding the religion. I think it all should be taught – good and bad.
I disagree Character was a puiblic conduct. Character was, and is, the internal characteristics which are lived out in one’s behavior in private and public life.
If biblical ideas, Christians, and Christianity, played an important role in the founding of our nation, should not that be taught, rather than ignored? I’m not speaking of teaching religion, but of the important role that religion has played in our society? There are those who would not teach anything (or anything positive) regarding the religion. I think it all should be taught – good and bad.
This was the way it was in Great Britian also. At least before modernisn and postmodernisn came along. But it was a bit different with us. We had the State Churches, which were certainly Christian in those days.
Do you Americans think that your early political Fathers, were somewhat deist, and perhaps too much so as to your religious rights? Now it appears you are losing your Christian rights. Course we lost them long ago in the UK.
Fr. R.
This was the way it was in Great Britian also. At least before modernisn and postmodernisn came along. But it was a bit different with us. We had the State Churches, which were certainly Christian in those days.
Do you Americans think that your early political Fathers, were somewhat deist, and perhaps too much so as to your religious rights? Now it appears you are losing your Christian rights. Course we lost them long ago in the UK.
Fr. R.
I believe that many of them were deist. Further, I believe that we cannot understand character in today’s light. There is a difference between public character and private character, especially in those days when ‘airs’ were put on and ‘honor’ was a big deal.
Yes, that sounds like the Brits too. Now us Irish, we had no ‘airs’ about us lol, well save for the political ones. But yeah honor has always been a big thing for us also. On the surface, deism was I guess a good thing for America. At least way back then. Now of course it does not matter a wit!
Fr. R.
Yes, that sounds like the Brits too. Now us Irish, we had no ‘airs’ about us lol, well save for the political ones. But yeah honor has always been a big thing for us also. On the surface, deism was I guess a good thing for America. At least way back then. Now of course it does not matter a wit!
Fr. R.
PS..I mean with the postmodern culture, etc.
PS..I mean with the postmodern culture, etc.
That’s the thing – no one cares about maintaining control. We have become a rather incontinent society.
Yes, I believe that Christian men and women played a large part in founding this country – although I might would argue against Thomas Aquinas about Romans 13 and the use of his understanding by the American colonist; however, the fact remains that sincere believers did play an active part. Further, it was not until the Revolution made it into the meeting houses that we saw the colonies become united to the Cause and the war start to turn. Further, we know that during great social upheavals, such as the late War of Northern Aggression and the Civil Rights movement, society was rampant with a revivalist notions – such as the Great Awakenings which preceded the War for American Independence and the later one for Southern Independence.
I guess we must realize that true and early Judeo-Christianity grew up right in the middle of paganism. Corinth, Rome, etc. And like today, we Christans must allow in some sense for this fallen world. We cannot convert this culture, but we also must not allow it to convert us, back to it. We are called to be different…Titus 2:11-14.
Fr. R.
I guess we must realize that true and early Judeo-Christianity grew up right in the middle of paganism. Corinth, Rome, etc. And like today, we Christans must allow in some sense for this fallen world. We cannot convert this culture, but we also must not allow it to convert us, back to it. We are called to be different…Titus 2:11-14.
Fr. R.
I think the bible played a large part. I believe we have to understand the context of such words as ‘Character’ and ‘religion.’ Character was public conduct and religion was a private obligation, however, Biblical ideas (I have a notion that the Founding Fathers would have objected to ‘Judeo-’ anything) did have their place in making our laws and our system of Government – why? Because the Founding Fathers thought this was the best source of information – even without personally believing the inspiration or the need for it.
I believe that many of them were deist. Further, I believe that we cannot understand character in today’s light. There is a difference between public character and private character, especially in those days when ‘airs’ were put on and ‘honor’ was a big deal.
That’s the thing – no one cares about maintaining control. We have become a rather incontinent society.
Yes, I believe that Christian men and women played a large part in founding this country – although I might would argue against Thomas Aquinas about Romans 13 and the use of his understanding by the American colonist; however, the fact remains that sincere believers did play an active part. Further, it was not until the Revolution made it into the meeting houses that we saw the colonies become united to the Cause and the war start to turn. Further, we know that during great social upheavals, such as the late War of Northern Aggression and the Civil Rights movement, society was rampant with a revivalist notions – such as the Great Awakenings which preceded the War for American Independence and the later one for Southern Independence.