Independence Day, the Founders, and their dependence on God

OPINION:

The upcoming Independence Day holiday will mark America’s 248th birthday, a celebration that will be commemorated with all the traditional patriotic flair – flags, fireworks, parades, and backyard barbeques.

On July Fourth we rightly laud our nation’s founders, especially the 56 men who put their names on the Declaration of Independence, pledging and risking their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor. We often think about them as men in clothes of another era, gathered in a room or on the battlefield, confronting Great Britain and the Red Coats.

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Yet they had hopes and dreams – and fears – like those of us today.

John Trumbull’s famous painting of the signing portrays an orderly, peaceful, and safe assembly, yet it belies the true risks they faced and endured. Of those 56 men who put pen to parchment, the records reveal 12 took up arms and five were captured and imprisoned. Another 17 lost their properties – some burned to the ground. Another five spent their own fortunes to help fund the Revolutionary War.

As we know from our history classes, conditions were often brutal. The story of the bloodied and barefoot soldiers in the snow at Valley Forge was no exaggeration. Hunger, disease, and misery were everywhere.

But July Fourth should be more than a celebration of men triumphing over tragedy or risking life and limb to win a war.

Independence Day should also be a day in which we consider and laud what inspired our Founding Fathers. They didn’t fight for fortunes or fame – but out of conviction of their Christian faith. They were fighting for their independence – but they also acknowledged their dependence of God.

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It’s become popular lately to question the Christian faith of the Founders, with some suggesting these deeply religious men were deists and not that Christian at all. It’s just not true. Many had traditional denominational affiliations. George Washington and John Jay were Anglicans. Presbyterians included the Reverend John Witherspoon and Richard Stockton. John Adams and Samuel Adams were Congregationalists. Others were Quakers, Lutherans and Dutch Reformed. Three of the Founders were Catholic.

Days before he signed the Declaration, John Adams spoke at the Continental Congress and said, “Before God, I believe the hour has come … It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment. Independence now, and Independence forever!”

Samuel Adams, who was second cousin to John Adams, stated in August of 1776 as the Declaration was signed by members of the Continental Congress:

“We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come!”

The Founder’s faith was both formative and foundational. They weren’t alone. In the American colonies, the top bestselling books were the Bible and the New England Primer, which was full of scriptural references and doctrine.

The debate now rages over whether we’re a Christian nation or a nation of Christians. There’s no question we’re living in a post-Christian America, but everyone is still enjoying the country formed and forged by people of the Christian faith.

On Independence Day we should give thanks to God for our country and for its Founders, who turned to the Lord for counsel, guidance, inspiration, and sustenance.

One of the best ways we can serve the Lord on this July Fourth is by being the very best citizens of our great country. But ultimately, true freedom, independence, and liberty are only found in Jesus Christ. He is the only true Prince whom I can trust to liberate me from the tyrants of our day.

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Jim Daly is president of Focus on the Family and host of its daily radio broadcast, heard by more than 6 million listeners a week on nearly 2,000 radio stations across the U.S. He also hosts the podcast ReFocus with Jim Daly.