The Session: Protecting & Preserving our Heritage as a Christian Nation

Why Should We Protect Our Christian Heritage?This 4th of July, let's celebrate not only our freedom as a nation, but our freedom in Christ.Isaiah 61:1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.Most Founders appear to have been orthodox (or “right-believing”) Christians. Most were baptized, listed on church rolls, married to practicing Christians, and frequent or at least sporadic attenders of services of Christian worship.Thomas Paine : “I believe in one God, and no more; and I hope for happiness beyond this life. I believe in the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and in endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy.” John AdamsRaised in the Congregational Church, the established church in his home state of Massachusetts.  He said: “The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people, a change in their religious sentiments of their duties and obligations.” Sam AdamsAdams was proud of his Puritan heritage, and emphasized Puritan values in his political career, especially virtue. Samuel Adams, Sr. (1689–1748) was a prosperous merchant and church deacon.  He said: “Religion and good morals are the only solid foundation of public liberty and happiness.”George WashingtonDuring the Revolutionary War, Washington regularly attended services held by military chaplains and local civilian congregations. Often, when he was traveling, Washington would stop for services at whatever church was nearby, regardless of its denomination. Over the course of his life, he is known to have attended services at Presbyterian, Quaker, Roman Catholic, Congregationalist, Baptist, and Dutch Reformed churches.Washington said: “While we are contending for our own liberty, we should be very cautious not to violate the rights of conscience in others, ever considering that God alone is the judge of the hearts of men, and to him only in this case they are answerable." Why did the colonists come to America?They wanted religious freedom and economic opportunity. The United States is a country where individual rights and self-government are important. This has always been true. Colonists first came to America for more freedom.What is currently the belief of why the colonists came to America?The New York Times reported traditional values are being taught. However there is great controversy between what is reported and their perspective.  Some reports now say the colonists came for economic benefit, and another view is they came for religious freedom.5 Christian Reminders for the 4th of July1. The 4th of of July reminds us that our nation was founded by men who recognized God was their Creator.The 4th of July celebrates the adopting of the Declaration of Independence by Congress on July 4, 1776. The document begins with Thomas Jefferson’s famous words:“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”There’s quite a bit to notice from this one sentence:The words, “all men are CREATED equal” reveal Thomas Jefferson did not believe in evolution.Thomas Jefferson believed men have a “Creator.”With the words, “endowed by their Creator” Thomas Jefferson gave credit to God for the “Rights” we have. He called them “unalienable” because he knew they were given by God and couldn’t be taken away.2. The 4th of July reminTo reach Tom Russell, please call 419-709-8447, email Tom at [email protected], or visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com