Proverbs 22:28, “Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.”
The historical record is clear – America was founded upon Christian principles. America’s founding fathers believed that a widespread faith in God was the true source of America’s greatness. They would see today’s war against Christianity by our government, our educational institutions, the media, and throughout our popular culture as a grave threat to America’s survival as a free nation. Here is what America’s founding fathers believed:
“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ.” – Patrick Henry
“The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: that it connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.” – John Quincy Adams
“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.” – John Jay, first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and one of three men most responsible for our Constitution
“Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind … It is impossible that it should be otherwise; and in this sense and to this extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian.” – Supreme Court Decision, Church of the Holy Trinity v. the United States, 1892 (The Supreme Court cited 87 precedents in this case!)
“The judicial laws of God, as they were delivered by Moses…(are to) be a rule to all the courts in this jurisdiction.” – Rules adopted for governing the courts of the New Haven Colony (which eventually became Connecticut), 1644
“God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.” – Thomas Jefferson, 1781
Has the ancient landmark been removed? What can we, as God’s people, do? Several things:
- Pray! (see I Timothy 2:1-4) Pray for our elected and appointed officials to lead our nation according to the Judeo-Christian principles it was founded upon. Pray that those who are unsaved would come to know Jesus Christ (v. 4).
- Be informed! (see Hosea 4:6a) Know what your leaders are doing and what they stand for. Learn about their friends and their enemies. Weigh their values against biblical values, and be informed on the pressing issues of the day.
- Be a testimony for Jesus! Let your light shine for Christ (Matthew 5:16). Don’t be ashamed of Him (see II Timothy 1:8). Be a witness (see Acts 1:8).
Today is the National Day of Prayer. Please spend some time praying for your nation, your church, your family, and yourself. Thank you!