A New Nation and Religious Freedom
A United States Senator, at a highly publicized confirmation hearing, made this rather heated comment about a colleague who had publically professed his Christian faith and belief in its core tenants: “I would simply say, Mr. Chairman, that this nominee is really not someone who this country is supposed to be about.”
REALLY?! How quickly we forget the foundation of our Nation, just like the early Israelites (see the book of Judges). Today we are seeing a departure from the Judeo-Christian roots of Western Civilization to a level never experienced before. Christian beliefs are becoming a disqualification for participation in the public square under the guise of bigotry or some type of phobia. This view of Christianity is spreading among the elites of our nation and Christians must be watchful and prepared because the past does repeat itself.
Let’s continue our historical timeline (from our previous posts)
Seventeenth Century: The birth of a new nation
The Pilgrims came to America in order to worship God purely and freely. They built an impressive (but little known) monument in Plymouth called the “Pilgrims Monument” to serve as a vision for successful government, and it is still there today tucked away in a New England neighborhood. (See Kirk Cameron’s documentary, “Monumental, In Search of America’s National Treasure,” for more insight on this hidden topic).
As early America began to grow there is much evidence that the founding fathers based government and education on Biblical standards such as the Ten Commandments. American universities were started as Christian universities to teach the Scriptures, share the Gospel, and pursue knowledge from God’s perspective. Harvard’s original motto Veritas (truth) was there to encourage the pursuit of God’s truth. Their charter even included this statement: “To consider well the main end of his life and studies is to know God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life.”
Public schools used the Bible to teach basic reading and writing as evidenced by the New England Primer, and the Act of 1647:
*The “Old Deluder Satan Act” of 1647:
“All towns of 50 or more must have a school to teach the Scriptures to keep Satan from deluding the people… it be one chief project of the old deluder Satan to keep man from the knowledge of the Scriptures.”
*Note: Exactly 300 years later (1947) our government would put into place “separation of church and state” effectively nullifying any teaching of the Scriptures that would keep “Satan from deluding the people.” So what do we see in public education today? Do we see “things that delude the people” being taught?
Eighteenth-Nineteenth Centuries: The move from a Christian society to a secular culture
Family life began to change as the industrial revolution took men out of the family businesses and farms and into the factories. At the same time a transformation was happening in the universities with philosophical changes that resulted in a shift from God centered teachings (Christianity) to man centered teachings (secular-humanism). Christian professors began to leave the universities and retreat to the pulpits. Seminaries were established for Christian studies, leaving the universities to non-Christians. Today, the majority of university professor consider themselves atheists or progressive secularists.
An overview of the progression from Christianity to secularism can, generally speaking, be seen as follows:
- The Enlightenment Period/Industrial revolution (early 18th century)
- Scientism/Inductive reasoning (late 18th century)
- Modernism/Evolutionary theory (19th century)
- Postmodernism/Humanism in education (20th century)
- Progressive secularism/ Post-Christian Western Society (21st century)
To see the vision, that the early Pilgrims had, watch this 15 minute clip from the documentary Monumental:
Reflection
- Have you seen Christianity’s influence change over time? If so how?
- Prayer Focus: Thankfulness for the freedoms we still have in this country to worship Jesus and read the Bible.
Bible Study
Each week we will do a study in the book of Romans to practice our Bible study skills. This week read (or re-read) Romans chapter 8, then answer the following questions:
- Copy verse 8:1 as a focus verse for the book of Romans. Commit this one to memory!
- What is the difference between walking in the flesh and walking in the spirit? (8:2-15) How can we apply that in a practical way of living today (give examples of what that would look like)?
- A common misconception about Christianity is that if you become a Christian you will not suffer in this life—not true. What does Paul say about suffering as a Christian? (8:16-25) How is a Christian’s suffering different from a non-believer’s suffering?
- Who helps us in prayer and intercedes for us and our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? (8:26-27) Copy verse 8:28 as a focus verse you can call on in times of uncertainty and suffering.
- Sometimes believers get into debates concerning predestination versus individual choice. Even though we do not know who will choose to come to God (or who are the pre-destined/elect) we can take comfort as believers that we are loved by God as His children, that we are justified (“just if I’d never sinned”), and that we are called to share with everyone this “good news” of Jesus. (8:29-39) Copy the second half of verse 8:31, the first part of 8:35 and 8:38-39 and commit this to your memory list.
Join us next week as we continue our “Case for Christianity”
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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.
Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.
Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.
Teri Dugan
TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com
1 Peter 3:15