3 minute quick read

or stop and think by clicking on the photos and links

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Come, think-about America…

Spend a few moments in gratitude for the generation that gave us our freedom.

Clicking the links and images on this photo-essay will open a full-page illustration to help you explore your thoughts about God’s hand in the lives of the colonists who signed The Declaration of Independence.

Their handiwork changed the history of the world, but people are divided about whether faith and religion were a part of their vision for uniting 13 English colonies.

Facebook historians often declare the separation of church and state as proof that a small group of elite, enlightened intellectuals laid the foundation for a secular state that we call America.

Is the political miracle of American democracy blessed solely in deistic serendipity and humanistic enlightenment, or are some of our citizens rewriting history to deny our heritage of faith?

Even if you do not believe in God, exploring the historical importance of these three interconnected truths will help you draw your own conclusions without denying the facts.

1. 1. We cannot abandon our hope and faith when organizing social structures, so honest historians cannot ignore religion’s influence in communities and government.
   2. Every world religion produces some form of government.
   3. American government emerged out of the evangelical Christianity of “The Great Awakening”. Parents and children influenced by this revival fought the war and gave their consent to be taxed and governed through representatives struggling to agree on uniting the colonies without a king.

While the Declaration of Independence was never brought before Christian citizens for popular vote, it was the representatives selected from this “spiritually awakened” generation who began the bold social experiment that we call America.

A handful of colonial representatives debated, compromised, and approved the Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation that united the colonies with one federal government. While some were well-read in the philosophies of the European Enlightenment, we know that they were all influenced by the Christian culture of this period, because they had made their homes and fortunes in the colonies. 

The declaration of independence from a powerful empire was no small matter for colonial families. Even the delegates at both Continental Congresses were moved to unite their body, soul, and spirits in a call for public prayer.

As the first generation of Americans sacrificed ties to the homeland and risked their lives to secure a heritage for their children’s children, did they depend solely upon the strength and virtue of men such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson . . . or did they look for strength and guidance in personal prayer? . . . and to what God would the first generation of Americans pray? Did they pray in Jesus’ name, or did they have faith in another God?

Perhaps it was their faith in their God’s merciful kindness that empowered them

to make sacrifices for their vision of a country where citizens would be free

to come to the one true God in loving appreciation

rather than the coercive fear of government.

1 John 4:18 + U.S. Constitution Amendment 1

(click photos below to illustrate these spiritual principles)

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Visit papawsthoughts.com for an index to our online devotional photo essays. (offsite link)

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. . . Meditate in His Presence day and night . . .

Psalm 1 (paraphrase)

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