America’s Independence

Guest essay by James and Barbara Rose

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. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. . .” “With a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.—Declaration of Independence

This year marks 238 years since our Founding Fathers gave us our National Birth Certificate. The United States is the longest on-going Constitutional Republic in the history of the world.

“A Republic, If You Can Keep It!”—Benjamin Franklin

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.”—Psalm 33:12

With regard to the Fourth of July, “It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty.”—John Adams (July 3, 1776)

“Can it be, that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a Nation with its virtue? The experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human Nature.”—George Washington (Farewell Address, 1796)

“A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.”—Samuel Adams (Letter to James Warren, 12 February 1779)

“Our Constitution was made for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” John Adams (Address to the Military, 1798)

“Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure…are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments.” Charles Carroll, signer of the Declaration of Independence (Letter to Secretary of War James McHenry in 1800

Four Views of God in the Declaration of Independence:

1. Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God

   Nature: “a word that comprehends all the Works of God” (Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary—emphasis added) inclusive of natural creation and man—Gen. 1:1; Eph. 2:10; Romans 2:14
   
   

2. Endowed by their Creator with Certain Unalienable Rights

   Biblical basis for the CREATOR GOD—Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:7; I Peter 4:19

3. Supreme Judge of the World

   Of the 200 references to the judgment of God, consider Psa. 67:4; Isa. 33: 22; II Tim. 4:1, 8

4. Divine Providence

   Of over 1,200 references to God’s Providence in the Bible, consider Deut. 8:18; Psa. 23; Psa. 40:5; Romans 8:28.

Five Views of Man in the Declaration of Independence:

1. All Men Are Created Equal

   Equal under God’s Law— Romans 3:23; and Love’s “EQUAL OPPORTUNITY”— John 3:16

2. (All Men) Are Endowed by their Creator (not Civil Government) with Certain Unalienable Rights—Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
   
3. Whenever Any Form of Government becomes Destructive of these Ends, It is the Right of the People to Alter or Abolish It, And to Institute New Government…
   
4. Mankind Are More Disposed to Suffer, while Evils Are Sufferable, than to Right Themselves…
   
5. It is their (People’s) Right, their Duty, to Throw Off such Government and to Provide New Guards for their Future Safety.

Two Primary Views of Government:

1. That to Secure these Rights, Governments Are Instituted among Men.

   God Instituted Civil Government for our Good, not our Harm—Genesis 9:6; Romans 13:44

2. Governments Derive their Just Powers from the Consent of the Governed

   Two types of consent— Proverbs 1:10; Psalms 50:18; Acts 8:1

Recommended Reading

• Jerry Newcombe, The Book that Made America: How the BIBLE Formed Our Nation, Nordskog Publishing, 2009 
• David Barton, Is President Obama Correct? Is America No Longer a Christian Nation? 
• Herbert Titus, The Declaration of Independence: The Christian Legacy

Celebrate Independence Day by reading the Declaration of Independence aloud with family and friends.

This article first appeared as a circular email newsletter, The Eagle’s Aerie, July 2013.

James and Barbara Rose are the founders and executives of the American Christian History Institute. The Roses have had far reaching influence toward the restoration of America’s Christian foundation through their life-time of work in education—in schools, their home school organization, and public speaking in small and large venues.

© 2014 Used by Permission