A Great Nation Built on Faith

Q: Was the United States of America founded on a secular or Christian foundation?

A: As a lawyer, I like to take my research back to original sources whenever I can. So, let's take a look at a few key phrases from the document that started it all, our American Declaration of Independence.

This one is familiar to most of us: “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.” From the very beginning, our founding fathers humbly recognized God as the source of our rights!

Now, here's a less well-known passage from the Declaration: “We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in general congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the rectitude of our intentions, do in the name and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states.” Isn't that an amazing plea? Our founders were prayerfully begging God to keep us on the right path, to keep our intentions for this nation pure!

And here's one more, the final words of the Declaration: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” So from the very beginning, we intentionally entrusted this nation into God's hands, relying by faith in his protection and guidance!

And that faithful spirit embodied in the Declaration of Independence was carried by the founders into our national Constitution as well, where our religious freedom was specifically and carefully singled out for special protection. The First Amendment to the Constitution states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

In this “post-Christian era” in America , we find these rights (and the very spirit in which they were declared) under attack. And with so much anti-Christian spin dominating our media and educational institutions, many Americans aren't even aware that the U.S.A. was founded by men who unashamedly relied on God for wisdom and protection. But the truth is, we are a great nation built on faith!

Key Scripture: Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. Psalm 127:1 (TNIV)

Stephen Bloom is a Christian lawyer and author of “The Believer's Guide to Legal Issues” (Living Ink Books, ISBN 0899570313). He is a frequent media guest, speaker and writer on Christianity and law. He is a Lecturer at Messiah College , and a Consultant at the United Methodist Stewardship Foundation of Central Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit his website at IsThereALawyerInTheChurch.com “The Believer's Guide to Legal Issues” is available at christianbook.com and other major online retailers.

Please note: This column contains generalized information only and is not a substitute for the specific legal advice of your own attorney.