For the past few years on the 4th of July I have had a recurring thought in the midst of the food and fireworks. The thought begins: "What are we celebrating?" The obvious answer: "The signing of the Declaration of Independence, the most important document of our nation's founding." The thought continues: "Doesn't the Declaration of Independence say something rather obvious about God as Creator?" If so, isn't this a bit surprising in these days when we are constantly told that we can't bring God into politics or public life? A quick reading of the Declaration shows that it contains three references to God. Let's look at these in the order they appear, and see what they tell us about the beliefs of the men who endorsed them.
The first reference is in the introduction. "When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, AND TO ASSUME AMONG THE POWERS OF THE EARTH THE SEPARATE AND EQUAL STATION TO WHICH THE LAWS OF NATURE AND OF NATURE'S GOD ENTITLE THEM, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation." This opening statement shows that the Declaration's signers believed in a God who is sovereign over nature and the affairs of men. The mention of "laws of nature" is a salute to the philosophers who explored the idea of natural law. However, the additional mention of "nature's God" makes it clear that the signers believe in a God over nature who must be acknowledged and obeyed.
The second reference follows directly after the first. "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 . . ." This remarkable phrase openly declares that God is the personal Creator of all human beings. Furthermore, it shows that their dignity and worth as individuals come as a supernatural gift from God. It is this God-given value in every person that provides a firm basis for equality in justice, representative government, and resistance to tyranny. All this is rooted in the Genesis teaching that man is created by God in the image of God. Note that the Declaration considers these creationist tenets to be obvious truths that need no justification. This echoes what the apostle Paul says in the Bible (Romans 1:18-21) about the obviousness of the truth of divine creation.
The third reference to God is in the Declaration's conclusion. "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 (uprightness) of our intentions, . . . solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States . . ." This passing mention of God as Supreme Judge is very important. It shows that the Declaration's signers saw themselves as participants in an unseen and universal court where God presides as supreme judge. They could and did appeal to Him for justice. Without this assurance of divine justice (either in this life or the next) they may never have dared to resist the vastly superior military forces of Britain. This short phrase shows that they were not Deists, for the impersonal god of Deism does not hear prayer, save people, or intervene in human history.
A straightforward assessment of the Declaration of Independence shows that its signers shared a strong, well-developed, and consistent Biblical creationist world view. They believed in a Creator God who is generous, just, and sovereign over all human affairs and nations. In spite of what we are told today, they were not afraid to bring their religious views into politics. Their godly world view is openly stated for all to see in our most cherished national document. Such is the true American heritage that we need to remember, celebrate, and imitate on the Fourth of July.
(Excerpts from the Declaration of Independence were taken verbatim from the National Archives website at www.archives.gov, and are highlighted in bold print. Key phrases are capitalized for further emphasis.)
In these days when our Founding Fathers are increasingly slandered by "politically correct" historians (and their Christian beliefs denied), there are good historical resources available showing the true history and Christian character of America’s founding. These can be found at websites such as VisionForum.com and Wallbuilders.org.
All material on this page copyright 2007 by David Demick.
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