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By The Honorable Judge Robert Ulrich
Chief Justice, Missouri Court Of Appeals, Western District

We as Christian Americans are confronted with many issues reflecting that Christian principles are not standard in America today. Violent crime has risen 560% since 1960. Less than 1% of all Americans had used illegal drugs before 1960. By 1967, that number had risen to 17%. Today, 5000 Americans will use an illegal drug for the first time. As a Judge, I'm alarmed at the number of cases involving children who are sexually abused. I read recently that one in three girls and one in five boys are sexually assaulted before their 18th birthday. The teen suicide rate has tripled since 1960. Nationally, numerous allegations are asserted that the Chief Executive has engaged in a pattern of illicit sexual conduct, and what is particularly disturbing is that many pundits claim that, if it's true, it doesn't matter because the economy is doing well and it's a personal matter.

Violent crime has risen 560% since 1960.
Today, 5000 Americans will use an illegal drug for the first time

Some look at the state of our nation and say the United States was never a Christian nation. Some claim that our founding fathers established this nation as Deists, at best. Others claim that they were Christians. I suggest to you that, not only did Christians found this country, but that if you analyze world history using the evidence available, you may conclude that God established the United States for specific reasons. The answer to whether this nation was founded by Christians, guided and assisted by God, is important. If the evidence demonstrates that it was, we should be inspired to fulfil God's assigned tasks as quickly as possible. If the answer is yes, the logical conclusion is that as Christian Americans, we have a mission from God, and we must be about God's business.

The Founding and Establishment
of the United States

As we analyze the founding of America, we realize that the discovery of the New World was in the fullness of time. Christopher Columbus' quest was to sail to Asia by going west from Europe. You know the story. He convinced Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain to finance the journey, and in 1492 he sailed west ultimately to find the New World. What you probably do not know is that this flawed and complex man professed Christ as Savior. His very name meant "Christ Bearer". He named his first landfall, San Salvador (Holy Savior). In 1504 he wrote a book. In the book he wrote,

I prayed to the most merciful Lord about my heart's great desire ... It was the Lord who put into my mind ... the fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies. There is no question that the inspiration was from the Holy Spirit....

Columbus also wrote, "...I am a most unworthy sinner, but I have cried out to the Lord for grace and mercy, and they have covered me completely."

From the beginning, Christians in Europe viewed the New World as a place for religious freedom and a haven and an opportunity to spread the Gospel. Their earliest legal documents reflect their commitment to Christ and their mission. In 1620, the Pilgrims established the Mayflower Compact before they landed at Plymouth Rock. The document said,

In the presence of God, Amen. We...do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God, and one another, covenant and combine ourselves into a civil body politic.

In the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, often called the first American Constitution, written in 1638, the drafters said, "[We] enter into a combination and confederation together to maintain and preserve the liberty and purity of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, which we now profess." This document recognized for the first time that mankind's rights come from God.

The Declaration of Independence, signed by the delegates to the Continental Congress, on July 4, 1776, stated that, "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...." 

The Declaration of Independence acknowledges that mankind is created and that the Creator God bestows the rights. That means, that no man can take them away, and that government, instituted by God, is to protect those rights. By implication, government cannot deprive a person of those rights absent due process of law. Thus, God gave mankind free will, and a function of government is to protect the electorates exercise of free will. That is a Christian concept.

The Declaration of Independence
acknowledges that mankind is created and
that the Creator God bestows the rights.

By the way, did you know that the Continental Congress called for a day of fasting and prayer within the colonies, beseeching God to give guidance and direction as to whether they should secede from England before the representatives to the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence? In 1777, while the colonies were struggling in the Revolutionary War, the First Continental Congress called the Bible "the great political textbook of the patriots" and appropriated funds to import 20,000 Bibles for the people. Are you aware that the Continental Congress began its sessions with prayer, a practice that is followed by both houses of congress even today?

Long before the United States Constitution, the colonies had written documents that established government and citizen's rights under God's authority. The drafters of the U. S. Constitution were aware of these documents and considered them in drafting the document. The expression of America's early documents is unmistakably Christian. They were philosophically anchored in Biblical principles, and the expression of the colonists in these legal documents of what became the states was undeniably Christian. These documents recognized the existence, importance and nature of God.

For example, He was referred to in the constitutions and legal documents of the colonies and later the thirteen states as: one God in South Carolina and Connecticut; Almighty in North Carolina, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Vermont; in Massachusetts, He was called, the Supreme Being, the Creator, Good, and the Great Legislator of the Universe; He was called the Governor of the Universe in Pennsylvania, and Vermont; and the inspirer of the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments in South Carolina and Pennsylvania. His Divine Providence was recognized in New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. In Connecticut he was called Savior and Lord. Do you think the classrooms in our country ever study these documents today?

Colonial America believed that individual
rights were God given, not man made.

The references to God in these documents and their understanding that He is God, make clear that our founding fathers recognized and acknowledged God's nature and authority, as well as mankind's dependence upon the Lord. These documents acknowledged rights, but the context of the documents conceded that the documents did not first create the rights. Colonial America believed that individual rights were God given, not man made. They made it clear that essential to the maintenance of virtue and liberty depended on the worship of God. These constitutions, declarations and bills of rights of the colonies were the pattern for the Constitution of the United States and its Bill of Rights. They were the models for the nation's founders.

What about the people, the individuals, who actively participated in establishing this nation? Were they Christians? The truth is that some were and some were not, of course. But even those who were not were influenced by the principles of Christianity. By examining what many of them said and wrote we gain insight into their beliefs and the source of their commitment. Many of them had been influenced by the "Great Awakening" and its' residual effect. Around 1750, people like Jonathan and Sarah Edwards led in the expression of the awareness of God; the sinfulness of mankind; the consequences of sin; and God's mercy manifested by Christ's death and resurrection.

Patrick Henry, the great orator who said on the floor of the House of Burgesses in Virginia, "Give me liberty or give me death" also said,

It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ! For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.

John Adams of Massachusetts, a lawyer and the second president, wrote in a letter to Jefferson on June 28, 1813. He said, "The general principles on which the Fathers achieved independence, were . . . the general principles of Christianity."

Samuel Adams, cousin of John Adams, is called the "Father of the American Revolution." He incited the Boston Tea Party, signed the Declaration of Independence and called for the first Continental Congress. He said as the Declaration of Independence was being signed, "We have this day restored the Sovereign to whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come." Samuel Adams also said, "First of all, I ... rely upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins."

Thomas Jefferson...said, "The reason that
Christianity is the best friend of government
is because Christianity is the only religion
that changes the heart."

Benjamin Franklin, considered a deist by many, said, "He who shall introduce into the public affairs the principles of a primitive Christianity, will change the face of the world." And Thomas Jefferson, also considered a deist, said, "The reason that Christianity is the best friend of government is because Christianity is the only religion that changes the heart." Jefferson is even quoted as having said, "I am a Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ."

George Washington, the father of our nation said, "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible." Can you imagine the stress on this man the winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania? He knew overwhelming British forces awaited him in the spring. The entire future of the fledgling nation was on his shoulders. If he were defeated, the new nation would no longer exist. He and the signers of the Declaration of Independence would probably be hanged, and his soldiers were dying at the rate of twelve per day. Many didn't have blankets or shoes.

Isaac Potts, who was Washington's temporary landlord at Valley Forge the winter of 1777-78, gave a famous account of Washington's resolution. As Potts was traveling the dark forest, he heard some distance from him a voice that became more intense as he approached its origin.

Washington was praying for the new nation,
for guidance, and for the men under his
command.

As Potts approached, he saw the Commander-in-Chief of the armies of the United Colonies on his knees in prayer to the Creator and Ruler of the Universe. Washington was praying for the new nation, for guidance, and for the men under his command. Potts, a Quaker, returned to his home and his wife where he declared, "I have seen this day what I shall never forget. Till now I have thought that a Christian and a soldier were incompatible; but if George Washington be not a man of God, I am mistaken, and still more shall I be disappointed if God does not through him perform some great thing for his country."

When Washington was inaugurated the first President of the United States in New York in 1789, a public prayer meeting was conducted to commit the new nation to the "blessings of the Creator." Later the same year, on October 3, 1789, President Washington issued a Thanksgiving Proclamation. The document begins,

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor ... Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be -...

James Madison, the fourth president and the Father of the Constitution said,

The future and success of America is not in this Constitution but in the laws of God upon which this Constitution is founded.

John Jay was the first Chief Justice of he Supreme Court. He said, "Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers. And it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of a Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers."

Fifty-three of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence were reportedly Christians. I have already referred to statements made by some. These are the statements of three less well-known signers. There are many more.

• John Dickinson said, "To my Creator, I resign myself, humbly confiding in His goodness and in His mercy through Jesus Christ for the events of eternity."
  
• Gabriel Duvall, later a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and an appointee to the Supreme Court said, "I resign my soul into the hands of the Almighty who gave it in humble hopes of his mercy through our Savior Jesus Christ."
  
• And lastly, John Witherspoon, pastor and President of New Jersey College (Princeton University today) said, "I shall entreat ... you in the most earnest manner to believe in Jesus Christ, for there is no salvation in any other" [Acts 4:12] ... [I] f you are not clothed with the spotless robe of His righteousness, you must forever perish."

Political Science professors at the University of Houston, curious about who influenced the founders, gathered 15,000 quotes made by them. The effort took over ten years. They reduced the number to those that had a significant impact on the founding fathers and the result was 3,154 quotes. They determined that the Bible was quoted far more than any other source. Thirty-four percent of all quotes were from the Bible, and another 60% of the quotes were from men who were using the Bible to make their point. God's word was important to the nation's founders.

Political Science professors at the
University of Houston...determined
that the Bible was quoted far more
than any other source.

It was not just the founding fathers who expressed their Christian beliefs or recognition in the value of Christian principles as fundamental to the nation. Many of the leaders who followed and influenced this nation were Christians. Andrew Jackson, president and military hero of the War of 1812, said, "The Bible is the rock upon which this Republic stands."

Abraham Lincoln, preserver of the Union said, "I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book."

The Civil War represented the culmination of the struggle this nation experienced in addressing slavery. The founding fathers could not do it and form the Union, so they didn't, although their documents for the most part expressed the truth of the equality of mankind. The issue was the seed of division and war erupted in 1861. The south, lead by South Carolina, seceded from the union.

Without the moral imperative that the abolition of slavery provided and the determination of Lincoln, a man who appears to have been anointed for the immense task of saving the Union, it's very possible that this nation would be as South America is, many weaker nations on the continent. Slavery was abolished. In a very real way, slavery represents sin. It festered. It wouldn't go away until it was addressed. The consequences were horrific to individuals and to the nation just as sin is in our lives when we do not repent and turn from it.

In 1862, as this nation struggled for its existence, Julia Ward Howe wrote the words to the song that captured the heart of the quarrel, acknowledging God's involvement. Have you ever paused to consider the message and power in her words? The last verse says: "In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me; As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, While God is marching on." The north marched to war as its song acknowledged Christ as savior.

Benjamin Harrison, 23rd President of the United States once wrote his son, Russell, "It is a great comfort to trust God...."

Woodrow Wilson said in a 1911 pre-presidential campaign speech,

America was born a Christian nation. America was born to exemplify that devotion to the elements of righteousness, which are derived from the revelations of Holy Scriptures. ...Part of the destiny of Americans lies in their daily perusal of this great book of revelations. That if they would see America free and pure they will make their own spirits free and pure by this baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Harry Truman "the man from Independence" was an avid reader. He read the Bible. He said,

The fundamental basis of this nation's law was given to Moses on the Mount. The fundamental basis of our Bill of Rights comes from the teaching we get from Exodus and St. Matthew, from Isaiah and St. Paul.

Members of the Supreme Court have acknowledged the significance of our Christian heritage. Some historians recognize John Marshall the greatest Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He established the authority of the Court as a strong independent third branch of government. He said in a letter to Jasper Adams on May 9, 1833

The American population is entirely Christian, and with us Christianity and Religion are identified. It would be strange indeed, if with such a people, our institutions did not presuppose Christianity, and did not often refer to it, and exhibit relations with it.

In 1892, the Supreme Court wrote the decision of Church of Holy Trinity v. United States, 143 U.S. 457 (1892). The decision cites a number of examples that America was founded on Christian principles, and concludes, "this is a Christian nation."

The founders of Harvard College, established
in 1636, professed that, "All knowledge
without Christ was vain."

Politicians weren't the only Christians impacting on America. Ninety-percent of the private colleges of this country were founded as Christian institutions to teach the Gospel. Harvard, Yale and Princeton are three examples. All three were established to teach young men to be pastors. The founders of Harvard College, established in 1636, professed that, "All knowledge without Christ was vain." The word "Veritas" appears on the crest of Harvard even today. The word meant Divine truth. The motto of Harvard was officially, "For Christ and the Church."

Christianity permeated our culture from the arrival of the Pilgrims into this century. For yet another example, the New England Primer, a reader used in what would be our 1st grade, was introduced in 1690 and taught children how to read for 200 years, until 1900. The Alphabet was taught with Bible verses that began with each letter of the alphabet. Lessons had questions about the Bible and the Ten Commandments. An example of the Primer is, A = In Adam's fall, we sinned all. B = Heaven to find, the Bible mind."

We are uniquely American. We come from different cultures. Our ancestors came from England and China; Germany and Italy; Africa and South America. We come from Japan and Vietnam; from Mexico and Canada. We come from every nation of the world. We enjoy our unique backgrounds, but we are not what our ancestors were. We're Americans. No one has ever been quite like us. We like football, baseball and basketball - all three invented here. We hear the national anthem and stand, and sometimes we swell with a bit of pride. We yell at the umpire, but we're the most giving nation in history. We like hotdogs, popcorn, iced tea, ice cream, and yes, apple pie. We're Americans, and many of us are Christians, but for all of us, our nation was founded by Christians on Christian principles, and that's good because we know that God gives rights to everyone, including non-Christian.

Today the Ten Commandments hang from the U.S. Supreme Court courtroom, the coins of America say, "In God We Trust," and we say in the Pledge of Allegiance, "One nation under God." Time does not permit me to list more examples of how fundamentally important Christ was to our ancestors who founded this nation. Thousands of examples of Godly men and women who advocated the importance of Christian principles expressed in the Bible and who wrote the historical documents that established this nation overwhelmingly demonstrates, that from the beginning, this nation was a Christian nation. It was begun by Christians who recognized God as ruler of the universe and mankind's dependence on Him and His Gospel of salvation.

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