Celebrating the Faith of America’s Founding Fathers this Father’s Day

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America has Founding Fathers, 56 of them, men with faith in God, who 250 years ago signed the Declaration of Independence.These men, America’s fathers, consisted of lawyers, merchants, farmers, physicians, ministers, a printer, a teacher, and a musician, men from all walks of life, young and old, ranging in age from 26 to 70 years old. Soon-to-be fathers of a new nation, who came together for a common cause, were willing to lay down their lives for freedom. These bold, brave, and courageous men knew the risk of being caught and hanged for treason by the ruthless, cutthroat British army.

Courageous Christianity author and historian William J. Federer writes, “History is filled with accounts of people suffering coercion and persecution by godless totalitarian governments, maligned, smeared, canceled, and crushed in hopeless situations against insurmountable odds, but Then, stirred by the Spirit, little nobodies rise up, small in their own eyes, but big in faith and courage, to speak truth to power and to resist evil.”

Inspiring Faith of America’s Founding Fathers 

Federer reminds us that “One can gain inspiring faith from leaders of the past.” America stands today because God called and inspired these men to be the Founding Fathers of our nation, men who, with their lives, have earned our remembrance and celebration. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 5:13, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Still, some individuals and groups are working to diminish our Founding Fathers’ value in our nation’s history. Tragically, fatherhood in the family and in our nation has taken quite a hit over the years, including our country’s recognition of our historical fathers who ushered in the freedom we still enjoy today, 250 years after its birth. Although some in our nation may wane in their appreciation, Paul, in 1 Corinthians 11:7, reminds us that man is the glory of God. Likewise, Leviticus 19:32 points out that God calls us to honor those who have gone before us, even though they have passed away; to give them due respect.“Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly, and revere your God. I am the Lord.”

Even if some in our society mock and dishonor our Founding Fathers, God’s word encourages us to remember what they stood for, as Proverbs 23:22 reminds us to, “Listen to your father, who gave you life.” In this case, the lives these brave, dedicated, and heroic fathers gave us are the free nation of America.

Passionate Faith of America’s Founding Fathers

On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry took the pulpit at St. John’s Church in Richmond, Virginia, where he spoke those infamous words, “Give me Liberty, or give me death!” Although Henry did not sign the Declaration of Independence, as one of America’s Founding Fathers Fathers, his words stirred the hearts of the more than 100 in attendance, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and more, who would go on to sign the Declaration of Independence. His voice and words helped to motivate America’s founders towards freedom. Likewise, Founding Father, who went on to become our first vice president and second President of the United States, John Adams, told the Continental Congress on July 1, 1776: ‘Live or die, survive or perish, I am for the Declaration. It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God, it shall be my dying sentiment. Independence now, and Independence forever!’

As Adams wrote to his beloved wife, Abigail, on July 3, 1776: “You will think me transported with Enthusiasm, but I am not—I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States—Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.” 

America’s Founding Fathers Believed in God

In 250 years of history, we see how America’s birth came because of men and women who believed in God and in His word, as author and historian Dr. Jerry Newcombe with Mark A Beliles reveal in their book Thomas Jefferson and The God Who Gave Us Liberty. “Jefferson and numerous others of the Founding Fathers themselves declared that the law of nature was the will of God, and that it was binding upon all people, in all ages, in all geographic locations. All men have God’s general revelation but need the Bible to know it most accurately.” As well, asserts Newcombe, “Even before the Great Awakening, the ministers, especially the ones from New England, helped shape the thinking of the Colonists as to their God-given rights. Meanwhile, a lot of Bible-based views were circulating long before the Great Awakening. That movement helped re-awaken people’s commitment to God and the Church.”

Adams, too, was supportive of the spiritual revival that greatly influenced and strengthened Patriot leaders leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, including the practice of prayer and fasting, which played a vital part in America's establishing its freedom. America’s Founding Fathers Stood Firm for Religious Freedom Federer acknowledges that, “New England pastors understood that since Jesus never forced anyone to follow Him, they could not either. The Kingdom of God was not to be forced top-down by a theocratic king. The only way for it to happen was if the majority of people held godly values and willingly voted for representatives holding those same values. Then laws would be passed reflecting those values, and the values of the Kingdom of God could come voluntarily, from the bottom up.”

James Madison, who is called the “Father of the Constitution,” became our nation’s 4th president and was at the forefront of drafting the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights. Madison worked relentlessly to make sure there would be no federal religion imposed on citizens, tirelessly arguing for freedom of religion rights during the making of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, demanding that the wording be changed from citizens having their religion fully tolerated to having the “free exercise of religion.” He firmly stood his ground, strongly believing the government had no right to direct an individual’s religion, because it is a matter of conscience. He took great care to spell it out in his influential petition called “Memorial and Remonstrance,” presenting 15 arguments against government support of churches. Too, “Jefferson was a major fan of major portions of the Bible,” writes Newcombe, “For his own edification, Jefferson arrayed major portions of the teachings of Jesus, which he studied in English, in the original Greek and in other languages. Yet these are words that Jefferson pored over repeatedly. He had nothing but the highest praise for Jesus’ moral teaching, which he thought was the best in the whole world. He even studied the sayings of Jesus in the original Greek. He said it was ‘the most sublime and benevolent code of morals which has ever been offered to man.’”

Celebrating America’s Founding Fathers’ Faith

Although some try to diminish the faith of America’s Founding Fathers, we as Christians can recognize and celebrate it. The official White House website urges: “As we prepare to celebrate this momentous milestone in our nation’s history, President Trump has invited communities of faith to pray for our country and to give thanks for the gift of freedom.” If some believe America was made without the help of God, Paul clears up any misunderstanding, writing in Romans 13:1, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Daniel, too, writes about God’s control over nations: “He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning” (Daniel 2:21).

God explains in Proverbs 8:15, how it is He who gives wisdom, “By Me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just.” Referring to the Declaration of Independence, Adams wrote to his wife, “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other, from this Time forward forever more.”

Photo Courtesy: ©Getty Images/Vernon Lewis Gallery/Stocktrek Images

Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.