Gerry Parker

As you prepare for the celebration of the Fourth of July, I want to give you something to think about. Getting with family and eating hot dogs, grilling hamburgers, and shooting off fireworks are all good things. The Lord knows that I enjoy them.

But I want us to think about some points that I believe our nation has forgotten and some have never known or acknowledged. And sadly some do not care. What principle did our founders have in mind and where did they come from? Please consider the following quotes:

• “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” John Jay, our first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

• Article 22 of the state constitution of Delaware in 1776 reads, “ I, A B. do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for evermore; and I do acknowledge the holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by divine inspiration.”

I challenge you to read the first constitutions of each state. Faith in God is found in all of them.

• “Thirdly, the Declaration of Independence announced the One People, assuming their station among the powers of the earth, as a civilized, religious, and Christian People — acknowledging themselves bound by the obligations, and claiming the rights, to which they were entitled by …” John Q. Adams, July 4, 1837.

I could easily flood this column with such quotes from various founding fathers. Our nation was founded on Christian principles. 

Proverbs 14:34 states, “Righteousness exalts a nation but sin condemns any people.” 

It is past time to get back to what our founders intended.

Someone says, “But what about separation of church and state.” Did you know that this is not in the Constitution? Our founders never intended for Christianity to not have any influence on our government. Actually it is just the opposite. So much so Thomas Jefferson wanted the Bible taught in the public schools. 

Our government under Jefferson paid missionaries to teach Native Americans the Bible. Why? Because he knew that the teaching of the Bible made for a better nation.

So how do we get back to this as a nation? It will be difficult. But just like Israel of old in 2 Chronicles 7:14, God’s people need to turn from their wicked ways. 

Who are God’s people today? Those who profess Christ. When we do this our nation maybe, just maybe, can get back on the right track.

So when you celebrate the Fourth of July this year, consider these things. And thank God for all he has done, beginning with the death of our savior for our sins. Have a great Fourth of July.

(Gerry Parker is the pastor of Powell Church of Christ.)