George Washington, Deist?

 

Along with most current public school and university curriculum, Biographer Barry Schwartz has stated that George Washington's "practice of Christianity was limited and superficial, because he was not himself a Christian. In the enlightened tradition of his day, he was a devout Deist". 

DEISM, noun [Latin God.] The doctrine or creed of a deist; the belief or system of religious opinions of those who acknowledge the existence of one God, but deny revelation: or deism is the belief in natural religion only, or those truths, in doctrine and practice, which man is to discover by the light of reason, independent and exclusive of any revelation from God. Hence deism implies infidelity or a disbelief in the divine origin of the scriptures.

An honest study of history with an unbiased ear for the truth reveals a different reality. Here is a reflection on the colonial army's defeat of the British at Yorktown, in Washington's own words... "

"I take a particular pleasure in acknowledging that the interposing hand of Heaven, in the various instances of our extensive Preparation for this Operation [Yorktown], has been most conspicuous and remarkable." - Letter to Thomas McKean, President of Congress, November 15, 1781

 It's obvious that Washington was very aware of and responsive to the "hand of Heaven" clearly revealed in the intervening and providential presence and work of God. A closer, truth-seeking study of history confirms the indispensable and very timely truth that God confirms his Word and reveals Himself as He...

"removes kings and sets up kings." - Daniel 2:21

Keep on seeking the truth my friends, to be free from the deception of this current age, to grow in your awareness of God's revelation and intervention in your world, and to be set apart and available to be used of God everyday. 

The Twin Pillars of Our Faith and Our Republic

 

Jedidiah Morse-clergyman, geographer, and father of the painter and inventor Samuel Morse-was a significant figure in post­ Revolutionary New England. Through his popular geography texts, he described the new nation to Americans. As a prominent Congregationalist minister, he involved himself deeply in the heated religious controversies of his day. In an election sermon in 1799, Dr. Jedediah Morse reminds us of our part in the preservation of our Christian form of government:

“Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government, and all the blessings which flow from them, must fall with them.”

The pillars of Christianity…

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

The founders of our great republic believed that a people who obeyed these two commandments internally, in the heart, would need no other external law. Sadly, conditions today confirm the prophetic words of early American geographer and minister Dr. Jedediah Morse. 

Do our personal lives affirm that we stand on a foundation supported by the twin pillars of both our faith and our republic?

God Says, "You Make Me Laugh"

 

God laughs when anyone plots against Him...

"The kings of the earth prepare for battle; 

the rulers plot together against the LORD and against his anointed one...

 

But the one who rules in heaven laughs." - Ps 2:2,4

God laughs when our enemies come against us...

"The wicked plot against the godly; they snarl at them in defiance.

But the Lord just laughs." - Ps 37:12-13

God laughs when governments oppose Him... 

"O LORD God of Heaven's Armies, the God of Israel, wake up and punish those hostile nations. Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths; their words cut like swords.

'After all, who can hear us?' they sneer.

But LORD, you laugh at them." - Ps 59:5,7-8

God laughs when sinners refuse to repent...

"I called you so often, but you wouldn't come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention.

 You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.

So I will laugh when you are in trouble!" - Pr 1:24-26

The rebellious world around us knows well how to make God laugh, but true disciples know so much more. We know that as we love and glorify Him, we discover how to make God so happy that He sings over us with joy...

"For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” -Zeph 3:17