ftentimes we look on the people of prior generations with contempt. Perhaps it makes us feel better to think that we have arrived at a higher state of enlightenment than those who came before us. So we apply today’s societal standards to those who did not live in our time; we take those people’s actions out of their context and we force them into our own context—and then claim that we know better than they.
It may make us feel better, but it is not true and it is not fair. It will, at best, allow us to ignore the areas where we need to pursue personal growth and, much the greater harm, it is slanderous.
“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.”
Traveling in primarily Christian circles, I have often heard disparaging statements made against some of our nation’s founding fathers. Rather than taking the time to read the actual writings of our founding fathers, many folks fall for the Secularist’s line that our founding fathers were all Deists. This is simply not even close to the truth. One of our recognized founding fathers was a proclaimed Deist (Ben Franklin), but most of the others would be described as Christian based on their writings and their statement of personal belief. That does not mean that they all had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Some of them, who fully accepted the social teachings of Christianity did not bow to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. So while they were Christians in belief, they were not of the “househhold of faith.”
One such founding father was U.S. President Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson recognized the societal benefits of adherence to the teachings of Christ, but he did not like the concept of Christ having to die to reconcile man to God. So in Christian circles it is well-known that he physically removed references to the blood of Christ from his personal bible. He also cut out some of the miracles from the bible.
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
This is not a good thing, and a disbelief in the sanctifying and reconciling blood of Christ clearly places Thomas Jefferson in an unbelieving stance with regard to Christianity.
However, we do our children and each other a disservice when we paint Jefferson as a bad man. He was wrong with regard to the blood of Christ, but he was an absolute genius with regard to human liberty, politics, and government. And, after all, that is what he should be known for as one of our founding fathers.
So as we approach the celebration of the United State’s Independence Day, here are a few quotes from one of my heroes—our third president, Thomas Jefferson:
I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property—until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.
When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe.
It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.
My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.
No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.
Wow! We need a president like that again.
Happy Independence Day, my fellow Americans. Never forget the efforts and the sacrifices of our founding fathers and the generations that have preceded ours. We owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude.
Happy birthday, America!
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