“IN TWO DAYS WE AS A NATION AGAIN CELEBRATE OUR NATIONAL HERITAGE FOUNDED 230 YEARS AGO WITH THE SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE . HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR ALL AMERICANS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE CHRISTIANS TO BE PATRIOTIC?”

 I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about Christianity and a renewed call to patriotism…

…This Tuesday, Independence Day celebrates the 230^th birthday of the United States of America . Our country was founded officially, on July 4th 1776 , with the signing of the Declaration of Independence. For hundreds of years now, the 4th of July has been a time for parades, marching bands, and promotion of “the Red White and Blue,” ensconced in our American flag. It is also a time for picnics, beaches, BBQs and our nations’ traditional fireworks displays depicting the "Bombs Bursting in Air."

Yes indeed, July 4^th has always been a time of joy for Americans as seen in our massive celebrations from our smallest towns to largest cities across the nation. Yet, after 230 years has the meaning changed for us? Do we really realize what our forefathers gave us over two centuries ago? Well today, as I am a Christian and this program is sponsored by Christians and their churches, I want to talk about the Christian perspective of patriotism, and its importance still in this highly secularized 21^st century. So don’t go away, as we listen once again to another patriotic moment of music, and then I’ll return to tell you what Christian patriotism is all about…

…Independence Day is the national holiday of the United States of America commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence, by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776 , in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania .

At the time of the signing, the United States consisted of 13 colonies under the heavy hand and rule of England 's King George III. Life was hard then, for there was growing unrest in the colonies concerning the exorbitant taxes Americans had to pay to England with absolutely no benefits in return. This was commonly referred to as "Taxation without Representation." As the unrest grew in the colonies, King George responded by sending more troops to suppress and control any contest or rebellion. However, it was in 1774 that our13 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia , Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress. The delegates were very unhappy with England , but weren’t ready to rebel and declare war. However, England was not about to allow any dissention which erupted in the “Boston Tea Party” rebellion of December 16, 1773 .

Later, in April 1775, King George’s troops were sent to Concord Massachusetts to set and example and punish America ’s rebellious actions. It was here that the famous Paul Revere sounded the alarm that "The British are Coming," as he rode his horse through the streets at night, waking all. But, it was the battle of Concord and its "shot heard round the world" that unofficially marked the beginning of the colonies public resistance, battle and defense against British oppression and brutality.

The following May the colonies again sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress. For almost a year this congress desperately tried to work out its differences with England , again without formally declaring war. By June 1776 their efforts had become hopeless and a committee was formed to compose the formal declaration of independence. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft, which was presented to the congress on June 28. After various changes, a vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4^th and passed. Although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the 4th of July has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence. The first Independence Day celebration took place the following year - July 4 1777 . By the early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks were established as the way to publicly celebrate America 's birthday.

With the last quarter century’s push to oust Christian thought and participation in the governing affairs of this nation, some Christians have come to believe they should have no role in the affairs of America . As our nation enters its 230^th year, the truth is it has moved far and away from our founding father’s viewpoint of what the American Republic was to be. We must never forget our nation “was” founded by an overwhelming majority of Christians, whose goal was to exalt and glorify God through Jesus Christ by and through this nation. Although that is denied and suppressed by the godless in our midst, it is a fact of history no one can honestly deny. However, saying that, we need to ask – “is it right for a Christian to be a patriot?” Just what is patriotism, especially from a Christian perspective? Let’s explore this today.

Now, the English word “patriotism” is based upon the Latin word “pater,” for father. A number of other words have the same origin, such as patriarch (the father of a family) and patrimony (an inheritance from one's father). Since nations are founded by people, patriotism came to be used as a term for the love and loyalty to the nation that was established by the "founding fathers," a term familiar to people of numerous countries around the world. Thus, patriotism literally means “loyalty to the ‘fathers’ of the nation.”  Ironically, no one today can be a true American patriot who denies and rejects the “Christian heritage of our founding fathers.” Now a great question is -- who were our founding Fathers? Most have no idea about who signed the Declaration of Independence and ruled in the early days of the governing of America . Well, here are just some of the forgotten founding fathers, who are basically absent in our history books written by secularists today.

There names are:

(1) Samuel Adams, Father of the American Revolution, Signer of the Declaration of Independence who said: “I ... recommend my Soul to that Almighty Being who gave it, and my body I commit to the dust, relying upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins.” Then there was

(2) Charles Carroll, another signer of the Declaration of Independence. He wrote: “On the mercy of my Redeemer I rely for salvation and on His merits; not on the works I have done in obedience to His precepts.” Third, we discover a man named,

(3) William Cushing who was First Associate Justice, appointed by George Washington to the Supreme Court. His words are with us still: “Sensible of my mortality, but being of sound mind, after recommending my soul to Almighty God through the merits of my Redeemer and my body to the earth ...” Fourthly, we have

(4) John Dickinson, another Signer of the Constitution who wrote: “Rendering thanks to my Creator for my existence and station among His works, for my birth in a country enlightened by the Gospel and enjoying freedom, and for all His other kindnesses, to Him I resign myself, humbly confiding in His goodness and in His mercy through Jesus Christ for the events of eternity.”

Moreover there was

(5) John Hancock, Signer of the Declaration of Independence . His words ring out of the Christian faith: “I John Hancock, . . . being advanced in years and being of perfect mind and memory-thanks be given to God-therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die [Hebrews 9:27], do make and ordain this my last will and testament…Principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it: and my body I recommend to the earth . . . nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mercy and power of God . . .”

Was this all? Of course not, for there was”

(6) Patrick Henry, Governor of Virginia, a Christian Patriot;

(7) John Jay, First Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court;

(8) Henry Knox, Revolutionary War General, Secretary of War;

(9) John Langdon, a Signer of the Constitution, wrote in his will: “In the name of God, Amen. I commend my soul to the infinite mercies of God in Christ Jesus, the beloved Son of the Father, who died and rose again that He might be the Lord of the dead and of the living . . . professing to believe and hope in the joyful Scripture doctrine of a resurrection to eternal life . . . “ Still more were

(10) John Morton;

(11) Robert Treat Paine;

(12) Rufus Putnam, Revolutionary War General, First Surveyor General of the United States ; 

(13) Benjamin Rush, Signer of the Declaration of Independence ;

(14) Roger Sherman, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, and Signer of the Constitution;

 (15) Richard Stockton, Signer of the Declaration of Independence ; and finally for today,

(16) Jonathan Trumbull Sr., Governor of Connecticut, a Christian Patriot who like all the others openly confessed Jesus Christ as his Lord God and Savior. He wrote: “Principally and first of all, I bequeath my soul to God the Creator and Giver thereof, and body to the Earth . . . nothing doubting but that I shall receive the same again at the General Resurrection thro the power of Almighty God; believing and hoping for eternal life thro the merits of my dear, exalted Redeemer Jesus Christ.”  [1]

I could go on and on, the list of names and their personal testimony of open faith in Jesus Christ is astounding. Can anyone say these men who gave us the America we celebrate and enjoy every day of our lives, were not Christians?  Moreover, they embedded their faith in the Word of God and the principles of Christian life and living into the warp and woof of our national heritage! Only a stark raving madman would attempt to deny this. Yet, this is what is happening today. America ’s public school children are carefully separated from any mention of a Christian heritage in their history books, and teachers are forbidden to even speak the word “Christian,” in the classroom. This is a tragedy and travesty, for we are separating our nation from its foundational moorings; and as a result, we see the terrible lifestyles and ills we face today. No one can deny that since we’ve rejected the Ten Commandments our forefathers upheld for American life and justice, we’ve experienced the terrible ills of society upon us.

For example, here are eleven perversions promoted today in America as righteous:  

“The religion of Secular Humanism, the officially approved godless religion of the 21^st century, supports the "freedom" to (1) practice pornography, (2) abortion, and (3) euthanasia. Economically, Humanism supports (4) forced socialistic wealth redistribution and (5) the welfare state. Its idea of law (6) punishes the victims of crime and (7) seeks to excuse lawless behavior. Some see this as the ultimate in political freedom, yet, the religion of secularism, in application, (8) abuses women, (9) robs the unborn and the elderly of life and liberty, (10) restricts or confiscates private property, and (11) creates conditions wherein lawless behavior threatens moral anarchy and social collapse. In contrast to secularism, Christianity displays the kindness, benevolence, liberty, law and justice that established and prospered America for over these past 200 years.”[2]  

I submit to you it’s time for Christians all across the nation to become Christian patriots in the sense of allegiance to the teachings and principles of our Founding Father’s of our nation, and to uphold its historic Christian truths written in our laws of the land. Since our founding fathers were overwhelmingly stalwart Christians in their faith and practice, they worked in the government, served their government, and upheld Christian truth for life and living personally and socially too.

Friends, if our nation is to survive, it is imperative that we Christians get involved, by serving in political office at the grassroots level, and all the way to the Whitehouse and legislative floors of Congress. It’s time we Christian take back this nation God gave us, and ensure God’s promised blessing that come only to such a nation be preserved. Remember the promise and warnings of God’s Word to any nation. We read,

Psa 9:17 ( NIV )  The wicked return to the grave, all the nations that forget God.

Prov 14:34 ( NIV )  Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

Psa 33:12 ( NIV )  Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.

Allen Keyes, a Christian patriot himself, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Social and Economic Council and a 2000 Republican presidential candidate wrote:

“Calling our fellow American citizens back to the truth of God's authority is at once a work of high patriotism and of Christian evangelism. We have no business, either as Americans or as Christians, ignoring the suffering our nation is undergoing because it has turned away from God.

We Christians are, ‘Called to teach the nations’, and placed by providence in this one. Our Christian duty is to teach this Godly nation to recognize itself…  to make America again reflect the hope which God offers to our nation and to all humanity.”

Indeed, if you claim to be a Christian today, that is if you have surrendered your allegiance of heart and life to loving and serving Jesus Christ as your God and only Savior from your sins – you are a citizen of two countries which you are called to serve on Christ’s behalf. First you are by naturalization, a citizen of Heaven:

Phil 3:20 ( NIV )  But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

PATRIOTISM is not only love of the country of one's physical birth, the United States of America , but also love of the country of one's naturalization, or spiritual birth. Christian patriotism, therefore, is love of the country of one's Christian birth, that is heaven itself. Remember “naturalization,” is that procedure through which persons born in another country - aliens, foreigners - become citizens of a certain country of their choice, in our case the country of Heaven, the home of our Creator God. This comes about when we call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to save us from our sins, to come and take up full residence in our entire being body, soul and spirit, and for us to swear by that allegiance to honor and serve our King Jesus Christ.

We are therefore Christians and Patriots of both countries. The question this July 4^th celebration coming is – are you faithful to serve both? Are you faithful to uphold and support the historic foundations of both nations and countries? That is what it means to be a Christian patriot. We support and serve any earthly nation as much as its honors and glorifies God the Creator, His Son Jesus Christ and the Judeo-Christian Bible given to us to live by.

I fear that as our nation continues to slip away from its foundational Christian moorings, we shall lose more and more of God’s blessings that have made America great and prosperous; And, if we continue, like all other nations of the earth that “forget God,” we too will be turned into the gave.

Will the decade ahead reveal the demise of America ? The answer is quite possibly, “yes,” unless there is a wholesale revival of Christians who get involved in running this nation, and remember God gave this nation to us, and expects us to maintain it for His glory. This coming November and each year hereafter, it’s time to cast out of office anyone and everyone who will not abide by the principles of God’s Word, implanted in our nation’s laws and heritage, and vote into office, only those who re closest to them, who will commit to live, vote and legislate by them.

Yes, America is great, but its greatness is falling and failing fast, and the promised impending judgment of God for our sins, may soon strike us all.

We cannot ignore the callous disrespect for life that goes on today by allowing abortion on demand, to kill millions of America ’s citizens in the womb. We cannot allow the depravity of humanity called homosexuality to ruin God ordained marriage between a man and a woman; We cannot support the free sex movement and no-fault divorce that socially destroys the monogamous family unit; and, we cannot go on permitting the push for the multi-culturalization of this nation, whose only goal is to remove our Anglo-English heritage and Christian naturalization founded upon the faith and principles of Christianity.

Well my time is almost gone, so I encourage you to enjoy and celebrate another year of America ’s greatness and blessing. But, remember there may not be another unless we turn back to God, and serve His Son Jesus Christ in our homes, our churches and all civil and national life. May God add His blessing to these words for Jesus sake, Amen.

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[1] Our historical information is taken from articles printed by the WALLBUILDERS. Please visit them at www.wallbuilders.com 

[2] Quote from: Jeffrey A. Ziegler, the president of the National Reform Association; founder and president of Christian Endeavors and Reformation Bible Institute. His articles have appeared in the Chalcedon Report, and The Christian Statesman.

 

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·         Radio talk #2706

·         Broadcast date: July 02, 2006

·         Speaker: Dennis L. Finnan, Commentator

·         Program: The World, the Word & You! Radio Broadcast

·         Address: P.O. Box 60033 Grand Junction, CO 81506

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The World, the Word & You! Broadcast is a non-denominational ministry based on the historic fundamental evangelical interpretation of the Scriptures. A copy of our doctrinal statement is available upon request. These weekly radio commentaries are not exhaustive studies of any particular subject due to the time limit of broadcasting. Actual broadcasts can be heard in selected areas around the nation, as funding provides. Dennis Finnan has been the speaker for over 26 years, and serves as General Director.

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