How 500 Years ago The Story of America Began

The Mayflower Compact, "Having undertaken for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith...a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia."

History teaches that America’s roots were grounded in Christian principles. Those foundations, however, were laid nearly 300 years before July 4, 1776. (Image by Trenton Daily)

In September 1492 an Italian explorer boarded his ship from the Canary Islands, off the coast of northwest Africa. He captained a fleet of three vessels with experienced sailors on a dangerous expedition where no man had travelled before. For 32 days they sailed the Atlantic Ocean westward (thinking they were heading to the Indies), without seeing land. But on October 12, 1492, on the 33rd day, one of the crew cried out, “Land ahoy!” Soon after, Christopher Columbus, one of history’s greatest seamen, stepped off the Santa Maria and onto the sands of the New World. He landed in present day Bahamas.

What was his purpose after landing? Columbus wrote, “There be a church and abbots or friars to administer the sacraments, perform divine worship, and to convert the Indians.” He also stated about his mission, “With a hand that could be felt, the Lord opened my mind to the fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies…This was a fire that burned within me who can doubt that this fire was not merely mine, but also of the Holy Spirit.” Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the New World opened the door for European colonization of the America’s. And what was Columbus’ life and mission founded upon? Christian ideals. 284 years before July 4, 1776, Christian principles began taking root in America.

In September 1620, another ship set sail across the Atlantic, The Mayflower. It left Plymouth, England with over 100 passengers and crew. Among them were the Pilgrims, a religious group. After 66 days on the sea, in November, the ship landed in present day Provincetown, Massachusetts. Why did they come? According to their first governor, William Bradford, they were truly Christian pilgrims, on a journey of obedience to God. Before they disembarked the ship they drafted and signed one of America’s founding documents, the Mayflower Compact, which states, “Having undertaken for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith, and the honor of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by [this legal document and charter] solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic…” What were the Pilgrims’ lives and mission found upon? Christian ideals. 156 years before July 4, 1776, Christian principles continued to take root in America.

Praise God for Christopher Columbus and the Pilgrims, for without them and the Christian principles they built and lived by, there would be no United States of America.

John Adams was one of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence and our nation’s second president. In 1813 he told Thomas Jefferson, “The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity.”

Though we celebrate and praise God for our history, how is our nation today? Are we as a nation continuing to live by the Christian principles we were founded upon? There is reason to doubt as everywhere we go is godlessness and immorality, giving The Almighty ample reason to be angry with us. On this 250th anniversary, let us examine our national ways, confess our sins and turn to the Lord God for undeserving mercy. The Bible says, “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him…” (Isaiah 55:6-7)

A prayer for you – Father in heaven. I praise you for America’s Christian heritage, but O how we have fallen. Help us, Lord. Humble us and turn us back to you through the cross of Christ and the power of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Who is America’s Founding Spiritual Father?

May we never forget George Whitefield and America’s first Great Spiritual Awakening. Because of that movement of God, we can celebrate 250 years of American history. - Clint Decker

On October 23, 1740, one of history’s greatest preachers paid a visit to Middletown, Connecticut. An unnamed farmer described this account, “I was in my field at work. I dropped my tool that I had in my hand and ran home to my wife, telling her to make ready quickly to go and hear [the preacher] at Middletown, then ran to my pasture for my horse with all my might, fearing that I should be too late." (Image by Grace Bible Theological Seminary)

As the farmer and his wife ran the horse as hard and fast as possible for the 12-mile journey to town, they slowed up when they saw an unusual sight. “When we came within about half a mile or a mile of the road…to Middletown…I saw before me a cloud of fog arising. As I came nearer the road I heard a noise of horses' feet coming down the road, and this cloud was a cloud of dust made by the horses' feet…over the tops of hills and trees…”

When the farmer arrived, there was a sea of people in the thousands who gathered to hear the young, slender British preacher. Then they saw him climb atop scaffolding that looked out on the massive audience. The gifted orator was 25-year-old George Whitfield. The underlying theme of every message he preached was the words of Jesus who said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)

Having arrived from Great Britain in 1739, for over 30 years, including seven trips back and forth across the Atlantic, Whitfield engaged in a rigorous and passionate mission to preach the gospel of Jesus throughout all the colonies. He preached two to three times a day, seven days a week, and according to historical accounts, 80% of the people in the colonies heard him preach in person.

Whitfield died in 1770, five years before the start of the American Revolutionary War, and six years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Even though he was not there during either historical event, his influence was.

Benjamin Franklin, one of the United States Founding Fathers wrote of Whitefield, “Ours was a mere civil friendship, sincere on both sides, and lasted to his death…” John Adams, another Founding Father heard Whitefield preach, then took notes from his sermon “Father Abraham” and related it to Thomas Jefferson. Samuel Adams, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, heard Whitefield preach and practically applied his one of his messages during the first session of Congress.

Whitefield’s impact was not just about inviting people to new life in Jesus. It was woven together with pointing out sin and calling people to turn from their immorality and to Jesus. In one sermon, Whitefield confronted drunkenness, “But turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways. Come to Jesus Christ, with the repenting prodigal saying, “Father, we have sinned! We beseech Thee, let not this sin of drunkenness have any longer dominion over us!”

Some historians call George Whitefield one of America’s Founding Spiritual Fathers. However, he was just one of different preachers God was using mightily at the time. Johnathan Edwards was another. God was using preachers like these across the colonies during the early and mid-1700s to bring about a “Great Spiritual Awakening.” This was God’s sovereign and providential hand at work, laying the spiritual foundation for the building of America.

Pamela Paul wrote in the New York Times, “America was not founded as a Christian nation.” There are many today like her (including some Christian leaders), trying to erase America’s Christian heritage. May we never forget George Whitefield and America’s first Great Spiritual Awakening. Because of that movement of God, we can celebrate 250 years of American history.

A prayer for you – Father in heaven, I give you praise for the great work you did through your servant, George Whitefield, and for the kindness you showed our young nation in 1776. Today, in our 250th year, I acknowledge our sins, both past and present, and know we deserve your righteous judgement. Change us as a nation, O God, one soul at a time. In Jesus’ name. Amen.