What was the Founders’ attitude toward religion in the country?
Public virtue was seen as necessary for a republic, and most believed that virtue was produced by religion. There was a strong view that religion was necessary to turn out good citizens.
Many of the Founders were well versed in religious and theological matters. How did this affect their work as architects of the republic?
They could quote Scripture. Jefferson and others were tutored by ministers. They were an extremely biblically literate generation. This certainly shaped their view of Providence. The extent to which they believed in Providence would be unimaginable today.
Adams and folks like that continually quoted [Jesus’] statement that a swallow cannot fall without God’s knowledge. Washington talks about the invisible hand of Providence. Their biblical knowledge convinced these people that there was an invisible hand of God, and that there was a moral government of the universe.
It was most interesting to find that my bible reading plan presented Deuteronomy 28:1-68 this morning as the reading for the day. Verses 1-14 reveal God’s blessing which will abound if the nation follows The Law. The next 54 describe the nation’s fate if it fails to do so. A Literalist can have a field day for a sermon in this text..
Thank you for posting this! The fight about whether our nation was founded on “Christian principles” is all about our polarization and not, in any meaningful sense, about the history itself. All too brief, but balanced and appreciative. Thank you!
Compare the words of the 1928 collect for Independence Day with those of the 1979–providence and the power of God are evident in 28–not so much in 79. Earlier generations of Episcopalians appear to have had an unselfconscious belief similar to that of the founders.
Brien — Truth! I wouldn’t have thought of that, but it makes sense. And, of course, ’28 would be our best current access to the way of thinking, the presuppositions, of the founders.