88-3: The 250th Anniversary of the Declarationof Independence and Presbyterianism
Whereas, the Declaration of Independence is in its 250th year, culminating with the national celebration planned for July 4, 2026, and
Whereas, this Declaration described the justification of the Thirteen Colonies for seeking independencefrom the control and tyranny of the Nation of Great Britain, and
Whereas, historian George Bancroft said, "He that will not honor the memory, and respect the influence of Calvin, knows but little of the origin of American liberty." — George Bancroft, Literary and Historical Miscellanies (1855), p. 406, and
Whereas, David W. Hall said, “-- that John Calvin and his Genevan followers had a profound influence on the American founding” and that this fact “— runs counter to widespread assumptions and rationale of the American experiment in government.” — David W. Hall, The Genevan Reformation and the American Founding (2003), p. vii, and
Whereas, E. W. Smith recorded, “If the average American citizen were asked, who was the founder of America, the true author of our giant Republic…. We can imagine his amazement at hearing the answer given to this question by the famous German historian, [Leopold von] Ranke, one of the profoundest scholars of modern times, [that] ‘John Calvin was the virtual founder of America.’” — E.W. Smith, The Creed of Presbyterians (1901), p. 119, and
Whereas, Philip Schaff stated, “The religious character of North America, viewed as a whole, is predominantly of the Reformed or Calvinistic stamp…To obtain a clear view of the enormous influence which Calvin's personality, moral earnestness, and legislative genius, have exerted on history, you must go to Scotland and to the United States.” — Philip Schaff, America: A Sketch of the Political, Social, and Religious Character of the United States of North America (1855), pp. 111-112, and
Whereas, Loraine Boettner, quoting George Bancroft, confirmed, “With this background we shall not be surprised to find that the Presbyterians took a very prominent part in American Revolution. Our own historian Bancroft says: “The Revolution of 1776, so far as it was affected by religion, was a Presbyterian measure. It was the natural outgrowth of the principles which the Presbyterianism of the Old World planted in her sons, the English Puritans, the Scotch Covenanters, the French Huguenots, the Dutch Calvinists, and the Presbyterians of Ulster.” So intense, universal, and aggressive were the Presbyterians in their zeal for liberty that the war was spoken of in England as “The Presbyterian Rebellion.” An ardent colonial supporter of King George III wrote home: “I fix all the blame for these extraordinary proceedings upon the Presbyterians. They have been the chief and principal instruments in all these flaming measures. They always do and ever will act against government from that restless and turbulent anti-monarchial spirit which has always distinguished them everywhere.” When the news of “these extraordinary proceedings” reached England, Prime Minister Horace Walpole said in Parliament, “Cousin America has run off with a Presbyterian parson.” — Loraine Boettner, The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination (1932), p. 383, and
Whereas, other Presbyterians supported and fought for the cause of Independence including, Chaplain John Rogers, Chaplain Alexander MacWhorter, Pastor John Witherspoon—a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Alexander Craighead—the first American colonist to publicly advocate for armed resistance against Great Britain decades before Lexington and Concord, and General Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church
Whereas, “In July 1777, the Covenanters in Eastern Pennsylvania unitedly swore allegiance to the cause of the Colonies. These little Societies furnished no less than thirteen of Washington's officers, as well as many soldiers in the ranks" –John Wagner Pritchard, Soldiers of the Church, p. 22; W.M. Glasgow, Reformed Presbyterian Church in America, p. 68.
Therefore, be it resolved that the 88th General Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church, meeting August 6-8, 2025, in Cincinnati Ohio, encourages all Bible Presbyterians, our brothers and sisters in the Reformed Faith, and Christians everywhere to acknowledge and rejoice in the Providential Hand of Almighty God in guiding and shaping these United States of America by bringing to this Land Reformed Christian to be used to extend the message of the Gospel of salvation though Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Therefore, we encourage a deeper understanding and gratefulness for God’s blessings on this land and a renewed humility in prayer for His continued protection, and
Therefore, we submit that this great history and heritage be preserved and enthusiastically passed on to future generations.
Source: Various blogs, LogCollegePress.com