AMERICA’S
HERITAGE
By Tim Throckmorton
N
OTHING SEEMS TO INCITE more controversy
these days than the phrase “Christian Nation.” In
fact, I have seen folks with swelled veins and clenched
fists who refuse to believe it’s so. Now before the lawyers
get too antsy and the charges are filed, allow me to take
a few minutes and explain from history the basis of my
comments. This is American history mind you, that
was at one time taught in schools from Sea to Shining
Sea. These are simply recorded facts; you are free to do
with them as you will. But you cannot deny the truth
these historical accounts reveal.
The hardy souls who sailed on the Mayflower in 1620
fled from tyranny and oppression. And in the Mayflow-
er Compact, which they signed beneath the swinging
lantern in the cabin of their ship, they proclaimed that
they had come to the new world for “the glorie of God
and the advancement of the Christian faith.” In 1643,
as more and more people arrived on these shores, they
joined together to form “The New England Confedera-
tion.” They wrote a constitution, the first constitution
written in the New World, and it began with these
words: “Whereas we all came into these parts with one
and the same end and aim, namely to advance the king-
dom of our Lord Jesus Christ and to enjoy the liberties of
the gospel in purity and peace...”
But as time passed, and the original settlers died off,
many of their descendants were more concerned with
increasing their wealth and comfortable living than
being faithful to God and His Word. Then England
began a program of emptying its prisons by making it
possible for prisoners to come to the New World and
the spiritual atmosphere deteriorated rapidly. Churches
were dying, and many of them that had once sought
religious freedom for themselves were now being
intolerant of others. It was during this time that some
went off in strange spiritual directions. For example, in
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