On June 7, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia resolved before Congress that “These United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States.” A committee consisting of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Robert Livingston and Roger Sherman was formed to draft a formal declaration of independence. The draft, almost wholly Jefferson’s work, passed on July 2, with 12 colonies voting in favor and New York temporarily abstaining. The ensuing debate made most significant changes in omitting clauses condemning British people as well as their government, and, in deference to Southern delegates, an article denouncing slave trade.

In Europe, including Britain, Declaration was greeted as inaugurating a new age of freedom and self-government. As a manifesto for revolution it yielded to French Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen, although its importance increased in United States. After federal union was organized in 1789, it came to be considered as a statement of basic political principles, not just of independence. And rest is American history.

The Declaration of Independence is on display for public in National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. Stop by sometime and view it. It is a remarkable document. Pastor T.

Faith Fellowship Church…PO Box 1586…Broken Arrow, OK 74013…918-451-0270…Pastor Terry Dashner

In America throughout 18th and 19th centuries concept of faith, instead of reason, was taking a beating. The Enlightened authors of 18th century questioned all things that could not be proven by either inductive or deductive reasoning. When Darwin published his works in 19th century, it only added fuel to fires of enlightened class of intellectuals who believed that organized religion was doing more harm to societies than good. Along with Darwin’s ideas arose other thinkers, and traditional thoughts of theology went into a step decline. Some Bible scholars and philosophers began to argue that God was dead (Nietzche—“God is dead and we have killed Him”) and nihilism (reject all established authority), and Utilitarianism (to weird for me to explain). This decline in traditional beliefs of theology that had held constant since Apostles was affecting social fabric of America. Schools, especially higher institutions of learning, were embracing a new theology called modernism. The rebellion against traditional faith came to a crescendo in 1960s. America’s Supreme Court judges began propounding philosophical law that supported modernism—prayer in school was banned. In 1970s abortion rights activists were successful in ruling of Roe-v-Wade. Today after 30 years of modernism influencing our courts, now we’ve come to post-modern era. Things are getting wackier. For example, who in their right mind would have suggested thirty years ago that same sex couples would one day wed legally? Things are spinning out of control.

We need a Revival in land. We need to stand up and preach Gospel without compromise. We need to combat our federal judges that rule against will of people on issues like banning of partial birth abortions and same sex marriage. America needs a spiritual boost to say least. We, church, must teach dangers of post modernism. Post modernism is nothing more than “wiles of devil” creeping into American society “unawares” because Satan has caught Christians asleep at their posts. We must awaken to righteousness and speak truth. We’ve got to stand up and be counted. Here are some ways we can be counted: (1) Pray for America (2) Witness our faith without compromise (3) tell our Representatives how we believe (4) Register and vote in elections. (5) Join active ministries that keep us informed about work of evil one—the devil—in governments of men as well as “world.” Stay encouraged! Jesus has given us all authority to advance His kingdom among men.

I bless you, and I pray that God would continue to bless this great land we call America.

Pastor Terry Dashner

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