Tuesday, May 15, 2012
What Did George Washington look like in the American Revolution?
Was George Washington a Christian?
By far the most frequent question I am asked is the following, "Was George Washington a Christian?" It is a very important question. Throughout history one can see that a leaders faith or lack of, has influenced the way they have governed and lived. The modern notion that faith somehow is "private" is an untenable position. Even in the most recent controversy "Same-Sex Marriage" faith plans a crucial role in how people and our leaders believe on this issue. First off, if you are truly interested in the question above I have two books that I would recommend you read. Sacred Fire by Peter Lilliback and Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow. In Sacred Fire Mr. Lilliback focuses his entire book around this issue. It is a meticulously researched book. By no means an easy read, nevertheless, it clearly answers the above question. He tries to stay as unbiased as possible, but does sometimes paint too rosy of a picture of Washington's mother in my estimation. He paints her as a godly woman who raised Washington in a loving Christian home. This might be true, but in Washington's adult life, she was brutal to him. This is left out. In Washington: A life by Mr. Chernow he covers the vast life of Washington and weaves in His faith. I think he weaves in too little, but does a fair job along the way. So if you read both books you get a pretty good view of this topic.
We must be careful of people that accost historical figures for the propagation of their belief system. Thomas Jefferson was not a Christian, yet I find people repeating this constantly. He was a soft deist (deism: The belief, based solely on reason, in a God who created the universe and then abandoned it, assuming no control over life, exerting no influence on natural phenomena, and giving no supernatural revelation.). In fact to his credit, he would not become a Godparent to children when asked because he had to repeat the Anglican Creed, which clearly defined Jesus as God, and the salvation message is clearly expressed.
Washington was by no means a perfect man, but he was clearly a Christian. The first reason historians can clearly state this is that on eight separate occasions George Washington became a Godparent. He had to public swear in Church that we believed in the Anglican Creed. Here is the Creed:
Clearly not a Deist creed. One might say that he did not believe this, but it was simply a means to an end. Granted, he might not have believed any of this, however, when one studies George Washington he is known for his impeccable integrity. So, the brunt of the evidence is that George Washington is no liar and he said what he believed (eight times in this instance).
The second reasos many historians believe George Washington is a Christian is that he was deeply involved in advocating for the Christian Church. Whether it be his Farewell Address, his advocating for chaplain in the French/Indian War and the American Revolution, mandating (gently) that all soldiers attend divine services during the American Revolution ("as Christian Soldiers"), his service as a Vestrymen, his letter to the Native American Chiefs telling them that their pursuit of Christianity they will find happiness, the list goes on.
The last reason was that George Washington had a collection of sermons and prayers that he read to his family. A quick look at these sermon and prayers are astonishing at how Christian they are. They are not laced with the speech of the time of the "Almighty" and "Providence". They clearly talk about Jesus. He was known to get up and pray in the mornings and read the Bible on a consistent basis.
Well, this is not an exhaustive look at George Washington's faith. However, I think by examining his faith, we see how it guided his leadership later. His views on the human heart, his views on checks and balances in government, his dealings with people, are all informed by his faith.
We must be careful of people that accost historical figures for the propagation of their belief system. Thomas Jefferson was not a Christian, yet I find people repeating this constantly. He was a soft deist (deism: The belief, based solely on reason, in a God who created the universe and then abandoned it, assuming no control over life, exerting no influence on natural phenomena, and giving no supernatural revelation.). In fact to his credit, he would not become a Godparent to children when asked because he had to repeat the Anglican Creed, which clearly defined Jesus as God, and the salvation message is clearly expressed.
Washington was by no means a perfect man, but he was clearly a Christian. The first reason historians can clearly state this is that on eight separate occasions George Washington became a Godparent. He had to public swear in Church that we believed in the Anglican Creed. Here is the Creed:
WE BELIEVE in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
Clearly not a Deist creed. One might say that he did not believe this, but it was simply a means to an end. Granted, he might not have believed any of this, however, when one studies George Washington he is known for his impeccable integrity. So, the brunt of the evidence is that George Washington is no liar and he said what he believed (eight times in this instance).
The second reasos many historians believe George Washington is a Christian is that he was deeply involved in advocating for the Christian Church. Whether it be his Farewell Address, his advocating for chaplain in the French/Indian War and the American Revolution, mandating (gently) that all soldiers attend divine services during the American Revolution ("as Christian Soldiers"), his service as a Vestrymen, his letter to the Native American Chiefs telling them that their pursuit of Christianity they will find happiness, the list goes on.
The last reason was that George Washington had a collection of sermons and prayers that he read to his family. A quick look at these sermon and prayers are astonishing at how Christian they are. They are not laced with the speech of the time of the "Almighty" and "Providence". They clearly talk about Jesus. He was known to get up and pray in the mornings and read the Bible on a consistent basis.
Well, this is not an exhaustive look at George Washington's faith. However, I think by examining his faith, we see how it guided his leadership later. His views on the human heart, his views on checks and balances in government, his dealings with people, are all informed by his faith.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
A new movie about George Washington: Hit or Miss?
A new biopic on George Washington is being tossed about in Hollywood. In fact a script has been written, a name has been chosen, a studio has taken on the project, and a director has been chosen. The movie will be called "The General", the studio will be Paramount Pictures, and the director will be Darren Aronofsky who directed "Black Swan" and is working on "Noah." I'm really not sure. As a Movie Production teacher as well as a US History teacher, I've seen some incredible historical films made. Some incredibly accurate. I've also seen some historical figures and events being manipulated, changed, and butchered. So, I'll reserve my judgment on this endeavor, but I must admit I'm hesitate. Your thoughts?
http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/18/black-swan-director-takes-on-george-washington-biopic/
http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/18/black-swan-director-takes-on-george-washington-biopic/
Washington Farewell Address: Goodbye with Humility paragraph 50
50 Though, in reviewing the incidents of my administration, I am unconscious of intentional error, I am nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed many errors. Whatever they may be, I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which they may tend. I shall also carry with me the hope, that my Country will never cease to view them with indulgence; and that, after forty-five years of my life dedicated to its service with an upright zeal, the faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as myself must soon be to the mansions of rest.
In summation, we see the heart of a truly humble man. Humility is not a trait we often espouse today. We say be “proud” of yourself. While I do not begrudge “self-esteem” or a certain sense of accomplishment, George Washington shows true “self-esteem”. He has served our country faithfully for forty-five years, and yet he is “too sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed many errors.” A truly successful, humble, hero, is sensible who he really is. A person who is a True hero, who has true self-esteem, is one who can readily admit their faults. This is incredibly hard to do. To embrace your faults, admit them, apologize for them, is a rarity today. G.W. in his last public statement readily admits that he is fallible. How refreshing is that? He states that he cannot think of an intentional error, but readily admits the probability of unintentional errors. It is really remarkable. I believe him. As one studies G.W., one sees a man that desires for integrity in everything he does. Even his harshest critics admit that his integrity was impeccable. Also, one sees George Washington’s reliance upon the “Almighty” or God to mitigate his failings consequences. This shows once again a look into G.W. view of faith. This one statement can disprove the assertions of some scholars that George Washington was somehow a Deist. A Deist is one who believes there is a God, that He made the world, but is a dispassionate observer of events now. He is a Clockmaker.. He made the clock and now it just runs. George Washington gives over his failings to the Almighty, hoping that God will intervene and mitigate the effects of his errors. He believes in a God that is actively involved in the affairs of men. He ends with the hope that his country will forget his failings as he moves into his final rest. I think his desire has come to fruition in his fellow countrymen today.
In summation, we see the heart of a truly humble man. Humility is not a trait we often espouse today. We say be “proud” of yourself. While I do not begrudge “self-esteem” or a certain sense of accomplishment, George Washington shows true “self-esteem”. He has served our country faithfully for forty-five years, and yet he is “too sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed many errors.” A truly successful, humble, hero, is sensible who he really is. A person who is a True hero, who has true self-esteem, is one who can readily admit their faults. This is incredibly hard to do. To embrace your faults, admit them, apologize for them, is a rarity today. G.W. in his last public statement readily admits that he is fallible. How refreshing is that? He states that he cannot think of an intentional error, but readily admits the probability of unintentional errors. It is really remarkable. I believe him. As one studies G.W., one sees a man that desires for integrity in everything he does. Even his harshest critics admit that his integrity was impeccable. Also, one sees George Washington’s reliance upon the “Almighty” or God to mitigate his failings consequences. This shows once again a look into G.W. view of faith. This one statement can disprove the assertions of some scholars that George Washington was somehow a Deist. A Deist is one who believes there is a God, that He made the world, but is a dispassionate observer of events now. He is a Clockmaker.. He made the clock and now it just runs. George Washington gives over his failings to the Almighty, hoping that God will intervene and mitigate the effects of his errors. He believes in a God that is actively involved in the affairs of men. He ends with the hope that his country will forget his failings as he moves into his final rest. I think his desire has come to fruition in his fellow countrymen today.
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