Expert Witness - We Are A Christian Nation

Righteousness exalts a nation,

but sin is a disgrace to any people. - Proverbs 14:34

Two hundred thirty-five years of freedom is unique. Why has the U.S. been so blessed? What makes us so special?

Psalm 33:12 answers these questions. "Blessed is the nation whose God is Lord." Our nation had a Biblical foundation. The founders planted good seed. You can tell the root by the fruit, according to Matthew 7:16-18.

Dr. Andy Woods, speaker, pastor, and Bible teacher, and attorney used a reliable source to prove that the United States of America is indeed a Christian Nation. His expert witness is Justice David Josiah Brewer, who served on the US Supreme Court from 1889-1910. His opinion in the case Church of Holy Trinity v. U.S. (143US 457,465,470-71 1892) cites multiple, irrefutable authorities.

The Declarations of early American settlers: Christopher Columbus wrote a book on Biblical prophecies. His motive for the voyage was not to prove the world was round, but to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in many distant lands.

The intent of the Mayflower Compact of 1620 was the advancement of the Christian faith.

The South Carolina Constitution (1778) established Christianity as the religion of the state. Roger Williams established Rhode Island for his Christian beliefs. Colonial life had an emphatic Christian tone.

Early education: Harvard's early seal and motto was: In Christi Gloriam. The rules for students of the university were to read the Scriptures twice a day and be ready to give an account of their faith proficiently. Yale and William & Mary had similar rules and motto. No school was founded on Mohammad, Buddha, or Confucius. MIT was the first school established by atheists in 1871.

Early support from the government for the church: There was no hostility, but cooperation between the Church and State. Maryland's constitution in 1776 offered a tax to support the Christian religion.

Requirement of elected officials: In 1776, Delaware required office holders to profess their faith in God, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Vermont's constitution required every member of the House to vow belief in Christ and profess a protestant faith. John Jay, the 1st Chief Justice of the USSC, stated choice of our rulers, our duty, privilege, and interest of our Christian nation is to prefer Christian leadership.

Use of the word "God" in reverence: The name of God is invoked. When His name is used in singular, it is presumed to include the Trinity.

The Declaration of Independence should have been called the Declaration of DEpendence on God. Our rights come from God, not the government. Man can't take away our rights because he didn't give them.

The U.S. Constitution uses the phrase "in the year of our Lord" (Anno Domini) to indicate the date.

Absence of contrary declarations: There is no repudiation of Christianity found.

Establishment of Christian Chaplains in the military: The original range of service was Christianity.

American population: (1890) One-third of the population was directly connected to a Christian teaching or church. Ben Franklin, whom many call a "deist" actually quoted the Bible. Thomas Jefferson, also referred to as a "deist" offered an historic call for prayer. He wrote to Europeans advice for immigrating to the new country: "Atheism is unknown, infidelity rare and secret, bad examples to youth are rare."

Acceptance of the Bible: Two hundred fifty million copies of the Bible. No further comment needed here.

Beyond dispute: Justice Brewer presented no doubtful facts. His evidence is 100% historically true. The laws and customs of the U.S. are based on Moses and Christ. The Bible is the guide of life. Christian doctrines are accepted as comfort in times of sorrow. Government Establishment of the Thanksgiving holiday, calls for fasting and prayers, recognition of Christmas, promotion of Sunday school for children, and Christian literature.

God alone deserves the glory for His part in creating this nation. He gives us a potential for greatness. We are a city on a hill because of our Christian roots.

Satan wants to erase the historical truths of our beginning. By removing our Godly heritage, he takes away the moral compass. We must remember from where we have fallen. From Harvard's motto: In Christi Gloriam to California's law demanding schools to teach students about homosexuality (but forbidding them to teach the truth our founding fathers). We have indeed plummeted a great distance.

Any country can be great if God has His place of authority.

Any church can be great if God has His place of authority.

Any person can be great if God has His place of authority.

Let us reclaim this nation for Christ.

Tampa Police in "Obedient Heart"

A scene from Chapter Five in "Obedient Heart"

Jennifer tapped her fingers against the phone. Should she call the police? A man ringing her doorbell and running off wasn't a crime. But if that man had driven by her house, followed her, then come to her door, well...that was a different story, wasn't it?

She picked up the phone and dialed the non-emergency number. "Tampa Police Department, Operator Eighty-Six." The woman's confident voice reminded Jennifer of a female Jack Webb.

"I don't know how to report this," Jennifer said.

"Just start at the beginning, ma'am."

"Okay." Jennifer took a deep breath. "Earlier this evening, two men in a van drove by my house. And then I went out with...um, I went out." No need to bring up her botched blind date. "I saw the van following me. I think it was the same one. And a few minutes ago, one of the men came to my front door. So, I don't know. Is this a prowler, a prankster, or a stalker?"

"I'll send a patrol car out to you. What's your name and address?"

Five minutes later, the patrol car drove by twice before pulling to the curb in front of her house. The officer walked to her porch, pausing to shine his flashlight through the shrubs before climbing the steps to ring her doorbell.

Jennifer opened the door to let him into the foyer. Another patrol car pulled to the curb, and an officer climbed out of the vehicle.

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Our protagonist, Jennifer Ryaan, lives on Davis Islands, a neighborhood sprinkled with eclectic businesses and homes. D. P. Davis dredged up these islands in the 1920s from two small islets: "Little Grassy Key" and "Big Grassy Key" where Tampa Bay meets the Hillsborough River. He purchased the land for $350,000.00 and later sold three hundred of the original lots for over $1 million. He didn't live to see the growth and development of his islands. In October 1926, he was lost at sea during a transatlantic voyage. Another lesson in "you can't take it with you."

The homes range from modest 1920s bungalows to the infamous "St. Jetersburg," the nickname the news media gave Derek Jeter's mansion on Bahama Circle. Jennifer would never meet the famous baseball player since her modest brick ranch-style home, built in the '60s, is on the east side of the island facing the shipping canal. Bahama Circle is on the west side, which has direct access to either the Hillsborough River or the bay. I used the theft of my husband's bicycle to research the quick response to Jennifer's call for police. Tom had left the shed door open while he ran inside the house to get a tool. It took five minutes for a thief to move my bike out of the way (how insulting!) and steal Tom's Schwinn. The phone call I made to the police, and their quick response, was similar to the scene above. The thief must have beamed up to the Enterprise for the two patrol cars to have missed him.

The officer who took the report sympathized with us that, since the bicycle's value was under $500, the theft was considered a misdemeanor. That meant they wouldn't assign the major case squad to investigate. {sigh}

In the fifteen years Tom and I have lived in South Tampa, this was our first experience with a neighborhood crime. I was so impressed with the two officers' quick response to our call, as well as their professionalism, that I wanted to boast about Tampa's Finest in my novel.

(Tampa police photos taken from www.tampagov.net/dept_police)