A REPUBLIC: PROPHECY AND PROMISE

 I want to thank Bro. Tony Mincer for the wonderful series of lessons on William Penn.  As I look back on the men who shaped the founding of our great nation, I come away with a huge heart of humility.  While I would like to think I could be as brave as William Penn, I'm not so sure.  

Now we will turn our attention toward a man whose faith in Christ was less obvious, and whose life was circumspect to say the least.  As we dive into the life of Benjamin Franklin, I would like all of you to keep in mind the purpose of God in bringing our great nation into being.  In today's world it is easy to point out the displacement of native peoples, the terrors of slavery, and the repression of peoples as somehow indicative of the moral failure of the founders, and in turn a statement against our republic, and capitalistic economy.  This is not true.  The declaration of Independence, and our Constitution were both a prophetic declaration of human dignity, and a promise of what could be.  A republic was a new creation, and democracy was considered a failed governmental experiment.  Capitalism was new, and it's power yet untested.  As with all great endeavors, evil will often shadow the purest of motives.  Cruel, and heartless men will attach themselves to good ideas in the hope that their evil hearts won't be revealed.  

While slavery and servitude were hallmarks of European cultures for over 3,000 years, it only took 60 years from the creation of our United States for slavery to be abolished.  While monarchs lived in great wealth, and purchased the loyalty of tribal leaders throughout Europe, our great country saw average ordinary men rise to great wealth and provide employment for generations.  All of these benefits grew, and grew as men, and women became free to follow the voice of God.  

While it is easy for Marxists, and humanists to point out the flaws of the Church throughout our nation's history, they seem less willing to admit the good done by the Church when confronted with the truths of its many successes.  

It was Christians who discovered God's hatred of slavery, and began the march toward its abolition.  It was Christian women who led the suffrage, and acquired the right to vote.  It was Christians who took up the mantle of human rights and began the march to destroy racial persecution.  Justice is a Jewish, and Christian concept, and the United States has led the way in the battle for justice.  The Church has led the way for liberty, justice, and human rights.  The Church has made the world a better place to live.  These are facts that can't be disputed!  I have seen the conditions in other nations, other continents, and in other cultures.  We have made the world a better place, and God willing, the Church will continue to be a shining light for good in a darkened world.