THE REAL REASON THE PILGRIMS CAME TO AMERICA

I was presenting a “Revive America” event at Abounding Grace Christian Church in Schenectady, NY when the Lord highlighted, in a somewhat dramatic fashion, the Pilgrims’ purpose in coming to America.

As I was preparing for an evening session, I sensed the Holy Spirit instructing me to have the audience repeat after me the two reasons the Pilgrims gave, in the Mayflower Compact, for coming to America.

Later that evening, at the appropriate moment, I had the words of the Mayflower Compact flashed on the large screen and asked the audience to read with me their two reasons for coming to the New World. We read together: "(1) For the glory of God and (2) the advancement of the Christian faith." We then read it a second time.

At the end of the service, a young man, who looked to be about twenty years of age, approached me with his face glowing and a note of excitement in his voice. He said,

I am attending a local community college and taking a course in American history. Just this week the professor told us that the Pilgrims did not come here for religious reasons. He said they came for monetary reasons.

He paused and then exclaimed, “But there it is in their own words!” He then stated how he was now inspired to study and teach America’s true origins. I then understood why God had instructed me to have everyone speak aloud the two reasons the Pilgrims gave for coming to America.

But even before the Mayflower Compact, while still in Holland, their missionary vision was clearly stated. William Bradford, who served as governor of Plymouth Colony for over thirty years, explained why they made plans to come to America. He said that they had "a great hope and inward zeal for the propagating and advancing of the gospel of Jesus Christ in those remote parts of the world" (Hyatt, The Pilgrims, 25).

The Pilgrims practiced what modern missiologists would call “friendship evangelism.” They made friends, not only with Squanto, but with countless other individuals and tribes. They established a treaty with the Wampanoag tribe in which they promised to defend each other if either was attacked by an outside aggressor. Dr. Samuel Eliot Morison says the Pilgrims treated the natives with, “A combination of justice, wisdom and mercy” (Hyatt, The Pilgrims, 38).

A number of natives came and lived among the Pilgrims. These included Squanto, Samoset, and Hobomok who served the Pilgrims as guides and interpreters. Living in Plymouth, they would have attended the church services of the Pilgrims. 

Their friendship evangelism bore fruit. Bradford told of Squanto falling sick and dying. The Pilgrims cared for Squanto in his sickness, and Bradford said that before he passed, Squanto asked him to pray for him that he would go to the God in heaven he had learned about from the Pilgrims. Bradford described Squanto’s death as "a great loss.”

The Pilgrims’ commitment to missions contributed to the fact that the first Bible published in the New World was not an English language Bible. The first Bible published in America was in the Massachusett language. It was published in 1660 for the purpose of reaching natives with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Pilgrims’ commitment to missions has had far-reaching ramifications and contributed to America becoming a missionary-sending nation. This missionary vision, that began with the Pilgrims, became so pronounced that it caught the attention of the U.S. Supreme Court. In the 1892 ruling of “Church of the Holy Trinity vs. the United States,” the nation’s highest court stated,

The churches and church organizations which abound in every city, town, and hamlet . . . and the gigantic missionary associations, with general support, and aiming to establish Christian missions in every quarter of the globe add a mass of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances that this is a Christian nation (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 170).

 Yes, the Pilgrims were fleeing persecution in England, but that was only part of the story. They had a proactive missionary vision that was pulling them forward. They clearly stated that they had come to America, “For the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith.” 

In retrospect, it is obvious that they were successful in their mission. It is also obvious that the modern, self-obsessed American Church needs to acquire a missionary vision of its own. After all, the Great Commission, which commands us to "go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mk. 16:15) has never expired.

Dr. Eddie Hyatt is an author and ordained minister with a commission to remind America of  her radical Christian roots in the Great Awakening. This article was derived from his books, The Pilgrims and 1726: The Year that Defined America, both available from Amazon and his website at http://eddiehyatt.com.

THE CHURCH'S ROLE IN PRESERVING FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN AMERICA

The controversy surrounding Kyrie Irving and his post of a tweet that claims the Jews in Israel are not the real Jews—that black Africans are the real Jews—raises serious questions about free speech in America and has ramifications for every Bible-believing Christian.

I am unapologetically pro-Israel. In fact, those on the political left would consider me a Zionist because I believe that the establishment of the Jewish state in 1948 was an act of God, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and restoring His Old Testament covenant people to their ancient homeland. Without question, I disagree with Kyrie’s post.

However, I am also pro-freedom, and it concerns me to see how far some are willing to go in trying to force Kyrie to publicly recant. It has undertones of the old heresy trials in Europe where Jews and dissenting Protestants were threatened with imprisonment and death if they did not align their thinking with those in power.

The parents and grandparents of America’s Founders fled such tyrannical regimes. That is why the Founding Fathers instituted the Bill of Rights guaranteeing freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to peacefully assemble, and so on. 

Knowing, however, the flawed character of human nature, the Founders knew that such freedoms could only function within a moral and virtuous society. An amoral people, with no transcendent moral guide, would turn freedom into anarchy and use free speech as an excuse to malign and destroy their opponents. John Adams addressed this when he said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other.” (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 168).

The Founders wanted America to be a free and open marketplace of opinions and ideas, but guided by the moral teachings of Jesus, which would require a strong and lively Church being salt and light in the culture. This is why Thomas Jefferson said, “Of all the systems of morality that have come under my observation, none appear to me so pure as that of Jesus” (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 150).

The Founders also believed in the inherent power of objective Truth and were convinced that Truth would always prevail on an even playing field. They agreed with John Milton who said, “Let Truth and Falsehood grapple; who ever knew Truth put to the worse, in a free and open encounter?”

This is why Benjamin Franklin expressed an openness to the leading Muslim cleric of that day preaching in Philadelphia. Franklin had just led the way in completing the construction of a large building to accommodate the massive crowds that gathered to hear George Whitefield preach. He made it clear, however, that the building was not only for Whitefield’s use, but for the use, “of any preacher of any religious persuasion who might desire to say something to the people of Philadelphia.” He then said, 

Even if the Mufti of Constantinople (Istanbul) were to send a missionary to preach Mohammedanism to us, he would find a pulpit at his service (Hyatt, America’s Revival Heritage, 2nd Edition, 96).

The answer to the current free speech dilemma in America is not an Orwellian Ministry of Truth that arbitrarily decides whose speech is acceptable and whose speech must be banned. Sadly, with the loss of Christian values in our culture, that is where we are headed, just as Washington and other Founders warned (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 165).

The answer must come from “we the people.” There must be a recovery of morality and virtue in our society, and this will only happen when the Church awakens and becomes in practice the salt and light Jesus declared us to be (Matthew 5:13-14). The greatest threat to free speech in America is a docile, slumbering  Church.

In my book, America’s Revival Heritage, 2nd Edition, I pinpoint four Great Awakenings that have occurred at crucial times in America's history and saved her from what appeared to be certain ruin. God has not changed and it can happen again, if we meet His conditions. II Chronicles 7:14 still rings true and begins with the words, If My people . . .. The ball is in our court. What will we do?

Dr. Eddie Hyatt is an author and ordained minister who is passionate about helping America recover her founding principles of faith and freedom. His numerous books on the topic are available from Amazon and his website at http://eddiehyatt.com.

A PERSON OF FAITH EXPLAINS "DARK MATTER"

Along with being a devout follower of Jesus Christ and committed to proclaiming and teaching His word, I have a deep interest in science, particularly astronomy. I have, therefore, read with interest recent articles about the discoveries of the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes.

One area that has caught my attention is what astronomers are calling “Dark Matter.” Simply speaking, Dark Matter is an unseen force that is holding the universe together. It cannot be seen and astronomers don’t know what it is, but they say it is keeping the universe from flying apart.

For example, our solar system is being held together by the gravitational force of the sun. Since the gravitational force of an object depends on its size, this means that our sun is the perfect size to keep the planets in orbit. If the sun were smaller, the planets would all wander off aimlessly into space.

Now, our solar system, along with billions of stars and other celestial bodies, are all rotating around the center of our Milky Way galaxy. Then, our Milky Way galaxy is part of a cluster of galaxies that are all rotating around another center.

Here is the dilemma. According to astronomers and astrophysicists, there is not nearly enough matter (mass) in the universe to produce enough gravity to keep everything from flying apart. There is some force that they cannot see or explain that is holding everything together. So, they call it “Dark Matter.”

Now, the Bible gives a clear explanation for this dilemma, particularly in Paul’s letter to the believers in Colosse. This letter has been called “Paul’s full-length portrayal of Christ” for in it he sets forth Jesus Christ in all His Divine majesty, power, and creative glory.

In 2:15 Paul says that Jesus is the image of the invisible God and that by Him all things were created that are in heaven and on earth. Then, in vs. 17, he says, "HE WAS BEFORE ALL ELSE BEGAN AND IT IS HIS POWER THAT HOLDS EVERYTHING TOGETHER" (TLB). The writer of Hebrews concurs saying that Christ is "upholding all things by the word of His power" (NKJV).

If He can hold the universe together, He can hold your life together. He can hold your family together. He can hold your congregation together. He can hold this nation together. He must, however, be at the center. He must be Lord. Everything flies apart when He is not at the center. Make Him Lord of your life today, and watch Him hold everything together.

Dr. Eddie Hyatt is an ordained minister and author who has a passion to make Christ known throughout the earth. His books on Divine Awakenings and other Biblical themes are available from Amazon and his website at http://eddiehyatt.com.

WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR AMERICA TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN NATION AGAIN?

If America becomes a Christian nation once again, it will come from below--from "we the people." It will not come from politicians in Washington, D.C. Consider the following facts.

America was considered a Christian nation for the first 150 years of her existence, not because of an act of Congress or judicial decree, but because of the organic faith of the vast majority of her inhabitants. This faith of “we the people” flowed upward and influenced all the cultural and government institutions of the nation.

The First Great Awakening

This remarkable Christianizing of the American populace was the fruit of the First Great Awakening, which may be dated from 1726-1770. So many turned to Christ in this remarkable revival that critical mass was achieved, and the revival’s influence was felt everywhere.

As a result, the Continental Congress opened each session with prayer and Christian chaplains were appointed to the military and to Congress. George Washington took the first presidential oath of office with his hand on the sacred book of Christians—the Bible. He also declared a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving to God.

America was a Christian nation, not by an act of Congress, but by the faith-filled actions of her citizenry. John Marshall, the second Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, understood this. Serving as Chief Justice for 34 years from 1801-1834, Marshall wrote,

The American population is entirely Christian, and with us Christianity and religion are identified. It would be strange, indeed, if with such a people, our institutions did not presuppose Christianity, and did not refer to it, and exhibit relations with it (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 169).

The Second Great Awakening

America has experienced at least three Great Awakenings that have impacted the values and cultural direction of the nation. Each one served to restore Christian faith during times of spiritual indifference and apostasy. The Second Great Awakening  (1801-40), for example, reversed the negative influences of Deism and the French Revolution that had gained ascendancy during latter days of the 18th century.

The American historian, Dr. Mark Noll, called this Second Great Awakening, “the most influential revival in the history of the United States.” Peter Cartwright, a circuit riding Methodist clergyman, wrote of this revival, saying, “The work went on and spread almost in every direction, gathering additional force til our country seemed all coming to God” (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 175).

The Third Great Awakening

The Third Great Awakening has been called “The Great Prayer Awakening of 1857-58.” This great prayer revival touched every part of American society. Churches and public halls became filled night and day with people pouring out their hearts to God in prayer.

Presidents Franklin Pierce (1853-57) and James Buchannan (1857-61) attended prayer meetings that were organized in Washington, D.C. The famous revivalist, Charles G. Finney, said that “a divine influence seemed to pervade the whole land” (Hyatt, The Great Prayer Awakening of 1857-58, 26). Fervent prayer continued throughout the Civil War, saving the nation from total ruin.

President Abraham Lincoln (1861-65), for example, told of his prayer response when he heard that General Robert E. Lee was marching into Pennsylvania with 76,000 Confederate troops. With everyone panicking, Lincoln went into his office, closed the door, and got down on his knees. 

As he poured out his heart to God, the answer came in a clear and distinct manner. He said, “A sweet comfort crept into my soul that God Almighty had taken the whole business into His own hands.” Lee was defeated at the Battle of Gettysburg, and it proved to be the turning point of the war. The American Union was saved.

The Supreme Court Recognizes Our Christian Character

In 1892, the U.S. Supreme Court declared America to be a Christian nation, not because of an act of Congress, but because of these Awakenings, and numerous local and regional revivals, that had impacted the faith of the people. In the ruling, Church of the Holy Trinity vs The United States, the nation’s highest court declared,

The churches and church organizations which abound in every city, town, and hamlet; the multitude of charitable organizations existing everywhere under Christian auspices; the gigantic missionary associations, with general support, and aiming to establish Christian missions in every quarter of the globe. These, and many other matters which might be noticed, add a volume of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances that this is a Christian nation

Notice that the Court did not decree America to be a Christian nation by judicial fiat, but merely acknowledged the fact that she was a Christian nation because of the pervasive, organic faith of her citizens.

The Only Clear Path to Being a Christian Nation

For those who want America to once again be a Christian nation, it will not happen via a political route. It will not happen by an act of Congress. It will not come by an executive order from the White House. That is the old Constantinian approach and is the politicized form of Christianity our ancestors fled from in Europe.

America’s Founders wanted Christian virtues to permeate the nation, but not by Congressional or executive orders. They wanted Christian influence to flow up from the people, which is what John Adams had in mind when he declared, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other” (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 41).

Commenting on Samuel Adams, another Founding Father, the noted Catholic scholar, Dr. Michael Novak, says that Adams believed that (1) Liberty cannot be enjoyed apart from virtue [morality] and (2) Virtue is unlikely to remain vigorous from one generation to another without "religious awakenings.” Novak goes on to say,

Far from having a hostility toward religion, the Founders counted on religion [Christianity] for the underlying philosophy of the republic, its supporting ethic, and its reliable source of rejuvenation (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 171).

It Can Happen Again

If America is to be a Christian nation once again, it will not come from the White House; it will come from God’s House. Another Great Awakening will begin with Christian pastors and leaders taking their faith and calling seriously and calling on their constituents to evaluate their lives in the light of eternity and the Gospel.

Another Great Awakening will accomplish more in one week than all our religious programs and activities will accomplish in ten years. Another Great Awakening will transform lives until the spiritual and moral tipping point is reached, and America is once again recognized as a Christian nation.

I am certain that America’s founders would approve this message.

Dr. Eddie Hyatt has a passion to see America return to her founding principles of faith and freedom. This article is derived from his books, 1726: The Year that Defined America and The Great Prayer Awakening of 1857-58, available from Amazon and his website at http://eddiehyatt.com.

WHY AMERICAN CHRISTIANS HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION TO VOTE IN THIS ELECTION

In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus called His followers the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.” These are metaphoric expressions of the positive influence He expects His followers to have on the world in which they live.

The value of salt in Jesus' day was its use as a preservative to keep meat from spoiling. Light dispels darkness, a figure of speech for ignorance and falsehood. We fulfill these words of Jesus through our words, deeds, and prayers. 

We also fulfill these words by being good citizens and voting for government leaders whose lives and policies are most conducive to our Christian mission and message of ultimate freedom and peace in Jesus Christ.   

Paul, as well as Jesus, makes it clear that Christians have an obligation to be good citizens. Paul speaks of our duty to the governing authorities in Romans 13:1-7, and sums up his exhortation by saying, Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul gave him guidelines for praying for governing authorities, and we can use his words as a guide for voting.  Paul told Timothy to pray with two clear goals in mind: (1) that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life and (2) that people may be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

Paul clearly wants a political situation wherein Christians are free to live out their faith without government interference, which we presently do not have. He also wants there to be freedom for the preaching of the Gospel, for he mentions how God wants all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

If Timothy had had the privilege of voting for government leaders as we do, I am certain that Paul would have instructed him to vote as well as pray. We, therefore, can keep Paul's instructions in mind when we go into the voting booth. Although there are no perfect candidates, we can both pray and vote with Paul’s vision in mind.

Our goal is not to create an “official” Christian nation, but to be free to carry out the commission of our Lord to make disciples for Him in every nation (Matthew 28:18-20). When the people of this nation, or any nation, live by the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament, they will be a more peaceful and happy people. As Psalm 33:12 says, Blessed is the nation, whose God is the LORD.

To carry out this Great Commission, we need political leaders whose worldview and policies are favorable to the Christian mission and message of repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). This Christian mission will either be opposed or accommodated by those who are voted into power.

John Jay (1745-1829), whom George Washington appointed as the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, understood this. Jay was a New York lawyer, governor of New York, and a Founding Father. In 1812, he exhorted American citizens that it was their “duty” to wisely choose their leaders. He said,

Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers. National prosperity can neither be obtained nor preserved without the favor of Providence (Hyatt, America’s Revival Heritage 2nd Edition, 93).

It is both foolish and immoral for Christians to leave it to the secularists, socialists, and Marxists to choose those who will govern this nation. Such leaders would most surely oppose our Christian mission and message. Yes, American Christians have a moral obligation to vote in this election.

This article is derived in part from Dr. Eddie Hyatt's book, America’s Revival Heritage 2nd Edition, available from Amazon and his website at http://eddiehyatt.com. Eddie is the founder of the "1726 Project" whose purpose is to educate America about the impact of the Great Awakening (beginning in 1726) on the founding of America and the ending of slavery on this continent.