AMERICA'S ANTI-SLAVERY FOUNDING DOCUMENTS

Left-wing activists love to demonize America's founding documents as "racist." However, a careful look at the documents in their historical context reveal a very different story. An honest examination of the documents and their early history reveal that they were written as anti-slavery documents. Such stalwarts as Frederick Douglass and Dr. Martin Luther king, Jr. understood this, as documented below.

Their Anti-Slavery Character

America’s founding documents contain no classifications based on race, ethnicity, or skin color. The words “slave” and “slavery” are nowhere to be found. Instead, the framers of the Constitution use the words “persons,” “citizens,” and “other persons.” James Madison said the language was a purposeful statement against slavery (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 123).

The Declaration of Independence declares that “all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights . . ..” This was considered an anti-slavery statement by America’s founding generation and abolitionists used it in their fight against slavery.

For example, a 1784 gathering of Methodist leaders in Baltimore published a statement denouncing slavery and based their condemnation on both the Bible and the Declaration of Independence. They denounced slavery as, “contrary to the golden rule of God . . . as well as every principle of the [American] Revolution” (Hyatt, Abolitionist Founding Fathers, 29).

Samuel Hopkins, a pastor in Newport, RI and a passionate abolitionist, also used the Declaration of Independence in his arguments against slavery. He was incensed at some who said that slavery was God’s way of exposing Africans to the gospel. He thundered,

What sort of “gospel” message is being conveyed when people are enslaved because of the color of their skin? The Declaration of Independence says all men are created equal with certain unalienable rights. Oh, the shocking, the intolerable inconsistencies (Hyatt, Abolitionist Founding Fathers, 29).

America’s Founders Turn Against Slavery

These colorblind founding documents were the fruit of a powerful abolition movement that emerged out of the First Great Awakening (1726-70). So influential was this movement that virtually every founder, even those who owned slaves, took a public stand against it.

For example, in a letter to Robert Morris, dated April 12, 1786, George Washington said, “There is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do, to see a plan adopted for the abolition of slavery.” Virtually every founder came to agree with John Adams who wrote,

Every measure of prudence ought to be assumed for the eventual total extirpation of slavery from the United States . . . I have throughout my whole life held the practice of slavery in abhorrence (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 101).

This movement against slavery occurred at a time when slavery was accepted and practiced throughout most of the world. Dr. Thomas Sowell has written of this saying,

Among those who turned against slavery in the 18th century were George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry and other America leaders. You could research all of 18th century Africa, or Asia, or the Middle East without finding any comparable rejection of slavery there (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 90).

Frederick Douglass and Dr. King

In his early years, the famous abolitionist and former slave, Frederick Douglass, felt he had no part in America because of slavery. But after studying America’s founding and realizing that America’s founders were on the cutting edge of the fight against slavery, he came to a completely different view. In a July 4th speech delivered in 1852, Douglass called the U.S, Constitution “a glorious liberty document” and extoled America’s founders, saying,

Fellow Citizens, I am not wanting in respect for the fathers of this republic. The signers of the Declaration of Independence were brave men. They were great men too—great enough to give fame to a great age. It does not often happen to a nation to raise, at one time, such a number of truly great men.

Obviously convinced of the anti-slavery character of the founding documents, Douglass also said, “Any one of these provisions in the hands of abolition statesmen, and backed by a right moral sentiment, would put an end to slavery in America.” (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 121).

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. utilized America’s founding documents in his fight for racial equality. He saw the problem to be, not with the founding documents, but with succeeding generations not living up to the truths in those documents. In his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, he declared,

When the architects of our Republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, Black men as well as White men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Then alluding to the Declaration of Independence, he proclaimed, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

The Way Forward from Here

We must proclaim this truth in the face of the anti-American forces that are demonizing the founders and our founding documents. Douglass would agree, for in the same speech noted above, he referred to the Declaration of Independence and then exhorted his audience,

The principles contained in that instrument are saving principles. Stand by those principles, be true to them on all occasions, in all places, against all foes, and at whatever cost.

This article is derived from Dr. Eddie Hyatt’s books, 1726: TheYear that Defined America and Abolitionist Founding Fathers available from Amazon and his website at http://eddiehyatt.com.

THIS PSALM REVEALS THE MASTER KEY FOR MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN

Psalm 33:12 reads, Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD. A careful study of this passage, compared with a study of America’s origins, reveals the key for how a collection of colonists founded the most powerful and prosperous nation in the history of mankind. It also reveals the reason for the current rapid demise of America.

The Personal Name of God

In this passage the word “LORD” is in all caps, which lets us know that it is translated from the Hebrew word Yahweh. The old KJV translates Yahweh as “Jehovah.” In the Old Testament, Yahweh was the personal name of the God of Israel, and it distinguished Him from the false gods of the pagan nations.

Therefore, the promise of Psalm 33:12 is not to the nation that merely believers there is a god or a higher power. The promise is to the nation who believes in a specific God who has a specific personal name.

Yahweh is from the Hebrew verb “to be,” such as the English, “I am.” It was originally signified by the Hebrew letters for YHWH, but vowels were later added to spell Yahweh. This explains Exodus 3:14 where Moses inquired concerning the name of the One speaking to him from the burning bush. The voice replied, I AM WHO I AM . . . thus you shall say to the children of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:14).

Yahweh was the name in which Israel prayed, worshipped, faced her enemies, and spoke blessings. When David went out to face Goliath, he announced to the giant that he was coming against him in the name of Yahweh (I Samuel 17:45).

The Name of Yahweh Found its Fulfillment in the Name of Jesus

When Jesus appeared on the scene, He clearly identified Himself with Yahweh. To cite just one example, in a conversation between Jesus and certain Jewish leaders, Jesus said to them, Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day and he saw it and was glad (John 8:56). They responded, You are not yet fifty years old and have you seen Abraham? Jesus replied, Before Abraham was, I AM (John 8:58).

At this point, the Jews picked up stones to stone Him for, in their minds, He had clearly blasphemed by identifying Himself with the great I AM that had spoken to Moses from the burning bush.

That the Old Testament name of Yahweh found fulfillment in the name of Jesus is also borne out by the fact that the first followers of Jesus prayed in the name of Jesus, cast out demons in His name, baptized in His name, and attributed miracles to the power of that name. What Old Testament saints would have attributed to the name of Yahweh, the New Testament believers attributed to the name of Jesus. (For a thorough discussion of this , see chapter 9 of my book, Discovering the Real Jesus), 

This is significant because all of the first disciples of Jesus were practicing Jews. They attended synagogue and kept the Jewish feasts and festivals. Although they probably spoke Aramaic, the language of the synagogue in Israel was Hebrew, and the Scriptures that were read every Sabbath were in the Hebrew tongue. They were, therefore, very aware of the significance of the name of Yahweh. But instead of the name Yahweh, it was the name of Jesus to which they attributed miracles and salvation.

For example, when the authorities in Jerusalem arrested Peter and John and demanded to know by what authority or name they had healed a crippled man, Peter boldly declared: Let it be known to you all, and to all the house of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands before you whole (Acts 4:7-12). Peter then said: Nor is there salvation in any other for there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:7-12).

The name of Jesus was obviously first and foremost in the testimonies of those earliest disciples. They were not interfaith, religious pluralists. They were convinced that God had visited this planet in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth 

Jesus Was Central in the Thinking of Early Americans

Jesus was also first and foremost in the thinking of those who founded America. Although far from perfect, Psalm 33:12 was fulfilled in their actions and thinking. This is borne out by looking at just a few selected examples.

In 1646 the United Colonies of New England was formed for the purpose of settling land disputes and facilitating a common defense for the thousands of new immigrants. The opening of their constitution honors Jesus Christ as the central reason for their being in the New World. They wrote,

Whereas we all came into these parts of America with one and the same end and aim, namely to advance the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ and enjoy the Liberties of the Gospel in purity and peace (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 31).

The Great Awakening (1726-70), that transformed Colonial America, was characterized by the exaltation of Jesus Christ. So pervasive was the influence of this Awakening that a British-appointed official wrote to his superiors in England, “If you ask an American who is his master, He will tell you he has none, nor any governor but Jesus Christ” (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 81).

The First Continental Congress, attended by George Washington, John Adams, Patrick Henry and 53 other delegates, was opened with an extended time of Bible reading and prayer in the name of Jesus. Jacob Duche, an Anglican minister who led the group in prayer, ended his prayer with the following words, “All this we ask in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ Thy Son and our Savior. Amen” (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 113).

In 1891 a prayer journal was discovered that George Washington kept in his twenties. It is filled with prayers that are offered in the name of Jesus. One prayer reads, “Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind, and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and Thy Son, Jesus Christ.” (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 132).

In a meeting with chiefs from the Delaware tribe, Washington encouraged them to learn “above all the religion of Jesus Christ.” The chiefs had brought some of their youth to be educated in American schools. Washington addressed them as “brothers” and said,

You do well to wish to learn our arts and our ways of life and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are. Congress will do everything they can to assist you in this wise intention (Hyatt, 1726:The Year that Defined America, 172).

John Hancock was president of the Second Continental Congress, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and governor of Massachusetts. While serving as governor he proclaimed a day of fasting and prayer and asked the people to,

Implore the Divine forgiveness through the merits and mediation of JESUS CHRIST our Savior . . . and to the spreading of the true religion of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, in its purity and power, among all the people of the earth (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 173).

Thomas Jefferson wrote, “The philosophy of Jesus is the most sublime and benevolent code of morals ever offered man.” This is why, as president, he took money from the federal treasury to pay for a Christian missionary to the Kaskaskia Native American tribe and to build them a church building in which to worship. Like the other founders, he believed that only by following the moral teachings of Jesus could a nation experience peace, stability, and prosperity.

The God of early America was obviously the LORD of Psalm 33:12. Their God was Jesus Christ, who is Yahweh revealed in human form. Sadly, that is no longer the case and is the reason for America's current demise.

Is There Hope for America?

Anyone who is in the least observant can see that America is coming unraveled. Her major cities are descending into lawless chaos and her schools and colleges have become centers of moral decadence and anti-Christian indoctrination. The reason is obvious, The god of modern America is no longer the LORD but her own twisted and demented way of thinking and living. She has become her own god.

We now know that the “LORD” of Psalm 33:12 has been revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. Early America’s commitment to Jesus and His teachings explains the basic underlying reason and philosophy for her greatness. The rejection of Jesus and His teachings in modern America explains the reason for her current rapid demise.

Is there hope? Yes! Throughout America’s history, God has intervened with national Awakenings that have directed the attention of the populace back to God through Jesus Christ. Let us, therefore, continue calling this nation back to God and continue asking Him to visit America once again with another Great Jesus Awakening.

This article was derived from Dr. Eddie Hyatt's books entitled, 1726: The Year that Defined America and Discovering the Real Jesus, both available from Amazon and his website at http://eddiehyatt.com.

UNDERSTANDING THIS ONE WORD UNDERMINES THE SBC'S ARGUMENT AGAINST WOMEN PASTORS

The Southern Baptist Convention focuses on one passage of Scripture as the basis for banning women from carrying the title of pastor, which is I Timothy 2:12. However, they completely misconstrue the key word in this passage, which is the Greek word that is translated as “authority.”

In a document called “Southern Baptists and Women Pastors,” the executive staff of the SBC quote Paul’s words in Timothy 2:12 that, I do not permit a woman to teach or to have “authority” over a man, and then say of Paul,

He concludes women cannot have a pastoral position, or perform the pastoral function, for that puts them in authority over men in the life of the church.

The problem with their interpretation of this passage is that the Greek word translated “authority” is authentein and is not the normal word for “authority.” It is found only here in the entire New Testament, indicating that Paul is not addressing the normal exercise of authority in the Church.

The normal Greek word for "authority" is exousia, and it is found 102 times in the Greek New Testament, and numerous other times in its verb and other cognate forms. It refers to the right or authority to speak or act. Not once in the entire New Testament is a woman told she cannot exercise exousia.

If Paul were addressing the normal exercise of “authority” in the Church, we would expect him to use this word that he and every other New Testament writer uses. By using authentien, a word that neither he nor any New Testament writer ever uses, it seems obvious that he is addressing a unique and different situation.

Remember that I Timothy is a not a letter to a church. It is a personal letter to Paul’s young protégé, Timothy, who is in Ephesus confronting false teaching (see verse three of chapter one). By using this strange Greek word, it is obvious that Paul is addressing the unique situation of Timothy in Ephesus, and he never meant for it to be applied to all women everywhere.

It is also worth noting that the word "pastor" is nowhere to be found in this passage or anywhere in the letter.

For a thorough discussion of the passage in question and the Greek word authentein, see Dr. Eddie Hyatt’s latest book, Who Says Women Can’t Pastor? available from Amazon and his website at http://eddiehyatt.com.

5 POWERFUL COMPONENTS OF AMERICA'S FOUNDING PRAYER

 

America's First Continental Congress convened on September 5, 1774 with the reading of the entire 35th Psalm and a powerful time of prayer led by Rev. Jacob Duche, an Anglican minister from Philadelphia. Included in this august body of 56 delegates were George Washington, John Adams, Samuel Adams, Richard Henry Lee, and Patrick Henry. They had gathered at Carpenter’s Hall in Philadelphia to discuss how they should respond to the British invasion of their land.

It was a very troubling time. King George of England had sent six regiments of British soldiers who had occupied the city of Boston, closed its port, and revoked the right of the people to self-government. British soldiers were being quartered in people's homes apart from their consent. This was George’s tyrannical response to protests that had erupted, especially in New England, over his burdensome taxes and regulations on the colonists without any input on their part.

Before beginning their discussions, the delegates to this First Continental Congress agreed that they should begin with prayer. They, therefore, invited Rev. Duche, who was known as a man of deep spirituality, to come and lead them in prayer.

As the elderly, white-haired Duche stood before them, he began by reading the entire 35^th Psalm, which begins with a cry of David for deliverance from his enemies and ends with thanksgiving to God for His answer. As he read this Psalm, the presence of God filled the room and, according to John Adams, tears “gushed” into the eyes of many.

As Duche then began to pray, Anglicans, such as George Washington, Patrick Henry, and Richard Henry Lee, knelt in prayer, according to their custom. The Puritans, according to their custom, sat with bowed heads and prayed. Others prayed according to their own, unique customs; but although their outward manners differed, there was a singleness of heart and purpose as they all united with Duche in asking for God’s assistance and intervention for America. Duche prayed,

O Lord, our high and mighty Father, heavenly king of kings, and Lord of Lords, who dost from Thy throne behold all the dwellers of the earth, and reignest with power supreme over all kingdoms, empires, and governments. Look down in mercy we beseech thee on these our American states who have fled to Thee from the rod of the oppressor and thrown themselves on Thy gracious protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent only on Thee. To Thee they have appealed for the righteousness of their cause; to Thee do they now look up for that countenance and support which Thou alone can give . . . Shower down upon them and the millions they represent, such temporal blessings as Thou seest expedient for them in this world and crown them with everlasting joy in the world to come. All this we ask in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ Thy Son and our Savior. Amen.

Duche’s prayer was spot on and contains five important components, or principles, that can serve as a guide for prayer today. The five components are:

1.    He began by acknowledging God as the Supreme Sovereign and Ruler of nations.
2.    He acknowledged their own inadequacy to address the problem they faced.
3.    He acknowledged their absolute dependence on God.
4.     He acknowledged that in coming before the Almighty, they were not trusting in their own merits (righteousness) but in the merits and mercy of Jesus Christ.
5.    He ended the prayer in “the name of Jesus Christ Thy Son and our Savior.”

John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, of the impact of the Bible reading and prayer on the delegates. He said,

Who can realize the emotions with which they turned imploringly to heaven for divine interposition and aid. It was enough to melt a heart of stone. I never saw a greater effect upon an audience. It seems as if heaven had ordained that Psalm to be read that day. I saw tears gush into the eyes of the old, grave pacific Quakers of Philadelphia. I must beg you to read that Psalm (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 108).

This was America’s founding prayer. The delegates were so impacted that they invited Rev. Duche to be the chaplain for the Congress and begin each session with Bible reading and prayer. He agreed and this first Congress became a place where God's word and prayer in the name of Jesus were valued and given priority. 

Sadly, these historical facts have been censored from the secularized modern versions of America’s history. It is, therefore, vital that we restore them to the American public, for as the noted historian, Carl Sandburg, said,

When a nation goes down or a society perishes, one condition may always be found; they forgot where they came from, they lost sight of what had brought them along (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 11).

This article is derived from Dr. Eddie Hyatt’s book, 1726: The Year that Defined America, available from Amazon and his website at http://eddiehyatt.com. He is the founder of “America's Reawakening.” which is dedicated to laying a foundation of faith for another Great Awakening by educating Americans about the nation's unique origins out of the First Great Awakening.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S INDICTMENT OF THE JOE BIDEN WHITE HOUSE

“Too proud to pray to the God that made us” was the scathing indictment of Abraham Lincoln on the American people in the midst of a devastating Civil War. This statement was part of his proclamation for a day of prayer and humiliation for April 30, 1863. They were his final words in the following stinging rebuke.

We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown.

But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious Hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.

Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us (Hyatt, 1726:The Year that Defined America, 185)!

Lincoln's words are also an indictment on the Administration of Joe Biden and the Democrat Party, for even with hundreds dead and missing in the terrible fires of Maui there has been no call or even mention of prayer. And why not? Such a statement from the White House would not be unusual. It would, in fact, be the American thing to do. 

Biden did issue a proclamation for a day of prayer for May 4, 2023. It should be noted, however, that he was required to do so by an Act of Congress in Public Law 100-307, which requires the sitting president to issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a “National Day of Prayer.” But no tragedy--neither the death of 12 Marines in the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, the descent of American cities into chaos and crime, or the hundreds killed in Maui--have moved this president to call for a day of prayer. 

Lincoln’s call for a day of prayer was very personal for he was known as a man of deep piety and prayer. It was also a part of American tradition going back to the Pilgrims, who often set aside special days for prayer and fasting in times of tragedy and need. During the seven-year Revolutionary War, no less than 15 calls for days of prayer, repentance, and fasting were issued by the Continental Congress.

The noted historian, the late Michael Novak, said, “In all moments of imminent danger, as in the first Act of the First Continental Congress, the founding generation turned to prayer” (Hyatt, 1726:The Year that Defined America, 109).

Could it be that this White House is too smug and proud to pray? Could it be that President Lincoln’s assessment of America at the time of the Civil War describes this White House? Is Joe Biden to proud to pray?

Interestingly, the nation responded en masse to Lincoln’s call for prayer with people gathering in churches, homes, and public buildings to ask God to intervene on behalf of America. Almost immediately there was a change in the direction of the War and it soon came to an end.

The prayerlessness of this Administration is indicative of how far removed it is from Lincoln and the founding generation. But even if this Administration will not pray, there is a praying remnant that can alter the course of America.

Both the Bible and America’s founding documents make it clear that the future of America is not tied to who is in the White House. For example, II Chronicles 7:14, which promises a national healing, begins with the words, If My people. It was not dependent on the king or the priesthood. God made it clear that the nation’s future could be secured by His people rising up and taking responsibility.

In a similar way, the U.S. Constitution begins with the words, We the people. In other words, America’s Founders saw themselves, not as God-appointed rulers of the people, but as representatives and servants of the people. It is from this form of government that we get the designation of government officials as “public servants.” For America’s founders it was not about a president or a Supreme Court. It was about “we the people.”

So, despite what is happening in Washington, D.C., there is a way forward for America. If a remnant of God’s people will take seriously both our history and God’s promises, there is no question in my mind that American freedom can be secured for another generation. If we will humble ourselves and pray, we can see another "Jesus Revolution" roll across the land like a giant tsunami wave.

This article was derived from Dr. Eddie Hyatt's book, 1726: The Year that Defined America, available from Amazon and his website at http://eddiehyatt.com.

HOW THE FALSE JESUS OF POST-MODERNISM IS AFFECTING THE AMERICAN CHURCH

A headline in the Dallas Morning News seemed to jump off the page at me. It read, “New spirituality: one part Jesus, two parts Buddha....” The author then described the growing trend in modern America wherein people are concocting their own personal religion by borrowing what they like from various religious traditions. This combining of different belief systems is known as "syncretism."

In this subjective, self-centered approach to faith, people view the religions of the world, and the Bible itself, as a great smorgasbord of religious ideas from which they are free to choose what suits their feelings and desires. If something does not appeal to their tastes, they consider themselves free to discard it.

The Rise of Post-Modernism

This approach is based in post-modernism, which is the prevailing philosophy being taught throughout America’s educational system. Those who embrace this approach are called “post-modernists” because they deny the existence of objective truth. The “modernists,” who emerged out of the Enlightenment (1685-1815), rejected the Bible and religious dogma as sources of objective truth, but they insisted, that objective truth could still be discovered by human reason.

For the post-modernists, however, objective truth does not exist. Truth, therefore, is not something to be discovered, but something to be created. For the post-modernists, truth is very “I” or ego centered. It is all about me and what feels good and right to me. This was expressed by one couple who were interviewed in the above article. They said,

We discovered the God within. That’s why we need God. Because we are God. God gives me the ability to create my own godliness.

The Post-Modern Jesus

This post-modern Jesus is very malleable and like a piece of clay that can be shaped into an endless variety of caricatures. This post-modernist way of thinking has given rise to so called “Progressive Christianity” wherein Jesus is presented as a big-government socialist, an environmentalist, and an advocate for open borders and the LGBTQ agenda.

This new post-modern philosophy is the old lie of the serpent to Adam and Eve, that if they would ignore what God had said and follow their own feelings and desires, they would be like God, knowing good and evil (Genesis 3:1-5). In other words, they did not need God to know good and evil. They could become like God and create their own moral and religious system.

Sad to say, this kind of thinking has become mainstream in American culture, a reality that is indicated by the many false caricatures of Jesus in both the world and the church. Jesus warned of this, saying, Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name saying, “I am the Christ,” and will deceive many (Matthew 24:4-5).

We Must Have Another Jesus Revolution

The Reformation was ignited when Martin Luther began preaching the Jesus of the Gospels. He once said, "The certain mark by which a Christian community can be recognized is the preaching of the Gospel in its purity," If we are to see another Jesus Revolution in America, Canada, and other nations, there must be a return to the Jesus of Scripture. This is serious for as Paul warned the churches of Galatia,

But there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what you received let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to than what you have received, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:7-9)

The modern church must heed Paul’s warning. There must be a return to the real Jesus of Scripture, who was known and preached by the earliest Christians. We must have another Jesus Revolution.

This article is derived from Dr. Eddie Hyatt's latest book, Discovering the Real Jesus, available from Amazon and his website at http://eddiehyatt.com.

HE FOLLOWED THE SCIENCE AND IT LED HIM TO JESUS

In my latest book, Discovering the Real Jesus, I include the amazing story of how Sir William Ramsay (1851-1939), a world-renowned archaeologist and professor at Oxford University, was transformed by his scientific investigations. Ramsay, an agnostic, thought he would scientifically discredit the New Testament by visiting and examining all the places mentioned by Luke in the Book of Acts.

Ramsay was a product of the liberal, German higher criticism of the 19th century, and he taught that the New Testament is an unreliable religious treatise written in the mid-second century by individuals far removed from the events described. According to these critics, who are still with us, the New Testament documents are filled with inaccuracies, myths, and legends.

However, after years of retracing Luke's account of Paul's travels in Acts and doing archaeological excavations along the way, Ramsay completely reversed his view of the Bible and first-century history. His research convinced him that Acts was written in the first century by Luke, the traditional author, and he acquired a very high regard for Luke as a historian. He wrote:

Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy, he is possessed of the true historic sense; in short, this author should be placed along with the greatest of historians (Hyatt, Discovering the Real Jesus, 71).

In 1896, Ramsay began publishing his discoveries in a book entitled St. Paul the Traveler and the Roman Citizen. The book caused a furor of dismay among the skeptics of the world, for its affirmation of the biblical record was totally unexpected. The evidence that Ramsay presented was so overwhelming that many atheists gave up atheism and embraced Christianity.

Over the next 20 years, Ramsay published other volumes showing how he discovered Luke to be accurate in the tiniest details of his account. In his book, The Bearing of Recent Discovery on the Trustworthiness of the New Testament, he wrote, "You may press the words of Luke in a degree beyond any other historian's and they stand the keenest scrutiny and the hardest treatment” (Hyatt, Discovering the Real Jesus, 72).

Ramsay then had to consider that Luke had also written the third Gospel. The archaeological evidence was so overwhelming that he gave up his agnosticism and became a Christian, which shocked the intellectual world. He followed the science, and it led him to Jesus.

This article is derived from Dr. Eddie Hyatt’s latest book, Discovering the Real Jesus, available from Amazon and his website at http://eddiehyatt.com.