Focus on the Family

John Fuller: Welcome to Focus on the Family's weekend broadcast. We hope the following program will challenge you and encourage you in your faith journey.

Rod Gragg: The belief was that you were to be submissive to authority over you unless that authority usurped the higher law. They believed that's what occurred, and you see that in the language of the Declaration of Independence. That really was the motivation throughout the Revolutionary War.

John Fuller: Happy Independence Day from Focus on the Family. We're joined today by historian Rod Gragg, who will share about the incredible faith of George Washington and other leaders in the Revolutionary War. They were vital in securing our freedom. I'm John Fuller and your host is Focus president, Jim Daly.

Jim Daly: John, I love reflecting on how God's hand of Providence has been on this nation from the very beginning. Of course, we know that George Washington and the members of the Continental Congress were fallible people. We're all fallible. We're all sinners saved by grace, and we get that. But God certainly used their faith and courage in extraordinary ways, and we can learn a lot from them.

Our guest today is historian Rod Gragg, as you mentioned. He's dedicated a lot of his time studying the Revolutionary War and the faith of the founders, and I'm looking forward to this discussion.

John Fuller: I am too. Rod is an award-winning author of more than 20 books. He has spoken at many different venues and has been on national TV shows sharing from his wealth of expertise. He and his wife have seven children and 14 grandchildren.

Jim Daly: Rod, welcome back.

Rod Gragg: Thank you. Good to be here.

Jim Daly: So good to have you. Tell me, in your words, why is it important for us to talk about George Washington's faith and the influence that he had on the American Revolution? So often in today's lexicon, when we raise a founding father, people jump on all the bad points. But what was so unique about Washington and his commitment?

Rod Gragg: To me, I think what's distinctive about him the most in terms of faith is that he was really representative. He was motivated and directed by his personal faith, and that was really typical of what it was like in colonial America. The Judeo-Christian worldview was really the bedrock foundation, and it really affected everything—American law, culture, and government. Washington really was more typical of his day than you would think you'd see in any other era.

Jim Daly: He seemed to express in his writings and his diary how much faith meant to the country and that the events of the Revolution were evidence of why all Americans should have faith. In fact, he said this in one of those writings: "I am sure there never was a people who had more reason to acknowledge a divine interposition in their affairs than those of the United States. I should be pained to believe that they have forgotten that agency which was so often manifested during our Revolution." I mean, that's pretty straightforward, right?

Rod Gragg: Right. He uses the phrase throughout his writings, which were voluminous, "by the hand of Providence," "through the hand of Providence," "the interposition of Providence." He used that a lot, and that's where the title of the book comes from.

Washington was a very reserved man. He was a low-church Anglican, and he really was one, his family said, who wanted to express his faith more by action than by words, although he wrote a lot and expressed a lot of his faith in his writings. It was really important in his leadership during the Revolutionary War as general and as commanding general of the Continental Army and all the armies, his particular army that he led himself.

He encouraged his troops to follow the character of a Christian in their duties. He was very serious about appointing chaplains and chaplains who were serious about their faith. He took a position that after defeats, he would call for a time of reflection, worship, and repentance. What you saw there was in Washington's influence and how he made sure that his troops treated loyalists that were near his army. He treated them respectfully and did not mistreat them, and that really attracted them to the patriot cause, particularly in contrast to the British, who so often would fall into this harsh, brutal form of warfare that kind of moved people away from them.

When you look at the population of Americans at the time of the Revolution, it was really about thirds: a third patriot, a third loyalist, and a third not sure which way to go. That third really made a difference, and because of the conduct of the British and the conduct of Washington's army in contrast, that third moved over to the patriot side, and that made a big difference.

Jim Daly: I'm sure. Washington often referred to Providence as playing a key role. Sometimes historians debate whether they were people of true Christian faith or people of just a greater God, not really narrowing it to Jesus, basically. Speak to Washington's understanding in that way and the language of the day. When they talk about Providence and divinity and a great God, they're still pointing to the God that we believe in today.

Rod Gragg: Right, the God of the Bible. Washington's family were insistent that his faith was genuine, deep, and serious. He not only provided leadership in his church but in the community. He would privately fast at times, and his faith, all the evidence shows it being genuine. He spoke often of Providence, of God working in this time of Revolution.

When he resigned his commission at the end of the war before Congress, it was a very moving, dramatic scene. There were a lot of tears. Washington, who was very stoic about things like that, really struggled to keep his feelings in, but he made the point of saying again that the American victory and independence came from what he called the interposition of Providence and also that he trusted the future of this new nation in the hands of God.

Jim Daly: When you look at Yorktown as an example of that Providence as he saw it, what happened in Yorktown in the battle, and how did Washington translate that as a divine intervention?

Rod Gragg: It was a situation of the proverbial David and Goliath, with the Americans facing the strongest military force on the face of the Earth at the time. In 1777, the British captured Philadelphia, the capital, and occupied it. European leaders thought it was all over.

Washington wanted to attack British forces in New York. The French general, Rochambeau, suggested they move south because they had learned that Cornwallis's British army had faced a lot of problems and lost a lot of troops and had been weakened in a Carolina campaign, so he moved up to Yorktown in Virginia and was there trying to recoup.

Washington and the French army made this rapid, remarkable march from New York to Virginia, aided by the French Navy, and bottled up the army. The British had already, a few years earlier at the Battle of Saratoga, lost an army of 6,000 troops to the Americans, and here they were now losing an army of 7,000. They were surrounded, they were under siege, and they had to surrender.

At the base of all that was really the American worldview. The American worldview was Judeo-Christian, the biblical worldview. It affected and shaped everything in the way that Americans thought, acted, and responded to all of this. So it's a remarkable Revolution when you think about it in contrast, say, to the French Revolution that occurred at the same time, where it was really a bloody Revolution against all authority, even Christianity.

But the American Revolution was a Revolution of law in the fact that Americans believed that Parliament, and later they believed the King as well, were usurping God-given or inalienable rights. So it's no accident that the Declaration of Independence said that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable, God-given rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That's what they were motivated to fight for, not taxes, but that.

Jim Daly: Let me ask you in that regard, when you look at freedom of religion, which seems to be under assault today, it's like we've forgotten our way and what our founding was about. Where did the freedom of religion originate, and why do we often refer to that as the most core freedom?

Rod Gragg: The founding of the 13 English colonies occurred in a remarkable time and place in the wake of what was called the English Reformation, where there was an explosion of faith in England that spread across the nation in a great revival. In that time and place, at that moment in time—a very narrow moment—that's when the English people spilled into the American colonies.

You had a real diversity of faith. You had the Puritans in New England, the Baptists in Rhode Island, the Dutch Reformed in New York, the Quakers in Pennsylvania, the Presbyterians in New Jersey and Delaware, and the Catholics in Maryland. You had Jewish communities in New York, Philadelphia, and Charleston, and then you had the Anglicans in Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia.

So there was a lot of diversity, but all people of the Book. That was the foundation of American culture, law, and government. When this Revolution occurred, it really was a Revolution of law where the American people believed that through a series of actions, the British Parliament and later the King were attempting to usurp what was known then as the higher law. The belief was that you were to be submissive to authority over you unless that authority usurped the higher law. They believed that's what occurred, and you see that in the language of the Declaration of Independence. That really was the motivation throughout the Revolutionary War.

Jim Daly: Rod, you mentioned in the book Washington's perspective on America's sacred calling as a nation, and I want you to elaborate on that. But also, when you look at that idea of exceptionalism, I think this kind of fits in that area where there seems to be the founding of this country, the Revolutionary War—there is a spiritual overtone to it all.

Again, while I've traveled, people have said America has stood as that beacon of freedom. If we lose America, we lose everything because we try, imperfectly, to stand in that position of freedom through all different kinds of administrations, philosophies, and beliefs. But I think at the core, America has always stood for that idea of freedom, democracy, etc., imperfectly as it does. But speak to that understanding that Washington seemed to have already, that this was an exceptional nation because of its connection to God, and then its future was pretty bright if we stood on the right values.

Rod Gragg: That is a good summary of what he believed. But again, he was really representative of the general worldview of the American people. When you look at the Continental Congress, like you look at the American people at that time, you saw in terms of faith, you saw those who had little or none, you had the nominal, and you had the people who were of strong faith.

Aside from where they were personally, there was this underlying foundation, this Judeo-Christian worldview, and those values and those principles. John Adams said again about the signers and those who drafted the Declaration of Independence that that beautiful group of young men were reunited only by one thing, and that was "the general principles of Christianity."

So if you look at how, for instance, Congress provided leadership for that drive for independence and that drive for freedom, Congress, throughout the war, twice a year, called for days of prayer, fasting, and humiliation. That was what they called it. They actually had the audacity after some defeats to call on American people to repent of their sins. After victories, they would call for times of worship.

When they wanted to put out a message to the American people, they would send it to two places, and this included the Declaration of Independence. That's why it's a document that's really laced with the language of faith throughout that. If you think about it, the U.S. Constitution is a rulebook. Rulebooks don't have philosophy in them. The mission statement for America was the Declaration of Independence. So the Declaration of Independence gave you the mission statement—the why, the motivation, and the explanation.

Jim Daly: Yeah, that is really good to think of it that way. Rod, we have to talk about the national sin, slavery, and what was going on at the time. So often today, we place our current cultural perspective, our modern glasses, on the view of those then. Although I do like Shelby Steele, who I interviewed, and Shelby said—he's an African American, I think he operates out of Stanford University—but one of the things that he said is people need to understand that the founding fathers, although they didn't do away with slavery at the time, they wrote the document that would quickly, compared to how long slavery had been in place, end it.

I think he said it was a 3,000-year-old industry that started in Africa, was certainly used around the world for an economic engine, and we get all that. But he said if you think about it, the founding fathers created a document that you quoted a moment ago about all men being created equal that within 80, 90 years, it would result in the Emancipation Proclamation, what Abraham Lincoln would do. So they took a 3,000-year-old industry, created a document that could illuminate people at the right time with the right leadership to end it.

That's kind of part of our history too. But speak to that idea that everything the founding fathers believed is nullified because they didn't attack slavery at the time, even though George Washington wrote about the growing concern he had about it.

Rod Gragg: Well, first of all, you have to acknowledge and understand, come from a point of view that's reality, that slavery was the great American tragedy and also the way the government treated Native American peoples. These were great American tragedies.

Yet at the same time, there was this great debate about slavery with the founders at the time of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson's original draft was stronger about it, with language that was taken out. The big concern was politically that they felt like it was so narrow of a vote to be able to pass this Declaration of Independence, and it really was narrow because it had to be unanimous, because you couldn't have some colonies that were in and some colonies that were out.

The big debate was that finally they decided after dealing with slavery that they couldn't fix it, so they kicked the can down the road because they felt like they had to have the Declaration of Independence, they had to have a nation, and then it could be addressed. Then it came up again during the Constitution, and it still was not properly addressed and the can was kicked down the road again.

But even with all that imperfection, even with how that all turned out, still the forward motion was put in place. It would be such hypocrisy to say in your mission statement that all men are created equal by their Creator and yet have such inequality with slavery. Once that document became the mission statement of this new nation and was expressed through law through the Constitution, it was like the clock was ticking on the death of slavery.

Jim Daly: Yeah, I mean, that is a scourge. It's horrific what took place. You don't want to minimize that. But like any nation, you hopefully continue to grow in a positive direction, in a good biblical direction, which I think when you look at the arc of history in the U.S., that's certainly the experience. Many people are coming to that same conclusion, including Shelby Steele, who just says we are so much closer than we were 40 years ago, 60 years ago. So that continual progress is the key, even though it's imperfect.

Rod, let me ask you, we have the privilege of celebrating our freedom in America today largely because of what these people did back then. How did George Washington and the founding fathers celebrate their freedom right after their victory over the British?

Rod Gragg: For all purposes, the Revolutionary War ended in 1781 with the victory at Yorktown. But it took another almost two years to work out all the details and come to a treaty at the Treaty of Paris. Washington's reaction was to call for a worship service. Congress did the same thing. Congress called for these days of prayer and fasting, the Continental Congress observed those typically by assembling together and then marching as a unit to a church in Philadelphia. In some cases, at least twice, they went to two different churches for two different worship services.

That's how they reacted to the victory. There was this widespread celebration. On July 4th, they released the Declaration of Independence, but Jefferson, Adams, the founders, they thought the great party day would be on the 2nd. Adams said, in fact, he wrote a letter to his wife and said that from now on, July the 2nd will be a day of celebration, of fireworks, of worship services, of great and glad celebration on the 2nd.

Jim Daly: You know, on this day, we're celebrating this. This is why we had you here, to talk about the founding of America, all of its goodness and all of its imperfection. I think this will be a little bit of an unfair question, but you're the historian. So if we could slap the Jurassic Park idea onto the founding fathers and somehow we could revive them to come back today and they look at America and they look at where we're at, what do you think their reaction would be?

Rod Gragg: Well, I would say that, and I've thought about that, I would say that—and I'm getting in the ground of speculation here—but I would say first of all that they would be impressed at the scope and measure of America. They would be impressed to a point with technology. I think they would have a lot to grieve about. I think they would grieve a lot about America and where it is today in terms of its shift in the worldview.

This is really central to everything that you're addressing, I believe. The great influential and under-reported story of our generation, to me as a historian, is the shift in the worldview in the Western culture and in America in particular. You know, everybody has a worldview. It's how you look at life, it's how you view the world, it's your core values. The traditional, historic Western civilization worldview and the American worldview was a Judeo-Christian worldview, the biblical worldview.

In the late, mid-to-late 20th century, there became a shift from this worldview, the Judeo-Christian worldview, holding a view that God is the authority over everything and that God should be the central focus of everything, and the shift over to a view that humanity is the authority over everything and humanity should be the focus of everything. That is a phenomenal shift that has a remarkable impact and cannot do anything but that.

Jim Daly: I think in that context then, right at the end here, what do churches do? Churches played a vital role, as you've pointed out, in the Revolutionary War. Clergy led people in their theological understanding of what was right and wrong. What about today? How do we apply those principles to our situation today? How do we assess our situation and then act accordingly? How should we then live?

Rod Gragg: Well, I would say that we have to remember that it is a difficult time for people of faith, in particular a difficult time for Christians who are called on to remain steadfast in the faith and in the truth of scripture and at the same time, becoming the unpopular minority, and also having to show the love of Christ and wanting to show the love of Christ.

But I would just say that from a point of view of history, you see throughout history that the church has flourished under duress. So I would say that if we feel pressure as Christians today—and I'm speaking as a person now as a Christian, not as a historian—but I think if we feel that pressure, we have to realize that this is not new for Christianity. What we've enjoyed as Christians here in this culture over the life of our nation has been really unique and is not typical of what Christians have faced. And yet we see that the church of Christ has flourished throughout the ages.

Jim Daly: It's a great reminder, and I think of those scriptures, "fear not," "be anxious for nothing." I mean, if we as believers believe, I think we should have a sense that God knows what he's doing and he's going to unroll this according to his plan. I think we need to be projecting the very things the founding fathers talked about in terms of a sense of faith, religious freedom, the core beliefs of the Judeo-Christian perspective, the fruit of the spirit. If we can do those things and remain calm, I think people will wake up when we go into this folly of trying to live life without God, because I think it ends up in a dead end, and I think our culture is experiencing that now.

Rod Gragg: Well, always throughout history, if you study church history, the challenge has been and it is today that in whatever circumstances we face, that we show the love of Christ.

Jim Daly: Do that consistently and God will take care of it. Think of the people in Rome and what they faced, like you mentioned China, where it doesn't look like the church is going to flourish or even get out of that decade or that century, and then the Lord turns it around. And the thing standing in the floor of the Colosseum today is what? Oh, a cross, the cross of Christ. Isn't that interesting? Rod, this has been great. Thank you for the conversation. Thanks for re-educating us on what the founding fathers, particularly George Washington, was about, what this nation was founded upon, the principles that it was founded upon, and the reminder of how do we get back there and concentrate on the core things: fear not, be anxious for nothing, and love your neighbor and love God. And I think you've got the ingredients there for a truly continued great nation. Thanks for being with us.

Rod Gragg: My pleasure.

Jim Daly: And if you want a copy of this great book, *By the Hand of Providence*, get in touch with us and we will send it to you for a gift of any amount. If you can make a monthly commitment like Jean and I do and Dina and John do, our monthly contributors, that's a great way to do it. We'll send you a copy of the book as our way of saying thank you. If it's a one-time gift, we'll do the same. We'll send a copy of the book for you, and it's just a great way to do ministry together.

John Fuller: Yeah, donate today and make a generous contribution as you can, and we'll send that book to you, *By the Hand of Providence*. Our number is 800-A-FAMILY, or go to focusonthefamily.com/weekend. On behalf of the entire team, thanks for joining us today for Focus on the Family with Jim Daly. I'm John Fuller, inviting you back as we once again help you and your family thrive in Christ.

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Speaker (Female): I feel like I blinked and now my newborn can walk and talk. Kids change so fast, don't they? It can be hard to keep up with each new phase. That's why I love Focus on the Family's Age and Stage Newsletter. Each week, I get an email with resources curated by experts. They're full of biblically and clinically-based tips tailored to your child, no matter what age they are. You can sign up today at mykidsage.com. That's mykidsage.com.

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Jim Daly: Hey, Jim Daly here. If you like the Focus on the Family broadcast and haven't grown tired of this voice just yet, you'll love my Refocus podcast. On Refocus, I take a deeper dive with a respected thinker on different aspects of culture. I ask those hard questions that maybe they don't get that often, and I don't shy away from challenging topics to help you share God's grace, truth, and love with others. So listen to Refocus with Jim Daly on your favorite streaming app today.

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John Fuller: You're listening to Focus on the Family's weekend broadcast. We'll take a quick break here and then return with another faith-building program for your family. Stay tuned.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Well, freedom, liberty was the pressing need felt by the leaders of 13 American colonies more than 200 years ago. They had a deep faith in God and decided to take a stand against the mightiest empire in the world when they signed the Declaration of Independence. I'm John Fuller. This is Focus on the Family with Focus president and author, Jim Daly. Jim, I suspect that there are many, many people who really don't understand and fully comprehend the circumstances surrounding that document and this special day.

Jim Daly: Well, it's true, John. We weren't present at the moment. All the subtlety of what was going on in the culture of early America is lost. We don't know it, but we can try to feel it through creative efforts. And think about the wonder that we have today when we celebrate July 4th. It's friends and family and barbecue and maybe going for a hike here in the beautiful Rocky Mountains or going to the beach if that's what you live by. We celebrate it with fun and recreation and family.

But we've got to remember, this was a serious issue back in 1776. These founding fathers, as they were putting their lives on the line, the Declaration of Independence was seen as a document of treason by the British. In fact, I didn't know this, but they had to keep the names secret of the signers of the document just to protect their lives. And that's the environment, that's the subtlety that we're talking about that's lost on us today. But our good colleagues that produce "Adventures in Odyssey" produced a fabulous creative recollection of 1776, and we want to play that today for you.

John Fuller: As we do that, let me give some background. "Adventures in Odyssey" is a radio program that we've produced since 1987. It's intended for children, though families across the land listen to it. It's so well done, and it weaves together entertainment and biblical truth. The setting is the small fictional town of Odyssey, and the grandfather-type character named Mr. Whittaker or Wit runs an old-fashioned ice cream shop. In addition to being a radio program, "Adventures in Odyssey" is also available on CD or in download form, and we have details at focusonthefamily.com/weekend. Today's episode is called "The Day Independence Came" and features a young history buff named Erwin Springer, who's currently playing a game of historical trivia with Wit and his friend Tom. But in a few minutes, who knows where he'll be?

Wit: Okay, here's one for you. Who commanded the British forces during the Revolution?

Erwin: That's easy. General Charles Cornwallis.

Tom: Oh, boy, he sure got that one. How do you know all that stuff, Erwin?

Erwin: Oh, I love the Revolutionary War. There were so many great heroes like Washington and Adams and Nathan Hale. It's my favorite period in history.

Wit: Oh, speaking of Franklin, that reminds me. I have a book about him for you, Erwin. It's a big, thick one, too. I found it at a sale downtown.

Erwin: Really? Where is it?

Wit: It's on one of the shelves in the Bible room. I didn't want any of the kids to handle it before you got to it.

Erwin: Great!

Tom: Look at him go. You'd think he was looking for buried treasure or something.

Wit: Well, what makes you think he isn't?

Erwin: Great, there's nobody here. I'll be able to read it right now. Let's see. There it is on the top shelf. Now, where's the stepladder? Hmm. Well, here's a chair. Mr. Whittaker doesn't like us to climb on chairs. I'll just do it real quick and nobody'll ever know. There we go. Still pretty high. I think I can stretch up and get it though. Got it. Whoa! Whoa!

Oh, oh, my head. Ouch. Oh, my head. The book must have hit it when I fell down. Hey, where is my book? Come to think of it, where's Whit's End? This looks like the old dirt road up to Triple Lake. Except, it isn't.

Nathan Hale: Boy! You boy!

Erwin: Who, me?

Nathan Hale: Yes. Follow me if you value your hide.

Erwin: Uh, excuse me, but I was taught never to go with strangers.

Nathan Hale: There! Get behind those bushes.

Erwin: Did he say rebels?

Nathan Hale: Yes. We have to get out of this clearing.

Guest (Male): Where are they?

Guest (Male): I don't know. They run like rabbits. Now they've got to be about here somewhere.

Guest (Male): Well, let's take a breather for a moment, shall we, Alfie?

Guest (Male): Right.

Erwin: They look like redcoats.

Nathan Hale: Yes, they are redcoats, and deadly ones, too. We have to think of some way out of this. We could fight, but unfortunately, I have no more shot left. Still, there must be some way.

Erwin: Hey, look up there. Above the soldiers.

Nathan Hale: What?

Erwin: You see it? That big white-looking thing.

Nathan Hale: Yes, so?

Erwin: It's a wasp's nest.

Nathan Hale: Ha! So it is. How's your aim?

Erwin: Oh, not too good.

Nathan Hale: All right. Looks like it's up to me then. Hand me that rock over there.

Erwin: Okay.

Nathan Hale: Now I only have one shot, so it has to count. Are you ready?

Erwin: Yep, ready.

Nathan Hale: Hey, lobsterbacks! How about some company? Look out!

Guest (Male): Look out! Look out! The wasps are turning! We'd best beat a hasty retreat, or we'll end up as food for the wasps ourselves.

Guest (Male): You said it! Let's get out of here!

Erwin: Ouch! Oh! They're still coming!

Nathan Hale: There's a lake ahead. Can you swim?

Erwin: No!

Nathan Hale: Well, there's no time like the present to learn. Whoa! Now don't struggle, don't struggle, I've got you. I have you. Now that's it. Just move your arms and legs. That's it. That's good. Oh, this way. That's it. Now up onto the shore. Well, we've had quite an adventure, and I don't even know your name or where you're from.

Erwin: I'm Erwin Springer from Odyssey.

Nathan Hale: Well, Erwin Springer from Odyssey, I thank you for saving my life.

Erwin: Likewise, I'm sure. And you are?

Nathan Hale: My name is Hale. Nathan Hale.

Erwin: Nathan Hale? The Nathan Hale?

Nathan Hale: You've heard of me?

Erwin: Who hasn't heard of you?

Nathan Hale: Well, I don't know. Everyone, I would imagine.

Erwin: Wait a minute. If you're Nathan Hale, then this must be... What year is this?

Nathan Hale: 1776. July, to be precise. We're just outside of the township of New York.

Erwin: New York? Oh, wow. Oh, wow.

Nathan Hale: Master Springer, are you all right?

Erwin: Yeah, yeah, I just can't... You're really Nathan Hale?

Nathan Hale: Yes. I think I'd better get you back to camp. You seem a bit delirious. Can you walk?

Erwin: Oh, oh, yeah. Sure.

Nathan Hale: Are you sure? It's a good stretch of the leg.

Erwin: No, I'm okay, really. Let's go.

Nathan Hale: Good fellow. All right, this way then.

Erwin: Wait a minute. What camp?

Nathan Hale: The camp of the Continental Army, of course.

Erwin: Oh, wow. Oh, wow.

Guest (Male): Halt! Who goes there?

Nathan Hale: Nathan Hale and Master Erwin Springer from the township of Odyssey.

Guest (Male): Nathan? Thank God you're all right. You're long overdue.

Nathan Hale: If it hadn't been for this young man, I might not have made it at all.

Guest (Male): You're to report to headquarters right away.

Nathan Hale: Yes, I do have information that won't wait. Master Springer, follow me.

Erwin: Oh, wow. Oh, wow. I can't believe this. I'm in the middle of the Colonial Army.

Nathan Hale: Well, we don't have much, but we call it home.

Erwin: This is everything I've ever dreamed about come to life.

Nathan Hale: I'm glad it meets with your approval. Ah, here we are. The headquarters tent. Wait here. There's someone I want you to meet.

Erwin: This is incredible! Incredible! The kids at Whit's End are never going to believe this. I'm not even sure I believe it. Maybe I should pinch myself to see if I'm awake. No, if I am dreaming, I don't want to wake up. This is great.

Nathan Hale: Master Springer, come in.

George Washington: So this is the young man who saved my captain's life.

Nathan Hale: Yes, sir. This is Master Erwin Springer of Odyssey.

George Washington: I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Master Springer. I'm George Washington.

Erwin: Oh, wow. Oh, wow.

George Washington: "Oh, wow"? Is that some sort of Indian greeting?

Nathan Hale: I don't know, sir. He does seem to say it often though.

George Washington: Well, in the interest of maintaining good relations with the people of Odyssey, I say "oh, wow" to you, Master Springer.

Erwin: Thank you, sir.

George Washington: In saving Captain Hale, you have done me a great service. I am in your debt.

Erwin: You in my debt? Oh, no, sir. I just pointed out where the wasps were. It was Captain Hale who did all the work.

George Washington: And modest, too. Master Erwin, we were just about to retire for prayers. Will you join us?

Erwin: Prayers?

George Washington: Unless, of course, you don't pray.

Erwin: Oh, oh, no. I do pray, every day. I'm a Christian.

George Washington: A patriot and a Christian, too. There's no better combination. Let's do it then. My tent, this way.

O most glorious God, I acknowledge and confess my faults in the weak and imperfect performance of the duties of this day. Direct my thoughts, words, and work. Daily frame me more and more into the likeness of thy son, Jesus Christ. In his name, amen.

Nathan Hale: Amen.

George Washington: Master Erwin, you seem perplexed.

Erwin: I, I just can't believe that I'm praying with General Washington. I never knew you were so... I mean, I've always read that you were religious, but I didn't realize how much Jesus really meant to you.

George Washington: And what of you, Erwin Springer? Do you hold those truths in your heart?

Erwin: Well, I guess I never thought about it before. I mean, I've read about it and everything, but until now, I never realized how God really does rule countries and he is in control of what happens to them. So I guess the answer to your question is: yes, sir, I do hold these truths in my heart.

George Washington: Then Captain Hale was correct. You are the right man for the job.

Erwin: Job? What job?

George Washington: Listen carefully. Even as we speak, the second Continental Congress is preparing a statement of independence from England. But I fear that some in that assembly do not feel as you and I do, that God must be first in our country. And so I have written a message to them urging them to remember the ruler of nations as they ready the document. I wish you, Erwin Springer, to deliver this message.

Erwin: Me?

George Washington: I know the journey will be tiring, and there is little time, but will you do this for me?

Erwin: Oh, yes, sir!

George Washington: Excellent. Your horse is waiting outside.

Erwin: Horse?

Nathan Hale: Yes. You do ride, don't you?

Erwin: Well, there's no time like the present to learn. Are you coming with me, Captain Hale?

Nathan Hale: No, I'm afraid I must travel a different path. Back to New York.

Erwin: But you'll be caught! I mean, if you're caught, won't you be...

Nathan Hale: Hanged? Yes, in all probability. But if that is the Lord's will, then who am I to stand in the way? I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country. Now, off you go. Godspeed, Erwin Springer. You carry our best hope. Onward to liberty!

George Washington: To liberty! To liberty!

Erwin: Oh, why did I ever think riding a horse was fun? But this is it. The Pennsylvania State House.

President Hancock: Order, order, please! Order! Mr. Dickinson!

Erwin: Oh, wow. Shh. I'm sorry. I... Mr. Whittaker?

Benjamin Franklin: Oh? Oh, nothing. You just look like someone from my hometown.

Erwin: Really?

Benjamin Franklin: Poor fellow.

Erwin: Is this where the second Continental Congress is meeting?

Benjamin Franklin: Well, indeed it is. That's them in there. Ah, come, have a seat, Master...

Erwin: Erwin Springer. Oh, thanks, but I've been sitting too long already. Besides, I have a message for the Congress from General Washington.

Benjamin Franklin: Oh, well, we can't keep that waiting, can we? Here, help me up then and we'll deliver your message.

Erwin: But they're talking.

Benjamin Franklin: Oh, that's merely Adams and Dickinson. They're always talking. Come on now.

John Adams: It is Britain who has already destroyed the shelter!

President Hancock: Mr. Franklin! We are in debate.

Erwin: Benjamin Franklin!

Benjamin Franklin: I realize that, sir, and I apologize for the outburst, but this young gentleman has just arrived with a message from General Washington.

President Hancock: Oh, well then, by all means, do read it.

Benjamin Franklin: All right, go ahead, Master Springer.

Erwin: Oh, wow. "Gentlemen of the Congress, I write you at a most delicate time. Our cause faces its most trying days. General Howe has gathered 30,000 troops, ready to strike our position. As usual, we are short on ammunition, rations, and men. But we stand ready to fight, awaiting the outcome of your decision for or against independence."

John Adams: There, what do you think of your precious King now, Mr. Dickinson? A King who has massed 30,000 troops to attack one of his own colonies!

Mr. Dickinson: A colony that rebelled against him, sir! Discipline, my discipline is due!

John Adams: Discipline? Have you forgotten the causes for which we fight? Taxation without representation! The oppression of our citizens!

Mr. Dickinson: I, like you, Mr. Adams, I cannot so easily remove myself from the most powerful empire on Earth. We have no hope of winning. Better a live Englishman than dead patriots.

Benjamin Franklin: There are many, Mr. Dickinson, who would say that to live under English rule is to be dead. Really, Mr. Franklin. And does this cause merit sending our small army to certain defeat against such overwhelming numbers?

Erwin: But it's not certain defeat. We'll win, honest.

President Hancock: Master Springer, you are a guest of this assembly. Please remember that.

Erwin: Uh, yes, sir.

Benjamin Franklin: The cause of freedom merits any price, Mr. Dickinson. And as for myself, this great force only spurs my belief that we must strengthen our unity, not weaken it. We must indeed all hang together or, most assuredly, we will all hang separately.

Mr. Dickinson: I think General Washington will not find his opponents so amusing. Of what concern is the size of the enemy? I feel no anxiety at the large army against us. Have we forgotten the remarkable interventions of heaven in our favor? God will not forsake a people engaged in so righteous a cause if we remember his loving kindness.

And are we so sure that God is with us?

Erwin: General Washington thinks so. Master Springer. I'm sorry, President Hancock. I know I shouldn't talk, but I haven't finished the message. "I firmly believe that God is on our side as long as we are on his. And so, my only request is that you seek the counsel of Almighty God and humbly implore his Providence in this most solemn task. G. Washington."

Mr. Dickinson: Well, the general's faith does him credit, to be sure. But most military men believe that God is with them. It hardly makes it so. More likely, God doesn't care at all about this conflict.

Benjamin Franklin: He cares, Mr. Dickinson. I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? Speak of empires, Dr. Franklin. But I see no empire here, only 13 colonies trying to bind together into a commonwealth. And what will happen to that commonwealth in 20 or 30 years, gentlemen? Might not this great union itself become unwieldy and split into separate commonwealths?

Erwin: No, it won't! It'll stay together and grow! What you're doing here today is the beginning of a great nation! The greatest in the whole world! You can't give it up now! You can't!

Mr. Dickinson: The idle dreams of youth. But what does reality say, gentlemen? Does it not tell us that this union you hold so dear will dissolve and the many who have been sacrificed on the altar of freedom will have died in vain? I implore you, gentlemen, don't let that happen. Vote against independence!

President Hancock: Mr. Adams, have you anything to say?

John Adams: What can I say that hasn't already been hackneyed back and forth a hundred times in this room? The issue is plain. Before God, I believe the hour has come. Live or die, survive or perish, I am for the declaration. It is my living sentiment and, by the blessing of God, it shall be my dying sentiment: independence now, independence forever!

President Hancock: Order, gentlemen, gentlemen, order, please! It must still be put to the vote. Mr. President. Mr. Dickinson.

Mr. Dickinson: I'm sure that my behavior today will finish off my popularity in this land. But I would rather be unpopular forever than vote away the blood and happiness of my countrymen. It's clear I can't stop you. But I also can't, in good conscience, vote with you. Therefore, I respectfully take my leave.

Benjamin Franklin: A noble fellow.

President Hancock: Indeed. To the vote, gentlemen! Resolved that these United States are and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is and ought to be totally dissolved.

New Hampshire.

Guest (Male): Aye.

President Hancock: Massachusetts.

Guest (Male): Aye.

President Hancock: Connecticut.

Guest (Male): Aye.

President Hancock: Rhode Island.

Guest (Male): Aye.

President Hancock: New Jersey.

Guest (Male): Aye.

President Hancock: Pennsylvania.

Guest (Male): Aye.

President Hancock: Virginia.

Guest (Male): Aye.

President Hancock: North Carolina.

Guest (Male): Aye.

President Hancock: South Carolina.

Guest (Male): Aye.

President Hancock: Maryland.

Guest (Male): Aye.

President Hancock: Delaware.

Guest (Male): Aye.

President Hancock: Georgia.

Guest (Male): Aye.

President Hancock: New York.

Guest (Male): New York respectfully abstains.

President Hancock: That's 12 to 0 with one abstention. The motion passes!

Ride, Erwin Springer! Proclaim the news that these United States, under God, are now and forevermore free!

Erwin: The colonies have independence! The declaration has passed! The United States of America are free! Hurray! Hey, whoa! Oh, boy, whoa!

The United States are free. The United States are free.

Wit: Erwin? Erwin? Oh, come on now, wake up. That's a good boy.

Erwin: Oh, ouch, my head. Benjamin Franklin?

Wit: Franklin? No, it's Mr. Whittaker. Easy now, easy. You took quite a fall.

Erwin: I was... I was in Philadelphia with Benjamin Franklin and John Adams.

Tom: Oh, it sounds like he's going to be okay. Well, I'll go check on the ambulance.

Erwin: What happened?

Wit: Well, your chair slipped out from under you. Looks like the book hit you and you hit the floor. You were only out for a couple of seconds, but we'll take you to the hospital just in case. Now, what were you talking about when you woke up?

Erwin: Oh, I had this incredible dream. I was in the Revolution with Nathan Hale and I prayed with George Washington and he sent me back to the Continental Congress with a message and I saw them sign the Declaration of Independence.

Wit: Whoa, wait a minute, wait a minute, easy now. Sounds like you've had quite an adventure.

Erwin: Oh, I know it was only a dream, but it seemed so real.

Wit: Well, dreams are that way sometimes.

Erwin: Yeah, but you know what was really weird, Mr. Whittaker?

Wit: What?

Erwin: Benjamin Franklin looked and sounded just like you!

Wit: Really? Poor fellow. Oh, wow!

John Fuller: And that concludes our Independence Day presentation on Focus on the Family, a radio drama called "The Day Independence Came," and it was produced by our tremendously talented Adventures in Odyssey team. And Jim, I love the creativity and the fun throughout that whole episode.

Jim Daly: It was a lot of fun. You know, my boys loved listening to Adventures in Odyssey as children, right about bedtime. That was when we would sit and listen and they'd lay in bed and it was great. And they did learn so many great lessons for them, biblically-based lessons. There's so much humor and creativity in the way the team describes that moment in history, and I trust it gave you another perspective about the 4th of July and what it means to live in these wonderful United States.

Isn't it amazing to be able to celebrate this holiday even though our founding fathers were flawed, of course? They're human. There are no perfect people. The Lord brought together some incredibly intelligent and insightful men to form this country. And we're still benefiting from the wisdom that they put in place many, many years ago.

John Fuller: That's right, and so many of them, as you know, Jim, had a deep religious faith. And that was evident when you read their writings, when you go back and look at history. It seems to be forgotten by so many today, and there are even active forces that want to remove God from all public conversation and public view, which does seem wrong, doesn't it?

Jim Daly: It sure does. We're losing kind of the foundation of what this country was built upon. We talk about what's happening with religious liberty and the other freedoms that we've enjoyed for over 200 years. These freedoms were brilliant measures that the founding fathers put into place, and no other nation was created with these kinds of liberties in mind. And we are all so blessed to experience that here.

Hopefully, God's mercy will continue to flow through this nation so these deep foundational beliefs can be protected. And it's true, if we lose these freedoms, I really believe we're on the road to tyranny. You only need to look back at history to see that pattern repeated over and over again. And I hope we've been able to give you an educating and entertaining perspective on the founding of our country.

Our founding fathers deserve respect, and our nation deserves our steadfast diligence to continue being a nation of freedoms and a nation under God.

John Fuller: Well, those are some good thoughts, Jim, and I trust that you and your family will consider those in light of the celebrations that accompany Independence Day. Learn more about Adventures in Odyssey and this specific drama from our *For God and Country* collection when you stop by focusonthefamily.com/weekend.

On behalf of Jim Daly and the entire team, thanks for joining us today for Focus on the Family. I'm John Fuller, inviting you back as we once more help you and your family thrive in Christ.

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John Fuller: You're listening to Focus on the Family's weekend broadcast. We'll take a quick break here and then return with another faith-building program for your family. Stay tuned.