The Influence of the Hebrew Scripture on the Founders And the Founding of The American Republic

Keywords

Hebrew Scriptures, Religion and Foundation of US, American Republic, Religion in US History

Abstract

On April 15, 1775, four days before hostilities between British and American troops began at Lexington and Concord, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress proclaimed May 11 as a day of fasting and prayer throughout the colony. The fast day proclamation accused the British ministry of inciting the "Powers of Earth and Hell" to harass the Congregational Church in Massachusetts. Those, it asserted, "who should be Nursing Fathers become its Persecutors." "Nursing Fathers"? Where did this peculiar phrase, more appropriate for an aberration in biology than statecraft, come from and what did it mean?

Original Publication Citation

“The Influence of the Hebrew Scriptures on the Founders and Founding of the American Republic,” Lectures on Religion and the Founding of the American Republic. John W. Welch, ed. (Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press), pp. 38-48.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2004

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/6290

Language

English

College

Religious Education

Department

Ancient Scripture

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS