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Tag: Greatness of Christianity

Jefferson’s Syllabus of an Estimate of the Merit of the Doctrines of Jesus

Jefferson’s Syllabus of an Estimate of the Merit of the Doctrines of Jesus

Thomas Jefferson May 21, 1803 Before he wrote the Jefferson Bible, Jefferson had tried to get others to create a more honest depiction of the true merits of Jesus. He crafted this syllabus ostensibly as a guide for someone else who might tackle the project. In the end, he did the Philosophy of Jesus and, later, the Life and Morals of Jesus, himelf. Here is the cover note he sent to Benjamin Rush and and an earlier note on the…

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Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Priestley

Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Priestley

Thomas Jefferson April 9, 1803 In 1803, Jefferson had hoped that someone other than he would write a book on the true merits of Christianity. He eventually wrote a “Syllabus of an Estimate of the Merit of the Doctrines of Jesus.” Here is a letter he sent to Joseph Priestley, the scientist who discovered Oxygen and had written extensively on Christianity, explaining his project. He later would return to the project and create what came to be known as the…

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Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush

Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush

Thomas Jefferson May 21, 1803 In 1803, Jefferson had hoped that someone other than himself write a book on the merits of Christianity. He wrote a “Syllabus of an Estimate of the Merit of the Doctrines of Jesus” and sent it to Benjamin Rush, the prominent doctor and Patriot. The syllabus can be found here. The cover letter to Rush is interesting in itself, reflecting as it does Jefferson’s bitterness about how his own religious views had been mischaracterized. Dear…

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Letter from John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, December 25, 1813

Letter from John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, December 25, 1813

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John Adams December 25, 1813 Though praising Christianity, Adams also finds much that he likes in Eastern religions. Joseph Priestley was a leading scientist and theologian, who helped found Unitarianism. Answer my letter at your leisure. Give yourself no concern. I write as a refuge and protection against ennui. The fundamental principle of all philosophy and all Christianity is, “Rejoice always in all things.” “Be thankful at all times for all good, and all that we call evil.” Will it…

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Letter from John Adams to Benjamin Rush, January 21, 1810

Letter from John Adams to Benjamin Rush, January 21, 1810

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John Adams January 21, 1810 Adams declares God to be “the first good, first perfect, and first fair” and defines Christianity to include all Christian denominations. [Thomas Paine’s] political writings, I am singular enough to believe, have done more harm than his irreligious ones. He understood neither government nor religion. From a malignant heart he wrote virulent declamations, which the enthusiastic fury of the times intimidated all men, even Mr. Burke, from answering as he ought. His deism, as it…

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Diary of John Adams, July 25 1796

Diary of John Adams, July 25 1796

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John Adams July 25, 1796 Tom Paine had become a leading Deist, arguing against the infallibility of the Bible. Cloudy and begins to rain, the Wind at N.E. The Men gone up the Hill to rake the Barley. In conformity to the fashion I drank this Morning and Yesterday Morning, about a Jill of Cyder. It seems to do me good, by diluting and dissolving the Phlegm or the Bile in the Stomach. The Christian Religion is, above all the…

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Diary of John Adams, February 22, 1756

Diary of John Adams, February 22, 1756

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John Adams February 22, 1756 February 22 SUNDAY. Suppos a nation in some distant Region, should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. Every member would be obliged in Concience to temperance and frugality and industry, to justice and kindness and Charity towards his fellow men, and to Piety and Love, and reverence towards almighty God. In this Commonwealth, no man would impair his health by Gluttony,…

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Congressional Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, November 1, 1777

Congressional Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, November 1, 1777

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Continental Congress November 1, 1777 During the War of Independence, the Continental Congress approved several proclamations of prayer. At this point, the proclamations were overtly Christian (“through the Merits of Jesus Christ”). This proclamation, like others, not only thanks for God’s support in the war but also asked for His forgiveness the Colonists “manifold Sins, whereby they had forfeited every Favour” from God. IN CONGRESS November 1, 1777 FORASMUCH as it is the indispensable Duty of all Men to adore…

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Letter from Benjamin Franklin to George Whitefield, 1763

Letter from Benjamin Franklin to George Whitefield, 1763

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Benjamin Franklin June 6, 1763 George Whitefield was a leader of the Great Awakening, a period of evangelical resurgence around 1838-1840. Though Franklin disagreed with Whitefield theology, he helped promote his efforts by publicizing him in the Pennsylvania Gazette, which he owned. However, he disagreed with Whitefield’s notion that the grace of God, rather than good works, determined salvation. FOR my own part, when I am employed in serving others, I do not look upon myself as conferring favors, but…

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