A group blog to promote discussion, debate and insight into the history, particularly religious, of America's founding. Any observations, questions, or comments relating to the blog's theme are welcomed.
I do not "get" the point Barton is trying to argue? Is he trying to argue that Jefferson upheld the laws by keeping slaves? And how is this related to his "saving of America" as a "Christian Nation"?
Politicians have always known that there are "ideals" that appeal to Man's emotion, but then there are pragmatic needs that have to be addressed. Pragmatism doesn't correlate to the "ideal form" of equality in society. So, Jefferson was a critical realist....instead of a idealistic sentimentalist.
I think that Barton is attempting to paint Jefferson as evangelical-Christian friendly and in doing so painting him to be much more orthodox Christian than he was. I'm guessing that he is trying to portray Jefferson as wanting to free his slaves but being restrained by law.
This seems to do two things that might be helpful to Barton's mission: 1) it helps redeem Jefferson so that he can be viewed more favorably by today's Christians (claiming Jefferson as one of the flock), and 2) portrays the laws, and by extension the state, as immoral and anti-Christian.
I have not read The Jefferson Lies,so I cannot tell what he attempts to demonstrate. On the About Us tab at Wallbuilders, he(?) describes the educational mission as research into those times when laws and policies were rooted in biblical principles. That would imply that American lawmakers were Christian and/or adhering to a biblical worldview. I guess he believes that includes TJ, ecumenically described as a "less religious" founder. Barton gets entangled in his own presuppositions. If 18th century Virginia laws prohibiting emancipation reflected biblical values, that must mean slavery is a biblical value. And he needs to explain why the Christians in the Virginia state legislature made it difficult to emancipate slaves.
Anytime I post on a Beck-Barton page or site and use the names Roger Williams and John Leland, my post are deleted and I am banned. They will leave ad hominem and criticism of their facts, but urgently remove post about early Baptist and their mission of faith known as Individual Liberty of Conscience. I believe they fear this type of discussion and it needs to be brought to them. The early secularist need to be heard.
5 comments:
I do not "get" the point Barton is trying to argue? Is he trying to argue that Jefferson upheld the laws by keeping slaves? And how is this related to his "saving of America" as a "Christian Nation"?
Politicians have always known that there are "ideals" that appeal to Man's emotion, but then there are pragmatic needs that have to be addressed. Pragmatism doesn't correlate to the "ideal form" of equality in society. So, Jefferson was a critical realist....instead of a idealistic sentimentalist.
With all due respect, all Barton all the time makes American Creation a dull blog.
Jay
Angie,
I think that Barton is attempting to paint Jefferson as evangelical-Christian friendly and in doing so painting him to be much more orthodox Christian than he was. I'm guessing that he is trying to portray Jefferson as wanting to free his slaves but being restrained by law.
This seems to do two things that might be helpful to Barton's mission: 1) it helps redeem Jefferson so that he can be viewed more favorably by today's Christians (claiming Jefferson as one of the flock), and 2) portrays the laws, and by extension the state, as immoral and anti-Christian.
Angie:
I have not read The Jefferson Lies,so I cannot tell what he attempts to demonstrate. On the About Us tab at Wallbuilders, he(?) describes the educational mission as research into those times when laws and policies were rooted in biblical principles. That would imply that American lawmakers were Christian and/or adhering to a biblical worldview. I guess he believes that includes TJ, ecumenically described as a "less religious" founder. Barton gets entangled in his own presuppositions. If 18th century Virginia laws prohibiting emancipation reflected biblical values, that must mean slavery is a biblical value. And he needs to explain why the Christians in the Virginia state legislature made it difficult to emancipate slaves.
Anytime I post on a Beck-Barton page or site and use the names Roger Williams and John Leland, my post are deleted and I am banned. They will leave ad hominem and criticism of their facts, but urgently remove post about early Baptist and their mission of faith known as Individual Liberty of Conscience. I believe they fear this type of discussion and it needs to be brought to them. The early secularist need to be heard.
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