As we anticipate the coming celebration of Independence Day, we pause to reflect back on our nation's beginnings. With a brief mention of some of the timeline of the acts (Stamp Act, Sugar Act, Quartering Act, etc.) leading to our conflict with Britain, we consider a major, overriding event known as the First Great Awakening. Our guest rightly notes that without this spiritual awakening, there would have been no war for Independence. We also take note of the slow emotional temperature that rose in those days of the mid-1700's, in which people increasingly "had quite enough" of the elitist pressure that resulted in quashing people's rights and freedoms. There obviously is an analog in our own time. After the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, there were a number of battles with Britain. Some of these in 1777, were Princeton, NJ, Oriskany, NY, Bennington, VT, Brandywine, PA, Saratoga, NY - a very extensive list, that we only touch the surface of. We mention a key speech of Patrick Henry, given March 23, 1775. Our guest helps us remember the events of a Lutheran minister by the name of Rev. Muhlenberg. He saw a connection between the gospel and the freedom it instills - outward freedom in the land. His convictions led to his involvement as a Continental Army soldier. Participants: Dr. John Vance, Dan Elmendorf