You might just be able to hear the explosion of the fireworks over the explosion of rhetoric upon the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. Aiming to shed more light than heat, Dad and I discuss The Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776) from a theological perspective. Civic good is not the ultimate good, but it's not a negligible one, either. We find good reasons as Christians to support the American project, its self-corrections, and onward attempts to attain a more perfect union.

Notes:

1. Related episodes: Our Democracy?; Jefferson; Lincoln; MLK; Thurman; Two Kingdoms 16th Cent.; Two Kingdoms 20th-21st Cent.

2. Sarah's short story in which Revolutionary-era Lutheran pastor Henry Melchior Muhlenberg plays the part of a detective

3. The Declaration of Independence

4. Samuel Miller's sermon on July 4, 1793, is found in Political Sermons of the American Founding Era, 1730-1805, Volume 2

4. See also Waldron, God, Locke, and Equality

We're in our EIGHTH year—