Isabella Carter
The topic of how many Christians signed the US Constitution is an interesting one, given that all 55 delegates who drafted the document had a Christian background, and 39 of them signed it. The US Constitution was approved on September 17, 1787, and has been described as the framework for the longest-lasting and most successful Constitutional republic in history. The document itself has several provisions that are based on biblical principles, and the Founding Fathers of America were clearly influenced by their Christian beliefs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of delegates chosen as representatives to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 | 70 |
| Number of delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention sessions | 55 |
| Number of delegates who signed the Constitution | 39 |
| Number of signers who were former clergymen | 2-4 |
| Number of signers who were current or former full-time preachers | 4 |
| Number of signers who were seminary degree holders | 29 |
| Number of signers who were outspoken about their Christianity | Many |
| Number of signers who were active ministers | 1 |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was signed by 39 people
The US Constitution, a document that has several provisions that parallel biblical principles, was signed by 39 people. Of the 70 delegates chosen as representatives to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, only 55 attended the proceedings in Philadelphia, and it is believed that there were never more than 46 of them in attendance at any one time. When it came time to sign the document, 38 of the 41 delegates present became signatories. George Mason, Edmund Randolph, and Elbridge Gerry refused to sign. John Dickinson was the 39th signer, authorizing another delegate, George Read, to sign for him.
The Founding Fathers, including the signers of the Declaration and Constitution, the framers of the Bill of Rights, leading state governors, and generals in the Revolution, consisted of over 250 men. Many of them were Christians, and 29 of the 56 signers of the Declaration held what would be considered seminary degrees today. All of the signers were Protestant Christians except for one, Charles Carroll of Maryland, who was Roman Catholic. The faith of the Founding Fathers is evident in the Constitution, which has been described as "godless." The framers of the Constitution created a document that acknowledged Jesus Christ as "our Lord," and President George Washington later stated to a group of Baptists that he would never have placed his signature on the document if he believed it might endanger the religious rights of any ecclesiastical society.
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All 55 framers of the Constitution had a Christian background
The United States Constitution is a secular document, but its framers were influenced by their religious beliefs. The Constitution makes no reference to chapters and verses, but several of its provisions are said to have parallels in biblical principles.
The Founding Fathers, including the 55 framers of the Constitution, were a diverse group of individuals with a range of beliefs and backgrounds. However, all 55 framers of the Constitution had a Christian background and displayed varying evidence of a biblical worldview. Most expressed their faith publicly. For example, John Adams, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, is quoted as saying, "The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God."
The delegates who drafted the Constitution ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair. Of the 55 delegates, only 39 signed the Constitution. George Mason, Edmund Randolph, and Elbridge Gerry refused to sign, citing objections that would become cornerstones for the Anti-Federalists. John Dickinson also did not sign but authorized another delegate, George Read, to sign for him.
While the framers of the Constitution had a range of religious beliefs and affiliations, it is clear that Christianity played a significant role in shaping their thinking and the document they created.
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Four of the signers were former clergymen
The United States Constitution, signed in 1787, was drafted by 55 delegates from 12 states. These delegates were revising the Articles of Confederation, which were deemed inadequate. However, they ended up scrapping the Articles entirely and creating a new governing document: the US Constitution.
The Constitution was influenced by Christian beliefs and biblical principles. For instance, the prophet Isaiah's assertion that God, not man, is the source of strength and salvation, is reflected in the three branches of the US government. Additionally, the document's framers acknowledged Jesus Christ as "our Lord". This indicates that the US was not intended to be an atheistic or secular state.
The Christian influence on the Constitution is further highlighted by the religious backgrounds of its framers. All 55 men involved in drafting the Constitution had an orthodox Christian background, and many expressed their faith publicly. While it is unclear exactly how many were former clergymen, some sources state that four of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were current or former full-time preachers, and many more were the sons of clergymen.
The religious affiliations of the signers of the Declaration of Independence are also notable. With the exception of Charles Carroll of Maryland, who was Roman Catholic, and a few Deists, all of the signers were Protestant Christians. This religious background influenced the content of the Declaration, which lays the foundation for the Constitution and the liberties set forth within it.
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One signer, John Witherspoon, was an active minister
John Witherspoon was the only active minister to sign the Declaration of Independence. Born in Yester, Scotland, in 1722 or 1723, he was the son of Reverend James Alexander Witherspoon and Anne Walker, a descendant of John Knox. Witherspoon's early education was provided by his mother, who taught him to read by the age of four. By the time he was 13, he had enrolled at the University of Edinburgh, where he obtained a Master of Arts in 1739. He remained at the university to study divinity and later received an honorary doctoral degree in divinity from the University of St Andrews in 1764.
Witherspoon was a staunch Protestant, nationalist, and supporter of republicanism. He was also a prominent evangelical Presbyterian minister in Scotland before accepting the position of president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1768. At Princeton, Witherspoon played a key role in shaping the national character of the United States. He was a strong advocate of natural law within a Christian and republican cosmology, and his aim as a minister was to defend and articulate traditional Scottish Presbyterian theology. He was also a delegate from New Jersey to the Second Continental Congress and played an active role in the political life of the colonies, serving on numerous committees and debating frequently on the floor.
Witherspoon's support for the revolutionary cause led him to vote in favour of R.H. Lee's Resolution for Independence and, shortly after, the Declaration of Independence in 1776. His signature on the Declaration of Independence, along with his other achievements, solidified his place as a Founding Father of the United States. While he initially abstained from political concerns, Witherspoon's strong beliefs and credentials made him a valuable contributor to the formation of the nation. He later signed the Articles of Confederation and supported the ratification of the Constitution, which was drafted by 55 delegates from 12 states in 1787.
Witherspoon's religious background and beliefs had a significant influence on his political and educational endeavours. He was firmly grounded in the Reformed tradition of High to Late Orthodoxy and was frustrated by the state of religion in the Scottish Kirk. Witherspoon's commitment to his faith and his role as a minister guided his actions and decisions, leaving an enduring impact on the early history of the United States.
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The Constitution has several provisions with parallels in biblical principles
The United States Constitution, which was signed on September 17, 1787, is a document that outlines the role of America's government and how it should operate. It is the longest-lasting and most successful Constitutional republic in history. The Constitution has several provisions that draw parallels with biblical principles.
The Constitution was drafted by 55 men, all of whom had an orthodox Christian background. The document divides equal power between three branches of government, which is comparable to a verse in the Bible about God, the source of strength and salvation. The prophet Isaiah made this clear:
> "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"
The Bible also speaks about the need to protect and defend one's family, which is comparable to the role of the federal government as outlined in the Constitution, which is to protect its states and provide for the defense of the nation.
The Bible also emphasizes the importance of unity and transformation, which is reflected in the Constitution's vision of a "more perfect union." The Founding Fathers understood that unity and perfection could only be achieved through Christ. This is further emphasized in the Bible, which states:
> "But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection."
The Bible also emphasizes the importance of justice, which is reflected in the Constitution's emphasis on equal power and checks and balances. The Bible states:
> "It is a joy for the just to do justice, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity."
The Constitution's acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as "our Lord" and its intention to protect religious rights further reinforces the influence of biblical principles.
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Frequently asked questions
All 55 men involved in drafting the US Constitution had an orthodox Christian background. However, only 38 or 39 of the 41 delegates present became signatories.
The Founding Fathers consisted of over 250 men, including the signers of the Declaration and Constitution, the framers of the Bill of Rights, leading state governors, and generals in the Revolution. Although not all of the Founding Fathers were Christians, many of them were.
The US Constitution contains very few explicit references to religion or Christianity. The framers of the Constitution did not use religious arguments in their discussions of slavery.
Yes, most of the Founding Fathers expressed their faith publicly. For example, John Adams said, "The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God."
Yes, several provisions in the US Constitution have parallels in biblical principle. For example, the overriding biblical principle that seems to permeate the Constitution is the sinfulness of humankind: "The heart of man is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked (Jer. 17:9)."
