The Stokes Report: America's Birth Certificate

What is the greatest document ever written by man? Many would immediately identify the Bible, but God’s Word was not written solely by man. It was divinely inspired, meaning it had dual authorship. The Bible was written by God and penned by man. Some would say that the Magna Carta, signed by the English King John, is the greatest document because it provided liberty for England. Some would even say the United States Constitution is the greatest document ever penned by man, and it is great. But I believe the greatest document written by humans in the history of mankind is the Declaration of Independence, the birth certificate of the United States of America.  

Now the United States Constitution is a magnificent document, and no nation in history has such a charter of incorporation. But the Constitution is, in reality, an outgrowth of the Declaration of Independence - and could never have been written without the courageous and brilliant composition of our national birth certificate.

Listen to these words: “We hold these truths to be self evident: That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” (signed August 2, 1776). And these concluding words: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”   Fifty-six American heroes signed it... for which many of them paid with their lives and fortunes.

Yes, I believe this is the greatest document ever written--not for its beauty, even though it is penned in beautiful, prosaic English; not for its simplicity and clarity, although it is understood by the smallest child; and not for its judicial logic, though lawyers and courts still examine it thoroughly and often for its legal brilliance.

I believe the Declaration of Independence is the greatest document ever written because of what it has produced. The Declaration of Independence is a soul-liberating document that has revolutionized the world. The Declaration of Independence is the greatest document because it promised the greatest good, it influenced the greatest number of people, it provided the greatest quality of life, it gave birth to the greatest nation which provided the greatest freedom in history, and it led to the greatest advancement in the civilization of mankind this world has ever known.  

As you examine these self-evident truths, you will discover that our founding fathers believed in four basic Christian tenets, and they included their Christian beliefs in their Declaration of Independence. What did they believe?

1. They believed in a Creator.
2. They believed God created them in His own image.
3. They believed that God’s supernatural act (i.e., the miracle and sanctity of life) to create mankind should continue to be extended to every person.
4. They believed in absolute truth, which they called inalienable rights, or self-evident truths.  

If you really think about it, the Declaration of Independence was written and adopted with an overwhelming sense that without God, our nation would not succeed. The men who signed the Declaration of Independence knew very well that upon signing it, they were placing their lives, fortunes and futures in the hand of God Almighty.  

Let’s jump ahead 235 years and examine where our nation is with including God in the success of America.  

First, I am thankful to live in Enfield, where we still allow an invocation at the opening of Town Council meetings and Board of Education meetings. I am thankful to live in a state and nation that open legislative sessions with a chaplain offering a prayer. I am also thankful to live in a country where a high majority of people feel thrilled to say “one nation under God” when we recite the pledge. I worry about those who would erase that phrase from the pledge.  

But in our modern-day society, there is a great debate about where God fits in the lives of Americans and, more directly, in the affairs of government. There are organizations in our country that were conceived for the sole purpose of eradicating God from public life, events and ceremonies.  

All you have to do is Google the word “God” and along with hundreds of sites about God, church and faith, you will encounter hundreds more about removing God from public view and making sure God is housed only in a church and not in public discourse.  

It all comes down to one word: dependence. America has become self-dependent and taken in by our own greatness. We are labeled as a superpower, leader of the free world, and an economic giant. We have bought into the idea that we are too big to fail. We have taken for granted all that we have, and in some ways we have said to God, “Thanks for the start; we can take it from here.”  

But let me remind all of us as we celebrate our Independence Day that many nations claimed greatness prior to falling. Our economy is based on debt to other nations and is dependent on the world doing business with us. Terrorism is a word that we have all come to understand, and in a brief moment our nation could be under attack by those who have no concern with dying in the act. Natural disasters quickly remind us that we are not in control. Hatred is impacting our streets with senseless murders.  

Is God relevant for today? I think so!  

Let’s go back to those 56 men that signed the Declaration of Independence. Their acknowledgment of God was the result of their understanding of what they were doing by signing such a controversial document. They knew this meant life or death. They knew that their wives and children could face poverty and ridicule if independence was not achieved. They knew that their signing was a declaration of war. It was not a time of comfort, serenity, and ease. It was a step of faith into a fearful situation. No arrogance. No pride. No sense of entitlement. And God was not only acknowledged, but was attributed to any success. Let’s remember where we came from, what it cost and the God we rely on. God bless America.