Robert Jeffress - America Is A Christian Nation (Part 1)

July 3, 2025 | S25 E316 | 29:0

Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - America Is A Christian Nation (Part 1) | July 3, 2025
  • ...
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church
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  • Of dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory"
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  • With dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress
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  • And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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  • In recent decades, our government has taken
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  • Drastic measures to ensure that church
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  • And state remain completely separate.
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  • And while many have applauded these efforts for upholding
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  • American values, our modern-day interpretation of the separation
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  • Of church and state actually goes against the vision
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  • Cast by our founding fathers.
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  • I'll explain why america is and always has been
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  • A christian nation on today's special edition
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  • Of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Announcer: jesus declared, "you are the salt of the earth
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  • And the light of the world."
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  • With so much darkness creeping into our schools and
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  • Communities, now is the time to answer that calling.
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  • Become the salt and light
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  • The world desperately needs through
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  • The "pathway to victory" salt
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  • And light matching challenge.
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  • Your gift today, doubled in ministry impact, will empower
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  • "pathway to victory" to proclaim the gospel and stand for
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  • Biblical truth.
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  • Push back and hold strong against moral decline by joining
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  • The salt and light matching challenge.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Jeffress: listen long enough to the arguments of the american
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  • Civil liberties union or the freedom from religion foundation
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  • Or other left-wing groups, and you will come to believe this
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  • Version of america, america's history, you'll come to believe
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  • That america was founded by a wide diversity of people
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  • From many different faiths: some deists, some atheists,
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  • And yes, a few christians.
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  • But the founders had one goal and that was to build a
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  • Completely secular nation that was devoid of any religious,
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  • Especially christian, influence whatsoever.
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  • You'll be told that our founders wanted to erect this unscalable
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  • Wall around our country that would keep any
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  • Spiritual influence from seeping into public life.
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  • That version of american history belongs in the same category
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  • As the story of george washington
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  • And the cherry tree.
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  • It is an absolute myth.
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  • As we're going to discover today, the truth is america was
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  • Founded primarily, not exclusively, but primarily
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  • By orthodox christians and they founded this country upon
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  • The unchanging foundation of god's eternal truth.
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  • And furthermore, our founders believed that our success
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  • As a nation depended upon our faithfulness
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  • To god's eternal word.
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  • And though it is completely politically incorrect to say,
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  • The truth is this: america was founded as a christian nation
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  • And our success as a nation depends upon our fidelity
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  • To god's word.
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  • Now today, we are going to look at the historical evidence by
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  • Which we can say that america was truly founded
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  • As a christian nation.
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  • You won't hear this in the secular media, you won't
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  • Hear this in the classroom, but you will come to understand
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  • The historical truth when i'm finished today.
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  • First of all, let's look at the spiritual beliefs
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  • Of our founders.
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  • Were they neutral toward christianity?
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  • Hardly.
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  • Fifty-two of the fifty-five men who attended the constitutional
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  • Convention were orthodox conservative christians.
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  • In fact, two of those founders who attended the constitutional
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  • Convention, elias boudinot and john jay, the first chief
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  • Justice of our supreme court, later went on to be the head of
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  • The american bible society.
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  • And the purpose of the american bible society was to distribute
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  • The bible to as many people as possible, believing that the
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  • Message of the bible would transform lives and set the
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  • Nation on a proper moral course.
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  • Yes, two of our founders were deists.
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  • And make no mistake about it, deists are not christians.
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  • Two of our founders,
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  • Thomas jefferson and benjamin franklin were deists,
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  • But even these men understood the importance of a spiritual
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  • Foundation for our country.
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  • It's interesting that thomas jefferson and benjamin franklin
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  • Worked together to create, to propose,
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  • A national seal for our country.
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  • Do you know what that national seal was?
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  • It was a depiction of moses leading the children of israel
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  • Out of egypt, following god, the pillar of cloud.
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  • Benjamin franklin believed that the continental congress should
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  • Begin the session seeking the favor of god through prayer.
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  • Franklin said, quote, "i have lived, sir, a long time and
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  • The longer i live, the more convincing proofs i see of this
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  • Truth--that god governs the affairs of men.
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  • And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice,
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  • Is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?
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  • We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings that
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  • 'except the lord build they labor in vain that build it.'"
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  • That was benjamin franklin.
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  • Consider also the state constitutions.
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  • Every state had their own constitution and almost all of
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  • The 13 colonies prior to the constitutional convention had
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  • A state-sponsored religion.
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  • And you see this in the qualifications that every state
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  • Had to go to the constitutional convention.
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  • For example, if you were from delaware and you wanted to hold
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  • Public office in the state of delaware, if you wanted to go to
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  • The constitutional convention, listen to one of the things you
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  • Had to subscribe to.
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  • Article 22 of the delaware convention said, quote,
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  • "every person who shall be chosen a member of either house,
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  • Or appointed to any office or place of trust, shall make and
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  • Subscribe to the following declaration: 'i do profess faith
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  • In god the father, and in jesus christ his only son, and in the
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  • Holy ghost, one god, blessed for evermore; and i do acknowledge
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  • The holy scriptures to the old and new testament
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  • To be given by divine inspiration.'"
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  • Today we don't even require some seminary professors
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  • To believe that.
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  • Just listen, for example, to george washington in his first
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  • Inaugural speech.
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  • He said, "it would be improper to omit in this first official
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  • Act, my fervent supplications to that almighty being.
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  • No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the
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  • Invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the
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  • People of the united states."
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  • Or consider the words of the second president
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  • Of united states, john adams.
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  • He said, "the general principles,
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  • On which the fathers achieved independence,
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  • Were the general principles of christianity.
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  • I will avow, that i then believed, and now
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  • Believe, that those general principles of christianity
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  • Are as eternal and immutable,
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  • As the existence and the attributes of god; and that
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  • Those principles of liberty, are as unalterable as human nature."
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  • Or consider this amazing observation by adams.
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  • He said, "our constitution was made only for a moral
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  • And religious people.
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  • It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
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  • John jay, as i said, was the first chief justice of
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  • The united states supreme court.
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  • He was the co-author of the federalist papers.
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  • He said, "providence--" they referred to god as "providence,"
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  • "has given our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the
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  • Duty, as well as the privilege and interest, of our christian
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  • Nation to select and to prefer christians for their rulers."
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  • Boy, today he would be hauled into court and sued down
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  • To his socks for making a statement like that.
  • 00:09:06.102 --> 00:09:08.738
  • But this is the first chief justice of our supreme court.
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  • John quincy adams, the son of john adams, was the sixth
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  • President of the united states.
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  • You won't believe what he said about the christian foundation
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  • Of our nation.
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  • He asked, "why is it that, next to the birthday of
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  • The savior of the world, your most joyous and most venerated
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  • Festival returns this day, july 4?
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  • Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birthday of
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  • The nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday
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  • Of the savior?
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  • Is it not that the declaration of independence first organized
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  • The social compact on the foundation of the redeemer's
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  • Mission upon earth?
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  • That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first
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  • Precepts of christianity?"
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  • That was john quincy adams.
  • 00:10:06.362 --> 00:10:09.265
  • Perhaps the most amazing quote by john quincy adams is one that
  • 00:10:09.265 --> 00:10:13.569
  • Has been disputed by some, so we went back to find the source of
  • 00:10:13.569 --> 00:10:18.808
  • This, and we found this quote appeared in a publication of
  • 00:10:18.808 --> 00:10:23.512
  • Harvard university in 1860, so if i'm wrong, harvard university
  • 00:10:23.512 --> 00:10:30.119
  • Is wrong too.
  • 00:10:30.119 --> 00:10:31.554
  • But we're not wrong.
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  • This is what john quincy adams said, quote, "the highest,
  • 00:10:33.089 --> 00:10:36.325
  • The transcendent glory of the american revolution was this
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  • That it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles
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  • Of civil government and the precepts of christianity.
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  • If it has never been considered in that light it is because its
  • 00:10:50.806 --> 00:10:54.510
  • Compass has not been perceived."
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  • Do you hear that?
  • 00:10:57.413 --> 00:10:59.515
  • There is an indissoluble bond between the founding of our
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  • Country and christianity.
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  • That was john quincy adams.
  • 00:11:06.388 --> 00:11:09.024
  • You say, "well, pastor, what about the wall of separation
  • 00:11:09.024 --> 00:11:14.163
  • Between the church and the state?
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  • I thought that was the founding principle of our nation?"
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  • I was talking to a reporter this week and he asked
  • 00:11:21.237 --> 00:11:24.740
  • The very same thing.
  • 00:11:24.740 --> 00:11:26.175
  • He said, "pastor, what about the constitution and the separation
  • 00:11:26.175 --> 00:11:29.378
  • Of church and state?"
  • 00:11:29.378 --> 00:11:31.781
  • I said, "that's not found anywhere in the constitution."
  • 00:11:31.781 --> 00:11:35.251
  • He said, "what?"
  • 00:11:35.251 --> 00:11:36.685
  • I said, "look at the constitution.
  • 00:11:36.685 --> 00:11:38.687
  • Never once do you find the words 'the separation of church and
  • 00:11:38.687 --> 00:11:41.724
  • State,' and yet today 69% of americans still believe that
  • 00:11:41.724 --> 00:11:46.462
  • That phrase is found somewhere in the constitution."
  • 00:11:46.462 --> 00:11:51.133
  • It's not in the constitution, and we'll see in just a moment
  • 00:11:51.133 --> 00:11:54.703
  • Where that phrase originated.
  • 00:11:54.703 --> 00:11:57.306
  • In fact, the first mention of that phrase, "the wall of
  • 00:11:57.306 --> 00:12:01.243
  • Separation between church and state," doesn't appear
  • 00:12:01.243 --> 00:12:04.246
  • In a government document.
  • 00:12:04.246 --> 00:12:06.148
  • It appears in a private letter from newly elected president
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  • Thomas jefferson and a group of baptists
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  • In danbury, connecticut.
  • 00:12:14.023 --> 00:12:16.192
  • In 1801, almost every state,
  • 00:12:16.192 --> 00:12:20.095
  • As i said, had a state-sponsored religion.
  • 00:12:20.095 --> 00:12:24.033
  • Even after the 1st amendment was ratified in 1792, "congress
  • 00:12:24.033 --> 00:12:29.305
  • Shall make no law respecting the establishment of a religion,"
  • 00:12:29.305 --> 00:12:33.275
  • Even 7 years after that, most every state had
  • 00:12:33.275 --> 00:12:36.645
  • A state-sponsored religion.
  • 00:12:36.645 --> 00:12:39.181
  • They were christian denominations, they were
  • 00:12:39.181 --> 00:12:42.484
  • Christian religions, but they were different denominations
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  • According to the state in which you lived.
  • 00:12:45.554 --> 00:12:47.957
  • It so happened in connecticut that the congregational church
  • 00:12:47.957 --> 00:12:51.193
  • Was the state-sponsored denomination
  • 00:12:51.193 --> 00:12:54.630
  • In the state of connecticut.
  • 00:12:54.630 --> 00:12:56.532
  • And so, part of people's tax dollars in connecticut
  • 00:12:56.532 --> 00:12:59.702
  • Went to support the congregational church.
  • 00:12:59.702 --> 00:13:02.972
  • Well, the baptists didn't like that very much, and so they
  • 00:13:02.972 --> 00:13:06.976
  • Would petition the government every year for the tax dollars
  • 00:13:06.976 --> 00:13:10.880
  • That had gone to the congregational church to be
  • 00:13:10.880 --> 00:13:13.315
  • Redirected toward their church.
  • 00:13:13.315 --> 00:13:15.284
  • And they were tired at having to go through that hassle.
  • 00:13:15.284 --> 00:13:18.454
  • So when thomas jefferson became president on
  • 00:13:18.454 --> 00:13:20.956
  • January the 1st, 1802
  • 00:13:20.956 --> 00:13:23.859
  • Thomas jefferson wrote this letter in response to their
  • 00:13:23.859 --> 00:13:27.129
  • Earlier letter, and listen to what he said: "i contemplate
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  • With sovereign reverence that act of the whole american people
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  • Which declare that their legislature should,
  • 00:13:35.304 --> 00:13:38.440
  • 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion
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  • Or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.'"
  • 00:13:42.945 --> 00:13:46.782
  • He's quoting the 1st amendment.
  • 00:13:46.782 --> 00:13:48.317
  • "thus, building a wall of separation
  • 00:13:48.317 --> 00:13:51.253
  • Between church and state."
  • 00:13:51.253 --> 00:13:54.556
  • Now, i want you to notice the context.
  • 00:13:54.556 --> 00:13:56.892
  • The context had to do with the establishing of one christian
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  • Denomination as the state religion which people were
  • 00:14:01.463 --> 00:14:06.101
  • Coerced to support financially.
  • 00:14:06.101 --> 00:14:08.604
  • And it was in that context that thomas jefferson said,
  • 00:14:08.604 --> 00:14:12.141
  • "no, we are not to establish a state church
  • 00:14:12.141 --> 00:14:16.946
  • That coerces people to worship.
  • 00:14:16.946 --> 00:14:19.715
  • We're not to elevate one christian denomination
  • 00:14:19.715 --> 00:14:22.918
  • Over another."
  • 00:14:22.918 --> 00:14:24.320
  • That is clearly the context.
  • 00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:26.355
  • Look at the early court rulings in addition to the utterances of
  • 00:14:26.355 --> 00:14:31.393
  • Our founding fathers.
  • 00:14:31.393 --> 00:14:33.295
  • I mention just several of these cases that show that not only
  • 00:14:33.295 --> 00:14:36.899
  • Did our judiciary affirm our christian foundation, but they
  • 00:14:36.899 --> 00:14:41.637
  • Also encouraged government support of the christian faith.
  • 00:14:41.637 --> 00:14:46.508
  • First of all, the case of runkel versus winemiller in 1799.
  • 00:14:46.508 --> 00:14:51.347
  • In that case, the supreme court of maryland said in its
  • 00:14:51.347 --> 00:14:54.750
  • Decision, quote, "by our form of government,
  • 00:14:54.750 --> 00:14:58.821
  • The christian religion is the established religion."
  • 00:14:58.821 --> 00:15:05.394
  • Now stop there and think about that.
  • 00:15:05.394 --> 00:15:06.829
  • This is 7 years, just 7 years, after the 1st amendment
  • 00:15:06.829 --> 00:15:11.567
  • That says: "congress shall make no law regarding
  • 00:15:11.567 --> 00:15:13.936
  • The establishment of religion."
  • 00:15:13.936 --> 00:15:17.172
  • And now, 7 years later, the united--
  • 00:15:17.172 --> 00:15:20.542
  • Or the maryland supreme court says, "we have an established
  • 00:15:20.542 --> 00:15:24.380
  • Religion in this country.
  • 00:15:24.380 --> 00:15:25.948
  • It is the christian religion."
  • 00:15:25.948 --> 00:15:28.317
  • Were these judges ignorant of the 1st amendment?
  • 00:15:28.317 --> 00:15:32.388
  • Of course they weren't.
  • 00:15:32.388 --> 00:15:34.223
  • They understood the 1st amendment better than you do,
  • 00:15:34.223 --> 00:15:36.859
  • Better than i do, and certainly better than some liberal judge
  • 00:15:36.859 --> 00:15:39.995
  • Does today.
  • 00:15:39.995 --> 00:15:41.530
  • The founders were still alive, the framers of the constitution.
  • 00:15:41.530 --> 00:15:44.600
  • If there was any question, maryland's supreme court could
  • 00:15:44.600 --> 00:15:47.636
  • Have gone and asked the founders what they mean.
  • 00:15:47.636 --> 00:15:50.272
  • No, they said, "we have an established religion," but look
  • 00:15:50.272 --> 00:15:53.242
  • At the second phrase: "and all sects and denominations of
  • 00:15:53.242 --> 00:15:57.079
  • Christians are placed upon the same equal footing, and are
  • 00:15:57.079 --> 00:16:01.450
  • Equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty."
  • 00:16:01.450 --> 00:16:05.788
  • What they were saying was: yes, we have an established faith,
  • 00:16:05.788 --> 00:16:10.125
  • The christian faith, but no christian denomination is to be
  • 00:16:10.125 --> 00:16:14.096
  • Elevated over another christian denomination.
  • 00:16:14.096 --> 00:16:16.899
  • And that, again, was the intent of the 1st amendment.
  • 00:16:16.899 --> 00:16:21.336
  • The second case, a court case, the church of the holy trinity
  • 00:16:21.336 --> 00:16:25.741
  • Versus the united states, 1892.
  • 00:16:25.741 --> 00:16:28.977
  • This was a case that went before the united states supreme court.
  • 00:16:28.977 --> 00:16:32.514
  • The case dealt with a church that was being sued by the
  • 00:16:32.514 --> 00:16:35.818
  • Government for employing a pastor from england which
  • 00:16:35.818 --> 00:16:39.288
  • Supposedly violated federal immigration law.
  • 00:16:39.288 --> 00:16:42.424
  • Even a hot topic back then.
  • 00:16:42.424 --> 00:16:44.793
  • Isn't that amazing?
  • 00:16:44.793 --> 00:16:47.029
  • Some things never change.
  • 00:16:47.029 --> 00:16:48.730
  • But anyway, they were going to sue this church for hiring a
  • 00:16:48.730 --> 00:16:51.934
  • Preacher from england.
  • 00:16:51.934 --> 00:16:53.869
  • The united states supreme court rejected that application of law
  • 00:16:53.869 --> 00:16:57.473
  • To the church, and listen to what the supreme court said.
  • 00:16:57.473 --> 00:17:01.410
  • They said: "no purpose or action against religion can be imputed
  • 00:17:01.410 --> 00:17:05.547
  • To any legislation, state or national, because this is
  • 00:17:05.547 --> 00:17:08.650
  • A religious people."
  • 00:17:08.650 --> 00:17:10.786
  • This is historically true.
  • 00:17:10.786 --> 00:17:12.721
  • From the discovery of this continent to the present hour,
  • 00:17:12.721 --> 00:17:15.524
  • There is one single voice making this affirmation.
  • 00:17:15.524 --> 00:17:18.560
  • And then the court recited a plethora of evidence that this
  • 00:17:18.560 --> 00:17:22.464
  • Nation was founded on christian principles and then the court
  • 00:17:22.464 --> 00:17:26.168
  • Said this, quote: "these, and many other matters which might
  • 00:17:26.168 --> 00:17:31.573
  • Be noticed, add a volume of unofficial declarations to the
  • 00:17:31.573 --> 00:17:36.378
  • Mass of organic utterances that this is a christian nation."
  • 00:17:36.378 --> 00:17:42.718
  • The united states supreme court,
  • 00:17:42.718 --> 00:17:45.087
  • In fact, notice what else they said.
  • 00:17:45.087 --> 00:17:48.223
  • They quoted, thirdly, a case from the new york state
  • 00:17:48.223 --> 00:17:51.460
  • Supreme court, the people versus ruggles.
  • 00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:54.963
  • The supreme court in 1892 reached back to a prior court
  • 00:17:54.963 --> 00:17:59.201
  • Ruling in new york to substantiate their view and
  • 00:17:59.201 --> 00:18:03.472
  • Listen to what they quoted and affirmed
  • 00:18:03.472 --> 00:18:05.908
  • In this supreme court decision.
  • 00:18:05.908 --> 00:18:08.510
  • They said, quote, "nor are we bound by any expressions in the
  • 00:18:08.510 --> 00:18:13.849
  • Constitution, as some have strangely supposed, either not
  • 00:18:13.849 --> 00:18:18.220
  • To punish at all, or to punish indiscriminately the like
  • 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:21.690
  • Attacks upon the religion of mahomet, that is, islam, or of
  • 00:18:21.690 --> 00:18:27.029
  • The grand lama, that is, buddhism, and for this plain
  • 00:18:27.029 --> 00:18:30.365
  • Reason, that the case assumes that we are a christian people,
  • 00:18:30.365 --> 00:18:36.471
  • And the morality of the country is deeply engrafted upon
  • 00:18:36.471 --> 00:18:40.075
  • Christianity, and not upon the doctrines of worship
  • 00:18:40.075 --> 00:18:44.346
  • Of those imposters."
  • 00:18:44.346 --> 00:18:49.718
  • Now isn't that an amazing ruling affirmed
  • 00:18:49.718 --> 00:18:52.054
  • By the united states supreme court?
  • 00:18:52.054 --> 00:18:54.289
  • Not only to say that this nation is engrafted upon the principles
  • 00:18:54.289 --> 00:18:58.026
  • Of christianity, but other non-christian religions: islam,
  • 00:18:58.026 --> 00:19:03.265
  • Buddhism, are imposter religions.
  • 00:19:03.265 --> 00:19:07.736
  • Again, the argument i'm making today is that our nation was
  • 00:19:07.736 --> 00:19:12.941
  • Founded upon christianity and our forefathers had a bias in a
  • 00:19:12.941 --> 00:19:18.814
  • Positive sense toward keeping this nation founded upon its
  • 00:19:18.814 --> 00:19:23.185
  • Christian principles.
  • 00:19:23.185 --> 00:19:25.487
  • One more i wanna share with you:
  • 00:19:25.487 --> 00:19:27.990
  • Vidal versus girard's executors, 1844.
  • 00:19:27.990 --> 00:19:31.927
  • This was a very complicated case, but the gist of it is
  • 00:19:31.927 --> 00:19:36.131
  • This: a man, very wealthy man, in philadelphia died and in his
  • 00:19:36.131 --> 00:19:41.003
  • Will he stipulated that the proceeds of his estate would be
  • 00:19:41.003 --> 00:19:45.307
  • Used to support a school for orphans.
  • 00:19:45.307 --> 00:19:49.044
  • They would call that a college back then.
  • 00:19:49.044 --> 00:19:51.813
  • But it was a school for orphans.
  • 00:19:51.813 --> 00:19:53.482
  • But he had one stipulation, and that is no christian clergymen
  • 00:19:53.482 --> 00:19:57.519
  • Could be allowed to teach in his school.
  • 00:19:57.519 --> 00:20:00.789
  • Well, the people of pennsylvania were upset by that.
  • 00:20:00.789 --> 00:20:06.828
  • They were upset that you would have a school in which
  • 00:20:06.828 --> 00:20:09.898
  • Christianity couldn't be taught.
  • 00:20:09.898 --> 00:20:12.134
  • But the supreme court of the united states upheld that man's
  • 00:20:12.134 --> 00:20:15.370
  • Will, using this logic: they said the fact that you don't
  • 00:20:15.370 --> 00:20:19.808
  • Have a christian minister teaching doesn't mean the
  • 00:20:19.808 --> 00:20:23.845
  • Principles of christianity can't be taught or should be taught.
  • 00:20:23.845 --> 00:20:28.150
  • And this is what the supreme court said, quote, "why may not
  • 00:20:28.150 --> 00:20:31.720
  • The bible, and especially the new testament, without note or
  • 00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:35.957
  • Comment, be read and taught as a divine revelation in the
  • 00:20:35.957 --> 00:20:40.629
  • College, its general precepts expounded, its evidences
  • 00:20:40.629 --> 00:20:44.700
  • Explained, and its glorious principles
  • 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:47.135
  • Of morality inculcated?"
  • 00:20:47.135 --> 00:20:49.504
  • There is no reason not to teach the bible in this school, and to
  • 00:20:49.504 --> 00:20:54.710
  • Treat it as the word of god,
  • 00:20:54.710 --> 00:20:56.478
  • And to teach its morality to students.
  • 00:20:56.478 --> 00:20:59.181
  • Likewise, the court said in the same ruling that we don't have
  • 00:20:59.181 --> 00:21:02.684
  • To worry about parity, what effect such a ruling would have
  • 00:21:02.684 --> 00:21:05.787
  • On non-christian rulings.
  • 00:21:05.787 --> 00:21:07.856
  • Listen to this. again, amazing.
  • 00:21:07.856 --> 00:21:10.158
  • "it is unnecessary for us, however, to consider what
  • 00:21:10.158 --> 00:21:12.861
  • The legal effect of a device in pennsylvania for the
  • 00:21:12.861 --> 00:21:15.831
  • Establishment of a school or college, for the propagation of
  • 00:21:15.831 --> 00:21:18.767
  • Judaism, or deism, or any other form of infidelity.
  • 00:21:18.767 --> 00:21:27.676
  • Such a case is not
  • 00:21:28.643 --> 00:21:30.479
  • To be presumed in a christian country."
  • 00:21:30.479 --> 00:21:36.752
  • Now that is how the early court felt about the christian faith.
  • 00:21:36.752 --> 00:21:41.456
  • It's interesting to note that the man who delivered
  • 00:21:41.456 --> 00:21:44.493
  • That opinion, the majority opinion in the gerard case,
  • 00:21:44.493 --> 00:21:48.630
  • Was justice joseph story.
  • 00:21:48.630 --> 00:21:51.600
  • I remember a few years ago, going through the capital at
  • 00:21:51.600 --> 00:21:54.669
  • Night and seeing a bust of joseph story and the old chamber
  • 00:21:54.669 --> 00:21:58.607
  • Where the senate used to meet.
  • 00:21:58.607 --> 00:22:00.776
  • Joseph story was appointed to the supreme court in 1811
  • 00:22:00.776 --> 00:22:05.147
  • By james madison.
  • 00:22:05.147 --> 00:22:07.282
  • Now, if you know anything about american history, you know james
  • 00:22:07.282 --> 00:22:10.552
  • Madison is said to have been the architect of our constitution.
  • 00:22:10.552 --> 00:22:14.923
  • So, james madison is the one who appointed joseph story who said,
  • 00:22:14.923 --> 00:22:19.428
  • "this is a christian nation,"
  • 00:22:19.428 --> 00:22:22.130
  • And talked about imposter religions.
  • 00:22:22.130 --> 00:22:25.000
  • Now, do you think james madison, who knew the constitution
  • 00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:30.338
  • Backwards and forwards, was its architect, would he appoint some
  • 00:22:30.338 --> 00:22:34.843
  • Imbecile to the supreme court who didn't understand the
  • 00:22:34.843 --> 00:22:36.878
  • Purpose of the constitution?
  • 00:22:36.878 --> 00:22:39.214
  • Of course not.
  • 00:22:39.214 --> 00:22:40.782
  • He appointed joseph story because he knew story
  • 00:22:40.782 --> 00:22:43.251
  • Understood the constitution.
  • 00:22:43.251 --> 00:22:45.187
  • Later on in his career, joseph story went on to write a
  • 00:22:45.187 --> 00:22:48.256
  • Commentary on the entire united states constitution that was
  • 00:22:48.256 --> 00:22:52.961
  • For years used in law schools around the country.
  • 00:22:52.961 --> 00:22:56.998
  • And in his notes on the 1st amendment, about the
  • 00:22:56.998 --> 00:23:00.936
  • Establishment clause, he said, "it is absolutely without debate
  • 00:23:00.936 --> 00:23:05.040
  • That the founders' intention in that establishment clause was to
  • 00:23:05.040 --> 00:23:09.377
  • Keep from elevating one christian denomination over
  • 00:23:09.377 --> 00:23:13.014
  • Another christian denomination, but never in the founders'
  • 00:23:13.014 --> 00:23:17.252
  • Imagination did they think that would be used to make
  • 00:23:17.252 --> 00:23:19.988
  • Christianity subservient to other non-christian religions."
  • 00:23:19.988 --> 00:23:25.494
  • Jeffress: there's much more evidence i wanna share with you,
  • 00:23:29.664 --> 00:23:32.467
  • All of it confirms that america was founded
  • 00:23:32.467 --> 00:23:36.104
  • As a christian nation.
  • 00:23:36.104 --> 00:23:37.672
  • So, make it a point to join us again next time
  • 00:23:37.672 --> 00:23:40.075
  • For "pathway to victory."
  • 00:23:40.075 --> 00:23:41.910
  • Well, the deadline is nearly upon us
  • 00:23:41.910 --> 00:23:44.079
  • For the salt and light matching challenge.
  • 00:23:44.079 --> 00:23:46.348
  • For just a few more days, your gift will be
  • 00:23:46.348 --> 00:23:48.984
  • Matched and therefore doubled in ministry impact.
  • 00:23:48.984 --> 00:23:52.787
  • But the countdown ends july 6 at midnight.
  • 00:23:52.787 --> 00:23:56.925
  • So please don't delay any longer
  • 00:23:56.925 --> 00:23:59.160
  • In sending your gift to "pathway to victory."
  • 00:23:59.160 --> 00:24:02.397
  • In today's world where god's design for marriage, family,
  • 00:24:02.397 --> 00:24:05.967
  • And life itself is being recklessly abandoned,
  • 00:24:05.967 --> 00:24:09.738
  • We need to take action.
  • 00:24:09.738 --> 00:24:11.907
  • Your support right now will help us boldly proclaim the
  • 00:24:11.907 --> 00:24:15.310
  • Gospel and defend biblical truth when our nation needs it most.
  • 00:24:15.310 --> 00:24:20.715
  • Thank you in advance for your generosity as together we push
  • 00:24:20.715 --> 00:24:24.786
  • Back against the moral and spiritual darkness of our day.
  • 00:24:24.786 --> 00:24:29.224
  • Now, stay right there.
  • 00:24:29.224 --> 00:24:30.759
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:33.662
  • Announcer: the moral decline in today's world can
  • 00:24:34.963 --> 00:24:36.965
  • Feel overwhelming, but god calls us to shine his light and make a
  • 00:24:36.965 --> 00:24:41.169
  • Difference for him in a world that has lost its way.
  • 00:24:41.169 --> 00:24:44.306
  • In his brand new book, "shine the light," dr. robert jeffress
  • 00:24:44.306 --> 00:24:47.742
  • Shows you how small faithful acts like teaching, serving, and
  • 00:24:47.742 --> 00:24:51.246
  • Encouraging can restore and renew christian values in your
  • 00:24:51.246 --> 00:24:54.749
  • Family, your church, and community.
  • 00:24:54.749 --> 00:24:57.085
  • Jeffress: the bible teaches that our primary purpose in life is
  • 00:24:57.085 --> 00:25:00.555
  • To influence the world with the gospel.
  • 00:25:00.555 --> 00:25:03.558
  • And in my new book, i'll show you how to live purposefully and
  • 00:25:03.558 --> 00:25:07.262
  • Leave behind a legacy of faith, wisdom, and compassion.
  • 00:25:07.262 --> 00:25:11.733
  • Announcer: the world may seem lost, but god's light has
  • 00:25:11.733 --> 00:25:14.402
  • Not dimmed, and neither has yours.
  • 00:25:14.402 --> 00:25:16.871
  • Request your copy of, "shine the light" when you give a generous
  • 00:25:16.871 --> 00:25:19.975
  • Gift to the "pathway to victory" salt and
  • 00:25:19.975 --> 00:25:22.177
  • Light matching challenge.
  • 00:25:22.177 --> 00:25:24.079
  • And when your ministry gift is $100 or more, we'll also send
  • 00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:27.749
  • You the complete, "shine the light" teaching series on dvd
  • 00:25:27.749 --> 00:25:31.152
  • And audio disc.
  • 00:25:31.152 --> 00:25:32.487
  • Jeffress: light is of little value in the light.
  • 00:25:32.487 --> 00:25:35.390
  • If we're gonna be effective, we're effective for christ not
  • 00:25:35.390 --> 00:25:38.627
  • When we're around other light sources, other christians, it is
  • 00:25:38.627 --> 00:25:42.664
  • When we're in the darkness.
  • 00:25:42.664 --> 00:25:45.100
  • Jeffress: light has to confront the darkness.
  • 00:25:45.100 --> 00:25:47.802
  • Announcer: remember your
  • 00:25:47.802 --> 00:25:49.137
  • Gift today will have twice the
  • 00:25:49.137 --> 00:25:50.505
  • Impact thanks to the "pathway
  • 00:25:50.505 --> 00:25:51.840
  • To victory" salt and light
  • 00:25:51.840 --> 00:25:53.174
  • Matching challenge.
  • 00:25:53.174 --> 00:25:55.010
  • Thank you for partnering with "pathway to victory" as we
  • 00:25:55.010 --> 00:25:57.712
  • Boldly proclaim the gospel and equip believers to shine god's
  • 00:25:57.712 --> 00:26:01.616
  • Light in a world that has lost its way.
  • 00:26:01.616 --> 00:26:04.586
  • Jeffress: you can try to twist the facts any way you want,
  • 00:26:06.388 --> 00:26:09.691
  • But the truth is still the same.
  • 00:26:09.691 --> 00:26:11.626
  • America was founded as a christian nation.
  • 00:26:11.626 --> 00:26:15.497
  • Not only were most of our founding fathers godly men
  • 00:26:15.497 --> 00:26:19.034
  • Who revered the bible, early supreme court rulings
  • 00:26:19.034 --> 00:26:22.637
  • Clearly promoted and protected christian values.
  • 00:26:22.637 --> 00:26:26.875
  • So where did it all go wrong?
  • 00:26:26.875 --> 00:26:29.010
  • Well, next time, i'm going to identify the historic events
  • 00:26:29.010 --> 00:26:33.014
  • That derailed our nation from following god's will.
  • 00:26:33.014 --> 00:26:36.985
  • And finally, we're going to look at the consequences
  • 00:26:36.985 --> 00:26:40.088
  • Of renouncing our christian heritage.
  • 00:26:40.088 --> 00:26:43.124
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
  • 00:26:43.124 --> 00:26:45.527
  • On "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:45.527 --> 00:26:47.729
  • Jeffress: how do you explain this shift?
  • 00:26:48.596 --> 00:26:50.765
  • What has happened in the last 60 or 70 years?
  • 00:26:50.765 --> 00:26:54.436
  • Has the constitution changed, and somebody didn't tell us?
  • 00:26:54.436 --> 00:26:58.673
  • No. what happened is this.
  • 00:26:58.673 --> 00:27:01.643
  • We've allowed the atheists, the secularists, the infidels
  • 00:27:01.643 --> 00:27:06.481
  • To pervert our constitution into
  • 00:27:06.481 --> 00:27:09.150
  • Something our founders never intended,
  • 00:27:09.150 --> 00:27:12.554
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for part 2
  • 00:27:12.620 --> 00:27:15.490
  • Of the message, "america is a christian nation,"
  • 00:27:15.490 --> 00:27:18.727
  • Here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:27:18.727 --> 00:27:18.727