JOHN WITHERSPOON: Liberty & Morality

In 1778, a fifty-six year old Scotsman would become one of the leading figures tying a strong Christian conviction with political freedom.

John Witherspoon, then president of Princeton, made the case for independence from a Christian perspective in his treatise, "The Dominion of Providence Over the Passions of Men,"

He was convinced that religious freedom was intertwined with political liberty and he articulated the conviction that in a democracy whose ultimate power is based in the people; true liberty can only be maintained by a moral and virtuous citizenry.

"It is in the man of piety and inward principle," he argued, "that we may expect to find the uncorrupted patriot, the useful citizen, and the invincible soldier.”

In 1 Peter 2:16, the apostle encourages us to, "Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God."

The Christian should be the model citizen, using the spiritual freedom he now has in Christ, not as a license for evil, but as an opportunity to do good. And as he serves God and others in sacrificial love, he will be the best defender of the liberties fought for in the American Revolution.

Witherspoon declared this tie between political and spiritual freedom that, “he is the best friend to American liberty, who is most sincere and active in promoting true and undefiled religion.”