Parsival Gevurah
America was founded on Judeo-Christian values. Though some may gripe at the term “Judeo-Christian values” and not simply Christian values, it is both an accurate and historically sound term.
America’s initial form of civil government and its first laws were inspired by the Ten Commandments, which come directly from the Hebrew Scriptures. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Samuel Adams, Edmund Burke, and many other founding fathers of the United States looked to great minds who were imbibed with deep piety and the ardent spirit of liberty. This mindset sprung from the Biblical wellspring of both Old and New Testaments such as John Locke (“Of Civil Government”), Algernon Sydney (“Discourses Concerning Government”), Montesquieu (“The Spirit of Laws”), and William Blackstone (“Commentaries on the Laws of England”).
Though we don’t see any professed Jews signing the Declaration of Independence, the founding fathers were so moved by the early Israelite culture that many of them identified America’s separation from British rule with the Exodus story. They also saw early America as a type of new Jerusalem. In J. Wingate Thornton’s “The Pulpit of the American Revolution” (1860), he writes:
“A state and its inhabitants thus circumstanced in respect to government, principle, morals, capacity, union, and rulers, make up the most striking portrait, the liveliest emblem of the Jerusalem that is above, that this world can afford. That this may be the condition of these free, independent, and sovereign states of America…”
Sentiments like these inspired some of the founding fathers to want to mint the back of American currency with the image of Moses, the deliverer of the Hebrews from Egyptian bondage.
Also, there is a widely known story of our first President, George Washington, being financially rescued by a Jewish businessman. The history goes that the American Revolutionary Soldiers under General George Washington’s command were on the brink of mutiny because they were not being paid wages or given essential items for their military service. As a result, George Washington met with Haym Salomon to secure a grant from the wealthy merchant. This Jewish man also believed in the great spiritual destiny which America had for God’s design. By obtaining the grant from Mr. Salomon, General George Washington was able to keep his troops satisfied and win the battles at Trenton and Princeton, and ultimately the war against the British Empire. Famed American historian David Barton recounts these stories of Jewish roots in America’s founding and more in his American Heritage series.
In a spiritual sense, the Christian that does not honor the Jew or our Jewish roots has little understanding of salvation history. St. Paul asks a common question of early Christians, “Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?” His reply, “Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God” (Romans 3:1-2). The Apostle Paul realizes that without God choosing the Jews to live out and author the five books of Moses, the Psalms, and the books of Wisdom, along with the Prophet books, then our Messiah, Jesus Christ, is never known, nor ever comes into existence.
Some argue that Jesus was against the values of the Jews of His day. However, that argument becomes moot by Jesus’ own words, “Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17). Jesus was not against the Jews. Jesus was the consummate Jew. What He was against was the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes, the religious Jewish leaders of the day who were following man’s religious institutions and not the Spirit of God’s Word. Jesus is God’s Word made flesh. He is the embodiment of the entire Bible, both the New Testament and Old Testament. Therefore, the term Judeo-Christian values only give a more accurate designation to our heritage as followers of Christ who fulfilled the Jewish Scriptures.
Saint Paul also notes that we, as non-Jews, are grafted into the original “nourishing root of the olive tree,” which are the Jews. For this reason, we should remember that as Christians, “it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you” (Rom.11:17-18). Therefore, we should honor our Jewish roots and the Jewish culture, for it is written, “I will bless those who bless you [the Jews], and him who dishonors you I will curse” (Genesis 12:3).
This inextricable link between the Jew and the Christian is found in the Epistle to the Galatians when St. Paul says, “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to his promise” (Gal.3:29). Thus, the Apostle Paul links that because Abraham believed in God’s Word to leave his homeland, Ur of Chaldea, to journey to the Promised Land, Israel, he is the father of our faith, being also the father of the Jews. Therefore, we who believe in Jesus as the Messiah and Savior of the Jews and all nations are the children of faith, following in Abraham’s footsteps and walking by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
There is, however, an ideological disease that has spread into some Christian churches throughout history to today. And that is the attempt to cast its Jewish roots aside into the fire of condemnation. They claim, “The Jews killed Jesus!”, conveniently forgetting that it was under Roman Governor Pontius Pilate’s orders that Jesus was flogged and crucified. Therefore, they insist that the Jew has been blotted out from salvation history. However, these people usually have no knowledge of Scripture in its entirety. To this point, Christian Theologian Lawrence Boadt notes in his book, “Reading the Old Testament,”
Many times, Christians, in the name of the Gospel of Jesus, have labeled the Jews as rejected by God and part of an old and replaced religious faith, as people who refused to accept Christ and therefore have no place or rights in the Kingdom of God which has now been taken from them and offered to the Gentiles instead. This is based on an over-zealous stretching of the New Testament itself, and in practice, has led not to Christian actions but to terrible injustice against the Jews. This occurred throughout the Middle Ages and even in our own time. For example, although Hitler was not Christian, many of his supporters were, and many kept silent during his genocide because of an antisemitic belief that God willed it. In light of all this, Christians must be very careful how they understand the Scriptures.
The Old Testament Scripture states that God’s covenant with the Jews is an everlasting covenant (Genesis 17:7-8; Psalm 89:27-33; Isaiah 55:3; Jeremiah 32:40; Ezekiel 37:26-28). Even if the Jews transgress their covenant with God and are judged harshly for it, there will be a faithful remnant among them who will be restored to the Lord (Genesis 45:7; Ezra 9:15; Isaiah 10:21-22; Jeremiah 31:7-14; Micah 4:6-7). Also, in the New Testament, the everlasting covenant with the Jews is foretold. In chapters 7 and 14 of the Book of Revelation, Saint John writes of the vision of 144,000 sealed from every tribe of Israel who will be brought to faith in Jesus immediately after His return to earth,
Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising sun, with the seal of the living God… saying, ‘Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of God on their foreheads.’ And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel… Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with Him, 144,000 who had His name and His Father’s name written on their foreheads… and they were singing a new song before the throne… no one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. (Rev.7:2-4; 14:1, 3).
As a result, not only do we as Americans have a historical root inspired by and aided by both Jewish and Christian values, but we Christian Americans also have a spiritual root in Jewish culture. The first disciples were Jews, the 12 Apostles were Jews, Mary and Joseph were Jews, and Jesus was a Jew and the fulfillment of over 2000 years of Jewish Scripture.
The insidious plot to remove Jewish roots from Christian history, and in extension, American history, stems from the same irreligious fervor that fuels Marxists, socialists, communists, and all those who seek to tear down the beacon of freedom that is the United States. If we allow them to sever our Jewish heritage from our Christian beliefs, it becomes easier to remove our Judeo-Christian heritage from our American values. The term “Judeo-Christian values” honors both America’s physical and spiritual history and her patriotic and faithful people throughout the nation.
Amy Mek
Vlad Tepes
Dear Parsival,
I have studied for about 35 years both scripture and history in my devotion to the One True Living God. It so happens that your article covers a topic that is fresh in my studies and I while commend you on your research, I must point out an error in your logic. The term ‘judeo-christian’ doesn’t appear in America until about 1840 and the context of its use refers to the conversion from one faith to the other. You are operating from the premise that Abraham was a jew which is impossible. The term ‘jew’ comes from the name ‘Judah’, who was the 4th son of Jacob/Israel; Abraham’s grandson. The name was applied to those of the southern (two tribed) kingdom of Israel (see: I &II Kings which is a history of the kings of both the northern and southern kingdoms) which was the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and the Levites scattered among them. The northern ten tribes were known as the kingdom of Israel and sometimes Joseph or Ephriam by the prophets. The word jew doesn’t appear in the Old Testament until somewhere in II Kings, referencing of course the people of the southern kingdom. I am convinced that the confusion surrounding this topic is a hiding place for the enemies of God’s people and we are warned by Jesus twice in His revelation to John at revelation 2:9 and 3:9. When a remnant came back from the captivity in Babylon, some could not prove their genealogy (see: the books of Ezra and Nehemiah) and at the same time the teachings of the Talmud came with them which are the teachings that Jesus decried as the “traditions of men”. Thomas Jefferson authored the constitution for the state of Virginia after the system of judges under Moses and the codified Anglo-Saxon law. Our federal constitution was modeled largely after the constitution of Virginia. There is a lot of evidence supporting the idea that America is the ‘new city Jerusalem’ and many of our founders ascribed to that. Ancient Israel was organized around the temple (laid out east to west) and the priests were adorned in red (scarlet) linen (white) and blue (azure) and purple. It is not a far stretch at all to interpret ‘America’ from the Latin to ‘heavenly kingdom’. Thank you for your consideration. there is much more if you have any questions.
I appreciate your interest in the article. I also commend you in your life’s study of the Bible, may God continue to grant you wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in the Scriptures. I would like to address the claim that Abraham was not a Jew and that the name “Jew” only applies to those Israelites of the southern kingdom, circa 930 B.C.
Since Abraham was given the covenant with God (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:4-6, 18-20; 17:1-14), Abram, whose name God changed to Abraham, was also promised to be the father of many nations, and the land of Israel as his children’s covenantal land. Since the covenant of circumcision (Gen.17:9-14), Abraham was considered a Jew, though the name wasn’t yet applied to him, as you correctly state. This doesn’t mean he wasn’t a Jew. This is akin to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit being called the Trinity, even though that term wasn’t yet applied to our singular God in three distinct persons throughout the New Testament. Also, the practice of circumcision is one of the foremost religious rites observed by Jews today (not Muslims or Christians of whom Abraham is also the father of by flesh and by faith, respectively).
You also correctly state that the etymology of the name Jew comes from the southern kingdom of Israel. However, as early as the book of Ezra 4:12, the term “Jew” is applied to all the exiled children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, not just the southern kingdom. We see the same designation of all the Israelites (both northern and southern kingdom) as “Jews” in the book of Nehemiah 1:2 and throughout, as well as Esther 3:6 and throughout.
Now you might say that only the children of the southern kingdom, Judah and Benjamin (called Jews), were exiled by Babylon, while the Israelites in the northern kingdom were exiled by the Assyrians. By extension, you might claim that these children of Judah and Benjamin are the people referred to in Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. However, remember that the Assyrian empire was defeated by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and subsumed into Babylonian territory. This was around 609 B.C. when king Josiah of Judah died at the hands of Pharaoh Neco II of Egypt at the battle of Megiddo. This pivotal battle halted Egyptian help to an Assyrian army besieged by Babylonians invading the Assyrian territory of Carchemish. Therefore, those northern kingdom Israelite exiles were also living in the same land of Babylon as the southern kingdom exiles at the time of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. As a result, their designation in these books as “Jews” applies to them all. Both northern and southern kingdom Jews were the remnant that returned to Israel to rebuild the second temple and its wall.
We have further proof that Abraham was considered a Jew and the father of the Jews in the New Testament. In Mother Mary’s Magnificat, we hear her say, “He [God] has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever” (Luke 1:54-55). This covenantal promise which Mary speaks of, links the Jews of her day to the first Jew, Abraham, the father of the Jews. The same sentiment is spoken of by Jesus’ rivals, the Pharisees, in the Gospel of John. They retaliate, saying, “Abraham is our father” (John 8:39). Clearly, they were speaking of their flesh and blood lineage to the progenitor of all Jews, the first Jew by rite of circumcision, Abraham. However, as a side note, Jesus rebukes them, saying that those who love Jesus and believe in him are truly the children of Abraham and of God, for their lineage comes by the same Spirit of belief and not by flesh.
Thank you for your comments. Due to the volume of my workload, I must move along from this discussion and only hope that it brings us into agreement about who Abraham is. Just in case you were not convinced by me, ask any practicing Jew, “Who is the father of your faith?” Show me a Jew that doesn’t say Abraham, and I’ll show you a Christian that doesn’t say, Jesus Christ. Take care, and God bless.
-P.G.
Maybe America ones had Judeo-Christian values, but now America is a land ruled by idiots and the biggest value is the Vaccin-Mask value.
I have never in my life read anything as stupid as this:
“We are now dealing with a pandemic of the unvaccinated”. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“We are now dealing with a pandemic of the unvaccinated, and it’s going to take renewed efforts to protect Californians from the dangerous Delta variant,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday.
(P.S.: How can a complete idiot be a governor?)
America is now ruled by idiots that should be hanged or at least locked in a mental institution, and throw the key away.
Also would be good for Americans and the whole world to study the latest 400 pages thick report that says that those FACE MASKS DOES NOT PROTECT FROM ANYTHING, (MAYBE FROM DUST ONLY!)
It is just Kabuki theater to wear face mask!
Ridiculous and stupid and shows the submission for the Great Reset and the worship of Fauci, the New God.
Americans, throw away the Bible, because obey the new God and ruler Fauci! The new Bible is now the Great Reset book by World Economic Forum and Jesus Schwabe!
“Senate Republicans rip CDC’s new mask guidance as ‘kabuki theater’
Sen. Johnson said ‘it’s time for Americans to reclaim their freedom’ “
Thank you for speaking this truth. I have long said that if the Jewish faith was not valid, then my Roman Catholic Church would crumble for lack of a foundation.
Amen.