The American Creed: A Spiritual and Patriotic PrimerWhat makes us all Americans--whatever our differences--is adherence to a creed, a creed based upon cornerstone truths the founders believed "self-evident." From the earliest days, the survival of the new republic hinged not merely upon the expression of these grand principles of liberty and equality but upon their spiritual underpinnings. Freedom and faith were intertwined. America, as a foreign observer once put it, is a nation with the soul of a church. In this stirring and timely book, Forrest Church charts the progress of this creed from the America's beginnings to the present day by evoking those whose words-whether in declarations, songs, inaugural addresses, speeches, or prayers-have expressed its letter and captured its spirit. What emerges is our shared destiny. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream that this country might someday "rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed," echoes Thomas Jefferson's belief that "equal and exact justice to all" is the "creed of our political faith." Our connection with the past represents our commitment to the future and vice versa. A "spiritual and patriotic primer," The American Creed distills the essence of American history while also matching its sweep. Church lets the story of the Declaration of Independence unfold before our eyes, giving us both the big picture and the details that place it into brilliant focus. Those steeped in our nation's heritage will find fresh insight and renewed purpose. Those still discovering its riches could have no finer introduction. In its scope and embrace, this is a book for us all. |
From inside the book
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Contents
1 A CITY ON A HILL | 1 |
2 SOUL FREEDOM | 10 |
3 THE LIBERTY BELL | 19 |
4 WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS | 30 |
5 A NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM | 43 |
6 E PLURIBUS UNUM | 57 |
7 AMERICAS MISSION | 68 |
8 AMERICAN FUNDAMENTALS | 80 |
10 NEW FRONTIERS OLD TRUTHS | 102 |
11 THE AMERICAN DREAM | 111 |
12 AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL | 120 |
CONCLUSION | 132 |
DEDICATION TO MY CHILDREN | 141 |
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS | 153 |
NOTES AND SOURCES | 157 |
9 THE FOUR FREEDOMS | 90 |
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Common terms and phrases
Abraham Lincoln Amer America the Beautiful American Creed American history American Primer Annals of America believe Bible Bless America called celebrate century Christian Church citizens civil Colony conscience created equal Declaration of Independence democracy democratic destiny divine dream E pluribus unum Eisenhower Eleanor Roosevelt Enlightenment established ethical Eunice evangelical expression faith and freedom father FORREST CHURCH foundation founders Franklin fundamentalists God Bless America God's heart human rights Ibid ican Idaho ideals inalienable rights inspired John Adams justice Kennedy King land later laws liberal Liberty Bell live Mayflower Compact ment minister mission moral nation nature Nonetheless patriotism peace Pilgrims pluribus unum Plymouth political President principles proclaimed protected Puritans pursuit of happiness Quaker religion religious liberty sacred scripture secular slave slavery social society soul speech spirit Star-Spangled Banner Theodore theological Thomas Jefferson tion true truth United University William Williams's Winthrop witness words wrote