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Abstract

Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and champion of the fusion of evangelical Christianity in America’s founding. Though somewhat unknown to most, he helped profoundly shape the formation of the United States of America in a variety of ways. His life was greatly influenced by his Christian beliefs and upbringing, having grown up in a devoutly God-fearing family. During his adolescent and young adult years, particularly his time spent studying at Princeton, his biblical worldview was greatly shaped and began to take hold of his life’s work. He subscribed to several ideals and dreams of independence. Through several essays and letters, Rush’s revolutionary zeal was propelled by his faith. He felt that it was God’s divine plan that the Colonies rebel and gain freedom from Britain. He advocated for the incorporation of the Bible in public education, religious liberty, and moral judgment. He went as far to state that the Bible should be utilized as a main textbook in education. He also called for abolitionism and temperance. He maintained that slavery was going to be a detriment to American society and treated habitual drunkenness as a disease caused by addictive spirits. He initially called for moderate consumption of alcohol, but for complete abstinence from distilled spirits. It was through the indirect support of figures, such as, but especially, Benjamin Rush, Christian morals and virtues became embedded within America’s founding. This paper argues that Rush’s integration of Christianity into founding principles entrenched a moral ethos in the American identity, distinguishing him from various Enlightenment rationalists.

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