Introducing Phil Webster – 1776 Faith

This post will be used to introduce Phil Webster to you. Phil is the author of 1776 Faith. I have quoted this book in my posts on Abraham Clark and William Ellery. Below is a reference Phil received from the late Dr. D. James Kennedy.

Dr. D. James Kennedy; Sept. 16, 2005

Webster’s exciting new volume, 1776 Faith: the Christian worldview of the signers of the Declaration of Independence is one of the most intriguing books on the subject which I have seen. His in-depth examination of the signers, their faith and worldviews go a long way in enlightening the American people concerning the founding of the country. I heartily recommend it to every American and hope that it has a very wide reception.

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Phil Webster and I speak at churches and civic groups about the Christian worldview of the Founding Fathers. While doing my presentations I appear in character as John Jay, the nation’s first chief justice. Mr. Jay is just the man to present the Christian worldview of the signers because he knew them personally. Hopefully, this generation will rediscover Mr. Jay’s December 23, 1776 speech in which he mentioned God and having faith in God 33 times. The members of the Continental Congress knew of his Christian faith when he was elected President of the Continental Congress. The members knew of his Christian faith when they voted him as the first Chief Justice. Many people in our current generation are unaware that he was also President of the American Bible Society. I have written a book entitled Can a Chief Justice Love God?: The Life of John Jay (Author House, January 2002).

The second book has a broader focus, that of the Christian worldview of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. It is entitled 1776 Faith: The Christian Worldview of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. The second book is based on reading the 26 volumes of the “Letters of the Delegates [of the Continental Congress] 1774-1789” and the 34 volumes of “Journals of Continental Congress”. After hearing and reading so much about “all the Founders were deists and atheists,” I decided to take the Founders’ Challenge. While reading these volumes, I took notes to see if the Founders were deists, atheists or if they had a Christian worldview. My research shows me that at least 54 of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence are guilty of a Christian worldview (possibly more).

To confront the attacks of those who say that the Constitution is godless because it does not mention God, I have written a third book, Constitutional Religion. The Christian worldview of the signers of the Constitution is shown by their pithiest Christian statements. All 50 states mention God in their state constitutions. The Northwest Ordinance, written the same year as the Constitution, stated that “religion and morality…shall forever be encouraged.” The first four presidents (Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Madison) promoted general tolerant Christianity.

My public presentation consists of John Jay presenting the Christian worldview with the help of Mr. Franklin’s technology with Power Point. Here are the presentations:

1. The Christian worldview of the signers of the Declaration of Independence (60 minutes)
2. The Christian worldview of the signers of the Constitution (45 minutes)
3. 7 instances of Divine Providence on our young nation. (30 minutes)
4. The influence of the Great Awakening on the Founders/ the Christian colleges of the era and the Christian music of the era (45 minutes)
5. The early state constitutions (30 minutes)
6. African American Founders (30 minutes)
7. All 50 states mention God in their state constitutions (50 minutes)
8. The first four presidents promoted general tolerant Christianity (30 minutes)

Feel free to contact me if you would like more information or would be interested in a presentation. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Your most humble and obedient servant,

Phil Webster
7316 Levin Dashiell Road
Hebron, MD 21830

Contact Phil Webster:

Visit Phil’s blog:
http://www.1776faith.blogspot.com