By Paul Winningham
Independence Day is a day to ponder Liberty. Whether you are native-born or a naturalized American citizen, you surely have a different outlook about Liberty than citizens of any other nation. But what is Liberty? A useful definition is found in Merriam-Webster’s Tenth Edition: Liberty is the “freedom from arbitrary or despotic control.”
Many have observed that the history of the human race and its governance is a history of despotism and servitude to one degree or another. Kings, chieftains, sultans, warlords or other leaders often ruled in despotic, tyrannic ways. So the question needs asked, “Where did Liberty come from?” Perhaps the story of a noteworthy bell can explain.
Upon the public reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 1776, the bell atop the Independence Hall in Philadelphia was rung. We note that it was not at the time called the Liberty Bell; that would happen in the 1830s, as an abolitionist group adopted it as the symbol of their cause.
The Bell is inscribed with a Bible verse from Leviticus 25:10: “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” This was a reference to the Old Testament ‘Year of Jubilee’ described in the aforesaid chapter. Jubilee was to be a once-in-a-lifetime Liberty event in which debts were cancelled, indentured servants were set free, and properties that had been forfeited over indebtedness were returned to their rightful owners.
In the Bible, we read how Jesus Christ declared Himself to be the fulfillment of that Jubilee in St. Luke, chapter 4. Through His perfect and holy life, His innocent betrayal, His cruel crucifixion and victorious resurrection, He has brought about the highest and greatest kind of Liberty: the forgiveness of sins, by which guilty sinners are reconciled to God and given the free gift of eternal life! For many, these shores were a refuge where such Christian faith could be practiced, according to the dictates of one’s conscience, in Liberty.
The idea of this land being a place of such a kind of Liberty that the world had never known was not new, as the bell (and its inscription) was already 25 years old at the Declaration’s signing. Those whom we call Founding Fathers held a common conception of God the Creator.
Although not all were Christians, most were, and most all revered the Bible to be a sacred text from which to draw timeless truths in shaping society and life.
Since many of those who had come to these shores did so for the purpose of practicing their religion (Christianity), they were deeply flavored by the King James Bible’s references to Liberty. Many saw this land as a place where God’s Spirit was, in keeping with St. Paul’s words, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Corinthians 3:17)
This newly-declared political entity endured a grueling War for Independence from England and its king with the mightiest military of its day, whereby, against all odds, the fledgling America emerged victorious under General Washington. In attempting to assemble a government with representatives of the original 13 colonies, amid much contention that threatened to prohibit them from achieving a unified result, they finally adopted a Constitution. Those Continental Congress representatives were harshly divided over the issue of slavery, and although slavery remained for the time, they included in the newly-adopted Constitution the means by which slavery might be abolished and Liberty might be secured for all citizens.
This nation, the United States of America, remains a unique and special place, for it is founded upon ideas, not upon race or language or geography.
But our Liberty is not a guarantee. In every generation there have been countless stout souls who have stood up against tyranny of every kind and defended the ideas upon which this nation was founded. A profound sense of gratitude is most appropriate in every one of us if you are living, breathing, and enjoying your Liberty, free from arbitrary or despotic control.
We, too, must be ever vigilant! We must not allow our God-given and soldier-purchased constitutional liberties (including your health freedom) to be snatched away by any person or entity in any way, even by the government itself!
As for the Liberty Bell, witness to the birth of this great nation, what ever became of it? Well, it served faithfully and pealed Liberty for many years, but finally developed a crack that was irreparable, and was last rung for Washington’s birthday in 1846. It remains on public display and is available to visit every day except Christmas at Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia.
Suggestion for your Independence Day observance: Why not take the time to familiarize yourself with the Declaration of Independence, originally approved July 4, 1776, reading it for yourself or in the company of friends or family? Do not expect simple language, for it is a complex document, containing numerous facts and expressing lofty thoughts and ideals. It contains your heritage, American!
Rev. Dr. Paul R. Winningham is pastor of Grace Lutheran and Zion Lutheran Churches in Uniontown and Longtown.
