A look at Jefferson’s Descriptions or Names of God
This week, 250 years ago, the Virginia Convention sent Thomas Jefferson as one of their delegates to the Continental Congress convening in Philadelphia. It would be of great consequence, when that body shifted toward independence from England.
Jefferson was already known to the Virginia Revolutionary leaders for several writings and actions prior to 1776. He had initiated largely drafted in 1774 a Resolution for a Day of Fasting and Prayer: “…devoutly to implore the divine Interposition” to prevent civil War, and “to give us one Heart and one Mind” …and to change “the minds of his Majesty and his Parliament…” He had already written various documents such as a Summary View of the Rights of British America and (in the previous congress) helped draft the Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms. All of these documents had woven God into the intellectual and political discourse. He proposed to Congress that our national seal have the motto seen in pic above (in his own hand).
One of the interesting things to observe about Jefferson was his understanding of God as revealed in the descriptive titles or names he used in his writings. He, like most of the Founders were shaped by the colonial preaching and sermons and literature to understand how God works in the world and in history. Most of those 60 or so titles (listed below) used by Jefferson indicates not a detached, uninvolved being, but rather a God very active in His created order.
Jefferson’s Descriptions or Names for God
The Divine Interposition
God Who Gave us Life
God Who Gave us Liberty
The Supreme and Impartial Judge
Ruler of the Universe
His Divine Goodness
Almighty God
Nature’s God
Creator
Supreme Judge of the World
Divine Providence
Divine Presence
Providence
God of Battles
Holy Author of our Religion
Lord both of body and mind
Gracious Redeemer
Heaven
The Great Being above
The Throne of Heaven
Overruling Providence which governs the destinies of men and nations
That God whom we both adore
God of Justice
Infinite Power which rules the destinies of the Universe
Supreme Ruler of the Universe
Almighty Ruler
Beneficent Being
The Lord
Being
The Great Spirit
Him whose Kingdom ruleth over all
The common Father and creator of man
The Great Disposer of all good
The Divine Spirit
Savior
Common Father
A Superior Agent
Creator of Man
The Being who led our Forefathers as Israel of old
Almighty Being who has heretofore guarded our councils
The Being in Whose Hands we are
That kind Providence…inspiring with wisdom and moderation our late legislative councils
That Providence in whose hand are the nations of the earth
Protecting Providence
Our Maker
The Father of us all
A Protecting Providence
Almighty Being
My God
King of Kings
God in Heaven
Our Savior
Christ
Benevolent Governor of the World
Creator of the Universe
The Hand of Providence
Powerful Agent
Author of our being
All-wise and All-powerful Providence
That Being Whose counsels are the best guide
Jefferson was not the person most people think of today. Modern biographers have crafted an image of him as a secular Deist or skeptic or infidel. Jefferson wrote that his enemies “ascribe to me…anti-religious sentiments” and call me “atheist, deist, or devil.” He proudly said “I am a Christian” and no one except political opponents in New England and New York ever in his lifetime questioned his faith. He privately expressed disagreement with some theology, but context for that is important to know.
He interacted with about 300 clergy and ministries over his lifetime, working togeher and giving financial aid to many of them. There are also about 300 prayer requests or specific things he said he was praying for in his letters, that reveal him as a privately devout man. He did not just use religious words for creating a public image.
In this 250th anniversary year, we need to rediscover Jefferson. Jerry Newcombe and I have written a new book about the main author of the Declaration of Independence titled: Thomas Jefferson and the God Who Gave us Liberty: Christian Nationalist? Secular Deist?. (Order now using this pre-sale link through Barnes and Noble for special price of $17.76. It will help us get them to stock it in their stores this year.)
I need your help to get this book more widely seen in this 250th year.
If enough of you will order ONLY through Barnes and Noble for the unique $17.76 price, it will help convince B&N to stock in their stores nationwide. Because I think the content desperately needs to be known to more Americans, I will give you another 257 page hardback book called Thomas Jefferson’s 1804 Abridgement of Jesus’ Words. It is the only printing of the so-called “Jefferson Bible” that corrects the wrong portrayal of Jefferson’s motives. It was not to remove miracles, but rather to create a digest that could be used to evangelize Indians. That book itself is only available now online through my website for $25. But if you contact me that you did the pre-sale then I will ship the other book free!
