A Call to Liberty - Liberty Fund

Men Will Be Men: Religious and Enlightenment Ideas in the Declaration

An essay by William B. Allen

Shifts in our prevailing philosophies and theologies seem to make the Declaration’s ideals little more than a pleasant fiction. Is the Declaration's ideal of lasting importance for religious and philosophical thinkers?

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Letter from the Editors

No one reads Philip Freneau any more. But during the tempestuous years of America’s Founding, Freneau’s poetry spoke directly, proudly, and fiercely of the American’s desire for independence. Freneau’s poems were wildly popular, and one of his best, The Rising Glory of America (1771), nicely demonstrates the combination of Enlightenment ideas and traditional theology that were such a hallmark of 18th century America.

…the last, the best
Of countries where the arts shall rise and grow
Luxuriant, graceful; and ev’n now we boast
A Franklin skill’d in deep philosophy,
A genius piercing as th’ electric fire,
Bright as the light’ning’s flash, explain’d so well
By him, the rival of Britannia’s sage.
This is a land of ev’ry joyous sound
Of liberty and life; sweet liberty!
Without whose aid the noblest genius fails,
And science irretrievably must die.
This is a land where the more noble light
Of holy revelation beams, the star
Which rose from Judah lights our skies…
William B.  Allen explores that juxtaposition of Enlightenment ideas and theology in this month’s lead essay, “Men Will be Men.” And you can find more Philip Freneau here. Both will reward your reading.

This Month's Further Reading and Listening

William B.  Allen’s lead essay begins by referring to Kody Cooper and Justin Dyer’s book, Classical and Christian Origins of American Politics. In this month’s further reading and listening you’ll find a podcast interview with Cooper and Dyer, which makes a perfect partner to Allen’s piece. You’ll also find two other podcasts that explore the ideas of the Enlightenment, a Liberty Fund book that collects Founding era documents that address questions of theology, and, of course, a link to our ever-growing collection of Revolutionary War pamphlets. 

Countdown to the Declaration

New material every month as we explore the Declaration's past, present, and future.

13

months to go

Find the full list of months, including archived and upcoming themes, on our Countdown page.

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