Cedarville Magazine, Summer 2014

20 | Cedarville Magazine Washington’s sweeping contributions include: Securing American independence as General in the Revolutionary War Presiding over the framing of the U.S. Constitution Protecting and advancing religious liberty for all, inclusive of minority faiths Establishing the precedents of the American presidency Modeling the orderly and peaceful transition of power Any of these would have sufficed to be remembered by history. Washington’s constellation of accomplishments caused his contemporaries to call him “the Father of his Country.” In prior generations, he was the national colossus towering as “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” Seemingly, today’s leaders could still learn a thing or two from “His Excellency.” Contemporary analysts, however, focus on debunking traditional stories about Washington or emphasizing his flaws and imperfections. Such efforts to cut Washington down to size nevertheless underscore his abiding influence. But a key element of Washington’s leadership often remains unacknowledged or unrecognized: how the Bible shaped him as he shaped America. Washington’s biblical knowledge ranged from Genesis to Revelation, with well over 200 biblical allusions or citations in his writings including numerous references to Christianity, God, heaven, prayer, and the Ten Commandments, to name a few. Consider a letter he wrote in April 1789. Its classic style bristles with biblical and theological concepts: The blessed Religion revealed in the word of God will remain an eternal and awful monument to prove that the best Institutions may be abused by human depravity; and that they may even, in some instances be made subservient to the vilest of purposes. Washington’s leadership often reflected scriptural emphases. Consider three examples of biblical ideas that impacted Washington’s leadership: providence, perseverance, and humility. Providence In his first inaugural address 225 years ago, Washington declared, “… the republican model of government [is] justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.” This experiment was possible due to “that Almighty Being who rules over the Universe, who presides in the Councils of Nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect.” Newly inaugurated President Washington believed providence was the “invisible hand” behind America’s success: No People can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts the Affairs of men more than the People of the United States. Every step, by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency. The Invisible Hand in GEORGE WASHINGTON’S Leadership by Peter A. Lillback ’74 Our era is marked by political correctness and efforts to downplay Western civilization. Yet Americans still recognize George Washington as a great leader. History is filled with examples of men and women who based their leadership on biblical principles. This topic is of particular interest to Dr. Peter Lillback ’77 whose scholarship has focused on America’s first President. His 2006 national best-seller, George Washington’s Sacred Fire , distills 15 years of research on Washington’s life, leadership, and letters. It reveals a man guided by faith and grounded in Scripture.