Meditations from Jefferson’s Grave
— Monday, April 9th, 2012 —
Last week I stood at the grave of Thomas Jefferson, and wondered. I was in Charlottesville to speak at the University Mr. Jefferson founded, and made my way up to his homeplace Monticello. Standing at his grave, I was prompted to give thanks for his life and legacy.
After all, if it weren’t for Jefferson and his majestic Declaration of Independence, there might not even be a United States of America, and certainly not a country quite like it is now. If it weren’t for Jefferson (and the Baptists), would I have grown up in some cold, dead, state-established Anglican church instead of the vibrancy of a free church in a free state? And, of course, if President Jefferson hadn’t purchased the Louisiana Territory, I would have grown up some place other than America.
But, much more than that, standing at Jefferson’s grave prompted me to realize that Jefferson is, well, in a grave. The Enlightenment ideals that gave this brilliant thinker a right understanding of natural rights led him to idolize human cerebral capacity. Jefferson’s anti-supernaturalism is seen in visual form in his famous Bible, with the miraculous parts cut out, most significantly the bodily resurrection of Jesus. I love Jefferson for standing up against King George, but not for standing up against King Jesus.
And yet, two hundred years later, belief in the resurrection of Jesus persists. Just days after I was at this hero’s grave, Christians from all over the world, despite all this science and all this progress and all this technology, confessed what the earliest believers in the catacombs of Rome cried out: “Christ is risen indeed.”
Thomas Jefferson is still dead. I thank God for him, but standing at his grave reminds me how limited even his legacy can be, in the grand scheme of trillions of years of cosmic time. It also reminds me of the contrast with a Middle Eastern day-laborer whose monument isn’t a house or a temple made with hands, or even a simple grave-marker. It’s instead a borrowed tomb that isn’t filled anymore.
That empty tomb is, itself, a declaration of independence. By raising Jesus from the dead, God declared him (and all who are in him) to be free from death, free from the curse, free from Satan’s accusation. I suppose you could say that Jesus was endowed by his Father with certain unalienable rights, among these life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness… except that these blessings don’t end in a graveyard.
So Dr. Moore, would you recommend I stop using Jefferson’s Bible as my main study and devotional Bible?
A little unfair to offer “some cold, dead, state-established Anglican church” as a counterpoint. JC Ryle, Lancelot Andrewes, John Dunne, George Herbert, Cranmer, Latimer, Ridley, etc.
@MRS, Yes indeed “Amazing Grace”, John Newton (Anglican Clergyman).
“Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life:
Such a way as gives us breath,
such a truth as ends all strife,
such a life as killeth death.
Come, my Light, my Feast, my Strength:
such a light as shows a feast,
such a feast as mends in length,
such a strength as makes his guest.
Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart:
such a joy as none can move,
such a love as none can part,
such a heart as joys in love.” GEORGE HERBERT.
Thank God for their art and testitmony.
” If it weren’t for Jefferson (and the Baptists), would I have grown up in some cold, dead, state-established Anglican church instead of the vibrancy of a free church in a free state? ”
Are state-established Anglican churches necessarily cold and dead?
Are churches in free states always - or even usually - more vibrant than those in more repressive states?
And yet, two hundred years later, belief in the resurrection of Jesus persists. Just days after I was at this hero’s grave, Christians from all over the world, despite all this science and all this progress and all this technology, confessed what the earliest believers in the catacombs of Rome cried out: “Christ is risen indeed.”
Christ the symbol of a consciousness liberated from ” Jesus the embodiment of a tomb of materialism ” is risen indeed!
#2, #3
//A little unfair to offer “some cold, dead, state-established Anglican church” as a counterpoint//
Agree completely. Actually, given the way in which the Southern Baptists became the state church of the American South, in fact if not in name … extremely unfair indeed!
Seriously, free churches are as vulnerable as any other to being reduced to the ambient temperature of the surrounding culture.
#2, #3 - agreed.
It would be a little uncharitable to describe the SBC as the “State church of the American south”, but that was the role it had for many years.
Also, before anyone here criticises European evangelical churches, state-supported or not, we are merely twenty years ‘ahead of the curve’ in terms of the situation that American churches will find themselves in.
“The Enlightenment ideals that gave this brilliant thinker a right understanding of natural rights led him to idolize human cerebral capacity.”
This statement summarizes a lot of the thinking that continues to exist today. Human reason continues as the idol of present culture. Unfortunately, many do not realize that human reason (and wisdom) most often leads to inconsistencies and fallacies.
Present culture is flush with brilliant minds, yet as the Bible states, “Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.” (Romans 1:22)
Mr. Jefferson was brilliant, and as you state, with a comprehension of natural rights. However, he missed the most important aspect of life; ultimate and absolute truth does not lie in human reason. And, just as unfortunate many today miss the most important truths of life–God’s truths.
Dr. Moore.
Please reconsider your description of Jefferson’s ideas and actions by reading the new book, The Jefferson Lies, by David Barton. This book better explains the so-called Jefferson Bibles [yes, plural, there were two distinct projects, though critics often conflate the two] and tells of Jefferson’s support for American Bible societies and churches. Many other Lies about Jefferson are corrected as well. The author began with some of the same preconceived notions that you and I had, and goes back to Jefferson’s original writings and to history for accurate explanations and corrections.
To hear four half-hour interviews with Barton, please go to this webcast site and scroll down to find the programs for May 14 to May 17: http://wallbuilderslive.com/archives.asp.
Thank you.