America's Christian Heritage

In 1975, on the eve of the first National Day of Repentance in modern memory, the Reverend Peter Marshall was addressing a Cape Cod chapel full of committed Christians. As it had been for his father, the former Senate Chaplain, his concern was for America: "This nation was founded by God with a special calling. The people who first came here knew that they were being led here by the Lord Jesus Christ, to found a nation where men, women, and children were to live in obedience to Him. . . .This was truly to be one nation under God." To make his point, he quoted from Columbus' then-unpublished spiritual journal and from the sermons and diaries of the Pilgrims and Puritans.

In the audience that evening was writer David Manuel who was galvanized by what he was hearing. Previously he had thought of one day tracing the faith and spiritual legacy of the Founding Fathers; now an idea was forming in his mind. . . .

He suggested a collaboration: a book on the founding of America, from the perspective just outlined. If God did have a plan for America, and if many of the First Comers were aware that they were part of His plan--then it would be a book that had never been done before, and one that was badly needed. For a great many Americans were not even aware that they had a Christian heritage.

The more they prayed about it more convinced they became that God was calling them to this joint mission. And the rest, as they say, is history.