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Many assume that the founding fathers of America were all Christians, after all, the mention of “God” is not only found printed within our Declaration of Independence, but also stamped upon our money. But Rev. Ezra Stiles wasn’t willing to assume that his friend Benjamin Franklin was a Christian.
So he asked the world-famous inventor what he believed, point blank.
Between his 84th birthday in January of 1790 and his death in April of the same year, Ben Franklin received a letter from Ezra Stiles, the president of Yale College, inquiring about the statesman’s beliefs. It was humbly and affectionately received by Franklin, and so he penned his ministerial friend a well-thought out response:
You desire to know something of my religion. It is the first time I have been questioned upon it. But I cannot take your curiosity amiss, and shall endeavor in a few words to gratify it. Here is my creed:
I believe in one God, the creator of the universe, that he governs by his providence, that he ought to be worshipped, that the most acceptable service we render to him is doing good to his other children, that the soul of man is immortal, and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this.
Granted, those probably aren’t the words and phrases that we’d use today, but modern Christians have nothing in that statement with which to object, doctrinally.
But then Franklin continued with more specificity.
As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think his system of morals and his religion, as he left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupting changes, and I have, with most of the present dissenters in England, some doubts as to his divinity; though it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an opportunity of knowing the truth with less trouble.
Franklin’s personal remarks are troubling for two main reasons. First, he claims that this inquiry about his faith – literally within weeks of his death – is the very first one he’s ever received. That means no other pastor or Christian of that day had ever taken the time to speak with Franklin about matters of faith and eternity. Shame on the historic church of New England for not doing a better job personally evangelizing its leaders.
But the second reason this correspondence leaves us empty is because Franklin failed to believe Jesus Christ was the Son of God. According to Scripture, this is the dividing line on the issue of eternal life as it pertains to salvation. So many are eager to reduce Jesus to a fantastic teacher or mighty prophet or charismatic leader, without ascribing to Him the divinity He claimed for Himself.
Sadly, the learned Ben Franklin was one of those.
Resource’s Origin:
“Letter to Ezra Stiles” recounted in The Works of Benjamin Franklin by John Bigelow. Putnam, 1904.
Topics Illustrated Include:
Beliefs
Benjamin Franklin
Creed
Death
Doctrine
Eternal Life
Evangelism
Friends
History
Jesus
Pastor
Salvation
(Resource cataloged by David R Smith)
