Jack Hibbs “WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?” Part 2

THE HIDDEN FAITH OF AMERICA’S FOUNDING FATHERS

The Prayer at Valley Forge

During a visit to the Museum of the Bible in Washington DC, Pastor Jack Hibbs commended George Washington, the first founding father of America, as a genuine Christian while admiring Arnold Friberg’s painting of Washington praying beside his horse, Nelson, in the snow at Valley Forge (1777-1778).

He speaks of Washington with deep respect and admiration. This occurred during Chino Hills Church’s tour “God and American Heritage” in May 2021 that began in Washington DC, moving on to Philadelphia and Boston, and ending in Plymouth.

Jack Hibbs admiring “The Prayer at Valley Forge”

Arnold Friberg’s depiction of Washington kneeling in prayer in the snow might have sparked the imagination of young readers who enjoyed Peter Parley’s historical tales known as “School Histories,” but the entire scene is considered a fabrication.

The website ushistory.org has this to say about the alleged Valley Forge prayer incident.

In 1918, the Valley Forge Park Commission refused a request by a patriotic organization for permission to erect a monument or marker on the spot where it was claimed Washington was seen kneeling in prayer. The Commission’s report reviewed its examination of the thousands of pages of correspondence and diaries of the Commander-in-Chief and his staff; generals of divisions and brigades; officers and privates of regiments; the Congressional Committee who were at the camp; manuscripts in the Library of Congress and other institutions where Revolutionary matter is preserved. It concluded by observing “in none of these were found a single paragraph that will substantiate the tradition of the ‘Prayer at Valley Forge.'” https://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/washington/prayer.html

Take into account that the thorough analysis of numerous letters and diaries took place seven years before the Hibbs-revisionist claim of 1925, rendering his argument somewhat absurd.

Jack Hibbs “Who Do You Say That I Am?

The author of this article utilizes Jesus Christ’s words in Matthew 16:15, “But whom do you say that I am?” to prove that the American Founding Fathers were not Christians, despite the efforts of many American pastors to prove that they were.

As readers may recall, Jesus asked his disciples, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” and they answered Him saying, “Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets” (verses 13-14).

And then follows his heart-piercing question, “But whom do you say that I am?” You probably have noted that He did not ask them how or to whom they prayed or how often they visited their church.

Having lived on earth over 2000 years ago as God revealed in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16), He had always been deeply aware of the general perceptions mankind held about Him. He wasn’t concerned with the world’s opinions of him; what mattered most was what his disciples thought and said of Him.

Peter, inspired by God the Father rather than human influence, promptly declared, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

In stark contrast with Peter’s testimony, the Jews wanted to stone Him for claiming that He was the Son of the Living God. When they began to take up stones, He asked them, “Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?” (v32).

They answered, ”For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.” (v32-33).

They were essentially saying, “We respect and honor your moral codes and values of conduct, but we will never accept your claim that you are God.”

This encapsulates the viewpoint expressed by many of the Founding Fathers, who acknowledged Jesus Christ’s exemplary moral teachings while stopping short of recognizing and acknowledging Him as God incarnate.

Rev. Bird Wilson, the Emeritus Professor of Systematic Divinity in the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church of America, wrote:

“. . . the founders of our nation were nearly all Infidels, and that of the presidents who had thus far been elected {George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Andrew Jackson}, not a one had professed a belief in Christianity…



When the war was over and the victory over our enemies won, and the blessings and happiness of liberty and peace were secured, the Constitution was framed and God was neglected. He was not merely forgotten. He was absolutely voted out of the Constitution. The proceedings, as published by Thompson, the secretary, and the history of the day, show that the question was gravely debated whether God should be in the Constitution or not, and after a solemn debate he was deliberately voted out of it…. There is not only in the theory of our government no recognition of God’s laws and sovereignty, but its practical operation, its administration, has been conformable to its theory. Those who have been called to administer the government have not been men making any public profession of Christianity… Washington was a man of valor and wisdom. He was esteemed by the whole world as a great and good man; but he was not a professing Christian . . .

– Sermon by Reverend Bird Wilson (Episcopal) in October 1831, as published in the Albany Daily Advertiser the same month it was made” ― Bird Wilson

Please read Founding Fathers “WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?” Part 1