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‘The Jefferson Monticello’* was the location of Thomas Jefferson’s residence in Charlottesville, Virginia, but presently serves as memorial to our third president. Of course, the assumption of a memorial/museum is professional academia—historians, doctorate and master degrees, professors, etc. So, at the site of a response to my tidbit dated 8/24/19 entitled, 'Thomas Jefferson's fight AGAINST Slavery!' initially generated momentary shock, which immediately morphed into fear. It was my first experience of an attack from a prominent organization, and I was concerned about my credibility. However, in His mercy, God reached down and reminded of His word: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Is41:10; see also 2Tim3:12). Yet more peace flooded my soul as I remembered that I have a personal relationship with David Barton! After calling him, he offered me simple advice to take a stand, because truth is on my side. So, the following response is my own.
I repeat, please begin by reading the entirety of their TJ quotes offered to refute my tidbit (here). I can only assume their quotes are authentic, because they offered no footnotes. However, it is obvious they have an ‘agenda’ because the quotes they use easily make TJ look anti-God, anti-Christ, and anti-Christian! However, there are some problems needing serious attention. For example, there are ‘mountains of other quotes’ by TJ that contradict those offered by ‘The Jefferson Monticello’. For example, -“The genuine and simple religion of Jesus will one day be restored such as it was preached and practiced by Himself…. I hope that day of restoration is to come.” -“Happy in the prospect of a restoration of primitive Christianity, I must leave to younger athletes to encounter and lop off the false branches which have been engrafted into it by the mythologies of the middle and modern ages.” -“I…express my gratification with your efforts for the revival of primitive Christianity in your quarter.” -“It is only by…getting back to the plain and unsophisticated precepts of Christ that we become real Christians.” -“Had the doctrines of Jesus been preached always as pure as they came from His lips, the whole of civilized world would have been Christian”** (Barton, pg148) Now…do the above quotes sound like TJ is the atheist the ‘The Jefferson Monticello’ paint him to be? And these quotes only scratch the surface of what could be offered! Furthermore, we can add to his defense when considering his many Judaeo/Christian actions, such as his more than 40 year war against slavery as a public servant! However, to be candid, the extremely troubling part is if TJ actually made both sets of statements; some supporting atheism, while others rejecting it, it would appear he’s schizophrenic! How then do I explain such a huge discrepancy? Before answering this question, notice the ‘The Jefferson Monticello’ does not even attempt to address this discrepancy! As a matter of fact, they simply paint TJ as an angry atheist, who hates Christ, while completely ignoring the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. However, this viewpoint is not unexpected because obviously ‘The Jefferson Monticello’ is liberal, and liberalism is a doctrine of atheism…angry atheism! I need to pause for a moment. What is extremely important to understand is ‘The Jefferson Monticello’ position is not an accident, but part of the larger agenda (Rom1:18NAS) of liberalism! And what is that? To paint America’s Founding Fathers as racist and hypocritical in order to discredit them(especially TJ); and more importantly, to discredit the Judaeo/Christian ethic that motivated them. If liberalism can change America’s past, it can reinvent her future! My evidence is two-fold. 1.In my tidbit on Jefferson’s war against slavery, The Jefferson Monticello’ did not attempt to address one quote I offered! They did not provide one scintilla of evidence that Jefferson did not declare about slavery what I attributed to him! As a matter of fact, if you read their quotes, everyone is about Christianity, none are about TJ’s view of slavery! In other words, they made no effort to deny that TJ actually made the quotes I attributed to him, they simply offered their own quotes believing that their quotes nullify my quotes! But that is the apex of irrational thinking—especially for an institution dedicated to academia! They can argue that Jefferson is schizophrenic by using his contrary quotes, but they certainly cannot refute my TJ quotes, by offering their contrary TJ quotes! 2.In addition, they reveal their liberal agenda in the very words of their condemnation of Barton: “The author you quote has greatly distorted the words, thoughts and deeds of the man our society has been dedicated to preserve accurately for decades. Here are actual quotes from Thomas Jefferson on religion and bible.” I underlined and italicized the last phrase of their quote because it perfectly unveils their intention. This sentence, along with the list of quotes they subsequently attribute to TJ, are irrefutable evidence that ‘The Jefferson Monticello’ believes Jefferson was an atheist, who hated God, and the Bible! In other words, the list of TJ quotes which follow the phrase: “…actual quotes from Thomas Jefferson on religion and bible” is designed to support their belief on what TJ believed! Once again, why would they not attempt to refute the actual quotes Barton uses of TJ, as opposed to offering contrary quotes made by TJ? I repeat, offering contrary quotes by TJ do not change Barton’s use of TJ’s quotes! Yet, the answer to this paradox is spiritual (Col2:8). ‘The Jefferson Monticello’ may not be aware, but it is painfully obvious that they have a hatred for God, and His calling upon this great nation---and they attempt to use TJ as their evidence! In the next tidbit, I will offer my explanation for Jefferson’s discrepancies! *Please read their attack on my tidbit before going forward. Go to comments.
1 Comment
David Reynolds
11/27/2019 08:26:31 am
Jefferson is a paradox. I’m not sure why we should try to prove whether or not he was a Christian. I like David Barton, however, he seems to see the “Christian” in every founding father. If you go by his deeds instead of his words its tough to make the case for his faith in Christ. The constant rape of Sally Hemings and his removing all references to Jesus being the Son of God, and miracles in the so called “Jefferson Bible” puts his faith in question. We are not Jefferson’s Judge. I think both sides of this issue have an agenda. As a Christian I don’t need to stand up for the faith of Thomas Jefferson. As a historian I think we should tell the whole story, not just the part that supports their own narrative.
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