calvary updates 07/09/2026

Frank Winfrey
5 days ago
4 min read

**Was George Washington a Christian or a Deist?**

During this season of celebrations of our nation's 250th anniversary, I thought it would worthwhile to delve into George Washington's character and beliefs. I discovered a very good article written by Kirby Anderson.

Up until about 70 years ago all the school textbooks identified Washington as a Christian, but the recent books have mostly leaned toward the belief that he, like Thomas Jefferson, was a Deist. The turning point seems to be a study by historian Paul F. Boller, Jr. entitled George Washington and Religion. His conclusion can be summarized in a single sentence: To the “unbiased observer” George Washington appears as a Deist, not a devout Christian. Most historians since Boller accepted this idea and were less likely to assert that Washington was a Christian.

What do we mean by “Deism”? Deism is the belief that God is merely a watchmaker God who started the universe, but is not involved in the affairs of humans and human history. One definition of Deism is that “There is no special providence; no miracles or other divine interventions intrude upon the lawful natural order.”

Was George Washington a Deist? He was not. It is worth noting that even historian Paul Boller admitted that religion was important to Washington as a leader. Boller writes, “he saw to it that divine services were performed by the chaplains as regularly as possible on the Sabbath for the soldiers under his command.” We might reasonably ask, Why would chaplains be important to a Deist?

I want to look at some new research that argues for the traditional view and against the modern view of George Washington’s religion. One book is Washington’s God: Religion, Liberty, and the Father of our Country. It is written by Michael Novak (American Enterprise Institute and winner of the Templeton Award) and Jana Novak. Another book, written by Peter Lillback with Jerry Newcombe, is George Washington’s Sacred Fire.

By the time he was a teenager, Washington had already assumed serious responsibilities as a professional surveyor and then as a major in the Virginia militia. His adventures in the wild lands gave him invaluable lessons about the military, Indians, and the British. Years later in a speech to the Delaware chiefs, Washington said, “You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are.”

The first meeting of the newly formed Continental Congress was in September 1774, at the second meeting, they proposed that Washington be appointed commander in chief of the Continental Army. He did not think he was equal to the command but accepted it. He wrote his wife, “I shall rely, therefore, confidently on that Providence (a name he often used for God ), which has heretofore preserved and been bountiful to me, not doubting but that I shall return safe to you in the fall.” At the time, Washington was the only man on the continent in uniform since no Continental Army yet existed. To the British, he was the supreme traitor, in open rebellion to the King. His neck was at risk, and the American independence depended on him.

One event that George Washington believed showed God’s providence was the Battle of Long Island in 1776. Washington and his men were trapped on Brooklyn Heights, Long Island. The British were poised to crush the American army the next day and that would have been the end of the rebellion. Washington planned a bold move and began evacuating his troops under the cover of darkness using everything from fishing vessels to rowboats. But there was not enough time to accomplish the task. When morning came, the fog of night remained and only lifted in time for the British to see the last American boat crossing the East River beyond the reach of their guns. You can read more about this miraculous event in Michael Novak’s book, On Two Wings: Humble Faith and Common Sense at the American Founding.

We know that Washington required chaplains for the Continental Army, and personally took time for prayer. He forbade his troops under pain of death from uttering blasphemies, even profanity. He called upon them to conduct themselves as Christian soldiers because the people demanded it. Washington’s actions during the Revolutionary War demonstrate his Christian character.

Washington’s own step granddaughter “Nelly” Custis saw him as a religious man. She wrote this to one of Washington’s early biographers:

It was his custom to retire to his library at nine or ten o’clock, where he remained an hour before he went to his chamber. He always rose before the sun, and remained in his library until called to breakfast. I never witnessed his private devotions. I never inquired about them. I should have thought it the greatest heresy to doubt his firm belief in Christianity. His life, his writings, prove that he was a Christian. He was not one of those who act or pray, “that they may be seen of men.” He communed with his God in secret.

To read the whole article go to probe.org, it is entitled George Washington and Religion by Kirby Anderson.

Sunday, July 12th Sunday School at 9:15 and Worship at 10:30 AM.

Are you ready for another Sunday of worship? Our studies in I John continue in our series, "Verification Code Please?" The title this Sunday is "The Litmus Test of Love," Pastor John King is our guest speaker. Come and make new discoveries in our Sunday School as we learn more about God's choice of King David. Donuts and coffee at 9:15 AM. Come hungry, spiritually and physically. :)

A Song you will hear this Sunday

I Speak Jesus - Charity Gayle Ft. Steve Musso [Live w Lyrics]

Flourish Tuesday, July 14th and 28th 10-12 noon

Prayer Wednesday, July 15th 5:30-6:30 PM.

August 8th 4-6:30 PM Church Picnic and Connect Group introductions

Brazil Missions Trip. Keep praying for the Hales and Winfreys.

Today's readings were: Joshua 12,13•Psalm 145 | Jeremiah 6•Matthew 20. If you are looking for a different reading plan, you might enjoy: