For Your Consideration on America 250 and the 4th of July, 2026

Original Documents, Contemporary Reflections, A Few Videos

Because it’s America’s 250th birthday, in the spirit of truth, patriotism, celebration, and goodwill, I wanted to recommend some resources to my family, church family, and other Christian disciplers moving churches toward deeper health and maturity in Jesus Christ.

Happy 4th of July to you all!

Declaration of Independence, painting by John Trumbull (1819).

Historical documents (always best to read original sources when thinking historically):

1. The Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776)

2. The Constitution ratified by 9th state on making it official June 21, 1788.

3. The Bill of Rights (ammendments 1-10) ratified December 12, 1791.

4. The Treaty of Tripoli, ratified June 10, 1797

5. The Letter to the Danbury Baptists from Thomas Jefferson, January 1, 1802

6. What to the Slave is the Fourth of July by Frederick Douglass, given July 5, 1852

7. Notes of a Native Son, James Baldwin (1955)

8. President Gerald Ford’s recognition of Black History Month, February 10, 1976

Contemporary Christian Reflections:

1. Latasha Morrison: “America at 250”

2. Andrew Wilson: “The Impact of the First Democratic Nation in 1776”

3. Bobby Scott: “What I’ll Tell My Kids about Independence Day” (video discussion)

Videos:

Russell Moore

Bobby Scott:

Jemar Tisby (where I got the idea to read the original documents):