What Did the Founding Fathers of America Mean When they Used Words Such As Rights, Laws, Liberty, Equality, and Entitle in the Declaration of Independence?

There’s no better time than now, in the midst of this, the national celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of our country, to find out! There are other terms we need the Founders’ perspective on as well. In 2021 I wrote,

In a previous post, I contended that the thinking of modern Americans is different from the Founders in at least five instances — in relation to

rights, law, liberty, equality, and entitlements.

I now believe that at least three more terms (and perhaps even more) could be added to this list: happiness, duty, and God.

The prevailing worldview of the Founders actually was very different from that of the typical contemporary American. How can we discover what they believed, and the principles on which they established this country?

I invite you to explore answers to this fascinating question in a 5-session Bible study you can engage in as part of a group, or as an individual. You can begin your journey here, at
discoverbedrocktruth.org and this Bible study series:

Principles of Liberty: Ten Biblical Truths Embedded in the Declaration of Independence.

 

—B. Nathaniel Sullivan

Copyright © 2026 by B. Nathaniel Sullivan. All rights reserved.

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