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PAGE TITLE: http://www.fbctipton.org/
ARTICLE TITLE: The Faith of
Theodore Roosevelt
DATE: Friday June 10, 2011
AUTHOR: Pastor Mark Ward
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Teddy Roosevelt, the 26th President of the
United States
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As we approach the 4th of July weekend, our
attention will be focused more on our great country and Patriotism. I love
America! We all should. As we study the rich heritage of our country, we cannot
help but think about past Presidents who were God-honoring Christian men.
Sadly, much of our Christian heritage is not being taught in our public school
system. A contempt and downright disregard for Christian principles are being
felt all across our land.
One great President was Theodore Roosevelt. Our 26th President from 1901-1909, Mr. Roosevelt took the office upon the assassination of President William McKinley. Taking office at the age of 42, President Roosevelt was the youngest president sworn into the office of the Presidency in US history. Born in New York City on October 27, 1858 to Christian parents, Roosevelt would always be active in church and Sunday school. When Sunday school seems to be a thing of the past, Roosevelt was a teacher in Sunday school while a student at Harvard University. He taught Sunday school for over 3 years, while attending Harvard.
When Theodore Roosevelt’s dad died in 1878, he wrote this entry in his diary, “It is lovely to think of our meeting in heaven...nothing but my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ could have carried me through this, my terrible time of trouble and sorrow.” Mr. Roosevelt had experienced the new birth of accepting Jesus Christ as his personal savior. He longed for the day to see his dad in heaven.
Throughout his life, he expressed a belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Unlike today, diary and journal entries were a popular expression of one’s beliefs. Teddy Roosevelt expressed those beliefs often in his journal entries. Writing about America and patriotism, Mr. Roosevelt said this, “Unless we are thorough-going Americans and unless our patriotism is part of the very fiber of our being, we can neither serve God nor take our own part.” It is interesting to note how President Roosevelt equated patriotism with spiritual things. For him, perhaps, the two were inter-related.
While President, Roosevelt attended Grace Reformed Church in Washington, D.C. The fact that he attended church and was a visible figure in the pews each Sunday shows us that faith and church attendance was important to Roosevelt. There are many other examples of how Roosevelt expressed his faith – through speeches, extensive journal entries, and lessons he taught his children.
Our 26th President left a lasting legacy of decency, honor, and a belief in the Christian faith. His legacy was so profound that his face is one of the well-known faces on Mt. Rushmore. Truly, his example is an example we should look to and his faith in the Lord Jesus is a faith we should cherish and pass on to the next generation. Our character and beliefs do matter. Whether we’re a housewife, factory worker, mayor, or President of the United States – our character will always matter and what we do in private will always effect what we do in public. May God give us more Teddy Roosevelt’s in today’s world!
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