The Christian Patriot's Handbook

This anthology of early New England sermons, edited by Dr. Byron Perrine, contains a sampling of important documents of American history which illuminate the guiding principles, values, and virtues, upon which early New England life was ordered, principles which contributed to the establishment of constitutional republican democracy in the United States as a whole. These sermons point out the important relationship between religion and democratic government. These sermons will also help the reader understand the dangers posed by "internal threats" to democracy. The early Christian patriots of New England believed that such threats are rooted in excessive "party spirit", loss of religious integrity, and self-serving political ambitions, all of which are a part of life today America is today witnessing rampant distortion of Christian virtues, a willingness to compromise standards of law and decency by political leaders, irrational "party spirit", and, disunity within the government and nation as a whole--problems which early 19th century patriots anticipated and against which they warned. Only a virtuous nation will survive the storms that lie ahead. What is "true patriotism"? The nation's founders, as revealed by these sermons, set forth an historical model for those persons wishing to be something more than counterfeit patriots. It is to our shame that we, as a nation, have fallen so far from the hopes and aspirations of our founding progenitors. It is time for change. This book tells us that the way forward is back to rediscover our historical roots, values, and virtues.