FAITH OF THE FOUNDERS: John Jay, First Supreme Court Chief Justice, on Simple Faith
(QUICK READ) — John Jay was America’s first Supreme Court Chief Justice, one of the trio of authors of The Federalist Papers, and he was a man who had no reservation about expressing his Christian faith and how he believed it shaped his life, as an individual and as an American patriot.
John Jay, first Chief Justice of the United States under the Constitution.
One thing Jay had little patience with, however, was the sort of theological hair-splitting arguments about the meaning of Scripture that wasn’t productive of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as the Lord intended to all men and women around the world.
In the following excerpt from Jay’s March 3, 1801, letter to John Lathrop, a prominent Boston clergyman with many published sermons, Jay took up the issue of denominational disagreements.
Jay left no doubt about his view on the issue of unproductive doctrinal battles:
“I perfectly agree with you in the sentiment that our business is to do our duty and leave events to Him, without whose appointment and permission nothing comes to pass.
That duty, however, appears to me to call particularly on all ministers of the Gospel to look more to the Author and Finisher of our faith than to the expositors of it; and disregarding the doubtful and mysterious doctrines by which the latter have divided Christians from Christians, to unite in defending the plain and intelligible faith delivered to us by our Redeemer and His apostles.” — Letter is included in the Jay Papers held at the Columbia University Library.
Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States of America.
Quotes reprinted in HillFaith’s “The Faith of The Founders” posts are compiled from Benjamin F. Morris’ classic work, “The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States.” Morris, an historian and pastor, published the first edition more than a century ago.
Quotations are also compiled from Mark Strand, author of the Daily Inspirations email he shares on request here and that HillFaith highly recommends to Hill aides.
Mark was for 16 years President of the Congressional Institute, and he is a former fellow of the Harvard Institute of Politics. He was also a 24-year veteran congressional staffer, including four years as Chief of Staff to Sen. James Talent (R-Missouri).