2. Q. Why is the Declaration called the Charter
of the United States?
5. Q. What is meant by “laws of nature and of
nature’s God”?
A. It established the foundation for our future
government and was the “why” to which the
later Constitution (1787) was “how” the
principles of liberty would be implemented.
A. The “laws of nature” are unwritten laws
identified to be laws God put into all of nature.
The “laws of nature’s God” are the laws of God,
the revealed law known to be the Bible.
3. Q. Into what four parts does the Declaration
naturally fall?
6. Q. How does part 2, which is the statement of
the purpose and nature of governments, read?
A. “1. The preamble or introduction, which
states the purpose of the document.
2. A paragraph discussing the statement of
the purpose and nature of governments, and
explains why this document is being made.
3. A list of charges against King George
III, justifying the declaration; and
4.The formal declaration of independence
itself.” Know Your Declaration of Independence and the
A. We hold these truths to be self-evident:
That all men are created [not evolved] equal;
56 Signers by George E. Ross.
4. Q. How does the Preamble to the
Declaration read?
A. When in the course of human events, it
becomes necessary for one people to dissolve
the political bands which have connected
them with another, and to assume among the
powers of the earth the separate and equal
station to which the laws of nature and of
nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to
the opinions of mankind requires that they
should declare the causes which impel them
to the separation.
that they are endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable rights; that among these
are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;
that, to secure these rights, governments are
instituted among men, deriving their just
powers from the consent of the governed*;
That whenever any Form of Government
becomes destructive of these ends, it is the
Right of the People to alter or to abolish it,
and to institute new Government, laying its
foundation on such principles and organizing
its powers in such form, as to them shall seem
most likely to effect their Safety and
Happiness. *[This was later stated in our
Constitution as “We the people”.} Read the
remaining Declaration.
7. Q What is meant by “truths to be selfevident”?
A. These are truths, which are obvious, clear
even to the casual observer.
8. Q. What is meant by “all men are created
equal”?
A. Every person is equal before God (in worth,
even though all have sinned) and equal before the
law.
9. Q. The next line states, “that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable rights”. What are “unalienable
rights”?
A. These are God-given rights that cannot
be taken away from the individual; hence,
unalienable, as opposed to government granted
privileges given, and taken away, by
governments. See Romans 13.
10. Q. What are these basic rights from the
Creator?
A. These rights are “life” (even for the
unborn), “liberty and the pursuit of
happiness”.
Internal liberty inside Christians must be
expressed externally. Real freedom can only
come from Jesus because “Where the Spirit of
the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Cor. 3:17
11. Q. From where did the founding generation
learn these principles of Godly civil
government?
A. From their knowledge of the Bible, from
the pulpits of patriot pastors and from others
who quoted extensively from the Bible in their
writings and/or speeches.
12. Q Does “pursuit of happiness” mean free to
do anything a person wants with no restraints?
A. No, it was a phrase known to be the right
to own property and be productive without the
interference of government—a pursuit of
happiness that is blessed by God.
13. Q How does the Declaration deal in part 3
with the charges against Britain’s King?
A. Part 3 opens with these words, The
history of the present King of Great Britain is
a history of repeated injuries and
usurpations, all having in direct object the
establishment of an absolute tyranny over
these States. To prove this, let facts be
submitted to a candid world: [The King’s
tyrannical acts are then listed. See the Declaration for
these and compare to I Sam.8:10-18.]
14. Q How does the Declaration of
Independence close in part 4?
A. It closes with these words: We, therefore,
the Representatives of the United States of
America, in General Congress, Assembled,
appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world
for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the
Name, and by Authority of the good People of
these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare,
That these united Colonies are, and of Right
ought to be Free and Independent States, that
they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the
British Crown, and that all political
connection between them and the State of
Great Britain, is and ought to be totally
dissolved; and that as Free and Independent
States, they have full Power to levy War,
conclude Peace contract Alliances, establish
Commerce, and to do all other Acts and
Things which Independent States may of
right do. — And for the support of this
Declaration, with a firm reliance on the
protection of Divine Providence, we mutually
pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes
and our sacred Honor.
15. Q What happened to the 56 signers who
pledged “our Lives, our Fortunes, and our
sacred Honor”?
A. Many lost their lives, lives of family,
as well as their fortunes, but none lost their
honor.
16. Q. How did John Adams, in a letter to his
wife, Abigail, on July 3, 1776, suggest this event
should be celebrated?
A. It “will be a memorable epoch in the
history of America…celebrated by succeeding
generations as the great anniversary festival.
It ought to be commemorated as the day of
deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to
God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized
with pomp and parade, with shows, games,
sports, guns, bells, bonfires, illuminations
from one end of this continent to the other,
from this time forward forever.”
By Mrs. Betty Howard, July 4, 2007 Tulsa, OK
Permission is granted (and encouraged) to copy
and distribute if without deletions or additions.
Charges must be for copy costs only, not for profit.
Recommended resource: David Barton of
www.wallbuilders.com who has extensive documentation of America’s biblical roots from original
documents.
Purpose of this Catechism is to remind
Americans (individuals, families, classes) of
the rich Godly heritage in the document we
celebrate each July 4th.
A Catechism on the
Declaration of
Independence
From Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
CATECHISM, n.
1. A form of instruction by means of
questions and answers, particularly
in the principles of religion*.
2. An elementary book containing a
summary of principles in any science
or art, but appropriately in religion*,
reduced to the form of questions and
answers, and sometimes with notes,
explanations, and references to
authorities.
*The Declaration is a religious document. Notice
references to God, which have been underlined
here.
“God is acknowledged as our Supreme Ruler
not man” is the principle of religion considered
here.
1. Q. What is significant about America’s
Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776?
A. It was a written statement in which the 13
colonies declared their independence from
Britain and their freedom from tyranny under
the King’s rule.