The doctrine of Providence declares that the world and our lives are not ruled by chance or by fate, but by God. The Providence Forum demonstrably acknowledges that the Providence of God continues to be at work, and calls us to action. It is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to reinstill and promote a Judeo-Christian worldview within our culture and to advance the faith, ethics, and moral values consistent with the spirit of our nation’s founding, emphasizing America’s historical Judeo-Christian roots. The Providence Forum reaches a broad, national audience using various means, including multimedia, radio, television and film, publications, conferences, and lectures among its many channels of communication. The Providence Forum has been raised up to help call our nation back to its historic dependence on what both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson called “an overruling Providence.” Our founding father, George Washington, spoke of, “That overruling Providence which has so often, and so remarkably interposed in our favor.” He wrote, “you will permit me to remind you, as an inexhaustible subject of consolation, that there is a good Providence which will never fail to take care of his Children.”
Providence Forum Press is the publishing arm of The Providence Forum. Its mission is to present the facts and opinions of scholarly and mainstream authors on topics relating to the Judeo-Christian heritage of the United States and divine Providence in America and around the world.
The “all-seeing eye of Providence” is a symbol that has needlessly been shrouded in mystery and controversy throughout US history, in spite of its clear message and meaning. It is found on the Great Seal of the United States, which was conceived by various committees of the US Congress beginning in 1776, but the final form we see today was proposed in the summer of 1782 by Secretary of Congress Charles Thomson, a Christian theologian. His design of the Great Seal of the United States displayed the “eye of Providence,” encased in a triangle representing the Trinity, signifying the historic Christian icon of God the Father, the first person of the Trinity, the Sovereign Agent of Providence. According to the records of the Continental Congress, “ . . . the eye . . . allude[s] to the many signal interpositions of providence in favour of the American cause.” Other organizations subsequently adopted similar symbolism as early as 1797 for purposes other than this original intent. Even The Masonic Service Association of North America confirms, “The eye on the [Great] Seal represents an active intervention of God in the affairs of men,” and, “When placed in a triangle, the eye went beyond a general representation of God to a strongly Trinitarian statement.” It goes on to conclude, referring to the back of the Great Seal, “The combining of the eye of Providence overlooking an unfinished pyramid is a uniquely American—not Masonic—icon, and must be interpreted as its designers intended. It has no Masonic context.” (Masonic Service Association of North America, “Eye in the Pyramid” at http://www.msana.com/stb_eyepyramid.htm)
This historic image is both an American and Christian symbol of our founding fathers, and, is thus most appropriate as the publisher’s mark of Providence Forum Press.
About the Authors
Peter A. Lillback, Ph.D., is the president of The Providence Forum, senior pastor at Proclamation Presbyterian Church in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and president of Westminster Theological Seminary, where he is also Professor of Historical Theology. He is the voice of Proclaiming The Word, a daily syndicated radio program, as well as The Proclamation Worship Hour. Dr. Lillback received a Ph.D. from Westminster Theological Seminary, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a B.A. from Cedarville University in Ohio. He is the author of The Binding of God: Calvin’s Role in the Development of Covenant Theology (Baker), Freedom’s Holy Light—With a Firm Reliance on Divine Providence (Providence Forum Press), and Proclaim Liberty: A Broken Bell Rings Freedom to the World (Providence Forum Press).
Dr. Lillback’s collaborator, Jerry Newcombe, is the co-author of several bestselling books, including What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? (Nelson) and What If the Bible Had Never Been Written? (Nelson). He is senior producer of the nationally syndicated television program The Coral Ridge Hour and has produced or coproduced more than thirty documentaries, one of which won a silver medal at the International New York Film and Television Festival. Mr. Newcombe has a B.A. in history from Tulane University and an M.A. in communications from Wheaton Graduate School.
Other Literature by Peter A. Lillback
available at www.ProvidenceForum.org
PROCLAIM LIBERTY…
A BROKEN BELL RINGS FREEDOM TO THE WORLD
Dr. Lillback has written this 122-page book in commemoration of the 300th anniversary of religious liberty in America. It is the exciting story of America’s beloved Liberty Bell—but more than that, it is the story of America’s experience of religious and civil liberty—blessings which began over 300 years ago with William Penn’s Charter of Privileges. Written in a narrative form, this book explains how the Liberty Bell has become the worldwide symbol of mankind’s aspiration for freedom from the tyranny of repressive governments. As Americans once again fly the flag with pride and sing God Bless America with inspiration, Proclaim Liberty will help every patriot, from school children to scholars, understand why the United States was intended to be and is still the “land of the free and the home of the brave.”
LESSONS ON LIBERTY: A PRIMER FOR YOUNG PATRIOTS
(to be released in the fall of 2006)
Designed for all ages and packed with colorful illustrations, this entertaining and educational hardcover book uses a simple alphabet poem to guide the reader through the fundamental principles of American liberty. Incorporating early nineteenth century dictionary definitions and enhanced graphics, Bible quotations and Poor Richard’s Almanack, this engaging book adds powerful historic quotes, surprising facts, and truths about our nation’s founding to excite young and old about our country—this beacon of liberty for the world. Included also are activity pages to further teach young scholars with a hands-on approach—perforated for easy tear-out, these pages may be reproduced on a copier for group use. James Madison once declared, “The diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.” Whether in your family, or in a public, Christian or home school setting, please join us in striving to preserve our unparalleled heritage of freedom for future generations by introducing them to these timeless truths.
DOES THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE REQUIRE THE SEPARATION OF GOD AND GOVERNMENT?
How often have you heard it stated that our Constitution mandates the separation of church and state? In truth, the Constitution never uses the word “separation.” Dr. Lillback’s meticulous research and highly informative writing addresses our nation’s historic understanding of and the founding fathers’ intention in the relationship of our Constitution to matters of faith, ethics and morals. This sixty-page whitepaper explores these questions, taking into account their historical context as well as their relation to today’s culture. This is an excellent resource for anyone interested in wrestling with and defending the intriguing truths and issues of church and state.
FREEDOM’S HOLY LIGHT…WITH A FIRM RELIANCE ON DIVINE PROVIDENCE
