Given the above, it seems impossible to read George Washington in his own words and conclude that he never spoke about God or that his views of God were unorthodox.
A WASHINGTONIAN CREED: “ON MY HONOR AND THE FAITH OF A CHRISTIAN”
Since there is so much theological material to work with, we have created a creed from Washington’s theology, using his words found throughout his writings. Since we are using Washington’s very words, we have chosen to entitle it “On My Honor and the Faith of a Christian.”10
I believe in God,11 the Lord,12 the Deity,13 The Divinity,14 The Great Spirit,15 in heaven.16 He is Jehovah,17 the Wonder working Deity,18 who can be called the Supreme Being,19 Infinite Wisdom,20 and the Eye of Omnipotence,21 because He is the Almighty,22 the great,23 glorious,24 almighty,25 omnipotent,26 and all wise,27 the Supreme Disposer of all things,28 the great power above.29
No Man has a more perfect Reliance on the all wise, and powerful dispensations of the Supreme Being than I have nor thinks his aid more necessary.30 As an inexhaustible subject of consolation, remember that there is a good Providence which will never fail to take care of his Children.31 I shall always strive to prove a faithful and impartial Patron of genuine, vital religion.32
He is the Great Creator,33 a Greater and more Efficient Cause,34 the greatest and best of Beings,35 supreme36 and grand architect of the universe.37
He is the good18 and gracious,39 supreme,40 benevolent,41 author of all good,42 life,43 felicity,44 and victory,45
He is the Lord of Hosts,46 the God of Armies,47 The Great Director,48 and Great All wise disposer of all human events,49
From his divine nature there is blessing,50 goodness,51 government, grace,52 and mercy,53
He is the all–powerful guide,54 great governor55 and ruler of the universe56 through his all-kind,57 powerful,58 gracious, good, overruling,59 and superintending Providence.60 In His Divine Providence,61 He is the Lord62 and supreme ruler of the nations,63 the sovereign arbiter64 of both nations65 and the universe itself,66 as well as being the supreme dispenser of every good.67
This Great Searcher of hearts68 has provided both natural and revealed religion,69 but above all divine revelation,70 and the blessed religion revealed in the Word of God,71 the religion of Jesus Christ,72 as well as the eternal rules ordained by Heaven.73 Because He is powerful to save74 and forgiveness is a Divine attribute,75 you do well to learn the religion of Jesus Christ,76 as I was led in my growing infancy by my revered mother.77
So I now make it my earnest prayer that you do justice, love mercy, and imitate the divine author of our blessed religion.78
Washington spoke of the “Eye of Omnipotence,” also called the “Eye of Providence,” or the all-seeing eye of God, encased in the Trinitarian triangle and placed on the back of the Great Seal of the United States. Providence Forum Press, publisher of this book, incorporated this distinct symbol of divine Providence in its publisher’s mark.
Washington, of course, never assembled this creed. But all of the words used above are directly cited from his writings. We will see in the chapters on “Washington and Christianity,” “George Washington and Prayer,” and Washington’s interaction with clergy and sermons, that he gave his direct approval to the core message of the Gospel—the divine Son of God, dying for sinners in order to forgive them before a holy God. We also see in the chapter on “George Washington and Communion,” the outline of the one public confession of faith George Washington wrote, which occurred when he retired as general of the army.
HIS NAMES FOR GOD
Consider the following list of Washington’s terms for God.
[Divine] Providence – 270x
All Powerful Guide – 1x
All powerful guide – 1x
All wise & powerful being – 1x
All wise – 2x
All wise disposer of events – 1x
Almighty – 8x
Almighty Being – 1x
Almighty God – 11x
Almighty Ruler of Universe – 1x
Architect of the universe – 1x
Author of all good – 2x [Lord] & giver of all victory – 1x
Author of Life – 1x
Beneficent author – 1x
Deity – 2x
Divine – 1x
Divine [author] of life and felicity – 1x
Divine [author] of our blessed religion – 1x
Divine author of life and felicity – 1x
Divine author of our blessed religion – 1x
Divine Blessing – 1x
Divine Goodness – 1x
Divine Government – 1x
