Benjamin Franklin, an American polymath and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States; author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, inventor, humorist, civic activist, statesman, diplomat, and scientist.
Biographical Overview
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, 1706-1790
Franklin noted for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity.
The centimeter-gram-second (cgs) unit of electric charge has been named after him: one franklin (Fr) is equal to one statcoulomb.
Worldview
A biblical worldview perspective opened the foundation and freedom for Franklin to incorporate the scientific method of inquiry into the study of the laws of nature, Notably, this perspective motivated Franklin to write:
“God heals, and the doctor takes the fees.”
“God helps them that help themselves.”
“Work as if you were to live 100 years; pray as if you were to die tomorrow.”
As Governor of Pennsylvania, Franklin proposed Pennsylvania’s first fast day:
“It is the duty of mankind on all suitable occasions to acknowledge their dependence of the Divine Being… [that’ Almighty God would mercifully interpose and still the rage of war among the nations… [and that] He would take this providence under His protection, confound the designs and defeat the attempts of its enemies, and unite our hearts and strengthen our hands in every undertaking that may be for the public good, and for our defense and security in this time of danger.”
In a letter to Joseph Huey, June 6, 1753
“I can only show my gratitude for these mercies from God.”
“For my part I have not the vanity to think I deserve it… but content myself in submitting to the will and disposal of that God who made me, and in who has hitherto preserved and blessed me.”
“The worship of God is a duty.”
In founding the Pennsylvania Hospital, Franklin composed the cornerstone:
“In the year of Christ, 1735, This building, by the bounty of the Government and of many private persons, was piously founded, for the relief of the sick and miserable. May God of mercies bless the undertaking.”
In his Autobiography, Franklin lists 13 virtues. Virtue 13:
“Humility: Imitate Jesus.”
“I never doubted, for instance, the existence of the Deity; that He made the world, and governed it by his Providence.”
In his Maxims and Morals, Franklin wrote:
“Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature.”
“A Bible and a newspaper in every house, a good school in every district – all studies and appreciated as they merit – are principle support of virtue, morality, and civil liberty.”
Addressing the Constitutional Convention, Franklin said,
“I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth [Providence] – that God governs the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?”
“We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writes, that ‘except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it.’ I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel.”
“I therefore beg leave to move – that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and blessing on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business.”
“Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the creator of the Universe. That He governs it by Providence. That He ought to be worshiped.”
In his Articles of Belief, Franklin wrote,
“It is that particular wise and good God, who is the Author and Owner of our system, that I propose for the Object of my praise and adoration.”
“O Creator, O Father, I believe that Thou are Good, and Thou art pleas’d with the pleasure of Thy children.”
“By Thy Power, hast Thou made the glorious Sun, with his attending worlds; from the energy of Thy mighty Will they received their prodigious motion, and by Thy Wisdom has Thou prescribed the wonderous laws by which thy move.”
“By Thy wisdom has Thou formed all things; Thou hast crated man, bestowing life and reason, and plac’d him in dignity superior to Thy other earthly Creatures.”
“Thy Wisdom, Thy Power, and Thy GOODNESS are everywhere clearly seen.”
“I believe Thou hast given life to Thy creatures that they might live and art not delighted with violent death and bloody sacrifices.”
“Thou art abhorrest in Thy creatures treachery and deceit, malice, revenge, Intemperance and every hurtful Vice.”
“For life and reason, and the use of speech, for health and joy and every pleasant hour, my Good God, I thank Thee.”
“That men’s minds do not die with their bodies, but are made more happy of miserable after this life according to their actions.”
