Benjamin Rush was born on December 24, 1745 on his father’s farm in Philadelphia PA. Raised in the fear and nurture of the Lord by his uncle, the Reverend Samuel Finney, he entered Princeton College where he received a Bachelor’s degree before he reached the age of 15.

At this time Princeton was uniquely Christian, setting forth Scripture, and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, first and foremost to all education. Princeton’s charter, like all early American Colleges, was to train young men in “God’s Holy Word, and to become a useful ordainment to society.” Princeton’s first president, Reverend Jonathan Dickinson stated, “Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ ”. This sentiment was the norm of the American Education system of that day. It was under this system of education, (which at the time, was not in any way under government control or influence) that America flourished and its people were renown for their integrity and virtue.

Benjamin Rush studied medicine at the University of Edinburg where he received his degree of Doctor Of Medicine in 1768. Rush became a prominent and notable doctor and college professor of both the Philadelphia College of Chemistry, and the Institutes and Practices of Medicine.

During this time, the struggle for independence was hot . Rush’s burning patriotism and Godly devotion caused him to embark on a devoted quest to free the American colonies from the unbiblical tyranny of British rule. He became a member of the Revolutionary Congress which passed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and along with many God-fearing men, placed his name on that historical document.

BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS IN EDUCATION

The Founders knew that upon their death, the Christian Republic would be in danger of infiltration by pagan ideals and vain philosophies of humanism, if they did not insure against it. They, therefore, decided to build lasting education institutions that would preserve the Christian Republic. Dr. Rush continually and actively supported a variety of institutions for the advancement of human learning. Not only was he instrumental in the establishment of Colleges and other forms of higher learning organizations in his own state of Pennsylvania, but he advocated the establishment of “free public schools” in every township. Through the foundation of Biblical education, Benjamin Rush sought to unify the American Republic.

This “free public school system” was unlike the government education system that we have today. It was privately funded by parents, clergy and professors and controlled by the same. Furthermore, it’s charter remained true to the Christian Bible, both in ideology and practice.

Dr. Rush rightly believed that without a foundation in Scriptural Principles there could be no virtue in the society. He declared,

“without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments.”

In Rush’s mind, true liberty was based upon an education system set firmly upon the Holy Scriptures. So vehement for the advocating of sound Biblical precepts in the schools, he would even go so far as to declare,

Certainly he did not advocate pagan religions by this statement, but only sought to emphasize the importance of a solid Scriptural base in education.

In the mind of the Founders it was of utmost importance to relay in all educational systems the principle of man’s accountability to God, and the reality of a future and eternal state of rewards or punishments. Hence, any system that places man at the center of the universe, being a law unto himself, and only accountable to himself, was the very antithesis of religion. Such is the “religion” of secular humanism, which is actively and boldly taught in the American government-controlled school system of our day.

According to Rush, the Christian religion was the only valid religion, and therefore the only useful religion for any society.