When Congress Endorsed a Bible for America

Faith Facts

• The U.S. Congress officially endorsed Robert Aitken’s Bible in 1782, recommending it to the American people during a time when Bibles were scarce due to the Revolutionary War.
• The Catholic Church formally condemned Blaise Pascal’s influential “Provincial Letters” for their defense of Jansenism and criticism of Jesuit casuistry.
• Pioneer missionary Samuel Marsden survived a shipwreck while traveling to establish Christian ministry among indigenous peoples.

This week marks the anniversary of several pivotal moments in Christian history that shaped the faith across continents and centuries. From congressional action in early America to theological controversies in Europe, these events reveal the enduring impact of Christian thought and witness.

In 1782, the Continental Congress took the remarkable step of endorsing a Bible published by Philadelphia printer Robert Aitken. This endorsement came during the Revolutionary War, when British blockades made imported Bibles scarce in the American colonies.

Congress recommended Aitken’s English Bible “to the inhabitants of the United States,” marking one of the few times in American history that the federal government officially endorsed a religious text. The action reflected the Christian character of the founding era and the practical needs of a nation seeking spiritual resources during wartime.

The Aitken Bible stands as a testament to the integral role of Christian faith in early American life. Today, original copies of this congressionally endorsed Bible are valuable collector’s items that remind Americans of their nation’s spiritual heritage.

In a separate event, the Catholic Church moved to condemn the “Provincial Letters” written by French mathematician and theologian Blaise Pascal. These influential letters, written in defense of Jansenism, critiqued certain Jesuit teachings on grace and moral theology.

Pascal’s sharp wit and compelling prose made the letters widely read across Europe. However, church authorities viewed them as theologically problematic, particularly regarding questions of divine grace, human will, and moral decision-making.

The condemnation highlighted ongoing tensions within Catholic theology during the 17th century. Despite official censure, Pascal’s writings continued to influence Christian thought and remain studied today for their literary merit and theological insight.

Additionally, this week marks the anniversary of missionary Samuel Marsden’s shipwreck. Marsden, known as the “Apostle of New Zealand,” survived the harrowing experience while traveling to bring the Gospel to indigenous peoples in the Pacific.

His perseverance through such trials exemplified the commitment of early missionaries who risked everything to spread Christian faith. Marsden would go on to establish significant ministry work that laid foundations for Christianity in New Zealand.

These historical moments remind contemporary believers of the sacrifices, controversies, and governmental recognition that have marked Christianity’s journey through the centuries. From congressional chambers to storm-tossed seas, the faith has endured through both official endorsement and official opposition.

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