Seminary Professor Publishes Op-Ed in Philadelphia Inquirer
By: Samantha Angeles
“If we hope to make America great again, it would be good to know what made America great to begin with,” wrote Dr. Nicholas Miller, professor of church history at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University, in his March 12 Op- Ed for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The article, commemorating Pennsylvania Charter Day, explores the principles behind Pennsylvania’s frame of government established by Quaker William Penn in 1681-1682. Miller wrote that these principles of “judicial fairness, rule of law, and due process; a representative, accountable legislature; and an executive committed to the civil rights and liberties of the people” resulted in rapid growth and civil and economic success for Pennsylvania. In Miller's words, the colony became “the model for the new American nation and nations around the world.”
“The irony is that some today want to make America great by disregarding or even opposing these underlying principles,” explained Miller in an interview. “What sense does that make?”
The timely historical piece was commissioned by American Bible Society (ABS) to promote the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center, which will open in 2018. “It will be a world-class, national- standard museum to focus on the faith-and-Bible side of American history,” said Miller. “It will tell the story of the background of the Bible in the founding of America, the contribution to hu- man dignity in religious freedom, and the history of civil rights in America.”
ABS invited Miller to serve as a consulting expert for the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center when his book The Religious Roots of the First Amendment came to their attention, particularly the chapter highlighting William Penn’s contribution to religious freedom in America. Miller describes Penn as “a Quaker enthusiast whose writings on religious liberty have not been given the attention they are due.”
Adventists will find that much of Miller’s writings express Ellen G. White’s teachings framed in secular historical language. “She teaches that open, fair government and freedom of conscience are the pillars of America’s peace and prosperity,” said Miller. “Once you violate those, you will rapidly lose your peace and prosperity.”
The Op-Ed draws from Miller’s first book and is incorporated into the conclusion of his new book, 500 Years of Protestant Liberty: From Martin Luther to Modern Civil Rights, which will be released by Pacific Press in May.
Read the Op-Ed in the Philadelphia Inquirer
Learn more about American Bible Society
Learn more about the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center
Explore Miller’s The Religious Roots of the First Amendment
