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The Myth of Christian America  /  MCA (13 of 14): Faith of the Founding Fathers #3  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 5
Benjamin Franklin praised Jesus’ moral system as “the best the world ever saw,” yet admitted doubts about Christ’s divinity and said he saw “no harm” in people believing it if it produced good consequences; how does that instrumental view of doctrine challenge modern evangelical assumptions that “right beliefs” matter mainly for personal salvation?
Another way to ask: Franklin loved Jesus’ moral teaching but wasn’t sure Jesus was divine and thought belief was fine if it led to good results. How does that “belief is useful” view challenge the idea that right doctrine mainly matters for personal salvation?

Direct Answer The transcript portrays Franklin treating doctrine as socially useful—even if uncertain or untrue—because it encourages moral behavior, which challenges the idea that beliefs mainly matter because they connect a person to Christ as Savior.

Support from Transcript:

  • Franklin’s creed: he believed in “one God…Creator,” providence, worship, doing good, immortality, and justice in the next life.
  • About Jesus: “his system of morals…are the best the world ever saw,” but he had “some doubts as to his divinity.”
  • He says he doesn’t “dogmatize,” hasn’t studied it, and expects soon to “know the truth with less trouble.”
  • Instrumental view: “I see no harm…in its being believed if that belief has the good consequence…of making his doctrines more respected and more observed.”
  • He adds he doesn’t see God punishing “unbelievers…with any peculiar marks of…displeasure,” implying doctrine is not central to salvation.
  • Bercot’s assessment: Franklin was “a friend of Christianity” and saw it as good for public life, but “never seemed to have actually surrendered his life to Jesus Christ or believed in Jesus Christ as his Savior.”
Discussion Follow-ups What happens to evangelism if Jesus’ divinity is treated as optional as long as society improves? How does Bercot’s “surrendered his life” language reframe what “right belief” is for?

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