SAU goes to Washington D.C.
- Admin
- 7 days ago
- 8 min read
The Wagner Faith & Freedom Center hosted a trip to Washington, D.C. Here is a day by day summary of our learning adventure including titles of the daily lectures and presentations.
Day 1
Many of the national monuments reflect biblical principles and Christian faith.
World War II Memorial
Christian Heritage and Worldview Short Lecture - Freedom isn't Free I
The World War II Memorial honors the 16 million Americans who served in the armed forces during the war and the more than 400,000 who died. While the monument itself is a secular structure, Christian themes are deeply woven into the story it tells and the lives it commemorates. Many of the men and women who fought in WWII were people of Christian faith, and chaplains played a crucial role on the battlefield—praying with soldiers, leading worship, and comforting the dying. The idea of sacrificial service, so central to the Christian Gospel, is mirrored in the inscription that reads:
“Here we mark the price of freedom.”
This echoes John 15:13:
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
The Freedom Wall, with its 4,048 gold stars—each representing 100 American lives lost—visually symbolizes the ultimate sacrifice, a concept that resonates with Christian notions of redemptive suffering and eternal remembrance.
Lincoln Memorial
Christian Heritage and Worldview Short Lecture - Abraham Lincoln
The Lincoln Memorial includes inscriptions of Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, which references divine justice and God’s providence. The Lincoln Memorial stands as a tribute to President Abraham Lincoln’s leadership, moral conviction, and enduring legacy. The Christian heritage associated with this site is especially evident in the deeply theological language of the speeches inscribed on its walls. In the Emancipation Proclamation Lincoln invoked the favor of Almighty God. Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, engraved on the north interior wall, is often described as a sermon in stone. In it, Lincoln directly references Scripture and divine providence:
“The Almighty has His own purposes… As was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said ‘the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.’” (Psalm 19:9)
This profound statement reflects Lincoln’s belief in a just and sovereign God who rules over nations, a conviction shaped by the biblical worldview prevalent in 19th-century America.
The Washington Monument
Christian Heritage and Worldview Short Lecture - Laus Deo
The Washington Monument, towering 555 feet above the National Mall, honors George Washington, a man widely revered not only for his military and political leadership but also for his personal Christian faith and moral integrity. The monument itself contains several explicit references to Christianity and biblical belief—making it one of the most spiritually symbolic structures in Washington, D.C.
At the very top of the monument, engraved on the aluminum capstone, are the Latin words
“Laus Deo,” meaning “Praise be to God.”
Though not visible from the ground, this inscription reflects the foundational belief that God’s providence guided the founding of the nation. Inside the monument, numerous memorial stones from states and organizations include biblical references and Christian dedications. One from the state of Maryland cites Proverbs 10:7:
“The memory of the just is blessed.”
Washington himself frequently spoke of divine guidance, public virtue, and the need for religion and morality in sustaining liberty. In his Farewell Address, he declared:
“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”
As a devout Christian, Washington often attended church, prayed regularly, and acknowledged God’s sovereignty in both personal and public life. The monument serves not only as a tribute to his leadership but also as a silent witness to the Christian influence that helped shape America’s foundations.
Jefferson Memorial
Christian Heritage and Worldview Short Lecture - Thomas Jefferson
One of the most prominent inscriptions inside the memorial is the famous passage authored by Thomas Jefferson in 1776:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…”
This quote is carved into the interior wall of the memorial and highlights Jefferson’s belief in natural rights grounded in a Creator, which aligns with the Judeo-Christian worldview of inherent human dignity and moral order.
T
his inscription not only honors Jefferson’s role as principal author of the Declaration but also underscores the spiritual and philosophical foundations of American liberty.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
Christian Heritage and Worldview Short Lecture - MLK
The MLK Memorial is saturated with Christian heritage, as Dr. King was a Baptist minister whose activism was grounded in biblical justice, love, and nonviolence. His leadership in the Civil Rights Movement drew directly from the teachings of Jesus. His famous “I Have a Dream” speech alludes to both the prophets of the Old Testament and the Gospel’s message of the sacred inherent dignity of all people. One prominent quote on the memorial reads: “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.” This echoes Romans 5:3–5 and the resilience of Christian hope in the face of suffering.
Iwo Jima (U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial)
Christian Heritage and Worldview Short Lecture - Semper Fi
The Iwo Jima Memorial is a tribute to valor and sacrifice and the spiritual undertones are significant. The soldiers it commemorates often faced battle with the support of military chaplains and a sense of duty rooted in faith. The original flag-raising scene, immortalized in the statue, occurred amidst prayers for strength and victory. The memorial includes the Marine Corps motto “Semper Fidelis” (Always Faithful), which resonates with biblical themes of loyalty, covenant, and trust in a higher cause.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Christian Heritage and Worldview Short Lecture - Freedom isn't Free II
The stark, reflective wall honoring the fallen is a place of personal and collective mourning, echoing Christian themes of grief, memory, and redemption. Many of the names etched into the wall belonged to Christians, and families often leave crosses, Scripture verses, and prayers at the site. The memorial’s design—descending into the earth and rising again—has been interpreted by some as a symbol of death and resurrection, key to the Christian narrative.
Korean War Veterans Memorial
Christian Heritage and Worldview Short Lecture - Freedom isn't Free III
The Korean War is sometimes called the “Forgotten War,” but the memorial reminds visitors of the sacrifice made in the name of freedom, a virtue highly valued in Christian thought. The phrase “Freedom Is Not Free” is prominently displayed—a concept echoed in the New Testament (e.g., Galatians 5:1) where spiritual freedom comes at a cost. The presence of chaplains and the quiet dignity of the memorial evoke the Christian emphasis on service, sacrifice, and remembrance.
Day 2
Museum of the Bible
Christian Heritage and Worldview Short Lecture - The Holy Bible
This museum explicitly explores the impact of the Bible on culture, history, and the founding of the United States. It showcases the Christian heritage of Western civilization and includes exhibits on how Scripture influenced America’s founders and institutions.
Supreme Court
Christian Heritage and Worldview Short Lecture - Supreme Court
The Supreme Court building features sculptural representations of Moses holding the Ten Commandments, recognizing the influence of Judeo-Christian moral law on American jurisprudence. Many legal traditions trace their roots to biblical principles of justice and moral accountability.
Good Governance and the American Constitution Short Lecture -
Article III of U.S. Constitution - The Federal Judicial Power
The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made ....
Library of Congress
Christian Heritage and Worldview Short Lecture - Library of Congress
The Library includes numerous biblical inscriptions and houses a Gutenberg Bible. Its architecture and foundational mission reflect Enlightenment and Christian ideals about the pursuit of truth and the preservation of knowledge. Scripture verses are etched in the walls celebrating divine wisdom.
Evening Feature Presentation: Navigating to the City on the Hill
Day 3
The White House
Christian Heritage and Worldview Short Lecture - The White House
Although it is a political and executive residence, many U.S. Presidents have referenced Christian faith and values in their speeches and policies. The White House has been the site of numerous prayer services and is emblematic of a nation historically rooted in the acknowledgment of divine guidance.
Good Governance & American Constitution Short Lecture
Article II of U.S. Constitution - The Federal Executive Power
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.... he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed,...
National Museum of American History
Christian Heritage and Worldview Short Lecture - American History
This museum contains exhibits highlighting the role of religious faith in American history, including Christian influences on abolition, civil rights, and social reform. Artifacts such as personal Bibles and religious literature from historical figures are featured. The museum features the Star Spangled Banner. The context of the song—Francis Scott Key witnessing the defense of Fort McHenry in 1814—mirrors biblical themes of God’s protection in battle. The survival of the American flag through a night of bombardment echoes Psalm 46:1:“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Key saw the endurance of the flag not just as a military success but as a sign of divine favor and protection.
Day 4
Mount Vernon
Christian Heritage and Worldview Short Lecture - George Washington
George Washington’s estate is deeply connected to his personal Christian faith. Washington was known for his regular church attendance, prayer, and references to Providence. His moral leadership reflected Christian virtues of duty, humility, and service. George Washington’s faith played a quiet but meaningful role in the evolution of his views on slavery, culminating in a personal decision that was extraordinary for a man of his era: he became the only Founding Father to free all of his enslaved people by his will.
Evening Feature Presentation: Worldviews Collide - The Battle of Presumptions in American Constitutional Governance
Day 5
Arlington National Cemetery
Christian Heritage and Worldview Short Lecture - Freedom isn't Free IV
A place of solemn reflection and sacrifice, Arlington bears testimony to the Christian virtues of service and remembrance. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier symbolizes selfless love, and chaplains of various Christian denominations are honored for ministering to the fallen.
· Worship Together
· Devotion: The Last Full Measure
Day 6
Holocaust Museum
Christian Heritage and Worldview Short Lecture - Good & Evil
While the Holocaust represents a tragic failure of humanity, many Christian individuals and communities are remembered for acts of courageous resistance and compassion. Figures like Corrie ten Boom and Dietrich Bonhoeffer exemplify Christian responses to evil through faith and sacrifice.
The Wharf
A modern site of commerce and culture, the area’s historical roots as a port city also included missions, churches, and ministries serving the working poor. Today, its spiritual legacy continues through nearby churches and outreach programs.
Day 7
U.S. Navy Memorial
Christian Heritage and Worldview Short Lecture - Freedom isn't Free V
The memorial honors the sacrifice of naval service members, many of whom were inspired by their Christian faith. Naval chaplains have long played a role in offering spiritual care, and the memorial includes references to duty, honor, and God.
National Archives
Christian Heritage and Worldview Short Lecture - Memory Stones
Home to the Magna Carta, Declaration of Independence, and Constitution, the Archives connect to Christian heritage through the founding documents’ moral framework. The Declaration’s reference to “Nature’s God” and “Creator” points to a worldview shaped by biblical thought.
Good Governance and the American Constitution Short Lecture - Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion:
The Magna Carta; The American Declaration; and the American Constitution
U.S. Capitol & Meeting our Member of Congress
Christian Heritage and Worldview Short Lecture - The Peoples' House
The Capitol Rotunda features paintings like “The Baptism of Pocahontas” and “The Pilgrims” with visible Christian themes. Many founding figures honored here were deeply influenced by Christian doctrine, and Scripture has often been quoted in legislative debates and inaugural ceremonies.
Good Governance and the American Constitution Short Lecture
Article I of U.S. Constitution - The Federal Legislative Power
All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.