Author Archives: Steven W. Allen, J.D.


About Steven W. Allen, J.D.

Steven W. Allen, J.D. is an author, speaker, and retired attorney. His book "Founding Fathers - Uncommon Heroes" is popular with all ages and is used in many schools. See his other books at www.StevenAllenBooks.com

Benjamin Franklin and Pride

Posted on by April 18, 2017

Franklin had his own “Project for Moral Perfection.” He strived to become as perfect in a dozen different personal character traits as he could be. He made a list and worked on it his whole life. After a short while one of his friends told Ben he should add another trait to his list. That of humility. And the friend proved the need for improvement in that area by citing several examples.

At least one prophet has suggested that Pride is the sin of this generation. We must all be careful to watch ourselves, and our words and deeds. Pride can be corrosive to character. read more

The U. S. Constitution

Posted on by April 17, 2017

In this Easter season I’ve been posting about the Illegal Trial and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It all began because all Hebrew authority was concentrated in their Great Sanhedrin (they were allowed to govern themselves as a ‘client state’ of Rome). There were no checks and balances. Christ was found guilty of blasphemy.

There was no death penalty allowed to be carried out by the Sanhedrin without the express approval of the Roman representative. Hence, the Chief Priests took their guilty subject to Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea as representative of Caesar. They wanted approval of their death penalty crime. It was granted. read more

CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN!

Posted on by April 16, 2017

Christ the Lord is risen today,

Sons of Men and angels say,
Raise your joys and triumphs high,
Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth reply,

Love’s Redeeming work is done,
Fought the fight, the vict’ry won,
Jesus’ agony is o’er,
Darkness veils the earth no more,

Lives again our glorious King,
Where, O death, is now thy sting?
Once he died our souls to save,
Where thy victory, O grave?

ALLELUIA!

Charles and John Wesley, 1707-1788

The Day Before The Resurrection

Posted on by April 15, 2017

After Jesus Christ was crucified, his body lay in the tomb of an admirer, who had been a member of the Great Sanhedrin. That political and religious body who had put him on trial and turned him over to the Roman Procurator, Pontius Pilate. Members of that group then asked that a guard be placed at the tomb, because Christ had told them he would rise from the dead.

No one had ever been resurrected. Christ raised Lazurus from an apparent death, but he was not resurrected. Resurrection happens when a person dies, his spirit leaves his body, and then the body of flesh and bones, and its spirit are rejoined, with the body never more to be subject to death. read more

The Easter Weekend

Posted on by April 14, 2017

It seems unusual and even shocking that when Pontius Pilate sent Christ down for the scourging that didn’t satisfy the crowd’s desire for his crucifixion. Pilate found no fault in Him after all, and hoped against hope that this would satisfy them. It didn’t.

When Jesus came forth wearing the crown of thorns, with blood dripping from his body from the whipping, Pilate presented him from the balcony to the crowd and said “Behold the Man.” This announcement had real meaning for Pilate as these same words would be pronounced by the Roman Emperor at the Olympic games when a gladiator had won 10 matches and was therefore granted his freedom. Christ was to have been freed. But Pilate was caught by his previous actions against the Jews. read more

Good Friday Comes

Posted on by April 13, 2017

Jesus Christ developed a large following during his short three year ministry. Yes, he even had followers among members of the Sanhedrin. Just a few. Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, and possibly a few others.

However, believing Christ’s teachings caused a serious conflict among the members of this Jewish Governing Body.

“ . . . among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him [Jesus], lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of man more than the praise of God.” (John 12: 42-43). read more

Easter Message

Posted on by April 12, 2017

With Easter coming up, I though it would be good to quote some from C.S. Lewis, a Christian commentator and writer. He shares a little philosophy about Jesus Christ: “Among the Jews there suddenly turns up a man who goes about talking as if He was God. He claims to forgive sins. He says He has always existed. He says He is coming to judge the world at the end of time. . . . What this man said was, quite simply, the most shocking that has ever been uttered by human lips.” (“Mere Christianity”, C.S. Lewis, 1932, page 51.) read more

The Christian Founding Fathers

Posted on by April 11, 2017

This week’s commemoration of Good Friday and then Easter Sunday is an important milestone in the Christian Religion. It was honored by our Founding Fathers. Thomas Jefferson said that the “Wee Little Book” he created is “proof positive that I am a real Christian . . . .”

Benjamin Franklin’s “Project for Moral Perfection” had him working on his character to imitate the humility of Jesus. George Washington paid for his own seat or booth at the Christian Church in Alexandria which was close to Mount Vernon. read more

John Adams and the Revolution

Posted on by April 10, 2017

It doesn’t get much notice these days, but John Adams actually had quite a bit to do with our country becoming independent. One very interesting letter was written by Adams in support of William Hooper’s (William Hooper, who’s he?) preparation of a new written constitution for the State of North Carolina. This letter was later published by a Philadelphia printer. Here’s one sample paragraph:

“It has been the will of Heaven, that we should be thrown into existence at a period when the greatest philosophers and lawgivers of antiquity would have wished to live . . . . A period when a coincidence of circumstances without example has afforded to thirteen colonies at once an opportunity of beginning government anew from the foundation and building as they choose. How few of the human race have ever had an opportunity of choosing a system of government for themselves and their children? How few have ever had anything more of choice in government than in climate?” (“John Adams”, by David McCullough, page 102). read more

Patrick Henry and the Declaration of Independence

Posted on by April 9, 2017

How did it ever happen that the Declaration of Independence was written and approved? Why did it even come up? Originally it was the result of several Virginians.

The Second Continental Congress was called on May 10, 1775, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Patrick Henry was elected by the people of Virginia to represent them at their own State convention. It wasn’t even a State yet! But that’s why Patrick Henry stayed home rather than attend the continuation of the Second Continental Congress like Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin. read more