Welcome to Breakpoint, a daily look, and an ever-changing culture through the lens of unchanging truth.

For the Colson Center, I'm John Stone Street.

In 26, millions of Americans will visit the nation's capital, many of them to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

In its memorials and museums, Washington, D.C. speaks to the grand and noble purpose of America and of the founding generation.

And there's also much to be found in its architecture.

Several years ago, the Museum of the Bible opened a first-of-its-kind virtual flying tour that was called Washington Revelations.

The experience took visitors through D.C. highlighting the biblical

and Christian references to be found on various monuments and buildings. The sheer amount

of those references, which was just a small percentage of all that exists, was to say the

least, impressive. For example, the Declaration of Independence, a signed copy of which can be viewed at the

National Archives, contains four references to God. Each one corresponds to one of the powers of government.

God is recognized as lawmaker, the laws of nature and nature's God. He's also like a founder.

Humans are endowed by their creator. God is judge, the supreme judge of the world, and also the

executive, the divine providence. The implication here is clear that if the powers of government remain

aligned with God's will, the people will be safe. Now, of course, that's impossible in a fallen world,

where human hearts are also bent towards sin. Man is not God, or as the Federalist

papers put it, men are not angels. The awareness of human frailty reverberates throughout the

American founding. For example, at the Jefferson Memorial, visitors encounter these words.

Quote, God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure

when we have removed a conviction

that these liberties are a gift of God?

Indeed, I tremble for my country

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