Was George Washington a Christian?

For years, Americans have been told that George Washington wasn't really a Christian, that he was merely a deist who used religion because it was politically convenient. There's only one problem with that narrative: it begins to crumble the moment you start reading George Washington's own words.

We live in an age where truth is too often sacrificed on the altar of ideology. From the Garden of Eden until today, Satan's strategy has never changed: distort the truth, conceal the truth, and replace the truth with a lie. The Apostle Paul wrote that some "suppress the truth" (Romans 1:18), while others "refused to love the truth" (2 Thessalonians 2:10). Whether in theology, science, or history, the temptation is the same: to force the evidence into our preconceived conclusions instead of allowing the evidence to shape our conclusions.

This series is unapologetically committed to doing the opposite.

Unlike many modern writers who claim to present "both sides" while quietly steering readers toward a predetermined conclusion, we're not interested in pretending to be neutral. We believe the historical evidence overwhelmingly supports one conclusion, and we're going to make that case openly. We'll present the evidence, explain why we believe it leads where it does, and then let you examine the sources and judge for yourself.

We're not interested in repeating modern talking points. We're interested in the historical record. In this article, we'll examine the testimony of those who knew Washington personally, his letters, speeches, and proclamations; not just relying on what others have to say, but letting the man speak for himself. We will examine those sources here, and if they point to a life deeply shaped by Christianity, then that's exactly what we'll say regardless of whether it aligns with today's popular narratives.

So, was George Washington a Christian?

Let’s see.

Eyewitness testimony and accounts:

It is one of history's great ironies that people today are willing to dismiss the testimony of those who actually knew George Washington in favor of scholars who never met him, who pull apart isolated quotations over two hundred years later and reconstruct a version of Washington that fits their own preconceived conclusions.  

Let's stop letting modern narratives define George Washington and let the eyewitnesses speak for themselves.

Our first witness is perhaps the most qualified person who could speak on the subject: Nelly Custis Lewis, George Washington's adopted granddaughter. She lived in his home for years and knew him personally. When someone questioned whether Washington was a Christian, she responded:

"Is it necessary that anyone should certify, 'General Washington avowed himself to me a believer in Christianity?' As well may we question his patriotism, his heroic disinterestedness, his moral virtues... He was not one of those who act or pray 'that they may be seen of men.' He communed with his God in secret."

Notice the remarkable language she uses. Her description closely echoes the words of Christ:

"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites... that they may be seen by others... But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret." (Matthew 6:5–6)

Nelly was not describing a man who practiced religion for public approval or political advantage. She described a man whose faith was private, sincere, and rooted in genuine communion with God. In her view, Washington's reluctance to display his devotion publicly was not evidence that he lacked faith—it was evidence that he took Christ's teaching on prayer seriously.

Whether one ultimately agrees with her conclusion or not, it is difficult to dismiss the testimony of someone who lived under George Washington's roof and observed his character firsthand.

A renowned historian, Jared Sparks, interviewed George W. Lewis, Washington's nephew, who recalled:

"Mr. Lewis said he had accidentally witnessed [Washington's] private devotions in his library both morning and evening; that on those occasions he had seen him in a kneeling position with a Bible open before him and that he believed such to have been his daily practice."

After years of collecting testimony from those who had personally known Washington, Jared Sparks reached this conclusion:

"To say that he was not a Christian, or at least that he did not believe himself to be a Christian, would be to impeach his sincerity and honesty... Is it likely, is it credible, that, in a matter of the highest and most serious importance, he should practice through a long series of years a deliberate deception upon his friends and the public? It is neither credible nor possible."

Scripture tells us, "Only on the evidence of two or three witnesses shall a charge be established" (Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:16). We have already heard from Nelly Custis Lewis. Now we have the testimony preserved by George W. Lewis and the conclusion of Jared Sparks after examining the firsthand evidence. Together, these witnesses portray the same man: one who did not practice religion for the applause of men, but who sought God in secret. The evidence points not to a manufactured public image, but to a faith that had taken root in his heart.

George Washington's Own Words

The best way to discover what a man believed is to listen to what he actually said. The following quotations span George Washington's public life and reveal consistent themes of God's providence, prayer, morality, divine revelation, and the teachings of Christ.

1775  General Orders to the Continental Army

As Commander in Chief, Washington expected his officers and soldiers not only to fight courageously, but to live lives worthy of the Christian faith.

"The General hopes and trusts that every officer and man will endeavor so to live and act as becomes a Christian soldier." (General Orders, July 9, 1775)

Biblical Parallel

"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ..." (Philippians 1:27)

Washington's language reflects the New Testament principle that a Christian's conduct should match his profession of faith.

1778  General Orders to the Continental Army

As the Revolutionary War continued, Washington reminded his troops that military service and patriotism were not life's highest calling. Their greatest duty was to God.

"While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished Character of Patriot, it should be our highest Glory to add the more distinguished Character of Christian." (General Orders, May 2, 1778)

Biblical Parallel

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness..." (Matthew 6:33)

Washington's words reflect the biblical priority that devotion to God comes before every earthly identity. 

1783 Circular Letter to the States

As the Revolutionary War came to an end, Washington described the character he hoped would define the new nation.

"I now make it my earnest prayer that God... would dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind, which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion." (Circular Letter to the States, June 8, 1783)

Biblical Parallel

"He has told you, O man, what is good... to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)

"Learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart..." (Matthew 11:29)

Washington's language closely echoes Micah's call to justice and humility while attributing these virtues to "the Divine Author of our blessed religion," a phrase most naturally referring to Jesus Christ.

1789 First Inaugural Address

In his first presidential address, Washington publicly acknowledged God's sovereign rule over human affairs.

"No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States." (First Inaugural Address, April 30, 1789)

Biblical Parallel

"The Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will." (Daniel 4:25)

Washington consistently viewed history and governments as being directed by God's providence rather than by chance.

1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation

One of Washington's clearest public expressions of faith came in America's first national Thanksgiving Proclamation.

"It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor." (Thanksgiving Proclamation, October 3, 1789)

Biblical Parallel

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" (Psalm 107:1)

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Washington called an entire nation to thank God, obey His will, and seek His favor—ideas deeply rooted in Scripture.

1796 Farewell Address

As Washington prepared to leave public office, he identified the foundation of a free and prosperous nation.

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports." (Farewell Address, September 19, 1796)

Biblical Parallel

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." (Psalm 33:12)

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." (Proverbs 14:34)

Washington knew liberty could not endure without moral virtue and that religion was indispensable in cultivating that virtue.

One of the greatest tragedies of modern Christianity is that many believers have come to think God's truth belongs only in the church and has little to say about the public square. The Founding Fathers thought differently. They believed liberty could not survive apart from virtue, virtue could not endure apart from morality, and morality could not long flourish apart from religion.

When Benjamin Franklin left the Constitutional Convention, he was asked, "Well, Doctor, what have we got—a republic or a monarchy?"

His answer has echoed through American history:

"A republic, if you can keep it."

George Washington explained exactly how such a republic could be kept:

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports."

He went even further:

"Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."

And only two years later, John Adams issued an even stronger warning:

"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

The Founders did not believe Christianity merely belonged in private devotion. They believed its moral teachings were essential to preserving a free people. Remove the foundation, and eventually the structure collapses.

Whether America keeps the republic Franklin warned us about will depend on whether we recover the moral and spiritual foundations that Washington called "indispensable" and that Adams believed were necessary for constitutional government itself.