Biblical Roadmap to Restore America

Also: Suzy Connaughton Joins Us to Talk About Her New Book--"Like Swans"

To restore America should we use the same biblical principles used to shape the Declaration of Independence?

They’re asking, “How did we get here?” and “How do we restore Liberty and Justice for all?” To answer these questions, we must revisit our founding document, the Declaration of Independence, to understand what defines us as Americans and why the founding generation was successful in starting a new nation.

While political historians typically highlight key events and quotes from the founding era to establish key founding principles, this lecture Mark Burrel takes a different approach. He begins by examining biblical principles that outline what God desires for nations, including the blueprint for starting and governing a nation justly.  Mark will show how the founders used this biblical template to establish America’s national covenant through the Declaration of Independence. This adherence to biblical principles was the key that enabled them to successfully separate from England and create a just and prosperous society, which their writings and speeches affirm.

Mark will also explain how America was “conceived in liberty”, as noted by Lincoln in the Gettysburg Address, protecting both religious and civil liberties while allowing everyone to go on their own personal faith journey.  Lastly, he will present a biblical roadmap for restoring America to its founding values.

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Suzy Connaughton discusses her book “Like Swans” — a gripping true story of love, courage, and sacrifice set against the backdrop of communist Czechoslovakia. When Vera’s husband, Theodor, dreams of a life of freedom, he urges her to be brave and embrace change. But fear of the unknown holds Vera back, until an unexpected betrayal forces her to make a life-altering decision.

As their marriage is put to the ultimate test, the stakes are high and the consequences will affect everyone they love, especially their daughter, Zuzana. Can their love withstand the dangers of standing up against the oppressive regime? Just like the swans on the Vltava River, Theodor believes their love is eternal and their loyalty unbreakable. But in a world where trust is a dangerous currency, can they truly rely on each other?

Speaker Bios

Mark Burrel is originally from Pennsylvania and studied Engineering at Penn State. While at Penn State, he met and married Charlene, with whom he has raised four children and now enjoys the company of seven grandchildren.

For over 40 years, Mark has worked at Procter & Gamble in various roles within Manufacturing, Engineering, and R & D. He currently resides in Mason, Ohio. His passion for theology led him to a mentoring relationship with an experienced pastor, through which he delved into Systematic Theology. Mark has played a key role in founding several churches, and he has maintained a teaching ministry for over 30 years.

In the mid-1990s, Mark began exploring America’s founding principles to understand the biblical justification for the Revolutionary War. This exploration resulted in his first book, Rediscovering The American Covenant–Roadmap To Restore America, published in October, 2022. The book argues that America’s Declaration of Independence functions as our national founding covenant, following a biblical template for establishing a community or nation. Aimed at pastors and church leaders, it offers a compelling biblical argument for active Christian citizenship as a duty for believers in their communities and nations. It covers the theology behind civil government, the historical context of the American founding, the rise and influence of progressivism, answers to common questions Christians often have, and the biblical template for restoring America.

Mark’s latest book, The Duty Is Ours, provides a concise overview of what God desires for nations, including how to establish and govern a nation in a way that honors Him. It also discusses the biblical responses for Christians when governed justly or unjustly, and offers a framework for guiding a wayward nation back to God. Mark recently launched the “Liberty Talk Podcast,” where he analyzes current events through the biblical lens on the proper role of civil government.

In his leisure time, Mark enjoys restoring antique cars and hit-and-miss engines. He is also a dedicated aviation enthusiast, and he has a passion for model railroading.

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Suzy Connaughton works as a flight attendant for a major airline and loves her job and the people she gets to meet. When not shopping at foreign grocery stores, she enjoys cooking, gardening, working out and birdwatching with her husband, Michael. They live in Sharonville and together have five children – Suzy’s twin sons, Teddy, and Spencer, and Michaels three girls, Bre, Sabrina, and Liv.  Like Swans began as a short story written for a creative writing class. It took over 30 years and a COVID leave of absence to turn it into the book Suzy dreamed of writing. Please find Suzy on the web at suzyconn.com.