Words are important. They are so important, in fact, that as an English speaking people, we place great confidence in the written word versus that of oral tradition because once written, it is open to the scrutiny of all; context can be seen and definitions discerned by anyone interested enough to read.

Theologically, this is important because for more than a 1,000 years, Roman Catholicism had locked up the Scriptures such that it was illegal to possess any part of a copy of the Bible and that you had to trust a member of the clergy as to what it said. The greatest gift bestowed upon humanity by Protestantism was in giving God’s Word to the common man.

Politically, the importance of words is the foundation for the First Amendment. Whether you want to look at its clause about religion, or of speech, or that of peaceable assembly, all of these are about using words to disseminate information and ideas, the restriction of which is symptomatic of tyranny. The old cliche “the pen is mightier than the sword” is a truism evident throughout American history. I say all this because Noah Webster, America’s foremost authority on the English language, knew the importance of words. Arguably, he could be called the Father of American Education because of his contributions to early American children in the form of textbooks. Along with the publication of his “Spellers” “Grammars” and “Readers” all of which emphasized Christian and constitutional values, authors of today are in his debt for the energies he employed which resulted in copyright laws, laws which protect one man’s words from being stolen and profited from of another. Thus, he also believed in the value of words.

But while he is not known as the Father of American Education today, being eclipsed by those such as Horace Mann, it is beyond dispute that Noah Webster is the Father of the American Dictionary. In fact, not only was his the first, but even his name is nearly synonymous with the word “dictionary,” no doubt God’s memorial for such an achievement.

His dictionary, the “American Dictionary of the English Language” published in 1828, is important to us today for many reasons, one of which is the very purpose for which it was undertaken. Though America was only in its infancy, Webster could already see corrupting ideologies arising that were incompatible with the doctrines of freedom, ideologies which could be traced back to the “mother” continent. To combat these, Webster understood that America needed to have her own literary resources; a dependence on Europe would proceed a return to Europe.

Words are foundational for any culture. In fact, the term “language barrier” illustrates how words can be used as a natural wall of separation between cultures, a fact attested to in Genesis 11 at the Tower of Babel. Thus, Webster would help mold a fledgling nation by defining her peculiar language, complete with spellings that would add to its distinction.

And thus we see Webster’s dictionary as a patriotic venture: Preservation through separation. Yet today, America is awash with internationalism; while some confuse it with patriotism, in all actuality it is treason. I would today wish that we could elect a president more concerned for America rather than the rest of the world.

Of the other reasons that could be given as to why Webster’s dictionary is important to us today, the most important is what it contains:  The Bible. It stands as a monument of America’s heritage, and within its pages are enshrined the words of God, aiding the lexicographer as he skillfully teaches Americans to talk. As words are foundational to a culture, definitions are foundational to words.

What I am saying here is whether you want to admit it or not, this dictionary attests to a very Christian heritage; parts of our language are founded upon the word of God. Men like Webster labored on the battlefield of blood to purchase our freedom as a nation, and when that battle was won they waged war on the battlefield of ideas for the establishment of that nation.

Make no mistake about it: Webster did not start out to produce a religious dictionary, so his inclusion of Bible texts in the definitions of great numbers of words shows us how words were used in early America. Webster turned over every stone in the production of this work, and he even traveled to Europe. The words he included were the ones Americans used and how they used them. Biblical words were a part of America’s vocabulary, and since the Bible is a Christian text, there can be no doubt as to America’s Christian moorings.

As a lexicographer, there is only one word that Noah Webster ever claimed to have coined, and that is the word “demoralize,” which means to corrupt or undermine morals. Today there are those who would demoralize America in general and Christianity in particular, and in part they do this by claiming we have no Christian heritage. Today, Noah Webster begs to differ with you.

Ron Hamman is pastor for Independent Baptist Church of Wasilla. Contact him at 357-4229.