In November of 2025, Dr. Paul Jehle and Col. John Eidsmoe reenacted a debate between John Adams of Massachusetts and John Dickenson of Pennsylvania and Delaware.
It was moderated by former Congresswoman Michele Bachman, Dean of the Robertson School of Government at Regent University in Virginia.
From the writings of both Adams and Dickenson, Jehle and Eidsmoe utilized quotes and paraphrases to depict the debate as it might have occurred in June of 1776, 250 years ago!
The debate was on Richard Henry Lee’s resolution of June 7 for independence. Here are some excerpts:
Jehle as John Adams: “We are to be free and independent. I could wish for eloquence, for all the powers of the ancient orators of Greece and Rome…. Yet, how simple the argument, and how plain the issue! Every honest person with open mind and senses alert, can hear the moment strike for action, for he knows when the path turns beneath his feet…. Sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish, I give my hand and my heart to this vote. It is true, indeed, that in the beginning we aimed not at independence. But there’s a divinity which shapes our ends. The injustice of England has driven us to arms…independence is… within our grasp.
Next, a plan of confederation should be prepared for the defense of our lives, liberties, and properties. Is any man so weak as now to hope for reconciliation with England, which shall leave either safety to the country and its liberties, or safety to his own life and his own honor? We have responded to Britain’s demand for allegiance – Allegiance to Parliament? We never owed it. Allegiance to our King? Our words have ever avowed it, our conduct has ever been consistent with it. We condemn, and with arms in our hands – oppose the claim and exercise of unconstitutional powers, to which neither the Crown nor Parliament were ever entitled.
Finally, we must declare our purpose, to take our stand as a sovereign entity among the table of nations to be a beacon of hope and liberty throughout the world. The latest Prohibitory Bill from Parliament severs the colonies completely… It is a complete dismemberment of the British Empire. It throws all thirteen colonies out of the royal protection… I think it fortunate that the act of independency should come from the British Parliament rather than having to originate from the American Congress. We must realize that we are already in a state of independence!
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 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?
Sir, before God, I believe the hour is come. My judgment approves this measure, and my whole heart is in it. All that I have, and all that I am, and all that I hope, in this life, I am now ready here to stake upon it; and I leave off as I begun, that live or die, survive or perish, I am for the declaration. It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment, independence, now, and independence forever!”
Eidsmoe as John Dickinson: “Mr. Adams has been an advocate of independence for years but is a free man. Patrick Henry, “Give me liberty or give me death!” but soon to be Governor of Virginia? How could men like you be free and in office, if George III were the tyrant you claim he is, and if England were as repressive as you claim? I must speak, though I should lose my life, though I should lose the affections of my countrymen. I pray that Almighty God would enlighten the minds of the Congressmen that their decision may be such as will best promote the liberty, safety, and prosperity of these Colonies.
I greatly revere the Holy Scriptures although, as a Quaker, I interpret them differently. Romans 13 requires submission to civil government, and I think we are not following that injunction. I have supported the cause of the Colonies in Letters from a Farmer. I wrote ‘The Liberty Song’ and drafted the 1774 Petition to the King as well as the Olive Branch Petition in 1775. But I am also an Englishman. England is the mother country of us all. I cannot support this Declaration of Independence, because I believe it is wrong.
The Kingdom of Great Britain has the best constitution and common law legal system of any kingdom on earth. Nowhere in the world are taxes lower than in the Kingdom of Great Britain. Adult free males with property can vote. We expect the English Navy, best in the world, to defend our shores, and we expect the best Army in the world to defend us at home. It is not unreasonable for them to ask us to share costs through taxation.
Our protests against the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts resulted in repeals. Even the Tea Act which we protested lowered the tax. Luke 14:31-32 warns us to count the cost if we can win a war. We will be fighting the best Army and Navy in the world, and we only have Militias. We will be in the storm “a skiff of paper.” What if we fail? How will Britain treat us? Look how “patriots” are treating Loyalists? What about slavery and its inconsistencies? My fellow Americans, we are also Englishmen. Independence? I don’t say never, but I do say, not yet.”
It is interesting to note that in the debate between Adams and Dickinson on the floor of Congress in June of 1776, both revered Scripture, as well as reasonably discussed their differences in a civil manner, though stating their points with passion and conviction. It appeared that the major differences in that day were in the timing of declaring independence. The two sides, even Loyalists and Patriots, often shared the same theology and prayed to the same God. They applied that theology differently, however. Many churches led by Patriot and Loyalist Pastors had both parties sitting in their pews. The pressure of the rising hostilities, however, especially when they commenced, often caused the people to separate.
In the debate held in November of 2025, Dr. Jehle and Col. Eidsmoe respected each other in the roles of Adams and Dickinson. They spoke highly of each other as they represented their respective characters. They even shook hands at the end! The debate can be seen on the PRF Events page (if you scroll down a bit).
