Thomas Paine’s Common Sense: How a Deist Sparked a Christian Nation
“The object for attention is the doctrine itself, not the man.”
– Thomas Paine, Common Sense
On January 10, 1776, a radical pamphlet titled Common Sense landed in the hands of American colonists. Within weeks, it turned whispers of rebellion into a roar for revolution. Its author, Thomas Paine, was a recent English immigrant and self-taught political writer with a clear message: America must break from Britain — and the time was now National Archives.
The idea was bold and dangerous, yet it caught fire quickly.
Over 120,000 copies sold in the first three months, eventually reaching half a million. For a population of just 2.5 million, that number was staggering Library of Congress. In many ways, it was the first viral political message in American history. Paine never sought personal fame. As he wrote, “The object for attention is the doctrine itself, not the man.”
Yet both the doctrine and the man deserve our attention today.
Who Was Thomas Paine?
Born in 1737 in Thetford, England, Paine’s early life was far from glamorous. He quit school at 13 to work in his father’s corset shop. By 20, he had sailed the seas, worked as a tax collector, and been fired twice Biography.com.
At 37, fortune shifted. He met Benjamin Franklin, who recognized Paine’s intellect and gave him a letter of recommendation for America American Battlefield Trust. Paine arrived in 1774, just as the Intolerable Acts had fueled widespread anger toward the Crown.
Soon, he became a journalist and keen observer of politics. Within two years, he produced the most influential pamphlet in American history.
Why Common Sense Was a Turning Point
By early 1776, battles had erupted at Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill, yet many colonists still hoped for reconciliation with King George III History.com.
Paine shattered that hope.
With clear and forceful language, Common Sense argued that:
- Government exists to serve the people, not rule over them.
- Monarchy is unnatural and dangerous.
- America belongs to the free, not to a king.
- This was a divine opportunity to form a new nation built on self-rule.
- Liberty requires a strong but accountable government.
“Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one.”
– Common Sense
Paine’s words gave moral clarity during a time of uncertainty. Even Thomas Jefferson, who authored the Declaration of Independence, called Paine the best writer of the era Monticello.org.
Just seven months after the pamphlet’s release, America declared independence.
A Curious Link to Inauguration Day
Although unofficial, the January 10th publication date of Common Sense parallels our modern January Inauguration Day. Both symbolize new beginnings and a transfer of power to the people. One came through revolution, the other through peaceful transition Constitution Center.
Was Thomas Paine an Atheist? Not Exactly
Many assume Paine was an atheist, especially based on The Age of Reason. In truth, he was a Deist — one who believed in God as Creator but rejected organized religion and the supernatural claims of Christianity Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
What Do Deists Believe?
Deism, common among Enlightenment thinkers, generally included:
- Belief in a Creator revealed through reason and nature, not Scripture.
- Rejection of Jesus’ divinity and miracles.
- Viewing the Bible as a human document.
- Minimal participation in religious rituals.
- Emphasis on virtue and morality over doctrine.
Despite this, Thomas Paine’s Common Sense reflects belief in a moral and just God. He wrote:
“The Almighty hath implanted in us these unextinguishable feelings for good and wise purposes. They are the guardians of His image in our hearts.”
These are not the words of an atheist, but of a man who still saw God’s hand in the moral order of the world.
Biblical Influence in Common Sense
Paine even grounded his argument against monarchy in Scripture. He cited 1 Samuel 8, where the Israelites demand a king and God warns them of tyranny Bible Gateway.
To deeply religious colonists, this was a powerful case. Paine may have questioned the Bible’s authority, yet he used it to persuade his readers.
As Christians today, we can agree with the truths embedded in his writing:
- Freedom is God-given.
- Tyranny is a moral evil.
- Justice reflects God’s image in humanity.
Why a Christian Writes About Paine
Why would a Christian reflect on a man who denied much of the faith? The answer is simple:
- God often works through imperfect people.
- Truth remains truth, even when spoken by flawed messengers.
- Paine helped lay the groundwork for a nation where freedom — including religious freedom — thrives Heritage Foundation.
Though I reject his theology, I respect his courage and clarity. Paine championed principles rooted in biblical morality, even if he did not fully acknowledge their source.
Paine’s Influence on the Constitution
Although he never signed the Declaration or Constitution, Paine’s influence shaped both National Constitution Center. His ideas in Common Sense appear throughout America’s founding documents:
- Popular Sovereignty – Government exists only with the consent of the governed. Reflected in “We the People…”
- Rejection of Hereditary Power – His critique of monarchy helped ban titles of nobility in the Constitution.
- Checks and Balances – He supported strong government, but accountable to the people. This inspired three co-equal branches.
- Religious Freedom – His belief in freedom of conscience influenced the First Amendment.
The Forgotten Founding Father
Despite his influence, Paine is often excluded from the circle of Founding Fathers. Why?
- He never held office.
- He openly criticized organized religion.
- His radicalism made even fellow revolutionaries uneasy.
And yet, without Paine, the Revolution may never have found its moral urgency. His words are still woven into America’s foundation Smithsonian Magazine.
“We have it in our power to begin the world over again.”
– Common Sense
He believed it. America lived it.
Why Every American Should Read Common Sense
Religious or not, conservative or progressive, Common Sense remains essential for understanding:
- Why we became a nation.
- What government was meant to be.
- How freedom must be built and defended.
For Christians, it’s also a reminder that God often works through unexpected people to accomplish His purposes — and that America’s founding carried deep moral and spiritual meaning.
Final Reflection
Thomas Paine may not have been a Christian, but Common Sense still reflects Christian truths: freedom is sacred, tyranny is wrong, and justice matters. As a believer, I disagree with much of his theology, but I admire his courage and the role he played in shaping a nation that protects my freedom to worship and live by conviction.
Paine was a Deist, controversial and flawed. Yet he gave voice to a truth that all Christians can affirm:
Liberty is not man-made. It is God-given.
Want to Read Common Sense?
It’s in the public domain and widely available online here at Project Gutenberg. It’s short, powerful, and still relevant today.