His first book got him arrested. When the jury refused to
convict him, the judge put both him and the jury in prison.
Later, the writings of this radical man became foundational for
the Constitution of the United States. If George Washington is
the “Father of our nation,” then William Penn is the
“Grandfather.” Penn’s non-conformist views and actions would
brand him a radical even today. Yet this man, so often
overlooked by contemporary culture, held an ideal of freedom in
his heart that still beats in the heart of our nation 300 years
later. His faith in God and his biblical perspectives drew him
into the fray, not away. Penn said, “It is impossible that any
people of government should ever prosper, where men render not
unto God, that which is God's, as well as to Caesar, that which
is Caesar's.” To have faith, was to be involved. Penn landed in
a splintered land of disparate viewpoints and unyielding
religious prejudices in 1682. The hardy colonists who had
endured the religious persecution of Europe and th