---
title: 'The Bellarmine-Jefferson Legend and the Declaration of Independence'
type: pdf
hasMedia: true
requiresPurchase: false
authors:
- 'David Schley Schaff'
date: 1928-01-01
collection: 'Archives'
subcollection: '20th century'
topics:
- 'Church History'
- 'Church-State Relations'
scriptures:
- 'Romans 13'
- 'Galatians 3'
url: https://confessional.org/archives/20th-century/schaff-1928-the-bellarmine-jefferson-legend-and-the-declaration-of-independence
---

# The Bellarmine-Jefferson Legend and the Declaration of Independence

Schaff refutes the Bellarmine–Jefferson legend, arguing Jefferson's influence came from broader republican sources and that claims of direct debt to Bellarmine lack documentary support.

[Download](https://media.confessional.org/archives/schaff-1928-the-bellarmine-jefferson-legend-and-the-declaration-of-independence.pdf)