Biblical Foundations of American Government

Self | 03/05/02 | dware

[dware]

I wrote the following article in response to an email sent out on a Conservative email list I belong to, about the continual loss of liberty & freedom.

I thought some here might be interested.

*********************************************************

I can tell you precisely why we are losing our Liberty & Freedom, and it is certainly not a new concept. Not only can I tell you WHY we are losing it, but HOW to get it back, as well.

I have watched this topic closely because it is so near & dear to my heart. In fact, it is the topic of a series of articles I am working on that I hope will eventually be published in book form.

A BRIEF CAVEAT

I know, after watching the activity on this group for some time now, that some of you may not be very receptive to religious ideas & beliefs. That is your business, not mine or anyone else's on this list. I will not begin to think that I am in any position to judge anyone based upon their religious beliefs or lack thereof. That being said, it doesn't really matter if anyone believes what I am about to write or not - it doesn't make it any less true. In fact, even our Founding Fathers realized this when they wrote the following line into the Declaration of Independence:

"We hold these truths to be self evident..." (More on this statement later)

Now that I have warned you, on to the subject matter.

BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS

"Statesmen may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue." - John Adams

Contrary to what some might argue, America was not actually founded as a Christian Nation. It is, however, deeply rooted in Biblical and Christian principles. Everywhere one looks at the American system of government, the American Republic, one will see the hand of God, and the wisdom of His people.

The most glaring resemblance is the similarities between our American Republic and the Hebrew/Christian Republic set up during Moses' time. For example, the gathering of representatives & leaders, to discuss the laws proposed by God (Exodus 19:7). Further, Moses presented the commandments which had been proposed, and the people voted on them (Exodus 19:8). And finally, the structure of government is exemplified in Exodus 18:20-22, when Moses' father in law provides council on setting up a judicial system for the people:

20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.

Our Founding Fathers realized the need for Biblical/Christian Foundations as a means to secure our rights. Although they were by no means perfect (they were men of God, in most cases, but men nonetheless), God used them and guided them in forming what is arguably the most important thesis statement of American culture and values. And they wrote it into the most important historical document in the History of America, the Declaration of Independence.

Sure, some would say that the Constitution is the most important document. Not true. Without the public Declaration, we would have no Constitution. Moreover, the items outlined in the Declaration of Independence are again true, regardless of what anyone believed then or believes now. The Constitution, on the other hand, is arguable in many cases and amendable.

So then, let's take a look at the most important thesis statement in the history of America:

"We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal and that we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are, Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness."

Breaking that down even further, we see the full extent of the Founding Father's religious beliefs. "We hold these truths to be self evident..." It doesn't matter what faith or religion you or I believe in, the fact is that ALL men are created equal. How do we know this? Because God said so - we are all created in His image. Moreover, 'self evident' in this case clearly means that it does not matter if you believe it or not. It is true. It is a faith based statement.

In the interest of brievity (I am afraid I may be long winded no matter how much I summarize), I will just sum up the rest of the statement in that, knowing that they had a new opportunity to turn things around - understanding that in order to have true freedom, we must seek God's will in our lives, the Founding Fathers included the 'pursuit of happiness' as an unalienable right. Now, this is not the pursuit of hedonism, as most will argue - "I can do whatever I want to, as long as it feels good". It is the pursuit of happiness in doing God's will in our lives. Further, they realized that, without liberty, one could not pursue happiness and, finally, in order to have any kind of liberty, one must first have life. Our unalienable rights are all dependent upon one another, and endowed upon us by our Creator.

This, then, leads into my final point. If God has endowed us with these rights, then it follows that only God can take away these rights, correct? But what about the fact that people are being murdered everyday right here in America, where they are guaranteed the right to life? It doesn't matter. Regardless of what man does here on earth, we are given these rights and guaranteed these rights by God. And it has nothing to do with the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution. It has everything to do with our personal, individual walk with God. It is known as Christ's perfect law of liberty, and can be found in Galations 5:1 -

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

Now, I promised to let you know HOW we can get back to where our Founding Fathers, and God, first intended for this once great Nation. The answer can once again be found in the Bible, II Chronicles 7:14 -

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

Of course, the Bible has so much more to offer in the way of political activism. It would prove to be much to involved for one email. Thus, I would urge each of you to take the time to read the Bible. Go out and get a copy of Nave's Topical Bible, and look up government. You will be utterly surprised at what you find. In fact, I will even provide some links below for those interested in seeing what God has to say about current political issues, and how to solve our serious problems - including the loss of freedom & liberty.

I thank those who took the time to read this far, and encourage feedback on what I have printed here. I would be happy to go more in depth on other topics, if you so wish.

Sincerely,
David Ware

Links:

Please note, I am in no way affiliated with the links below. They are independent sites which I use in my own research and reading.

The Bible Gateway
Allows you to search by word or passage, across 13 different translations.
http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?

Nave's Topical Bible Online
Containing 5324 entries cross-referenced and cross-linked to other resources on StudyLight.org, this concordance can be classified as a required reference book for any good study library.
http://www.studylight.org/con/ntb/

Koinonia House
Excellent articles on Biblical prophecy and current issues.
http://www.khouse.org

[dware]

The hand of Heaven appears to have led us on to be perhaps humble instruments, and means in the great providential dispensation which is completing. -Samuel Adams, August 1, 1776

While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. -George Washington, General Orders

The Christian Religion is, above all the religions that previously existed in ancient or modern times, the religion of virtue, equity and humanity...It is resignation to God, it is goodness itself to man. -From the diary of John Adams

Have you ever found in history, one single example of a Nation thoroughly corrupted that was afterwards restored to virtue? And without virtue, there canbe no political liberty..." -John Adams in an October 7, 1818 letter to a friend

The second day of July, 1776 will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America, to be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God. -John Adams, Speech to Congress, July 2, 1776

My point here is that I can provide you with just as many quotes from the Founding Fathers PROVING my thesis. It makes no difference. We could most likely volley quotes all day, and get no where.

Believe it or not - it doesn't make it any less true. That is faith - the faith that our Founding Fathers displayed, and which was written into the Declaration of Independence. "We hold these truths to be self evident..."

Touche?

[OWK]

So how do you reconcile the handful of quotes you just posted, with the larger list I posted earlier?

Did you read them?

[Khepera]

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Give 'em truth then give 'em Hell

[STD]

Nice Job. I was just starting a similar narrative. I need to send you some FR mail.

[UK_Kid]

That is faith - the faith that our Founding Fathers displayed, and which was written into the Declaration of Independence.

Where?

[ThinkLikeWaterAndReeds]

If God is the supreme power, He would also have to be the supreme communicator. If the Bible is His method of communication to His people, then why are His people so very much unable to understand what is said in the Bible. This is evidenced by so many conflicting interpretations of the Bible by generations of scholars who have opened their hearts to the Word of God and developed opposing denominations even within the relm of Christianity. I have posed this question many times and noone has ever addressed this issue!

[foolish-one]

Reread your own posts. Thomas Jefferson is NOT disputing that a belief in and turning towards God is essential for a representative government to prosper, but that mere men pervert that very concept for their own designs and purposes - just like despots and tyrants within our own system of government. Religious leaders are no different than the tyranically prone government leaders you want to throw off. Dware is saying rebel against both and turn back to the original author. (Similar to what you proclaim, except you go back to the founding fathers and Dware goes back further to their primary source.)

[billbears]

bump for later

[jimt]

Believe it or not - it doesn't make it any less true.

You are correct. But the corollary is that it doesn't make it any more true either. You're stating a belief, which you're entitled to hold. It is in no way a provable fact.

[dware]

So how do you reconcile the handful of quotes you just posted, with the larger list I posted earlier?

The fact that I only posted a few quotes simply means that you spent much, much more time than I on researching and typing the quotes, that's all. As I mentioned in my response, you and I could volley quotes all day long,a nd never really get anywhere. That is clearly not my intention.

Further, when you subtract the number of quotes that have absolutely nothing to do with the topic at hand, there really are not all that many quotes. For example, the third quote, by Jefferson:

To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical.

What I am reading, and I'm sure others are, too, is that Jefferson is simply stating that to make a man pay for something he does not believe in is wrong. Further, the use of the term 'sinful' brings me to believe that Jefferson was well aware of God, religion and Christianity, and was a strong believer.

So you see, we could most likely continue on all day, and never really get anywhere.

[OWK]

You seem unwilling to discuss the actual particulars of the post.

While dismissal with a wave of the hand might serve your purposes best, it hardly addresses the subject.

[OWK]

Our civil rights have no dependance on our religious opinions, any more than our opinions in physics or geometry
--Thomas Jefferson, Bill for Establishing Religious Liberty in Virginia 1779

What do you think Jefferson means by this?

[dware]

OK...what exactly, precisely would you like toknow? Don't put up a bunch of quotations - I could do that too. Just come right out and ask your question(s), and I will do my best to answer.

[OWK]

It will never be pretended that any persons employed in that service had interviews with the gods, or were in any degree under the influence of Heaven, more than those at work upon ships or houses, or laboring in merchandise or agriculture; it will forever be acknowledged that these governments were contrived merely by the use of reason and the senses....
--John Adams, "A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America" 1787

What do you think Adams means here?

[OWK]

Don't put up a bunch of quotations -

You made an assertion that the American government has it's foundations in the Bible. You included a series of quotations in support of your assertion.

But when confronted with a series of quotations which run contrary to your assertion, you simply toss up your hand and say "Don't put up a bunch of quotations".

This strikes me as disingenuous at best.

What other thing do we have at our disposal to gauge the intent of the the American founders in establishing the republic, than the founders' words?

[foolish-one]

Pretty simple. It means that all citizens have the same rights regardless of their religious beliefs. He makes absolutely no mention in this quote as to the origins of those same rights.

[OWK]

As to religion, I hold it to be the indispensable duty of government to protect all conscientious protesters thereof, and I know of no other business government has to do therewith.
--Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776.

What do you think Paine is saying here?

[Cvengr]

There are many "good" civilized ideas that pre-date Christianity.

The only good ideas are those which came from God. Considering Christ was with the Father and Holy Spirit from eternity past, exactly what civilized idea existed prior to His creation and Himself?