This Sept. 17, America’s Constitution will celebrate its 234th birthday making it the second longest existing Constitution in history. Why you may ask has the U.S. Constitution succeeded when all of the others have failed? The answer lies in the foundation by which it was built.
In 1830, a Frenchman named Alexis de Tocqueville visited America searching for answers as to why America was so successful at such a young age.
One of his more notable discoveries was the importance of Christianity in America. This one of several reasons he called the United States “exceptional.” In America he found that Christianity and freedom were tied together like two cords twisted together. He noted the two were inseparable and without Christianity freedom was not sustainable. This observation was also spoken of by two of the more notable Founders: George Washington, in his farewell address stated, “religion and morality were indispensable supports;” and John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
So, were Washington and Adams correct? Or are the critics correct that America was founded on secular, humanistic enlightenment?
Our Constitution has its roots dating back to the 1500s, at the beginning of the Reformation movement in Europe. Prior to the United States, governments were formed in two ways: one was by conquest; and the other was through a claim of hereditary right, commonly known as “Divine right of Kings.” Regardless of how the person gained power, the new King would decide the form of government and how much liberty the citizens could have. The King was at the top, and if you were friends with the King, then your life was good; but if you were not a friend then your life consisted of poverty, slavery, prison or death.
During the Reformation, the common man finally gained access to the Bible, which had previously been exclusive to Kings and church leaders. When they read it, they noticed the teachings of the Bible were different than what the Kings and religious leaders had been telling them. The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the only mediator between man and God’s judgment. Why then did Kings get to dictate what to believe, where to worship, how to pray and who to associate with? Naturally, the absolute power of the kings was threatened by these ideas and the persecution of the citizens began. However, the Kings were too late. The seed to the “Tree of Liberty” was planted and was being nourished by the Living Water of Christianity. Now ordinary people understood Liberty came from God not man.
Unable to change the government and church from within, the Pilgrims and Puritans began to flee to America. When they arrived, they did not have a ruling authority or civil government. Drawing from the wisdom from their preacher in England, they worked to form a civil government. Using the Biblical idea of covenant agreements, they wrote and signed the Mayflower Compact, the first governing document in America.
For the next 155 years, the Tree of Liberty continued to grow, and in 1776 that tree began to produce fruit. With the foundations of Liberty in place, the time had come for a government to form that could operate and secure these principles.
As the population of America continued to grow, so did the influence of Christianity. By the time of the American Independence, the American society was saturated with Biblical teachings including the principles of government. So when the Founders set down to the laborious task of forming a government, it is not surprising they would use the Bible as their primary source. In all fairness, they used sources other than the Bible, but research has shown the Bible was the most frequently used source.
So what parts of the Constitution were influenced by the Bible? Space prevents a long list, but we can start with republicanism. The Founders looked to the Hebrew people entering the promise land as described in the book of Joshua. Governed by the Mosaic Law, elected judges, property ownership and due process, their republic lasted for approximately 400 years.
According to John Adams, it would require a “babbling child” to trust fellow man with the sole power of government. He strongly believed that to protect Liberty, power should be separated between governmental agencies. According to his writings in The Works of John Adams his desire for separation of powers was influenced by Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart of man is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who shall know it.”
Was America founded on Christian ideas and principles? Yes it was. Should Christians be involved in politics? Yes they should. Should we just elect socialist minded atheists to protect religious Liberty? America arose out the pulpits of the Church, and without the Christian involvement, Liberty as we know it will soon die. The Constitution that guards our God given liberties like voting, choosing our leaders or the ability to defend ourselves will no longer exist.
So what can we do? First, ensure you are knowledgeable of the government God gave you. Find a copy of the Constitution and read it. The next step will depend on your desire for God’s gift of freedom.
Richard Culliver
Columbia
