Rebuilding a Constitutional and Biblical America

Rebuilding a Constitutional and Biblical America

November 25,1994

SOLDIERS OF PRAYER

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

REVIEWING AND REBUILDING A CONSTITUTIONAL

AND BIBLICAL AMERICA

D. Michael North

SEGMENT ONE:

AMERICA'S FOUNDING AND GODLY HERITAGE

"Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers" 1

Who made such a statement? Was it Jesse Helms? Pat Robertson? A radical member of the "religious right"? That statement was made by John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States of America. The first Chief Justice of the same body that now declare the Bible unsuitable for use in schools, and God out of place in our public institutions.

Where did the phrase "separation of church and state" originate, and how did it come to be used as a cudgel against Christians and moralists in all aspects of life in our nation? The expression was first used by Thomas Jefferson, in reply to a letter addressed to him from the Danbury Baptist Association in the State of Connecticut. The Danbury Baptists were fearful that religious freedoms were enjoyed only as privileges, granted by the State, and not as inalienable rights. They expressed to Jefferson a fear that the Constitution was not specific in protecting the Church from federal interference. They told Jefferson that government "dares not , assume the prerogative of Jehovah and make laws to govern the Kingdom of Christ." 2 In his response, Jefferson wrote "I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof', thus erecting a wall of separation between Church and State." 3

At all times in the beginning of this discussion, the concern was that government have no involvement with the church, but not vice versa. Never, in the wording of the First Amendment, or in writings of the authors, was a desire expressed to prohibit the church, or Christians, from affecting government. In fact, the Congress debated the exact wording of the First Amendment carefully for fear that an establishment clause might "be thought to abolish religion altogether". 4 Congressman Benjamin Huntington, of Connecticut added that the "words might be taken in such latitude as to be extremely hurtful to the cause of religion". 5 Congressman Huntington's prediction came true in 1947. In Everson v. Board of Education, Jefferson's "wall of separation" was twisted and forged into a weapon to shear the moral fabric of our nation. Everson represented a 180 degree turn in Supreme Court opinion. 6 Never before in our nations history had the original intent of the founders been ignored by the Court, and their words taken completely out of context. What did the founders intend for Christians? Were we to be second class citizens?

Yale College president Timothy Dwight stated: "Religion and Liberty are the meat and drink of the body politic... Without religion we may possibly retain the freedom of savages, bears, and wolves, but not the freedom of New England. If our religion were gone, our state of society would perish with it, and nothing would be left". 7 The founders understood that government's role was that of mediator between the states, and as agent, to deal with other nations, but it was the duty of individuals to govern themselves in matters of daily conduct. James Madison said: "We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all our political institutions... upon the capacity of each and every one of us to govern ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God". 8

Ours is not a nation founded on a belief in the ability and goodwill of government. Quite the contrary. Our nation was founded with laws intended to restrict government as much as possible, while freeing individuals. Our founders understood the tendency for government to become more and more restrictive, often motivated by the best of intentions. Expressing his belief in the need for a Bill of Rights, Patrick Henry said, after the ratification of the Constitution: " The officers of Congress may come upon you now, fortified with all the terrors of paramount federal authority. Excisemen (taxmen) may come upon you in multitudes; for the limitation of their numbers no man knows. They may, unless they be restrained... go into your cellars and rooms, and search, and measure everything you eat, drink, and wear". Does this sound like a man who believes government to be capable of looking out for his best interest? If the founders believed government to be magnanimous, why did Jefferson write "The most important reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, if necessary, at last resort, to protect themselves from tyranny in government".

No, the authors of the Declaration, Constitution, and Bill of Rights did not establish a nation to be ruled according to the wisdom of men. They established a nation, only as a result of the assistance and blessing of God. Ben Franklin said: "In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who engaged in the struggle must have observed the frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor. To that kind Providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we not forgotten this powerful Friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need his assistance? I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it possible that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings, that 'except the Lord building the house, they labour in vain that build it'. I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed, in this political building, no better than the builders of Babel". 9

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are under assault from the media, from political organizations of all sorts, and often from our own friends and neighbors. Our schools teach our children that the founders were men of despicable character, and that from the beginning we were to be a secular society, with a Constitution guarantying "freedom from religion", rather than "freedom of religion".

In 1892 the Supreme Court undertook a study of the relationship of Christianity and the government. After examining volumes of historical information, the Court wrote: "these references add a volume of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances that this is a religious people, a Christian nation". 10

The first step toward a restoration of Constitutional and Biblical government is to teach our children, our neighbors, and our friends about their true national heritage. Elect Representatives and Governors who fear God, and will live and govern according to his law, and always remember the words of Daniel Webster: "Whatever makes men good Christians, also makes them good citizens". 11

SEGMENT TWO:

THE BIBLICAL VIEW OF GOVERNMENT

The Founding Fathers were clear regarding their view of God's role in government. What does the Bible say about the Christian's role in government? We are not left to guess about God's view of His people and their need for civil rule. As with all aspects of life, we are given clear instruction regarding our relationship with Washington D.C., and with our respective state and local governing bodies. We have heard many opinions, ranging from a Christians right to disobey an evil ruler, to a Christians obligation to obey practically any commandment of Caesar's.

The first biblical evidence that a nation cannot survive and thrive without the active participation of God's people is found in I Tim. 2: 1,2. "I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty".

In this passage, a peaceful society is made strictly conditional upon the prayers of God's people for their leaders. It goes without saying that all our efforts are for naught, unless the Father is with us in our endeavors, and how can we expect his aid, unless we go before the throne in prayer?

There are those in the Church who would have us believe that we are to have no active role in the affairs of our government. We are simply to pray, hope, and let God do the rest, or do nothing at all, as he sees fit. The Bible makes it clear, however, that a Christians obligation to government does not end at prayer. Romans 13:7 tells us "Render to all their dues, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor". We have all heard this verse used to explain our need to pay taxes, and this is certainly stated within this passage. The second portion of the passage is rarely addressed, however. The Bible teaches using several methods. The bible teaches by commandment, by example, and also by implication. We are told to give both fear and honor to whom they are due. The implication then, is that the Christian owes nothing unless it is rightfully earned. One cannot, in this nation, be due fear and honor simply by holding office. This is not to say that the Christian is free to treat one with outright contempt, as we are exhorted to love even our enemies. We are not however, bound by this passage to grovel at the feet of our rulers. We were given the example in Acts 4:19,20 of blatant disobedience to the civil authority, because the order of the authority was in direct contradiction to the command of God. It will happen, as long as the world stands, that the laws of man will sometimes conflict with the laws of God. When this is the case, remember that no government is authorized by God to do any of the following:

No government is authorized under any circumstance to prohibit that which is good.

No government is empowered to authorize that which God forbids.

No government has the right to compel a Christian to disobey a divine command, a biblical principle, or to act in violation of his or her conscience. 12

The most important passage, however, which discusses a Christian's role in government is found in Romans 13:1-7. Not only is this the most important passage relative to this subject, it is by far the most misunderstood. The passage under consideration reads as follows:

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers, for there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God.

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same.

For he (government) is the minister to thee for good, but if thou do that which is evil, be afraid, for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger, to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

The most important and misunderstood part of this passage is the first verse. How can Adolf Hitler claim to have the ordinance of God? The point here is that government is ordained by God, not individual governments. As distasteful as this may seem, the fact of the matter is that the atrocities that took place in Nazi Germany are negligible when compared to the atrocities that would have taken place had there been no government at all. God has appointed government as his agent. Adolf Hitler betrayed that appointment, and God will hold him accountable. The first part of the verse states: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers..." We almost always picture a subject bowing at the feet of a king, judge, or ruler, begging for mercy. Nothing could be further from the intended message of this passage. The word interpreted as subject in this verse is the Greek word HUPOTASSO , which is a military term, suggesting the concept of a military rank, or array. 13 The thought being expressed here is not that of a trembling slave, but of a soldier, or officer, taking their rightful or assigned place in the military chain of command. It is therefore, the Christians duty, to take that place assigned by his or her governing authority.

To put this in perspective then, let us examine our charters of government to determine our rightful place in the array.

" The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited

by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people".

AMENDMENT X., CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES

Note here that your rightful place in the array is as holder of all authority, save that which you have specifically delegated to the State in which you reside, and Federal government, by means of the Constitution, and the amendments thereto. Section one of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee states: "That all power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety, and happiness, for the advancement of those ends they have at all times an unalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform, or abolish the government in such a manner as they may think proper". Section two reads as follows: " That government being instituted for the common benefit, the doctrine of nonresistance against arbitrary power and oppression is absurd, slavish, and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind".

Make no mistake my friends, we live in the most unique nation on Earth. The hierarchy of civil power is as follows: You, the citizen, have the ultimate rule. Next in authority is the State in which you reside. Lastly, according to Constitution, is the federal government. To fail to exercise your responsibility as proscribed by the Constitutions of your State and Nation, is to fail to take your delegated position in the structure of the "higher power", and therefore to violate the commandment of Romans 13:1 and 5.

Secondly, notice that every statement made in Romans 13:2-4, proceeds from the assumption that government is conducting itself in the manner commanded and ordained by God. Once again, there is an implication made here. If government ceases to act in the manner described in verses 2-4, then the obligation to obey is diminished proportionally.

Romans 13:1-7 describes, by implication, a contractual relationship between the governing and the governed, where both parties are responsible to one another, and both are responsible first and foremost to God.

If the first step toward the restoration of a Biblical and Constitutional America is education, then the second step is participation.

SEGMENT THREE:

OPTIONS FOR TODAY'S CHRISTIAN

Finally, friends, it is impossible to talk about the state of affairs of our nation, without discussing the current political climate. In 1992 the electorate felt a deep undercurrent of political dissatisfaction with the state of the Union, and seemingly turned their backs on twelve years of Republican control of the Executive branch of government. Two years later, unhappy still, and in some ways more so, than in 1992, the electorate rejected the results of some 40 odd years of Democratic control of Congress. If the Republican controlled Congress is unable to deliver, rest assured, the election day theatrics will continue.

Are we to be the victims of a yo-yo effect, watching our government ping-pong back in forth, from Republican, to Democrat, Republican, Democrat, in two year intervals? I think not. The American electorate is beginning to demonstrate a level of awareness and involvement not seen in decades. If one party or the other cannot show the people the fiscal restraint, moral responsibility, and freedom from regulation they require, then the people will begin to look elsewhere for governance. They will look in increasing numbers to independent candidates, or to third, or minority parties for representation. I believe the days of the two party system are drawing to a close. As in all aspects of life, specialization is becoming the norm. As we become more educated and involved politically, we begin to question the positions staked out by parties, and their candidates. The lines of demarcation between the two major parties become clearer in some areas, but more blurred in others. Political wrangling, compromise, and payoffs (both financial and political) make it hard to tell the good guys from the bad, and you may find yourself caught between the proverbial "rock and hard place". You may find yourself represented in Congress by a person of fine moral character, whose views you despise, or by one whose views are consistent with your own, but whose character and demeanor are questionable, at best. What then, as a Christian, and a person of principle, are you to do?

First, become involved. At the very least, endeavor to inform yourself regarding the issues. George Washington said: "In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened". 14 Our government simply will not work unless the voters understand the issues.

Secondly, vote. All of the enlightenment in the world will do good, if we continue to allow the wicked and immoral to choose our leaders. Regardless of what the media said in the 1992 campaign, character does matter. Noah Webster, in his 1823 textbook wrote: " It is alleged by men of loose principles, or defective views of the subject, that religion and morality are not necessary or important qualifications for political stations. But the scriptures teach a different doctrine. They direct that rulers should be men who rule in fear of God, able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness. If the citizens neglect their duty, and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made not for the public good so much as for the selfish or local purposes ; Corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws, the public revenues will be squandered, and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded. If a Republican form of government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws". 15 Does that sound like 1994, complete with ethics violations, pork barrel spending, and a huge national debt?

Finally, if you are able, begin to affect the public debate. Political battles are fought and won in the arena of ideas. Write letters to the editor, call your local talk radio shows, and write or call your elected officials. Do not allow evil persons to establish the ground rules for the public discourse. If you choose to become or remain part of one of the major political parties, work fervently within that party to steer it in the direction that God would sanction and approve.

If, however, you are one of the growing number beginning to look beyond the two major parties, an exciting alternative is on the horizon. If I were to write a political party platform, it's preamble would read something like this:

"We, the members of the New Political Party, gratefully acknowledge the blessing of the Lord God as Creator, Preserver, and Ruler of the Universe and of this

Nation. We hereby appeal to him for aid, comfort, guidance, and the protection

of his Divine Providence as we work to restore and preserve this nation as a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

The US Constitution established a republic under God, rather than a democracy.

Our republic is a nation governed by a Constitution which is rooted in Biblical law, administered by representatives of the Constitution democratically elected by the citizens.

In a republic governed by Constitutional law rooted in Biblical law, all life, liberty,

and property are safe, because law rules.

We affirm these principles of inherent individual rights upon which these United States of America were founded:

That each individual is endowed with certain inalienable rights, that

among these are the right to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit

of the individuals personal interest, so long as such pursuits do not

trespass on the equal rights of others.

That the freedom to own, use, exchange, control, protect,

and freely dispose of property is a natural, necessary, and

and inseparable extension of the individual's inalienable rights.

That the legitimate function of government is to safeguard those

rights through the preservation of domestic tranquility, the mainten-

ance of a strong national defense, and the promotion of equal

justice for all.

That history makes clear that left unchecked, it is the nature of

government to usurp the liberty of it's citizens, and eventually

become a major violator of the peoples rights, and,

That therefore, it is essential to bind government with the chains

of the Constitution, and carefully divide and jealously limit govern-

ment's powers to those assigned by the consent of the governed.

This New Political Party calls on all who love liberty and value their inherent

rights to join with us in the pursuit of these goals and the restoration of these

founding principles. We speak for the majority of Americans; hardworking,

productive, taxpaying men and women who constitute the backbone, and the

heart, of the American republic and it's economy.

These are the producers, the ones who should be "first considered,

and always remembered". It is on their backs that government is carried,

and out of their pockets that government is financed. Without them and

without the product of their skills and their labors, there would be no source

to fund the legitimate functions of government, and no charity to support

the private institutions helping those in need.

No nation can survive if it fails to honorably address the problems which

concern these citizens. To these productive but generally forgotten

Americans, we offer this platform. It responds to their desires; It is the voice

which speaks of them, and for them, as does that of no other political party.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I did not write that preamble. That eloquent expression of modern conservative thought is the preamble to the platform of the United States Taxpayers Party. A party founded on principle, and a belief that God does indeed govern in the affairs of men. Should you desire to associate with a party whose beliefs are in principle, morality, and honesty, rather than compromise, hypocrisy, and self interest, then the US Taxpayers party welcomes you.

I would like to leave you with the words of Alexis de Tocqueville, a French historian who desired America's greatness for France:

"I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors,

her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests, and it was not there.

I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school

system, and in her institutions of higher learning, and it was not there. I looked

for it in her democratic Congress and in her matchless Constitution, and it

was not there. Not until I went into her churches, and heard her pulpits

flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.

America is great because America is good, and if America ever

ceases to be good, America will cease to be great".

Thank you, and may God bless America.

AUTHORS NOTE: All emphasis, whether italic or boldface, is mine.

Webmasters note as of November 2000: The U.S. Taxpayers Party is now

known as the Constitution Party.

REFERENCES:

1 Morris, Christian Life, p. 15

2 Transcript of the Danbury Baptist Letter, as posted to Thomas Jefferson.

3 Bergh, Albert Elley, ed., The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Memorial Edition,

Vol. XVI, 1904.

4 Bradford, M.E., Original Intentions, p.p. 93 and 94.

5 ibid, p. 94.

6 ibid, p. 87.

7 Marshall, Peter, and Manuel, David, The Glory of America, p. 11.

8 Thompson, David, ed., Wake Up Call, newsletter of the Walker County Christian Coalitian

9 Marshall, Peter, and Manuel, David, The Light and the Glory, p.p. 342 and 343.

10 Marshall, Peter, and Manuel, David, The Glory of America, p. 303.

11 ibid, p. 18.

12 p.p. 86 and 87.

14 World Monitor, Feb., 1993, p. 63.

15 Thompson, David, ed., Wake Up Call, newsletter of the Walker County Christian

Coalition.