Last Thursday I posted an article discussing how we can and should properly use the Bible as a guide to directing the affairs of civil government today. Today’s installment deals with three reasons why we should pay more attention to the guidance of the Bible when setting the direction for our nation in moral and civil matters.
More so than any nation in the history of our world, America has been known for championing rights like freedom, liberty, and justice. But, you know, these terms did not originate with our founding fathers. These are all themes that permeate the Bible because they are rights that God has always granted His people. Bible writers like Moses, David, Paul, and others talked extensively about all of these things and our founders were familiar with them.
Perhaps that’s why we have statements recorded in history by some of those framers like:
- George Washington – “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible…he is worse than an infidel who does not read his Bible and acknowledge his obligation to God.”
- Thomas Jefferson – “I have always said and always will say that the studious perusal of the Sacred Volume will make better citizens, better fathers, better husbands…the Bible makes the best people in the world.”
- Benjamin Franklin – “Cultivate an acquaintance with and a firm belief in the Holy Scriptures. This is your certain interest.”
Could you imagine a public official, particularly on the federal level, daring to make such a statement today? They would be tried, sentenced, and executed in the court of public opinion without a second’s delay. Society’s perverse view of “the separation of church and state” would kick in and their reputation and their resulting influence among our leaders would be over.
In the first installment of this study we laid the groundwork for how the Bible could be used to guide government without it being used to legislate Christianity into society. Now, in conclusion, I want to briefly discuss three reasons why we should turn our attention to the Bible as the ultimate guide for setting moral and civil policy in our country.
The Bible should be used to guide government because God ordained government to serve in directing our everyday affairs as a society. Civil government is one of three divine institutions established by God. The other two are the church and the home. There is no discussion as to whether the Bible should direct the affairs of the church. There is little discussion as to whether the Bible should direct the affairs of the home. However, when it comes to directing the affairs of government there is no room for discussion. It is clear how God intended these institutions to guide our lives. The church was established to direct the affairs of the soul. The home was established to direct the affairs of the family. The government was established to direct the affairs of civil society. God has a will for how each of these are to function but we cannot function according to that will absent His word. The Bible must be used to guide government.
The Bible should be used to guide government because God rules in the affairs of men. A statement made to Nebuchadnezzar illustrates this fact. He was the most powerful king in the world in his time but God informed him that his “dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will” (Daniel 4:32). While most rulers regard their power as a result of their own accomplishments, God is still the One who is ultimately in control and all leaders should yield to Him.
The Bible should be used to guide government because God has ordained principles by which He expects kings, rulers, emperors, presidents, and so forth to follow, or else they and all under their control will have to face His condemnation and judgment. If there is any question about this fact, go back and study Israel’s history throughout the Bible. You’ll be convinced.
In my mind it is a settled matter. While we should not be in the business of legislating Christianity into society, we should be concerned about legislating objective right and wrong. And that is only possible with use of the Bible. However, I know that while this is a settled matter with me, it is far from being so in a larger segment of our society. We must continue to encourage, educate, and enlighten those around us so that eventually our leaders among us will see the virtue in the Bible being used to guide government.
-Andy Brewer
There is no evidence that any of your quotes from three of America’s Founding Fathers are real. You do not provide sources. My guess is because the sources do not exist and the quotes are made up.
There’s a second point you make: “Could you imagine a public official, particularly on the federal level, daring to make such a statement today? They would be tried, sentenced, and executed in the court of public opinion without a second’s delay.” We have federal public officials making statements about God and The Bible as recently as 2013 without fear of losing their jobs.
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) said recently “Marriage was created by the hand of God. No man, not even a Supreme Court, can undo what a holy God has instituted” (June 26th, 2013 Press Release). She still has her federal job.
During a April 24th, 2013 Senate Hearing, Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) recounted the story of Nehemiah returning to Judah and used it in the context of our modern immigration debate. Here is a video of his commentary. Senator Sessions still has his federal job. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMI0nXc-arI&feature=player_embedded#at=144
May 27, 2013: After the horrible tornadoes that reached across Oklahoma, President Obama cited Isaiah 32:2 and said “And it’s a reminder, as Scripture often is, that God has a plan, and it’s important, though, that we also recognize we’re an instrument of his will.” President Obama still has his federal job. http://www.christianpost.com/news/obama-quotes-bible-to-urge-americans-to-step-up-aid-to-oklahoma-tornado-survivors-96698/
We do have a Separation of Church and State. That’s real, because our Founding Fathers thought it was important enough to have it enshrined in our Constitution as part of our First Amendment. We also have modern politicians who are free to reference the Bible that inspired their lives. What we don’t have are quotes of Founding Fathers telling us that we should be living in a Christian theocracy.
I hope this helps.