Christianity And Government

America was founded on the precepts of Christianity. Columbus sailed for Queen Isabella of Spain, a Catholic country. Our founding fathers left the Anglican Church in England because it was ruled by the head of state. They were Christians who wanted to worship according to their beliefs, not the king's.

Until the late 20th century, our legislators and our laws have been closely knitted to Biblical principles. The nation was formed by men of faith. The controversial clause "under God" in our Pledge of Allegiance was added by Congress as late as 1954. The influence of the Bible is consistent throughout our history.

Christopher Columbus said, "...I am a most unworthy sinner, but I have cried out to the Lord for grace and mercy, and they have covered me completely."

George Washington said, "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible."

Thomas Jefferson even suggested that the national seal be a portrayal of "the children of Israel in the wilderness, led by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night."

Patrick Henry boldly declared: "It cannot be emphasized too strongly that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded assylum, prosperity and freedom of worship here."

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, a constitutional signer said, "Blasphemy against the Almighty is denying his being or providence, or uttering contumelious reproaches on our Saviour Christ. It is punished, at common law by fine and imprisonment, for Christianity is part of the laws of the land."

Virtually every one of the 55 writers and signers of the United States Constitution were members of various Christian denominations: 29 were Anglicans, 16 to 18 were Calvinists, 2 were Methodists, 2 were Lutherans, 2 were Roman Catholic, 1 lapsed Quaker and sometimes Anglican, and 1 open deist--Dr. Franklin who attended every kind of Christian worship, called for public prayer, and contributed to all denominations.

"Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind. It is impossible that it should be otherwise; and in this sense and to this extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian." - United States Supreme Court, 1892.

The U.S. Congress officially recognized the Noahide Laws in legislation which was passed by both houses. Congress and the President of the United States, George Bush, indicated in Public Law 102-14, 102nd Congress, that the United States of America was founded upon the Seven Universal Laws of Noah, and that these Laws have been the bedrock of society from the dawn of civilization. They also acknowledged that the Seven Laws of Noah are the foundation upon which civilization stands and that recent weakening of these principles threaten the fabric of civilized society, and that justified preoccupation in educating the Citizens of the United States of America and future generations is needed. For this purpose, this Public Law designated March 26, 1991 as Education Day, U.S.A. The law was passed in March, 1991.

"Devout Christians are destined to be regarded as fools in modern society," Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia said Tuesday, offering a rare glimpse of his private views. "We are fools for Christ's sake," the conservative jurist said. "We must pray for courage to endure the scorn of the sophisticated world." Scalia said intellectuals through history have rejected miracles and the Easter story. "The wise do not investigate such silliness," he said sarcastically. "They do not believe [in the resurrection of the dead] Scalia said it's " irrational" to reject miracles. "One can be sophisticated and believe in God. Reason and intellect are not to be laid aside where matters of religion are concerned." (Justice Scalia Says Religion, Reason do mix," US Today 4-10-96)

As the above demonstrates, our government was founded on Christian precepts. The Bill of Rights was structured to guarantee citizens the right to worship (or not to worship) in accordance with their beliefs. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;..." So the First Amendment reads. From this evolved the doctrine of "Separation of Church and State".

Recent Supreme Court rulings on the First Amendment make many feel America is moving further and further from the founding father's precepts. Many Christians ask if it is a Christian's responsibility to bring Christianity to the government? Or at least return government to the moral precepts of the founding fathers? The following verses indicate otherwise. Our duty as Christians is not to interfere with government; BUT, to bring people to Christ. Success in the later will lead to success in the former.

Jesus was clear about the Christian's role in government:

Luke 20:25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.
See also: Matt 22:21 and Mark 12:17

The Disciples followed Christ's lead:

Phil 3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

1 Peter 2:13-15 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors , as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

2 Peter 2:9-11 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

1 Tim 2:1-3 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority ; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Christianity is the ministry of reconciliation:

2 Cor 5:18-21 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation ; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Christians are subject to a Higher Power. Our eyes are focused on the ordinances of God through Christ. As ambassadors we are to reconcile the world to Christ. As citizens of America we also have a responsibility to fulfill the obligations of citizenship according to the Constitution. According to scripture, we obey and respect our government, praying for our leaders. We change our government peacefully through our representatives and at the poles.

Yet, it is sad that the very precepts and convictions of our fathers are being eroded by a growing attitude toward removing anything Biblical from public sight. Do we in the process loose the very morals the Bible defines?