God has been showing me this past week that my two passions, to teach young women how to study their Bible, and to help my generation sort through the political craze of this day, are not mutually exclusive. In fact, to fully live out my purpose and calling, I must do both. So here it goes! Let's take a look at American exceptionalism and the issues that we, as Christians, should hold as our priority.
"American exceptionalism" is a term derived from the famous statement of Alexis DeTocqueville,
"The position of America is quite exceptional, and it may be believed that no democratic people will ever be placed in a similar one."
America's foundation and consistent form of democracy are what make it exceptional. America was founded on the shared beliefs and principles of people who cared about freedom and were willing to pay anything to gain it for themselves and future generations. America was founded on the understanding of separation of church and state, on the idea that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. America is here today because of a revolution, a joint revolt of an oppressed people who rose and formed a democracy that still thrives over two hundred years later.
Today the freedoms our ancestors died for us to have are being threatened. Those who believe in American exceptionalism are demonized and called racist, bigots, and the list goes on.
The Constitutional Convention was held in Philidelphia, Pennsylvania, from May 14 to September 17, 1787. The Convention was attended by fifty-five of the original seventy delegates appointed to represent each of the thirteen colonies. Rhode Island was the only state that did not send delegates to represent themselves. The fifty-five delegates, ranging in age from twenty-six to eighty-one, appointed George Washington as president of the Convention.
The biggest problem faced by the American Constitutional Convention of 1787 was there were thirteen different ideas and views on how to handle issues. While some wanted to amend the present form of administration, others wanted to start anew and create a whole new form of government. I can't imagine! I struggle with working out a single compromise between two fighting siblings, let alone thirteen different groups of representatives!
After about five weeks of constant strain, the Convention began to break up, the delegates were not getting anywhere and were tired of the constant clash in opinions. It was at this time eighty-one-year-old Benjamin Franklin's eyes were opened to their mistake. He pointed out that they had lacked prayer in their meetings. The men disbanded for three days of prayer, once on their knees, things changed, and the delegates came together, restored. Many of the Founding Fathers, including Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Rush, felt that the Constitution was, although not divinely inspired, a work of divine providence.
Of course, it was a work of divine providence! What else could it have been? Thank God for his hand in this! As Christians, the founder's emphasis on prayer should be extremely significant. We should learn from them and always remember God cares and calls us to glorify him in all things, including government and politics.
The primary source of wisdom and guidance for the Founding Fathers was the Bible. The beliefs that penetrate the Constitution are the foundational values of Christianity. However, as Francis Mercer said, in the hands of the wrong leaders, the principles held up within the Constitution will mean nothing. So we as Christians should do all in our power to keep good men in office, for without them, our freedoms will be abolished, and the Constitution will be nothing but ancient history.
The Founding Fathers believed the Bible to be the inherent Word of God, valid and applicable in government, family, and church.
They used the Bible as the foundation for the Constitution and drew from it the most effective and righteous way to govern a nation.
They based their governmental establishment on individual verses of Scripture that specifically pointed them on the path to freedom.
"For the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver; the Lord is our king; he will save us" (Isaiah 33:22). The aspect of our three branches of government is listed here in Isaiah, and it is after this verse that our legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government were designed.
"We also notify you that it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll on anyone of the priests, the Levites, the singers, the doorkeepers, the temple servants, or other servants of this house of God" (Ezra 7:24). From this verse, the Founding Fathers deducted that tax exemptions for churches were the appropriate form of action.
"Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens" (Exodus 18:21). Article IV section four of the U.S. Constitution was primarily formed from the concept introduced in this verse, leading to our local, county, state, and federal administrations.
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it" (Jeremiah 17:9)? The Founding Fathers believed Jeremiah's words, and because of this, culminated the idea of separation of church and state.
In the Old Testament, God gave Israel six hundred thirteen laws to govern by. These laws illustrate a complex and well thought out legal system. God narrowed down these laws to his top ten, famously known as the Ten Commandments.
Taking a look at these Commandments, we see that God's top priorities, relating to politics, are the issues dealing with life (abortion), marriage, and religious liberty.
God's top priorities should become our own. Knowing this, we should do all we can as a citizen of America to protect unborn life, shield our brothers and sisters from marital sin, and preserve our freedom to worship.
The fifth commandment, "Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13), is better translated "Thou shalt not murder." Murder is the shedding of innocent blood, while killing is the act of taking a life. Murder is condemned, while killing is, at times, condoned. In the Bible, God permits killing in the act of defense, when in a justified war, or as punishment. Therefore one can be pro-life and still support capital punishment.
Many believe it is the government's responsibility to provide for the needs of the poor. It is not, and God pointedly places this responsibility on the shoulders of families and churches. Yes, he lays them on us. Government-run institutions that provide for the poverty-stricken are likely only to give thirty percent of every dollar donated to their so-called 'mission.' Good charities that achieve their goal of reaching the impoverished give at least sixty percent of every dollar they receive to the poor. For this reason, it was God's design for families and churches to provide for the impoverished, not governments.
America is exceptional, its Constitution is sound, and it holds up the biblical principles we as Christians should value and cherish. As citizens of America, we should strive to elect officials who aim to preserve our freedoms and Constitutional rights. Most importantly, as individuals, we should take a stand on the issues God values and work to do all we can to make tragedies such as abortion, not only illegal but unthinkable.
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