Contending For The Constitution: Recalling the Christian Influence on the Writing of the Constitution and the Biblical Basis of American Law and Liberty by Mark A. Beliles;Douglas Anderson

Author:Mark A. Beliles;Douglas Anderson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-02-08T20:52:00+00:00

The Preamble Lists Biblical Functions of Government

Having determined that the Articles of Confederation provided a faulty structure for national government, our Founders ultimately drafted the Constitution "in order to form a more perfect IJnion" built upon the Christian ideas of man and government. The Preamble of that Constitution lists five basic government functions. It is not coincidence or mere happenstance that every government function listed is also revealed in Scripture.

The first function listed in the Preamble is "to establish justice," a mandate readily found in the Bible. I Peter 2:14, states that civil rulers exist "for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right." Additionally, in the first book of the Bible, God told Noah that "Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed" (Genesis 9:6). This is an example of justice. Thus, the first purpose of civil government listed in the Preamble was a Biblical concept.

The second purpose in the Preamble is "to insure domestic tranquility." This, too, is found in Scripture, in I Timothy 2:1-2, where Paul urges Christians to pray for civil rulers "in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."

The third listed purpose of civil government is "to provide for the common defense." Protection of innocent human life is at the root of this governmental purpose. Thus militaries are to protect the citizens of a nation against external threats. Romans 13:4 affirms that civil government "does not bear the sword for nothing." Jesus Christ even taught His disciples the legitimacy of being armed militarily, instructing in Luke 22:36, "[n]ow ... let him who has no sword sell his robe and buy one." The "sword" in Scripture is equivalent to any military weapon used today for the purpose of protection.

The fourth purpose is for government to "promote the general welfare." Romans 13:4 states that civil rulers are servants "to you for good." The common good of all classes of citizens must be promoted by the passage of laws guaranteeing equal opportunity. Our Framers carefully chose their words here to reflect a Biblical perspective. Government was to promote the general welfare, not to provide it. It clarifies that God, not government, is to be the provider to the people. Thus, those in need of various assistance programs are to be cared for through private acts of charity, voluntarily provided. A Biblical economic system should promote compassionate use of wealth on a voluntary basis, and not through coerced taxes. To look to government as our provider instead of God is a form of idolatry.

The fifth stated purpose of civil government is to "secure the blessings of liberty." Blessings can only come from God. Governments don't "grant" blessings, they can only "secure" them. That Biblical perspective is reflected in this governmental purpose.

The most basic of these Creator-endowed blessings were defined in the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution that mentions "life, liberty and ... property." Scripture defines God as the source of life in Genesis 1:27, "And God created man in His own image.

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