LIBERTY IS OF DIVINE ORIGIN

“No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts in the affairs of men more than the people of the United States.
– Every step, by which they have been advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency.” George Washington

THE Founding Fathers proclaimed liberty to be an “unalienable right” bestowed by our Creator, as witnessed by their signatures to the Declaration of Independence which states: “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all men are . . . endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness — .” The Constitution states that it was ordained and established to secure the “Blessings of Liberty” to succeeding generations. According to Webster’s Dictionary to “bless” is to invoke divine care, and to be “blessed” is to enjoy the bliss of heaven. Thus, both the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence make reference to a divine connection with liberty. Numerous references may also be found in the writings of the framers which acknowledge divine inspiration and the hand of providence in the birth of the American nation and the establishment of the Constitution. James Madison said: “It is impossible for the man of pious reflection not to perceive in [the Constitution] a finger of that Almighty hand which has been so frequently and signally extended to our relief in the critical stages of the revolution.” Patrick Henry stated: “There is a just God that presides over the destinies of nations.” Thomas Jefferson, in his First Inaugural Address, closed with the appeal: “May that infinite power which rules the destinies of the universe lead our councils to what is best.” And, Charles Pinckney said: “Nothing less than the superintending Hand of Providence, that so miraculously carried us through the war . . . could have brought it [the Constitution] about so complete, upon the whole.” If we fail to acknowledge this principle, we effectively disregard the works and faith of our Founding Fathers.

This first principle serves as the cornerstone for all others. Just as man alone cannot originate life, a people acting alone cannot obtain liberty without divine sanction. Similarly, like life itself, one cannot fully comprehend or appreciate liberty without reference to inspired principles. Liberty simply does not exist in a secular vacuum. Liberty is a divine promise — it begets hope. John Foster Dulles stated: “Our nation was founded as an experiment in human liberty. Its institutions reflect the belief of our founders that men had their origin and destiny in God; that they were endowed by Him with unalienable rights and had duties prescribed by moral law, and that human institutions ought primarily to help men develop their God-given possibilities.” Patrick Henry warned: “It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains . . .” George Washington said: “[W]e ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven, can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained. Our currency states, “In God We Trust”; we pledge allegiance to “one nation under God”; and in the well known patriotic hymn “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” we sing, “Our father’s God, to thee, Author of Liberty . . .” — do we so believe? http://www.liberty1.org/seven.htm

The Declaration of Independence says that government has one primary purpose; that of protecting the unalienable, God-given rights that all human beings posses. The Declaration states:

That, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men. [The term “rights” had been defined earlier this way — “they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”]

In this way the Declaration of Independence makes is crystal clear that government has one overarching purpose; that of protecting the inherent human rights of life, liberty and property (pursuit of happiness). http://www.edwatch.org/updates/Diversity/govtsrole.htm

IS NATURE’S GOD THE GOD OF THE BIBLE?

We are not asking, if Thomas Jefferson had a orthodox Christian understanding of God? I don’t think so – Jefferson’s understanding of God is not the understanding of Nature’s God as revealed in the scripture. Jefferson’s understanding of God is not the same understanding of God as Montesquieu; Blackstone; or Locke, whom he relied heavily on. Jefferson’s religious faith is not the faith of the majority of the founding fathers. Yet the God of common grace is the God of revelation. When Jefferson wrote of nature’s God, he was using language that men who signed that Declaration understood to be the God of nature as revealed in the Bible. Jefferson was a Unitarian and thought God could be discovered by human reason. Is the God of the Christian the God of nature? We find that answer in Mark 4:41, ”And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Jesus could command even nature itself. The God of the Christian is the God of nature or nature’s God. Jefferson was a politician – he knew that Christians would never agree to any authority other than the authority of God, the God of the Bible. Jefferson was using language that he believed and that Christians could agree with and understand. He knew many would believe that to be the Lord Jesus Christ. In Jefferson’s mind Nature’s God was the God of the Christians. He certainly didn’t accept the Christian’s view of revelation.

LESSONS WE LEARN FROM THE DECLARATION’S FIRST GOD STATEMENT.

Why did our founding fathers refer to nature’s God? The context of the declaration answers that question. Nature’s God gave them the authority to separate from England. Why nature’s God and not the Creator or the Father or the Supreme Judge? Because our politics is part of our natural or secular life in contrast to our spiritual or sacred life. They were addressing a secular situation so they spoke of the law of nature. Seeing they were using the law of nature, they spoke of Nature’s God. Many Christians treat their secular or natural life as separate from their spiritual or sacred life. I will not enter into that debate. One thing is certain; it is the same God over both. Note Romans 8:28 ”And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” What does all things include? All things that He is God over. Does the weather work for our good? He is the God over nature. He is God over natural or secular things also. The scripture is abundantly clear on that. This was the view expressed in the Declaration. This should govern our view of Separation of Church and State.

Obviously the founding Fathers never expected Separation of Church and State to mean that God had no place in government life. The man who would not allow the so called God statement in Northmont’s belief statements would not have allowed the Declaration’s phrase about nature’s God. That man had swallowed the liberal’s line that a public God statement was un-American and unconstitutional. It is pure ignorance that claims that voluntary prayer in public school is against our founding fathers; or that tax exemption for Churches is against our founding. It is the sinful depravity of man expressing its hostility to God when someone oppose a reference to God in our public schools. History is being revised to eliminate all Christian references in text books. If our nation has the authority for existence from the God of nature, you can be sure He holds them accountable. This should govern our view of sin and righteousness and accountability. You can sin in the voting booth – your heavenly Father is nature’s God. Your vocation is under the Father – He is God of your work. Your vacations are under the Father – He is God of your vacations. Your education is under the Father – He is God of your education. Your leisure time is under the Lord – He is God of your leisure. Your social life is under the Lord – He is God of your social life. If our fathers got their authority for separating from God, and there is only one God then He is the God of our politics. Clearly Mark 4:35-41 teaches us that Jesus is the God of nature. Read Colossians 1:20, ”And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”

Note, All things in earth, or things in heaven. There is nothing that touches your life that isn’t in the hands of Jesus Christ, the Lord and under His authority” He reconciles all things by His blood. You are accountable to Him. Romans 10:9, 10 makes it clear – When you receive Jesus, you receive Him as Lord and Savior. Romans 10:13 ”For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” When you call upon the Lord you have complete forgiveness of sins – heaven is your home – God is your father – Jesus is your Lord. When you are united to Christ by faith, you become a Christian. You can separate the sacred and the secular if you want, but both under the same God. Trust and obey – there is no other way. Are you right with nature’s God? There is a hell for ever sinner outside of Christ and a Christ for every sinner outside of hell. Will you turn to Christ? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”

http://www.unionbaptistohio.org/arnjuly7.htm

The problem with rejecting the concept of God given rights.