We have seen a lot of political finger pointing recently about who is an existential threat to American democracy. Conservatives know that liberal Democrats seek larger, more powerful government in the socialist form. Conservatives generally prefer limited representative government. We have seen through lawfare being used against those who disagree with the Democrats that the laws are what those in control interpret them to be. Conservatives want the rule of law established and unchanged, except by legislative action. In both cases, Republicans are saying that Democrats want to end democracy and Democrats are saying Republicans are a threat to democracy—especially their brand of it.
After being imprisoned and warned by the high priests (the governing body of the Jews) to not conduct ministry in the name of Jesus, Peter and the apostles responded in Acts 5:29, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” In developing the governing principles over the children of Israel, Jethro advised Moses in Exodus 18:21, “…provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them (the people)…” This is the basis of American government the Founders used. There are many justifications of civic responsibility in the Bible, but are Christians using them? The foundational social contract from which our Republic was derived is that there are inalienable rights endowed by the Creator and that government is formed to protect those rights.
The basis of a Constitutional Republic (not democracy) is predicated on the belief that God created man and conveyed certain rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These rights are protected in our Constitution. Government was limited by the Constitution to protect these rights. Under the influence of Marxist Democrats, the meaning of the Constitution’s words has been twisted and government rather than the Creator has become the source of rights. As a result, Christian America seems confused on how to oppose this perversion of the Constitution and rule of law. John Jay, a Founder and first Supreme Court Justice, put it succinctly: “Providence has given our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as privilege and interest, of a Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”
Errant teaching from the pulpit and from Christian leaders has created disillusionment and apathy in Christians about their civic responsibility. Some are acting in error under the direction of the anti-biblical theology of dominionism. Others are failing to act because of a hyper-response to teachings about the rapture. There are many other teachings that have contributed to Christian ineffectiveness in self-government. Be not confused. As an American and as a Christian, we all have civic responsibility. God gave us a nation where we have freedom of self-government. The Founders said it would only work with a moral and religious people. If Christians shirk their civic responsibility, the nation will fall. And it is. Remember the saying, “Only you can prevent forest fires”? Herein, only you can protect this Constitutional Republic.
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