By Curtis W. Caine, Sr., MD
Religion in America…must be regarded as the foremost of the political institutions of that country;
for if it does not impart a taste of freedom, it facilitates the use of it.
Indeed, it is in this same point of view that the inhabitants of
the United States themselves look upon religious beliefs.
Alexis de Tocqueville
The Founders/writers/signers of the Constitution of this Republic knew this, believed it, wrote/spoke of it. George Washington, the Father of America, in his farewell address (delivered September 17, 1796) said “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.” John Adams said “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and righteous people. It is wholly inadequate for the governance of any other.”
The same must be said for the family and home.
In a review of “15,000 items written by the Founding Fathers, including newspaper articles, magazines, books, pamphlets, etc., the Bible was the most frequently noted source.”(1) And Gouverneur Morris, writer of the final draft of the Constitution of the(se) United States,(2) stated, “Religion is the only solid basis of good morals, therefore education should teach the precepts of religion, and the duties of man toward God.”(3)
To avert a “cease and desist” court order being posted on churches participating in “politics,” lets label it by its correct name — “righteous people being active in civil government.” Here we are, back to semantics, lexicology, etymology.
God, Himself, instituted civil government and charged the magistrates to implement His Law — the law, the magistrates, and civil government (all three) being accountable to Him.
Two New Testament scriptures establish this thesis: The Triune God is 1) “…the…only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;…” (1 Tim 6:15 KJV), and 2) “…ruler (prince) of the kings of the earth,” (Revelation 1:5 ASV-NIV-RSV-KJV).
You see, earthly kings rule their civil governments (“politics,” if you will), but the King of kings rules the rulers of civil governments, so HE and HIS Law are over (rule) civil governments. Therefore, God in the Old and New Testaments is involved in civil government (“politics”). And when earthly kings/magistrates do not administer God’s law it is up to God’s people (ambassadors, emissaries, representatives, rabbis, priests, preachers, servants, stewards) and His churches and synagogues to set things straight. They did so two and three centuries ago. And to restore sanity, integrity, morality, uprightness, justice to the civil order today they/we must do so again, now. In these United States that is done Constitutionally by the citizens instructing their elected representatives in local, state, and national office to obey God’s Law. When these representatives do not obey God’s Law, the Constitution provides the citizens a mechanism for correction at the ballot box every two, four, and six years. And, there is also impeachment and recall. It is this process that is erroneously, derisively cited as “politics” that we are told is verboten in/by a church. Properly referred to as “being active in civil affairs,” God’s people, His devotees, inside and outside of a church are obligated to hold their elected Representa-tives’ feet to the fire.
God’s people are to learn God’s Law directly from personal study of Scripture, and indirectly through instruction in their churches and synagogues, so they can/will apply it as informed voters. One of the results of churches and synagogues “staying out of politics” leaves voters less prepared to determine the thus saith the Lord’s right or wrong on issues, whereby their vote devolves to deciding which candidate is the most handsome and telegenic, or which is the lesser evil, when “none of the above” is fit for office.
I am also cited the “great commission” (Matt 28:19-20), as confirmation that churches and pastors are to present only the “good news” of the “gospel,” abstaining from “politics.” Hold on a minute! Verse 19 does instruct us to spread the gospel. But there are two verses in the reference. Both verses constitute the “great commission.” And verse 20 reads “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you”: KJV. Aha! Ergo, we are commissioned to teach ALL of God’s Law in and out of the church and in and out of the pulpit. Consequently, that includes matters pertaining to civil government. “Politics,” if you insist.
Let’s hear no more of “the church is to have nothing to do with politics” and again have churches, pastors, and church members, aggressively “active in civil government,” restoring this Republic(4) to its proper foundation and order — civil government under The Sovereign.
References
1. Federer WJ. America’s God and Country, pp. 48-49.
2. Caine CW. The(se) United States. Medical Sentinel 1997;2(3):108
3. Federer, op. cit., p. 455.
4. Welch R. Republics and Democracies, The New American, June 30, 1986.
Dr. Caine is an anesthesiologist in Jackson, Mississippi, and a member of the editorial board of the Medical Sentinel. His e-mail is [email protected].
Originally published in the Medical Sentinel 2001;6(3):105. Copyright©2001 Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS)
(This column on the Constitution appears in the Medical Sentinel to remind us that it is the unConstitutional (and thus illegal) activities in medicine and all other facets of our lives that have trampled on and outlawed our God-endowed freedom and liberty.)
