We have been discussing the source of our United States Constitution, and we saw last week that, according to 19th
century biblical scholar E.C. Wines, that source was the Hebrew Republic. It functioned from about 1450 B.C. until about 1050 B.C. In his book, The Roots of the American Republic, written in 1863. Wines presents 17 foundation stones that were intrinsic in God’s design for the civil government of His people
We will look with some detail at the first four of these and then list the others, giving us a good idea of why Wines feels this is God’s goal for us today. Prepare to be shocked at the amazing conclusions!
1.The unity of the Triune God. The first of these foundation stones is that all of the citizens of Israel were either circumcised Jews or proselytes. They knew that “diversity was NOT their strength,” but UNITY was—unity of the One, Triune God, Jehovah, and of the law system He had given them. Non-Jews, or “Sojourners,” as they were called, were welcomed to the Republic, and not discriminated against, no matter their god. They were free to enjoy all privileges of the Israelites and assimilate into Jewish culture, but THEY WERE NOT CITIZENS! They must claim Jehovah as their God and be circumcised to be citizens.
2. National Unity. These sojourners had full privileges with all Jews, but were not involved in the civil government in any way, except they had to keep its laws. Borders were open, but there was no welfare or government assistance of any kind (civil government only “protected law-keepers and punished law-breakers”). They must become “Proselytes”—converts to Judaism—in order to vote and hold office. Voting citizens were all believers in Jehovah, circumcised into the Jewish covenant.
3. Liberty. E.C. Wines defines liberty as the right to do what the law permits, no matter how many are offended.
4 Political equity. This principle is rooted in personal ownership of real estate. According to Wines, the Bible teaches (as he illustrates in his book) that all land is owned by individuals, not by the state or the elite only. Originally influenced by John Locke, this was Thomas Jefferson’s initial wording in the Declaration of Independence. “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” was initially “life, liberty and property.” We, as individuals, are stewards over God’s earth.
These are the first four of Wines’ 17 principles that make up the foundation of the Hebrew Republic.He delved much deeper into the Bible’s account of the Hebrew Republic and dug up the following principles as well. They are:
5. Magistrates are elected by the people, the citizens of the country.,
6. The citizens have an authoritative voice in the enactment of all laws, and magistrates are accountable to them,
7. A cheap, speedy and impartial administration of justice,
8. Desire for peace as a result of all government action,
9. Agriculture constitutes the best basis for the prosperity and happiness of the state.
10. Universal Industry (everybody works, including sojourners, to support themselves and their families)
11. The Inviolability of Private Property (absolutely essential to a free society)
12. The Sacredness of the Family Relation
13. The Sanctity of Human Life
14. Education (not paid for by government)
15. Social Union (unity of culture, customs)
16. Balance of Powers (as a hedge against sinful power-mongering and tyranny)
17. Enlightened Public Opinion (always allowing citizens to choose wise leaders and keep oversight of them)
One can see that these 17 Hebrew Republic foundational principles are also each big-picture ideas addressed beautifully in the United States Constitution—EXCEPT FOR THE FIRST TWO! They both directly contradict Article VI, Section 3, which states “…no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”
There it is, in black and white! Under the U.S. Constitution, it is impossible to require a public office holder to be a Christian!
I assume that Wines did not recognize the clash between the Constitution and his Foundational Principles 1 and 2. Neither God nor Jesus is mentioned or even referred to anywhere in the Constitution, even though in 1787 when it was written, America was very much a de facto (true in experience) Christian nation. However, it was never a de jure (legal, official) one!
The spiritual climate in Wines’ day was similar to 1787. It has been estimated that some 90% of colonial Americans would say they were “Christian” while that number hovers in the low 60’s today. It is easy to see how Wines, even in 1863, could assume Christianity “was a given,” so mentioning God in the text of the Constitution was no big deal.
However, I don’t believe the Founding Fathers thought that not mentioning God in the Constitution was “no big deal.” I am sure their thinking was influenced by Enlightenment ideas from Europe. Their most important ally against Great Britain, France, in just two years would embark on an atheistic revolution of its own. I’m sure the Founders may have reasoned that this is not the time to get too religious!
So, we are left with a Constitution that is the most insightful, complete and powerful governing document ever written by man, but it is fatally flawed. We are just beginning to see, after 250 years, the effects of our pluralistic, “religiously neutral” Constitution. Islam, Satan’s counterfeit, has wormed its way into our “religiously neutral” city, state and national governments, and our country is being destroyed, while we sleep!
Help! Next week we will explore what I believe is our only solution, a solution of which the church must be aware!
