By Tim Keller
The Bible is full of principles about government, economics, and day to day life. The Founders of America saw the world through a biblical worldview. They wrote into our founding laws protections against the sin nature’s tendency – it’s “bent” – to abuse power. That’s why we have three branches of government in the first place: so that no one person could assume – and thus more easily abuse – all three governing powers of 1) law-making, 2) law-enforcing, and 3) judging in controversies of law or violations of law.
The Adversary seeks to establish a world government that worships him.
God seeks to uphold freedom and justice through Godly leaders who submit to restraints on their power.
The American Republic was built on that principle: restrained government or what is referred to as Limited Government. That’s why we have separation of powers.
I hear it all the time from those who are ignorant of both scripture and history: “The Founders were deists. They didn’t believe in the doctrine of sin.” That is false.
During the Revolution and through the 1800s, most American judges who issued death sentences in capital crimes ROUTINELY presented the Gospel to the condemned.
Thomas McKean was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. After a jury found John Roberts guilty of treason in 1778, here’s what Judge McKean said to the condemned man as he issued his death sentence:
“You will probably have but a short time to live. Before you launch into eternity, it behooves you to improve the time that may be allowed you in this world – it behooves you most seriously to reflect upon your past conduct, to repent of your evil deeds, to be incessant in prayers to the great and merciful God to forgive your manifold transgressions and sins, to teach you to rely upon the merit and passion of a dear Redeemer and thereby to avoid those regions of sorrow – those doleful shades where peace and rest can never dwell, where even hope cannot enter. It behooves you to seek the [fellowship], advice, and prayers of pious and good men … and may you be qualified to enter into the joys of Heaven – joys unspeakable and full of glory!”
That’s just one example, of the routine practice of American judges who considered it their duty to present the condemned with the Gospel.
The generation of leaders who founded America had a different view of the world than too many American leaders today. We need to get back to the view of governance that America’s founders had. They gained much of their views of governance through study of the Bible.
For more information on Tim Keller visit www.TimKeller4Rep.com
