Slight of Hand
by Kathy Brown on March 19th, 2010 | 2 comments
Our Founding Fathers were not perfect. Each had his own flawed perspective. One thing that they had to unify them was a yearning for freedom as understood through a Biblical lens. That was their basis for setting up the government as described in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution.
Those who penned our documents had first-hand experience with religious tyranny. They understood that control by a central authority would bring along its persisting worldview. The Declaration of Independence recognizes the Creator, and that makes all the difference. (Foundational Presupposition Chart)
The Patriots presumed that humans are sinners and need to have limits placed on their authority. The establishment of checks and balances in our three branches of government address this fact. They plugged into our Constitution devices so the selfish default button could not propel us back into the hands of powerful autocrats.
One of the most interesting twists to a democratic republic is the notion that power comes from the bottom up, not the top down. This has its origins in the Bible; the fabric of personal responsibility is woven into families. The husband and wife unit, fostering children through loving discipline and training, are to raise mature adults with a conscience and ethical standards. They become the redemptive participants who manage the components of a larger community, relying on the belief they can demonstrate excellent character and wisdom.
Individual liberty, the foundation of our uniqueness, cannot coexist with socialism, a utilitarian system. Ultimately, the greater good in the United States of America is not leveling everyone, it is allowing anyone to succeed or fail within a moral framework. Government’s purpose is to restrain evil and protect good, which implies understanding the difference. The government operates in the sphere of law and order. Mercy and grace works through private citizens within circles of accountability.
Well-meaning people work diligently to dispense tax money to the poor and downtrodden. Caring for them is a Biblical mandate. What has been ignored, however, are the unintended consequences of placing that burden on a sector that was not meant to carry it. We see throughout history how quickly a so-called benevolent government can turn the fingers of assistance into a fist.
America has been a place of refuge for the entire world not because Uncle Sam will offer all things to everyone; but rather, anyone can find enough liberty here to become the generous hand that helps someone else up.
From Exodus 23:2-3
"Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd, and do not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit."
Next entry: Thinking On These Things
Previous entry: The Recycled Box
2 Comments Add your comment
Erin March 20th, 2010
Always how well you articulate your points - and love the changing hand image.
George March 22nd, 2010
Thanks for the timely thoughts.
back to Blog Archive