Monday, July 18, 2005
Theocracy?
History for mommies…daddies, and other true Americans. One Nation Under God countdown: 13 days
The Puritans viewed their New England government as a theocracy, where God was their king. Because no person can play the role of God, how would they govern? The Bible. Because the Bible truly is a living document—unlike the U.S. Constitution—they believed in God’s ability to govern through His Holy Word. It is true, they didn’t quite get the Creator-Redeemer distinction down—and early attempts like the communal living arrangements in Massachusetts, under William Bradford, were dismal. Quick learners, early settlers were constantly revising their thinking. Property rights were found to be an important part of freedom. Thomas Hooker, author of The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, 1639, and William Penn’s The Great Law of 1682 were gradually improving upon Puritan heavy-handed leadership. Many of our Founding Fathers and those of influential power, understood the interconnection between a free government and a self-governing citizenry, ruled by God’s authoritative Book of Law.
“[V]irtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.” ~George Washington
“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.” ~Benjamin Franklin
“It is in the manners and spirit of a people which preserve a republic in vigour…degeneracy in these is a canker which soon eats into the heart of its laws and constitution.” ~ Thomas Jefferson
“To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea.” ~James Madison
“Bad men cannot make good citizens. It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience, is incompatible with freedom. No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue; and by a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.” ~Patrick Henry
(Quotes Hat tip: Liberty 1)
…to be continued.
Amendment III: No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without consent of the owner; nor in time of war but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
The Puritans viewed their New England government as a theocracy, where God was their king. Because no person can play the role of God, how would they govern? The Bible. Because the Bible truly is a living document—unlike the U.S. Constitution—they believed in God’s ability to govern through His Holy Word. It is true, they didn’t quite get the Creator-Redeemer distinction down—and early attempts like the communal living arrangements in Massachusetts, under William Bradford, were dismal. Quick learners, early settlers were constantly revising their thinking. Property rights were found to be an important part of freedom. Thomas Hooker, author of The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, 1639, and William Penn’s The Great Law of 1682 were gradually improving upon Puritan heavy-handed leadership. Many of our Founding Fathers and those of influential power, understood the interconnection between a free government and a self-governing citizenry, ruled by God’s authoritative Book of Law.
“[V]irtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.” ~George Washington
“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.” ~Benjamin Franklin
“It is in the manners and spirit of a people which preserve a republic in vigour…degeneracy in these is a canker which soon eats into the heart of its laws and constitution.” ~ Thomas Jefferson
“To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea.” ~James Madison
“Bad men cannot make good citizens. It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience, is incompatible with freedom. No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue; and by a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.” ~Patrick Henry
(Quotes Hat tip: Liberty 1)
…to be continued.
Amendment III: No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without consent of the owner; nor in time of war but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
