Do Morals Matter?
posted by on 02/5/08
Is it enough for a leader to have experience without character? Is it enough for him to have factual intelligence without Christian morality? Are his "private" beliefs inconsequential when contrasted with his public prowess? Many of our Founding Fathers stated very clearly how they answered these important questions. One of them was John Jay.
Elected President of the Continental Congress and appointed the first Chief-Justice of the US Supreme Court, John Jay was known for helping to secure favorable foreign relations in the early stages of the United States. He realized that the "wise or virtuous" qualities of a Christian leader were essential for maintaining good foreign relations with other nations:
"Real Christians will abstain from violating the rights of others, and therefore will not provoke war. Almost all nations have peace or war
at the will and pleasure of rulers whom they do not elect,
and who are not always wise or virtuous.
Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers,
and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation
to select and prefer Christians for their rulers."
In 1853, President Franklin Pierce also recognized in his inaugural address that our national security does not rest upon the brilliant policy of man’s wisdom:
"It must be felt that there is no national security
but in the nation’s humble, acknowledged dependence upon God and His overruling providence."
So what would be the consequences of subtle compromise in allowing one who does not fear God to hold a position of leadership? Matthias Burnett, the politically informed pastor of the First Church in Norwalk, eloquently declared during an election sermon:
"Look well to the characters and qualifications
of those you elect and raise to office and places of trust…
Think not that men who acknowledge not the providence of God
nor regard His laws will be uncorrupt in office,
firm in defense of the righteous cause against the oppressor,
or resolutely oppose the torrent of iniquity."
Patrick Henry boldly stated that the reason our nation espoused freedom of religion was because it was founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often
that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum prosperity, and freedom of worship here."
In other words, Patrick Henry is saying that freedom of religion is a Christian idea. If our nation were to leave the Christian beliefs that established freedom of religion, would that freedom remain?
The Christian religion is the basis of a moral society. George Washington said, "And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."
According to Washington, morality in turn is an indispensable support of political prosperity. "It is substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government."
While reading about the amazing victory for Huckabee in West Virginia, I came across this very interesting fact: “In the first contest decided Tuesday, Huckabee won all 18 delegates at the West Virginia GOP convention after McCain’s supporters sided with him in a successful attempt to deprive Romney of a victory.” When you vote according to conscience, it doesn’t matter what the odds are against you. If enough people vote for someone instead of for fear of someone, amazing things can happen!
It was definitely unprincipled for McCain’s delegates to throw the votes and voices of their constituency behind another candidate. God can do great things without us helping Him out too much. The miracle is that He can even work out the political challenges and misdemeanors of humanity to His glory. At this time of public and indeed worldwide embarassment, may every Christian in post-Christian America entertain a fresh and vibrant awakening of conscience and a renewed sense of humility before a just God Who alone will govern the outcome of reward or chastisement determined for our future state.
I appreciate the above article James. I ended up forwarding a link to it in an email I sent out earlier this week regarding the elections. Thank you for putting the time into the research.
Very interesting article, I had no idea of the extent to which our founding fathers saw this nation as Christian. However, it seems that John Jay’s proposition that “real Christians” will not provoke war would be questioned by many in the light of President Bush’s war against Saddam Hussein.
Praise the Lord James for our rich Christian heritage.
Thank you for your work in keeping this significant truth, so clearly understood by our forefathers, before our conscience today.
Joe, thanks for your comment! I see how people could argue that point. However, it is very clear that the war in Iraq is a direct result of 9/11 and the sudden awareness that terrorism is a very real threat to American’s freedom. Bush’s declared purpose in going to war was to “defend the world from grave danger”. Whether or not we agree with how the war is being carried out or if our nation should try to build a democracy in Iraq, it is obvious that Bush did not “provoke a war” like other national leaders have done throughout history.