Our Founder’s Promise

ATTENTION: Major social media outlets are finding ways to block the conservative/evangelical viewpoint. Click here for daily electronic delivery of the day's top blogs from Virginia Christian Alliance.

The last article called us to come home, but home to what? What does that look like in society? With the upcoming July 4th holiday, and last year’s insanity, this is a good time to take another look at these questions. As a people, we’ve clearly forgotten what it means.

America’s Declaration of Independence

America’s Declaration is a promise; one fulfilled by our Constitution. Our Declaration is a medieval document. What does this mean? Such documents generally have a similar structure or format. They normally open deriving some Biblical principle(s) from scripture or teachings. Next they outline contractual obligations and the parties involved. They may also state violations and remedies of those obligations. Finally, they often close with a statement that Man is to obey God first.

Our Declaration is no different. It opens proclaiming our birthright, being made in God’s image (Gen. 1:26). The next paragraph then;

  • asserts our equality of nature (Malachi 2:10)
  • mentions three specific rights. (Gen. 9:5-6, Gal. 5:13-4, and Ecc. 9:7-9)
  • states governments purpose (Deut. 1:13-7)
  • declares the people’s action when government fails (Isa. 5:20-3, Rom. 2:1-11, Acts 5:29)[1]

The Declaration then goes on to identify 28 separate abuses by the king, only one of which relates to taxation. Reviewing these abuses sheds light on some of the rights incorporated into our Constitution. It closes appealing to God on the righteousness and authority of their actions.

America made a covenant with God. God answered, and is still answering today. We have God’s promise, and He cannot lie. But we must seek Him and His counsel, then live accordingly.

Satan’s Deception

However, there is another group that’s given themselves over to Satan. Satan’s power is deception. He causes those listening to him to speak division, death, destruction, and corruption into existence. This is what we’ve openly seen since last year’s China virus outbreak. Open deception from the media, medical, and election officials, The speaking into existence of division, death, and destruction. The corruption has been present for a long time.

This idea has its beginnings in Eden. I’ve previously mentioned some of the differences between God’s names of Elohim and Yahweh within the Bible.[2] It was Yahweh who warned Adam not to eat from the tree (Gen. 2:16-7) This is God within his system of law and governance. The serpent asked Eve, “And he said to the woman, (is it) so that Elohim has said, you shall not eat from any tree of the garden?”[3] (Gen. 3: 1) Elohim is God within His fullness of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—He who created creation.

The rest of the conversation between the serpent and Eve remains about Elohim rather than Yahweh. The serpent stated their eyes would be opened on the day they ate from the tree, and so it was. (Gen. 3:2-7) Satan deceived; man’s rejecting God created the seed for a terrible harvest—losing his original relationship with God. Satan has been doing the same thing ever since. He can only deceive. Satan needs man to speak his plans into existence. He needs man to take in garbage like critical theory.[4]

Our Declaration’s Language

To see the deception, it’s important we understand the Declaration’s language. This document uses many terms and ideas having their basis in Biblical governance principles.[5] I’ve included a few of them in the table below. I’ve also included the Declaration’s full text at this article’s end.

Declaration

Biblical Principles Model

… their Creator …

We have a Creator

… to which the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God entitle them, …

–  Acknowledgement of our Creator’s laws, which are divine and natural law.

o   Rulers and human law are under the Creator’s law.

o   The Creator’s laws have moral precepts.

The end of all law is justice.

We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal . . .

–  Truth (capital T) comes from our Creator.

–  All men have been given an equal nature by their Creator as we are all Adam’s descendants.

This is an innate equality and not an assertion of outcome equality as all men are created equal, not all men are equal.

… that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness …

–  Certain rights come from our Creator and include the following:

o   Life—God created everything.

o   Liberty: He gave us free will (freedom).

o   Pursuit of Happiness—happiness is found only in fulfilling our purpose, by having a relationship with our Creator. This requires living in accordance with His law.

Creator-given (natural) rights are almost entirely negative.

… one People …

–  The Colonies are bound together for their common good, and therefore recognize a common law and community of interests.

A common weal exists necessary to form a government.

To secure these Rights Governments are instituted among Men, …

–  Governments are formed to defend and protect our Creator given rights.

Threat can only come from human rulers, law, or an immoral people.

… deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed.

–  A ruler derives their power from the people, all earthly power’s source.

–  A social contract defines relationship between the ruler(s) and ruled.

o   Dictates the ruler’s powers.

o   Must not be contrary to God or His law.

o   Rule to be virtuous and just.

Human law is created with the people’s consent.

… appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the Rectitude of our Intentions

–  Another reference to our Creator.

–  An appeal to Creator as to the correctness of their intent.

An appeal would only be made if they were trying align with His intent for us.

… in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies …

The signers are taking the steps as the people’s representatives, and not of their own accord—in service.

… with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence …

Another appeal to our Creator and an indication of their belief and faith in His plan.

What’s Next?

Life in this world is the journey, not the destination. We decide who we choose to serve. So it is important we remember why we are here—our purpose, as individuals and a people. (1 Pet. 2:9) We have God’s promise, and He cannot lie (Titus 1:2)

He will not fail, but gather us to Him at the proper time. We will likely see many unsettling things in the near term, even about God’s church itself, but we should not fear. This awakening is a special opportunity to create or deepen our relationship with God. He will reclaim His church, and His glory will fill the earth. We have God’s promise.

We must prepare, pray, and study so we remain in Him and finish the race. As we are God’s children, we are heirs to His promise. (Gal. 3:28-9 and Heb. 6:16-7)

America’s Founders created a solid foundation from which to begin. I hope you’ll take some time this weekend to reread the Declaration and consider its words. Read them to your family. Teach them to your children. Knowledge and love are the greatest gifts we can give them.

Peace and Blessings to you and your families on this July 4th.

Appendix: America’s Declaration of Independence

Action of the Second Continental Congress, July 4, 1776[6]

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Footnotes:

[1] Locke uses the phrase long train of abuses in his second treatise regarding the dissolution of governments. See Locke, John, Two Treatises of Government¸ p. 414-5, Cambridge University Press, Student Edition, 1988.

[2] Wolf, Dan, Man’s Purpose, Virginia Christian Alliance, 2/22/21, https://vachristian.org/mans-purpose/.

[3] This is the translated Hebrew text from The Interlinear Bible, Green, Jay P., Sr., Editor, Hendrickson Publishers, 2007.

[4] Wolf, Dan, Critical Theory Idolatry, Virginia Christian Alliance, 9/24/20, https://vachristian.org/critical-theory-idolatry/.

[5] More on this topic can be found in Wolf, Dan, The Light & The Rod: Biblical Governance Corruptions, pp. 45-65, Living Rightly Publications, 2020.

[6] National Archives, Declaration of Independence, https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript. Accessed June, 2021.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views the Virginia Christian Alliance

About the Author

Dan Wolf
Dan Wolf is a researcher and analyst; examining complex, abstract topics. His writing’s premise is based on one simple idea. We do not receive the benefits of God’s gifts unless we are turned toward Him. Each generation needs to learn this lesson to pass on what’s important. What are those gifts? Freedom, faith, and grace among others. Our Founders considered education, religion, morality, and virtue to be the cornerstones for any successful society. Success requires an education in both the languages of reason and faith, reason alone is not enough. Unfortunately, our education system today no longer teaches what we need to be successful, so we risk losing our way. But it is not too late. In the end we each have the freedom to choose, and the ability to learn. There are many who have already blazed a trail for us; we only need the will to embrace the challenge and make the effort. Together we will restore the societal foundation that our Founder’s, and many after them, fought and died for. The choice is ours. My goal is to assist you on your way. I can be reached at livingrightly@mindspring.com. His site is at:  http://www.livingrightly.net/