The Principles Contained in the United States Constitution With Biblical References and a Brief Historical Reference by Max Lyons, PhD The United States Constitution, "Our Ageless Constitution" so named because of the enduring principles that it contains, is one of the most marvelous documents ever written. Its strength is its Biblical basis. Meditate upon its splendor by examining the Biblical truths for yourself and consider that if there were no Bible, there certainly would be no America as we know it today. For a more detailed study, examine one or more of the works listed in the Bibliography. We can trace our form of government back to the Hebrew Republic. This is documented superbly by E.C. Wines in his book The Hebrew Republic. As we consider the future of our nation, we should meditate upon Wines' statements concerning the Hebrew government: No form of polity has ever approached it in grandeur, purity, simplicity and benefice. Had men been more perfect, it would have stood forever. But, human inconsistency wearied even of a perfect government; and mortal passions corrupted even a divine institution; and the commonwealth of Israel, like the empire of Rome, at length fell beneath the weight of its own vices... Principle I. A Sovereign God presides over the affairs of men and nations. He alone is our ruler and all earthly rulers must be in submission to Him. Scripture References: Psalm 2, 47:2, 103:19, and 146:3; Matthew 28:18; Acts 12:21-23; Daniel 4:31-37, and Daniel 5:18-21 Declaration of Independence: "the laws of Nature and of Nature's God" "that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights" "appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world" "with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence" History: On the day of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Samuel Adams said, "we have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom alone men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and... from the rising to the setting sun, may His kingdom come." John Hancock wrote: Let us humbly commit our righteous cause to the great Lord of the universe... Let us joyfully leave our concerns in the hands of Him who raises up and puts down the empires and kingdoms of the earth as He pleases. James Madison wrote: religion... [is] the basis and foundation of government... Before any man can be considered as a member of civil society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe.
George Washington wrote: It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible. Principle II: Every form of government is based upon a religion. America was founded upon Christianity. Civil laws should be based upon God's law. Bible References: Deut. 4:7-8 and Matthew 5:17-19 Constitution: Almost the entire Constitution can be traced back to Biblical principles of law and government. Read The Hebrew Republic by E.C. Wines (American Presbyterian Press) for details History: George Mason wrote: All human laws which contradict His laws, we are bound in conscience to disobey. John Quincy Adams wrote: The highest glory of the American revolution was this: it connected in one indissoluble bond,, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity. Noah Webster wrote: The religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and his apostles... to this we owe our free constitutions of government. Andrew Jackson wrote: That book (The Bible), sir, is the rock upon which our Republic rests. Principle III: All men are equal before God and before the laws that they make. Bible References: Genesis 1:27, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he Him..."; Matthew 22:16; Romans 3:9; and IIChronicles 19:17 Constitution: Article IV, section 2, "The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States." Also, Article 1, section 2 and 9-10 and Preamble, "We, the People..." and Amendment 5, "Due process of law" History: Thomas Jefferson wrote: The mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, or a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them. John Adams wrote: That all men are born to equal rights is true. Every being has a right to his own, as clear, as moral, as sacred as any other being has... Principle IV: Individuals are created to and able to govern themselves under God's government. Bible References: Proverbs 16:32, "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty..."; II Cor. 9:27, "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection... "; Proverbs 6:6 8; 25:28
Constitution: Preamble: "We the people... do ordain and establish this Constitution." Declaration: Governments deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." Article 1. Section 1: All legislative powers herein granted (by the people) Article V: Government can be amended or abolished (Declaration) History: James Madison wrote: We have staked the future... upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God. Principle V: Man has inalienable Rights that come from God. (Alienate: Withdraw or transfer ) Bible References: Galatians 5:1 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty, wherewith Christ hath made us free... "; I Corinthians 9:19; I Peter 2:16 Constitution: Declaration - "All men... are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness..."; IX Amendment - "the enumeration... of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people." History: John Adams wrote: You have rights antecedent to all earthly governments; rights that cannot be repealed or restrained by human laws: rights derived from the Great Legislator of the Universe. Principle VI: For a republic to be maintained, the people must be virtuous Bible References: Proverbs 29:2 "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people mourn.; Matthew 25:23; Proverbs 11:10, 14:34, 28:2, 29:8 Constitution: Declaration - the entire document tells of ungodly character that is oppressing the colonists. Article II, Section 4 - all civil officers removable by impeachment. Article III, Section I - Judges must have "good behavior". History: John Adams wrote: Our constitution was made for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other... Constitution of Virginia- 1776 (Sources p.311)- "... and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other."
Samuel Adams wrote: We may look up to Armies for our defense, but virtue is our best security, It is not possible that any state should long remain free, where virtue is not supremely honored. Principle VII: Constitutional government is a government of laws, not rulers. Bible References: Deuteronomy 4:8 "What nation... hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law.... "; Deut. 17;14-20 - The King shall keep the law; Hebrews 8:10 "I will put my laws into their mind." Constitution: Article I, Section 7.2 "Every bill... before it becomes a Law... " Art. VI, Sec. 2 "... the Laws of the U.S.... shall be the supreme Law of the Land." History: Thomas Jefferson wrote: In questions of power... let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution. Continental Congress: "The first grand right is that of the people... being ruled by laws which they themselves approve. John Locke (#199) wrote: As usurpation is the exercise of power which another hath a right to, so tyranny is the exercise of power beyond right, which nobody can have a right to. And this is making use of the power any one has in his hands, not for the good of those who are under it, but for his own private separate advantage - when the governor, however entitled, makes not the law, but his will, the rule, and his commands and actions are not properties of his people, but the satisfaction of his own ambition, revenge, covetousness, or any other irregular passion. Principle VIIII: Republican government is representative government. Bible: In Titus 1:6-9, elders were chosen according to qualification. II Cor. 5:21 shows Jesus is our representative. Exodus 18:13 21. Constitution: Article 1, section 2, 3 "The house of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen... by the people." History: John Adams wrote: What a fine consolation is it for a man, that he can be subjected to no laws which he does not make himself, or constitute some of his friends to make for him.... In a large society... it is impossible that the whole should assemble to make laws, the first necessary step, then, is to depute power from the many to the few... Principle VIII: Corollary, The Power of government, held in the hands of representatives, ought to reside in Christians.
Bible References: Genesis 9:6: When civil government was instituted, to whom was authority given? Noah and his sons: the most righteous men on earth. If you, a Christian, would delegate power to judge you, even to the point of death, according to the laws of God, to whom would you delegate? Someone who knows not the law of God? The Church is the Ekklesia those elected and called out to rule. Greek "Ekklesia" were rulers and business managers. Constitution: States had a religious test but the Federal Constitution had none. Does that prove that they thought that this was unimportant? No! History: John Jay wrote:... it is the duty as well as the privilege of Christians to prefer Christians to be their rulers. Principle IX: The primary responsibility of government is to protect property both external and internal. Bible References: Romans 13:1 "For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil."; Proverbs 15:25; Matthew 23:14 Constitution: Art. 1, Sec. 8.8 "By securing for limited times to Authors, and Inventors the exclusive right..." Art.1, Sec. 8.15 "Militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrection, and repel Invasions." History: John Adams wrote: Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist... John Locke (#95) wrote: The only way whereby any one divests himself of his natural liberty, and puts on the bonds of civil society, is by agreeing with other men to join and unite into a community for their comfortable, safe, and peaceable living one amongst another, in a secure enjoyment of their properties and a greater security against any that are not of it. Principle X: Government is an impartial judge. Bible References: Deut. 1:16 17: equal, impartial justice Constitution: Article 1, Section 8- Congress has the power to, "constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme court." History: John Locke wrote: Secondly, in the state of nature there wants a known and indifferent judge with authority to determine all differences according to the established law; for every one in that state being both judge and executioner of the law of nature, men being partial to themselves, passion and revenge is very apt to carry them too far and with too much heart in their own case, as well as negligence and unconcernedness to make them too remiss in other men's.
Principle XI: Powers of government must be separated- Recognition of fallen nature of man. Bible References: I Samuel 8, "This is the manner of the king that shall reign over you..."; Isaiah 33:22; Jeremiah 17:5,9: fallen nature of man, Hebrew government consisted of kings, judges, and elders. Constitution: Article 1, Section I: Legislative; Article II, Section I: Executive; Article III, Section I: Judicial; Article I, Section 7.2: President can veto a bill. History: James Madison wrote: The accumulation of all powers, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many... may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny. Principle XII: A dual system of government (Federalism) keeps power decentralized. Bible References: Matthew 22:36 40 "Love God and your neighbor" The Hebrew people were members of tribes (like state) and were Israelites (like National Government) Constitution: Art. IV, V, Amendment IX, X- "Powers not delegated to the U.S.... are reserved to the States." History: James Madison wrote: The powers delegated by the... Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. Principle XIII: Trial by jury protects the citizen from unconstitutional laws. Bible References: Deut. 19:15; II Cor. 13:1; Matt. 18:16; Acts 25:16; and Numbers 35:24 (the congregation) Constitution: Article III Section 2.3 "The trial of all crimes... shall be by jury." Amendment XI History: Continental Congress: "The next great right is that of trial by jury. This provides that neither life, liberty, nor property can be taken from the possessor, until twelve of his... countrymen... shall pass sentence upon oath against him."
Selected Bibliography The Hebrew Republic, E.C. Wines Our Ageless Constitution, edited by W. David Stedman and LaVaughn G. Lewis Two treatises of Government, John Locke Sources of our Liberties, edited by Richard Perry