Jesus vs. the Constitution

I have heard it preached, and preached quite frequently in our evangelical circles, that America was “founded on Christian principles”. I have seen the bible used to bolster every argument imaginable, some which I agree with and some with which I most certainly disagree. The existence of such debates begs the question: “is the premise itself correct?” What follows is my investigation into that premise. Is American government founded on Christian principles?

The challenge is for any Christian who claims a Christian foundation for America to illuminate any principle of Christ embodied in the principles of our government. I contend that even more than being not foundationally Christian, our constitution is directly opposite of the type of “government” Jesus has founded. To illustrate, I use the preamble, which rightly can be called the foundation of the Constitution, and therefore of American government. The preamble outlines the objectives of the constitution and the purpose for the government it establishes.

There are six basic objectives in the preamble:

Create a more perfect government
Establish justice
Insure domestic tranquility
Provide for the common defense
Promote the general welfare
Secure the blessings of liberty

Let us review these principles of American government and see what, if anything, they share in common with Christian principles as outlined by Jesus.

Create a more perfect government

Jesus said “My Kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36a)

(In this one statement alone, Jesus renounces ANY affiliation with any worldly government)

Establish justice

Jesus said “Put your sword back in its place,...for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52)

and

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you.” (Matthew 20:25-26a, Mark 10:42-43a, Luke 22:25-26a)

and

“God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” (John 3:17)

(Jesus makes it very clear that His disciples – which include us - will not act in the manner of worldly governments. Worldly governments, by necessity, live by the authority of the sword, “Not so with you” if you are a Christian. Jesus was perfectly capable of establishing justice in the entire world, but that was not his purpose and is not the mission he gives to the Church. This is especially significant considering how evil and barbaric the Roman justice system was. Certainly, if any system of justice needed reforming, it was Rome’s. And yet, Jesus not only did nothing to change Roman – let alone Jewish – law, but humbly subjected himself to it.)

Insure domestic tranquility

Jesus said “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.” (John 16:33a)

and

“But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. The gospel must first be preached to all the nations. When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of My name...” (Mark 13:9-13a)

(The domestic tranquility clause is generally regarded as the “law enforcement” clause. Jesus makes it clear, though, that in the end, law enforcement will not be used to promote tranquility but to promote tyranny, and that even within the family domicile, there will be no peace.)

Provide for the common defense

Jesus said “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” (Matthew 26:53-54)

and

“You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:38-39)

and

“You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44)

(Although Jesus had the capability to end all war and violence and therefore eliminate the need for defense, both personal and communal, and had the capability of sparing the church from any harm or persecution, He did not do so – at least not yet! Instead, He makes clear that those practices were to persist but that the Church is to be non-violent. I do not believe that means all Christians are commanded to be pacifist or that we can’t ever defend ourselves. But our true security in the Kingdom of God lies not in violent resistance to physical force and worldly power but in the peace of knowing that this world is not our home and that neither “tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword” can separate us from the love of Christ.)

Promote the general welfare

Jesus said “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes...And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well...Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:22-23;29-31;33-34)

(The Christian life should be symbolized by humility both in actions and in lifestyle. Although I do not believe it is sinful to be affluent, it is not the Church’s mission to make us so. In contrast, America from the very beginning was a land of great financial opportunity. Indeed, to a great extent, we as a country have fulfilled this particular objective in the constitution. But it is quite clear from scripture that such an objective was not part of Jesus’ ministry or His calling for the Church.)

Secure the blessings of liberty

Jesus said “Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26b-28, Mark 10:43b-44)

(Jesus calls those in His kingdom to pursue servanthood and sacrifice, not liberty. We are all free in Christ, but that freedom is very different than the freedom the world, and especially America, strives for.)

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In summary - As good and noble and just and free as our Constitution and government are, they are antithetical to the “government” Jesus establishes and the Church through which it is advanced. Although it may be argued that in some cases the verses cited above are taken out of context, it then falls on the opponent to demonstrate through Jesus’ words any semblance of cooperation or compatibility between the gospel and the preamble. Not only did Jesus never proclaim, command, or endorse any of the objectives in the preamble as His mission or as the goals for His church, His kingdom clearly, by virtue of His own words, operates on exactly the opposite principles.

Two books that may be of interest:

The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power Is Destroying the Church - Gregory A. Boyd

UnChristian America: Living with Faith in a Nation That Was Never Under God - Michael Babcock