OUR GODLY HERITAGE- A More Perfect Union

Sunday — July 5, 2020 

Our Godly Heritage - A More Perfect Union

  As the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and blessing of almighty God; and the national acknowledgment of this truth is not only an indispensable duty which the people owe to Him, but a duty whose natural influence is favorable to the promotion of that morality and piety without which  social happiness cannot exist, nor the blessings of a free government enjoyed…  especially in seasons of difficulty of danger.      ~ John Adams

Exodus 18: 21 (ESV) Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

Where did these ideas come from?

John Locke

Two Treatises of Government

Rev John Wise:

·  Consent of the governed

·  Taxation without representation

1926 President Calvin Coolidge @ Independence Hall for 150th Anniversary of the Declaration

The Origins of the American Constitution:

1.   Charles Montesquieu  = Political Philosopher    8.3%

2.   William Blackstone  =  Legal Scholar     7.9%

3.    John Locke      2.9%

4.  The Bible           34%

Three Branches of Government:

For the Lord is our judge, Judicial
The Lord is our lawgiver,  Legislative
The Lord is our king;        Executive
He will save us—                  Isaiah 33: 22 (NASB)

Separation of Powers:

The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it?    Jeremiah 17: 9 (NASB)

Tax Exemption of Churches:

We also inform you that it is not allowed to impose tax, tribute or toll on any of the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, Nethinim or servants of this house of God.     Ezra 7: 24 (NASB)

   It is a great mistake to suppose that the paper we are to propose will govern the United States. It is the men it will bring into government and interest (they have) in maintaining it that are to govern them. The paper will only mark out the mode and the form.  Men are the substance and must do the business.

~ John Francis Mercer