How Does the Bible Influence Political Thought and Action in Our Culture?
How does the Bible influence political thought and action in our culture?
By Daniel Forsee
To properly consider the relationship between the Bible and politics would require a starting point of at least the giving of the 10 Commandments. The breadth of the topic is too great for this paper. Although the main purpose of the Bible is the redemption of man and possibly the redemption of the earth this discussion will be limited to a consideration of the Bible’s 10 Commandments and its effect upon politics in the United States. The purpose of the 10 Commandments was to give Israel a foundation for their worshiping Yahweh. But the purpose goes even beyond that. The Decalogue gives society its foundation for safety and growth. Without this foundation our society would not be what it is today. We must start by acknowledging our forefather’s belief in God. Our in alienable rights come from our Creator according to the founding fathers. Let us look more closely at our foundation.
I am the Lord your God……… You shall have no other gods before me. This establishes the supremacy of religion at the base for society. The first amendment to our Constitution says, Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion… This establishes protected supremacy of religion in America. State was prohibited from doing away with or instituting its own mandatory religion.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain… According to JP Hyatt, Exodus, page 212, this commandment was directed primarily at improper oath taking. Whether for blessings or for curses or for sorcery, it was directed against any insincere and evil use of the name of God. It is worth noting that this is not commandment against profanity. It may be the framework for our conception of treason and justice. And oath is considered vital importance in both legal and civilian society. It is critical that a people can believe what their leaders tell them.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it
By Daniel Forsee
To properly consider the relationship between the Bible and politics would require a starting point of at least the giving of the 10 Commandments. The breadth of the topic is too great for this paper. Although the main purpose of the Bible is the redemption of man and possibly the redemption of the earth this discussion will be limited to a consideration of the Bible’s 10 Commandments and its effect upon politics in the United States. The purpose of the 10 Commandments was to give Israel a foundation for their worshiping Yahweh. But the purpose goes even beyond that. The Decalogue gives society its foundation for safety and growth. Without this foundation our society would not be what it is today. We must start by acknowledging our forefather’s belief in God. Our in alienable rights come from our Creator according to the founding fathers. Let us look more closely at our foundation.
I am the Lord your God……… You shall have no other gods before me. This establishes the supremacy of religion at the base for society. The first amendment to our Constitution says, Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion… This establishes protected supremacy of religion in America. State was prohibited from doing away with or instituting its own mandatory religion.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain… According to JP Hyatt, Exodus, page 212, this commandment was directed primarily at improper oath taking. Whether for blessings or for curses or for sorcery, it was directed against any insincere and evil use of the name of God. It is worth noting that this is not commandment against profanity. It may be the framework for our conception of treason and justice. And oath is considered vital importance in both legal and civilian society. It is critical that a people can believe what their leaders tell them.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it