Presidents and Governments: The Past, the Present, and the Eternal
What have former United States Presidents said about God, the Bible and Christianity?
What do our current presidential candidates have to say?
What does Scripture say about any of this?
Let's first take a look at some quotes from former Presidents:
-- "It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible" [George Washington].
-- "The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which heaven itself has ordained" [George Washington].
-- "We recognize no sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus!" [John Adams]
-- "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" [James Monroe].
-- "We have staked the whole future of American civilization not on the power of government, far from it. We have staked the whole of our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves according to the commandments of God. The future and success of America is not in this Constitution, but in the laws of God upon which this Constitution is founded" [James Madison].
-- "The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God" [John F. Kennedy].
-- "You can't divorce religious belief and public service ... I've never detected any conflict between God's will and my political duty. If you violate one, you violate the other" [Jimmy Carter].
-- "If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under" [Ronald Reagan].
-- "We asked for God's help; and now, in this shining outcome, in this magnificent triumph of good over evil, we should thank God" [George H. W. Bush].
-- "Each day millions of our citizens approach our Maker on bended knee, seeking His grace and giving thanks for the many blessings He bestows upon us" [George W. Bush].
-- "The Bible is the first and almost the only book deserving of universal attention" [John Q. Adams].
-- "My custom is to read four or five chapters of the Bible every morning immediately after rising. It seems to me the most suitable manner of beginning the day. It is an invaluable and inexhaustible mine of knowledge and virtue" [John Q. Adams].
-- "I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this Book upon reason that you can, and the balance by faith, and you will live and die a better man" [Abraham Lincoln].
-- "A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education" [Theodore Roosevelt].
-- "The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country" [Calvin Coolidge].
-- "Of the many influences that have shaped the United States into a distinctive nation and people, none may be said to be more fundamental and enduring than the Bible" [Ronald Reagan].
-- "The reason that Christianity is the best friend of government is because Christianity is the only religion that changes the heart" [Thomas Jefferson].
-- "All must admit that the reception of the teachings of Christ results in the purest patriotism, in the most scrupulous fidelity to public trust, and in the best type of citizenship" [Grover Cleveland].
Our current presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, had these things to say as they were early in their bids for their parties' nominations [from Christianity Today, July 21, 2015].
--> Donald Trump, age 69, Republican Party nominee for President.
* Promised to be "the greatest jobs president that God ever created".
* Presbyterian "and proud of it". Formerly a member of First Presbyterian
Church, Jamaica, Queens.
* "I believe in God. I am a Christian. I think the Bible is certainly, it is the book.
It is the thing" [CBN "The Brody File", 2011].
* He gets sent a lot of Bibles, and keeps every one. "There's no way I would ever
throw anything, to do anything negative to a Bible ... I would have a
fear of doing something other than very positive so actually I store
them and keep them and sometimes give them away to other people".
* He goes to church "as much as I can. Always on Christmas. Always on Easter.
Always when there's a major occasion. And during the Sundays.
I'm a Sunday church person".
* Conservative; has been affiliated with the Reform Party (1999), the Democrats (2001), Independent (2011), and Republican/GOP (2012)
* "I think I'm evolving, and I think I'm a very fair person, but I have been for traditional marriage. I am for traditional marriage. I am for a marriage
between a man and a woman" [2013].
* Pro-life, partly as a result of seeing friends who were going to have an
abortion but decided to keep the child
* "If you're a Christian living in Syria, you can't come into this country, and yet
if you're a Muslim living in Syria, who are not under attack, they can
come in ... If you're from Europe and a Muslim you can come in, but
if you're from Europe and a Christian you can't come in ... The
Christians are being treated horribly because we have nobody to
represent the Christians. Believe me ... if I win I will be the greatest
representative of the Christians that they have had in a long time".
--> Hillary Clinton, age 67, Democratic Party nominee for President.
* Former Sec. of State, Senator, and First Lady
* Raised Methodist, attends Foundry United Methodist Church, Washington, DC
* Prays regularly, reading and studying the Bible, used to teach Sunday School
* Says her faith spurred her into wanting to take an active role in the world
* She described her faith as "background music"; "It's there all the time. It's not
something you have to think about. You believe it. You have a faith
center out of which the rest flows" [2007, NY Times].
* She knew she "had to believe with both my head and my heart if [faith] was
going to sustain me over time".
* Believes in Jesus' resurrection
* Unsure about whether faith in Jesus is necessary
to get to heaven; "Who are we to read
Gods' mind about such a weighty decision
as that?"
* Supports family planning, safe and legal abortion
("safe, legal and rare")
* Publicly opposed to gay marriage, in favor of
same-sex civil unions, pre-2013
* Has changed her mind: "One of my big problems
right now is that too many people believe they have a direct line to the divine and they never
want to change their mind about anything" [2014].
* Spokesperson: "Hillary Clinton supports marriage equality and hopes the
Supreme Court will come down on the side of same-sex couples being
guaranteed that constitutional right" [four days into her campaign].
What does Scripture tell us about the role of government, and our response?
1. God has put every government in place.
"There is no authority except from God, and those that exist
have been instituted by God" [Romans 13:1b].
"Jesus answered [Pilate], 'You would have no authority over Me at all
unless it had been given you from above'" [John 19:11].
2. God has used and will use even sinful governments to do His will.
"Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: Because you have not obeyed My words,
behold, I will send for all the tribes of the north, declares the LORD,
and for Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant,
and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants,
and against all these surrounding nations. I will devote them to destruction,
and make them a horror, a hissing, and an everlasting desolation" [Jer. 25:8-9].
"Truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus,
whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles
and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your plan had
predestined to take place" [Acts 4:27-8].
3. We should pray for those who govern us.
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings
be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may
lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way" [1 Tim. 2:1-2].
4. We should honor and be subject to those who govern us.
"Jesus said to them, 'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God
the things that are God's'. And they marveled at Him" [Mark 12:17].
"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority
except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore,
whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who
resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to
bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is
good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good.
But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he
is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer"
[Romans 13:1-4].
"Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the
emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do
evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing
good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people
who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants
of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor"
[1 Peter 2:13-17].
5. We should remember that no earthly government is eternal - they will eventually end
and Jesus will reign for eternity.
"For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His
shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and
of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this
time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this" [Is. 9:6-7]
"Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The One sitting on it is called
Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war ... From His
mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will
rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the
wrath of God the Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written,
King of kings and Lord of lords" [Revelation 19:11, 15-16].
CONCLUSION:
Scripture tells us that God is above all, the ultimate Power. He is personal. He is the great Judge and Savior, the only wise King and Lord.
History tells us that past leaders realized the need of government and citizens to depend upon God.
We have a duty to vote (honor and subjection) according to the Spirit's leading within us.
What do our current presidential candidates have to say?
What does Scripture say about any of this?
Let's first take a look at some quotes from former Presidents:
-- "It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible" [George Washington].
-- "The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which heaven itself has ordained" [George Washington].
-- "We recognize no sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus!" [John Adams]
-- "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" [James Monroe].
-- "We have staked the whole future of American civilization not on the power of government, far from it. We have staked the whole of our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves according to the commandments of God. The future and success of America is not in this Constitution, but in the laws of God upon which this Constitution is founded" [James Madison].
-- "The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God" [John F. Kennedy].
-- "You can't divorce religious belief and public service ... I've never detected any conflict between God's will and my political duty. If you violate one, you violate the other" [Jimmy Carter].
-- "If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under" [Ronald Reagan].
-- "We asked for God's help; and now, in this shining outcome, in this magnificent triumph of good over evil, we should thank God" [George H. W. Bush].
-- "Each day millions of our citizens approach our Maker on bended knee, seeking His grace and giving thanks for the many blessings He bestows upon us" [George W. Bush].
-- "The Bible is the first and almost the only book deserving of universal attention" [John Q. Adams].
-- "My custom is to read four or five chapters of the Bible every morning immediately after rising. It seems to me the most suitable manner of beginning the day. It is an invaluable and inexhaustible mine of knowledge and virtue" [John Q. Adams].
-- "I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this Book upon reason that you can, and the balance by faith, and you will live and die a better man" [Abraham Lincoln].
-- "A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education" [Theodore Roosevelt].
-- "The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country" [Calvin Coolidge].
-- "Of the many influences that have shaped the United States into a distinctive nation and people, none may be said to be more fundamental and enduring than the Bible" [Ronald Reagan].
-- "The reason that Christianity is the best friend of government is because Christianity is the only religion that changes the heart" [Thomas Jefferson].
-- "All must admit that the reception of the teachings of Christ results in the purest patriotism, in the most scrupulous fidelity to public trust, and in the best type of citizenship" [Grover Cleveland].
Our current presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, had these things to say as they were early in their bids for their parties' nominations [from Christianity Today, July 21, 2015].
--> Donald Trump, age 69, Republican Party nominee for President.
* Promised to be "the greatest jobs president that God ever created".
* Presbyterian "and proud of it". Formerly a member of First Presbyterian
Church, Jamaica, Queens.
* "I believe in God. I am a Christian. I think the Bible is certainly, it is the book.
It is the thing" [CBN "The Brody File", 2011].
* He gets sent a lot of Bibles, and keeps every one. "There's no way I would ever
throw anything, to do anything negative to a Bible ... I would have a
fear of doing something other than very positive so actually I store
them and keep them and sometimes give them away to other people".
* He goes to church "as much as I can. Always on Christmas. Always on Easter.
Always when there's a major occasion. And during the Sundays.
I'm a Sunday church person". * Conservative; has been affiliated with the Reform Party (1999), the Democrats (2001), Independent (2011), and Republican/GOP (2012)
* "I think I'm evolving, and I think I'm a very fair person, but I have been for traditional marriage. I am for traditional marriage. I am for a marriage
between a man and a woman" [2013].
* Pro-life, partly as a result of seeing friends who were going to have an
abortion but decided to keep the child
* "If you're a Christian living in Syria, you can't come into this country, and yet
if you're a Muslim living in Syria, who are not under attack, they can
come in ... If you're from Europe and a Muslim you can come in, but
if you're from Europe and a Christian you can't come in ... The
Christians are being treated horribly because we have nobody to
represent the Christians. Believe me ... if I win I will be the greatest
representative of the Christians that they have had in a long time".
--> Hillary Clinton, age 67, Democratic Party nominee for President.
* Former Sec. of State, Senator, and First Lady
* Raised Methodist, attends Foundry United Methodist Church, Washington, DC
* Prays regularly, reading and studying the Bible, used to teach Sunday School
* Says her faith spurred her into wanting to take an active role in the world
* She described her faith as "background music"; "It's there all the time. It's not
something you have to think about. You believe it. You have a faith
center out of which the rest flows" [2007, NY Times].
* She knew she "had to believe with both my head and my heart if [faith] was
going to sustain me over time".* Believes in Jesus' resurrection
* Unsure about whether faith in Jesus is necessary
to get to heaven; "Who are we to read
Gods' mind about such a weighty decision
as that?"
* Supports family planning, safe and legal abortion
("safe, legal and rare")
* Publicly opposed to gay marriage, in favor of
same-sex civil unions, pre-2013
* Has changed her mind: "One of my big problems
right now is that too many people believe they have a direct line to the divine and they never
want to change their mind about anything" [2014].
* Spokesperson: "Hillary Clinton supports marriage equality and hopes the
Supreme Court will come down on the side of same-sex couples being
guaranteed that constitutional right" [four days into her campaign].
What does Scripture tell us about the role of government, and our response?
1. God has put every government in place.
"There is no authority except from God, and those that exist
have been instituted by God" [Romans 13:1b].
"Jesus answered [Pilate], 'You would have no authority over Me at all
unless it had been given you from above'" [John 19:11].
2. God has used and will use even sinful governments to do His will.
"Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: Because you have not obeyed My words,
behold, I will send for all the tribes of the north, declares the LORD,
and for Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant,
and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants,
and against all these surrounding nations. I will devote them to destruction,
and make them a horror, a hissing, and an everlasting desolation" [Jer. 25:8-9].
"Truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus,
whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles
and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your plan had
predestined to take place" [Acts 4:27-8].
3. We should pray for those who govern us.
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings
be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may
lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way" [1 Tim. 2:1-2].
4. We should honor and be subject to those who govern us.
"Jesus said to them, 'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God
the things that are God's'. And they marveled at Him" [Mark 12:17].
"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority
except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore,
whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who
resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to
bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is
good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good.
But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he
is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer"
[Romans 13:1-4].
"Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the
emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do
evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing
good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people
who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants
of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor"
[1 Peter 2:13-17].
5. We should remember that no earthly government is eternal - they will eventually end
and Jesus will reign for eternity.
"For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His
shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and
of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this
time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this" [Is. 9:6-7]
"Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The One sitting on it is called
Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war ... From His
mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will
rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the
wrath of God the Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written,
King of kings and Lord of lords" [Revelation 19:11, 15-16].
CONCLUSION:
Scripture tells us that God is above all, the ultimate Power. He is personal. He is the great Judge and Savior, the only wise King and Lord.
History tells us that past leaders realized the need of government and citizens to depend upon God.
We have a duty to vote (honor and subjection) according to the Spirit's leading within us.
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