“We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions… with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence,we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” (Signed by 56 profoundly principled, brave, well educated, politicians)
This final paragraph of the Declaration of Independence is the “firing-pin” of the explosion that was to be heard around the world as our revolutionary new nation – government with governing authority equally distributed via voting – was unveiled. It announced the brazen decision of the Second Continental Congress, (an official act of will of the new-born nation): “Enough is Enough!!!”. The fervor 244 years ago was likely similar to the fervor now felt in the Trump -v- Biden debacle. Whether you love or hate Trump, you cannot deny the “MAGA” movement has revealed an electorate that has no intention of surrendering our hard-won inherent role and freedoms! There is a real connection to our heritage. We have many patriots committed to original Constitutional intent.
It is very obvious the decision to stand firm against the oppression of the King was justified using “religious” logic. The theory and practice of human governing begs life’s most basic, inescapable question: Either God’s authority exists, or it doesn’t! Either He is our Divine reference point for justice and freedom… inherent rights… or He is not! A so-called “secular” government perspective that pretends these questions are irrelevant is irrational. America stands for religious freedom, not religious suppression. The Declaration of Independence reads like an invocation prayer! Define “Supreme Judge” and “Divine Providence” for yourself — then read it again! You have fallen for a lie if you still maintain the United States of America is secular in its founding — It is not! The new government created a lot of room for applied “religion” so long as it stops short of government ESTABLISHING “religion” or PROHIBITING the free exercise thereof.
It was presumed our government would always be engaged in a quest to determine what God may want in our law books (“Nature’s Law”). The founders intended the new government to function under the authority of God. His Law was presumed to be a constant in our quest for justice. All human government authority springs from His ultimate authority. The new democratic republic governing process was intended to produce justice, peace, and security for all humans because of inherent (God-given) rights. They believed these rights could be protected in the complex, inefficient, check and balance structure they ratified. Theis stunning new governing concept was a radical variation of establishment of governing authority UNDER God’s sovereignty. The electorate (“We the People”) were officially “coronated”as the highest human governing power to replace the human authority of King George; either/both answerable to God.
It is tragic for us to have bought into the removal of crosses, prayer, and the Ten Commandments from the public square as we have done. The founders acted on their belief the nation they were creating would ultimately answer to God Himself (the Supreme Judge). Obviously, the founders set it up so the electorate (we the people) have the freedom to reject or accept Him at our own risk. The Declaration of Independence spawned the Constitution, the Bill of Rights (Et Al) to build a governing structure reflecting God’s Law as the basis for governing — the “Rule of Law”. Even if we deny the Bible as the source of moral truth, we are saddled with whatever this new nation might become under whatever moral authority we may adopt. The permanent authority and responsibility of “We the People” includes the power to amend the Constitution via a specific process. Using this and our legislative representation we continue to control the legislative, administrative, and judicial elements needed to keep America “under God” to reap more unity, peace, prosperity, security, and justice. Our insistence on religious freedom and freedom of speech is in itself, a religious determination. It is predicated on all men being “created equal” and entrusted with identical dignity of free choice. We need to “clean house” and remove elected leaders who do not bend a knee to the Supreme Judge.
The congressional founders’ religious values are laid bare in this final paragraph of the Declaration of Independence. To be clear, I am convinced some of them share my own belief — one that is not rare — regarding the identity of the “Supreme Judge”. He is identified in the Old Testament and quoted in the New: “Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:22-24)
This was also submitted as an article to The People’s Paper.