I have been a fan of Noah Webster for years.  I often use the original version of his dictionary. You may need it to clarify some of the words quoted below -  how our communications have changed since his day.

So, I wanted to share this piece that was sent to me today in light of our current political situation. I love the idea of this book because it takes us right to the Holy Scriptures, where we all belong.   Let not your heart be troubled.  All things continue as they were from the original sin, God is near and He knows what He is going to do…

Political Wisdom from Dr. Noah Webster: Political Evils

Posted on October 21, 2008
Filed Under Worldview |

In 1834, Noah Webster published a book with this title: Value of the Bible and Excellence of the Christian Religion: For the Use of Families and Schools.

To show the relevance of this book to our time, look at the “advertisement” from the original book (similar to the front flap on a book cover today):

“ADVERTISEMENT. The general object of this little book is to show the excellence of the Christian religion, and, of course, to prove the inestimable value of the book in which this religion is revealed and inculcated. The writer has aimed to present to the reader the evidence of purpose or design in the works of creation; thus proving the wisdom and benevolence of the creator, no less than his unlimited power. So in the moral system, the adaptation of the laws of God to the best interest of men, both in temporal and spiritual things, is clear evidence of his wisdom and benevolence; and both in the physical and moral systems, the adaptation of means to ends affords indisputable proof of intelligence in the author. New Haven, May, 1834.”

In the book, Webster travels through the Bible, asking the reader to study a particular portion of Scripture and offering some commentary and application to life based upon its principles and precepts.

Which brings me to his comments on selected verses from Rom 1 & 13, Titus 3, Proverbs 3 and 1 Peter 2, particularly two paragraphs on political evils. We will look at the first today and the second later.

301. Political evils.—Men, from the beginning of the world, have been devising forms of government best adapted to secure their safety, property, peace, justice and liberty. Numerous forms have been tried: monarchy, aristocracy and democracy. After all their efforts, a perfect government has not yet been found. In the best form hitherto devised, defects have been discovered, which have frustrated the hopes of the founders. And what is the reason? Why, the reason is comprised in a few words: Men have not obeyed God’s precepts. This is the reason, the prominent cause of all political evils. Rulers, when hereditary, are often corrupt men, indulging in all sensual vices, ambition, selfishness, war; in short, they seek their own pleasure and grandeur, rather than the happiness of their subjects. In republics, in which rulers are elected by the people, or some portion of them, the case is sometimes better; but in this form of government men have hitherto been disappointed. Corrupt, selfish men, are often elected, and such men abuse their authority, neglect or violate the laws and occasion great public evils.

Corruption, indulging in sensual vices, ambition, selfishness, seeking their own grandeur, abusing authority…sounds like things haven’t changed much. Webster sums it all up when he says that the prominent cause of all political evil is that men have not obeyed God’s precepts.

Pretty simple, yet pretty profound.

Once we lose the understanding of what God’s precepts are, it doesn’t take long for a citizenry to think they are selecting good men to rule over them, when, in fact, they are only electing men who share their views of how the power of government can be used to satisfy their own selfish desires.

It reinforces Daniel Webster’s statement in 1800:
“To preserve the government we must also preserve morals. Morality rests on religion; if you destroy the foundation, the superstructure must fall. When the public mind becomes vitiated and corrupt, laws are a nullity and constitutions are waste paper.”

From the personal weblog ofDr. Del Tackett, president of the Focus on the Family Institute and Senior Vice President to Focus on the Family. He is also the architect and chief spokesperson for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project--a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.

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