Developing a Character for Liberty

Education either develops a character for liberty or else it doesn’t. Developing a character for liberty is one of the main goals of a Biblical Classical Education. This matters greatly for Americans if we want to keep and sustain liberty.

Get The Bible and the Constitution of the United States of America here.

Restoration Era on the History of Liberty Timeline

Providential History

Take a listen . . .

Liberty exists because it’s God’s idea. It’s important to understand that God gives us principles of liberty in His Word, which are for all men and nations. As we learn history, we can see how God moved the gospel and His idea of liberty westward, resulting in a nation that applied His principles of liberty at its founding. America is the nation with the fullest expression of liberty; it’s a model of God’s principles of liberty in action. Of course, there is always a tension between liberty and tyranny.

The Tension Between Liberty and Tyranny

Why is there a tension between liberty and tyranny? It exists because we live in a fallen world—sin disrupts life.

Adam and Eve’s original sin subjects every human to the tyranny of sin. However, Christ redeems, and whatever or whomever He touches improves!

A Biblical Worldview of Liberty

How do people teach and embrace a biblical worldview of liberty? Begin learning how the Bible and the Constitution of the United States of America honor the limited role of civil government. American schools once taught the biblical principles of liberty. However, they now teach the so called “virtues” of socialism and collectivism instead.

“Soft socialism’s” encroachment on Americans continues to advance. Socialism—working with collectivism—overtakes each area of life as much as possible. This is accomplished via legislation and the will of many of The People. It’s a temptation: “You want or need something but can’t provide it for yourself? The government has you covered.” It looks like any “welfare program.” But welfare programs aren’t a transaction for liberty.

Transactions in Life

Transactions are a part of life. Some honor God and our neighbor. Note that “neighbor” is in the singular form, meaning “the individual.” It’s not in the plural form, meaning “the collective.” Others transactions, such as collectivism, don’t honor God and our neighbor.

We can identify collectivism when if fails to honor the individual. Note: We must always view the individual within the context of God’s created order.

That said, God’s idea of civil government and its purpose needs honoring if individuals and their nation are to walk in liberty vs. tyranny.

New York’s Example

New York City’s new mayor, preaches collectivism and socialism. How is it that New Yorkers in mass are so willing to go along with it and his socialist ideologies? In part, it’s because they’ve accepted “soft socialism.” But give it an inch, it’ll take a mile. Sometime thereafter, it’ll slowly work its way to taking over completely.

For instance, NYC recently passed the “Community Opportunity to Purchase Act,” (COPA). Infringing upon private property rights? A violation America’s Constitution much? Why is this so easily acceptable by many? The answer is because of ignorance due to the school system’s education on socialism and collectivism. But New Yorkers aren’t the only ones receiving ideas like that in their education. It’s true of public schools in general, and in many private schools and homeschools. The Biblical Thinker’s “The Preacher vs. the Teacher” comparison and contrast is worth considering in the light of this conversation.

Land, homes, food, income, and wealth are the private properties of hard-working individuals. Unjustly taxed for many things outside the Constitution’s provision, we lose some of our liberty. It might seem innocent enough to participate in socialist programs (i.e. education, health, insurance, food, etc.), but it comes at a high cost—even if it’s miles down the road. Americans must understand that when they lose liberty, they struggle to regain it. Government doesn’t take private property only through taxes for things it shouldn’t tax for. It also takes private property by preventing people from acquiring it when civil government claims ownership—such as in New York under its COPA law.

Socialism and Collectivism Violate Private Property

All socialism and collectivism are violations of the Constitution of the United States of America. You see, there’s a transaction that takes place when we pay taxes to the government. The transaction goes from our private property to “public property.” With this transaction, the money is no longer “ours” as individuals. As a result, the government expands and there is less liberty for the individual. The government isn’t a bank. It’s not a savings account, holding our money for us to use because of whichever socialist program the government offers. It just doesn’t work that way.

When people ask questions like:

“What about taxes for roads?”

“Why is it okay to collect taxes for post offices?”

“What about taxes for the general welfare?”

Etc.

Encourage them to read the Constitution and learn what it permits for the use of taxes. Also, understand the correct meaning of “general welfare” in our Constitution. It doesn’t mean socialism (e.g. welfare programs, schools, health programs, health insurance, etc.). Rather, it means exactly what the Constitution lays out for Americans. These are important things to comprehend. The Constitution is based upon God’s principles of liberty. Private Property is one of those principles. Therefore, socialism isn’t a biblical principle.

If we Americans love and treasure God’s idea of liberty, if we desire to live in liberty, we need to protect it. We need to practice Christian self-government (which is NOT the same thing as “individualism.”)

A character that sustains and promotes liberty won’t promote or participate in socialism—which subject individuals to a “soft tyranny.” Importantly, we need to exemplify it with word and deed. We must teach it to our children and we must live accordingly to what we teach. God always provides in the following ways: 1. work; 2. savings; 3. family; 4. volunteer organizations; 5. the local church; 6. unexpected ways; 7. sometimes miraculously. Trusting Him and obeying His commands are important! He is sovereign and our Jehova Jireh!

Learning About a Character for Liberty

The Bible and the Constitution of the United States of America is a primer of American liberty, consisting of 91 pages that clearly teach on a character for liberty. It’s great for individuals or small group studies. It’s worth using to teach junior and high school students. And it’s a good resource for church classes, or an evening family study. It teaches about the following:

Introduction

• Introduction to the Bible and the Constitution: A Primer of American Liberty

Christian Self-Government with Union: American Federalism

• Our Heritage of Christian Character and Government (The Capacity of Mankind for Self-government; The Bible is the Source of Individual Liberty; John Eliot’s Indian Bible; First English Bible Printed in America; American Federalism: Local Self-Government with Union)
• History of Self-government with Union: American Federalism (The Birth of Local Self-government; A Bible for the Government of the People; Magna Chara; John Wycliff; The Birth of American Character; Pilgrim Preparation for the Mayflower Compact; The American Home: Foundation for Constitutional Character; On Being Brought from Africa to America; The American Church: Conscience and Constitution; American Education: Maintaining the Character of American Liberty; the Achievement of Self-government with Union; The Boston Port Bill; The Constitutional Convention: God’s Providential Direction; George Washington and the Constitution; Two Years for Ratification; “The Price of Liberty is Eternal Vigilance;” Our First Two Hundred Years; Facing Forward)
• 1983: The Year of the Bible (Declaration to President Ronald Reagan; Joint Congressional Resolutions)
• References
• Illustrations (Year of the Bible Proclamations 1983; National Day of Prayer 1983, etc.)

The Bible and the Constitution of the United States of America delivers powerful historical facts and biblical truth about our nation! Renew your mind about the biblical theology of liberty, and for developing a character that sustains and promotes liberty.