Malcolm Rivera
The US Constitution is a legal document based on moral, philosophical, and political beliefs, principles, and customs recognized by the American people. While the document does not mention the Bible, God, Jesus, or Christianity, some scholars argue that it was influenced by the Bible. The Constitution expresses sensitivity to biblical convictions, such as permitting presidents to swear or affirm their oaths and excluding Sundays from the ten-day limit for vetoing a law. The Bible's promotion of human worth is echoed in the Constitution's authority resting on the People. The Great Awakening, a Christian evangelical revival that swept through the American colonies before the American Revolution, also influenced the Constitution by advancing ideas of human dignity, equality, and religious tolerance. Additionally, the Constitution's provisions for due process and standards for treason resemble those in the Hebrew Bible.
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution does not mention the Bible
The US Constitution is a practical legal document based on a consensus of long-held moral, philosophical, and political beliefs, principles, and customs recognized and practiced by the American people. Some important philosophical influences on the Constitution include the colonial and state constitutions, the Great Awakening, modern Enlightenment thinkers, and the Declaration of Independence. Notably, all of these influences were shaped by a God-oriented worldview based on and/or consistent with the Bible.
The Bible was also a very strong, direct influence on founding-era Americans who drafted and ratified the Constitution. The Puritans in the American colony of Connecticut drafted what is considered to be the first written constitution in the world, the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut of 1639. The Great Awakening, a Christian evangelical revival that swept through the American colonies in the early to mid-1700s, also influenced the Constitution. Traveling evangelists' teachings and preachings on the Bible during this period focused on spiritual life and devotion and on spreading the Christian Gospel to all. While the revival was a religious movement, not a political one, it greatly affected American culture, society, and politics. For example, in teaching about Christ’s love and redemption for all mankind and about the individual’s choice in “born again” religious conversion, it advanced ideas of human dignity, equality, and religious tolerance.
The relationship between the US Constitution and the Bible is complex. Many people claim that the Constitution is based on the Bible or that it created a Christian nation. However, the relationship between the two documents is not that simple. The US Constitution does express sensitivity to biblical convictions. For example, it permits presidents to swear or affirm their oaths, and it excludes the Christian day of rest (Sunday) from the ten-day time limit during which a president has to veto a law.
Some argue that the US Constitution was inspired by Christianity and implemented to avoid the huge issues that Christianity had been responsible for. The Constitution is based on the idea that the government does not give us our rights. It is based on the pan-religious idea that humans are born with rights bestowed upon them by God.
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The Bible influenced the founding-era Americans
Firstly, the Bible's promotion of human worth and dignity is reflected in the Constitution's authority resting on "the People", recognising their inherent value and rights. This is further reinforced by the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments, which abolished slavery and affirmed equal citizenship, echoing the biblical idea that "humans were of one blood". The Constitution's emphasis on popular sovereignty, consent of the governed, and unalienable rights can be traced back to biblical teachings.
Secondly, the Great Awakening, a Christian evangelical revival in the early to mid-1700s, significantly influenced American culture, society, and politics. The revival's teachings on Christ's love, redemption, and individual choice in religious conversion advanced ideas of human equality, dignity, and religious tolerance, which aligned with the Bible's message.
Thirdly, the colonial and state constitutions, such as the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut of 1639, were influenced by biblical principles and shaped the political landscape in which the US Constitution was later drafted. The Declaration of Independence, with its mention of God and proclamation of equality and certain entitlements, also set a precedent for the Constitution's recognition of certain inalienable rights.
Additionally, the Constitution's provisions for due process and standards for establishing treason resemble evidentiary requirements in the Hebrew Bible. The hierarchical court system also reflects a similar division of labour to that found in the Book of Exodus.
Lastly, the Constitution's authors, many of whom were Christians, ensured that it accommodated those of all faiths or none. This inclusivity, while not directly derived from the Bible, may have been influenced by biblical values of tolerance and respect for individual conscience.
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The US Constitution is based on Christian ideals
The US Constitution is a secular document that does not mention the Bible, God, Jesus, or Christianity. However, it is based on moral, philosophical, and political beliefs, principles, and customs recognised and practised by the American people. Many of these influences were shaped by a God-oriented worldview based on and/or consistent with the Bible.
The US Constitution was drafted in 1787 by 55 delegates in Philadelphia. Most of the men who drafted the Constitution were Protestants, with a majority identifying as Episcopalians, Presbyterians, or Congregationalists. Some were Deists, and two were Roman Catholics. The religious diversity of the group demonstrates that the Constitution was intended to encompass those of all faiths or none at all. This is reflected in the First Amendment, which clarifies that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion".
Despite not explicitly mentioning the Bible, several provisions in the US Constitution resemble concepts in the Bible. For example, the idea of human worth is reflected in the Constitution's authority resting on "the People", without identifying them as God's chosen ones. The Thirteenth Amendment (1865), which abolished slavery, and the Fourteenth Amendment (1868), which affirmed the citizenship of all persons born or naturalized in the United States, similarly reinforce the common dignity of humanity. These amendments echo the Bible's message that humans were "of one blood" (Acts 17:27).
The US Constitution's provisions for due process of law and standards for establishing treason also resemble evidentiary requirements in the Hebrew Bible. The hierarchical system of courts further reflects a similar division of labour to that which Moses employed in Exodus 18:17–22.
The Great Awakening, a Christian evangelical revival that swept through the American colonies in the early to mid-1700s, also influenced the Constitution. While it was not a political movement, it greatly affected American culture, society, and politics. It advanced ideas of human dignity, equality, and religious tolerance, which were reflected in the Constitution's principles of popular sovereignty, consent of the governed, self-government, and religious freedom.
In conclusion, while the US Constitution is not a religious document, it was influenced by Christian ideals and concepts from the Bible. The founding fathers' beliefs and the cultural context in which they operated shaped the principles and provisions included in the Constitution.
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The Bible and US Constitution promote human worth
The US Constitution is a practical legal document that outlines a self-governing republic by and for the American people. It is based on moral, philosophical, and political beliefs, principles, and customs recognized and practiced by the American people. The Bible, along with colonial and state constitutions, the Great Awakening, modern Enlightenment thinkers, and the Declaration of Independence, influenced the US Constitution.
The Bible and the US Constitution both promote human worth. The US Constitution rests its authority on "the People", without identifying them as God's chosen ones. It echoes the Bible's promotion of human worth by recognizing the human need for law and order and setting itself up as a source of higher law that is superior to all other laws established by humans. The US Constitution also reinforces and expands the common dignity of humanity. For example, the Thirteenth Amendment (1865) abolished slavery, and the Fourteenth Amendment (1868) affirmed the citizenship of all persons born or naturalized in the United States and guaranteed all persons within its jurisdiction "equal protection of the laws". This reflects Paul's words to the Athenians in Acts 17:27, that humans were "of one blood".
The Bible was also a strong, direct influence on founding-era Americans who drafted and ratified the Constitution. The Great Awakening, a Christian evangelical revival that swept through the American colonies in the early to mid-1700s just prior to the American Revolution, greatly affected American culture, society, and politics. It advanced ideas of human dignity, equality, and religious tolerance. The teachings of traveling evangelists during this period focused on Christ's love and redemption for all mankind and on spreading the Christian Gospel to all.
The US Constitution also expresses sensitivity to biblical convictions. For example, it permits presidents to swear or affirm their oaths, and it excludes the Christian day of rest (Sunday) from the ten-day time limit during which a president has to veto a law. The Preamble, like the biblical prophets, mentions the need to establish justice, while the first three articles assure that no one person or institution has absolute power.
The US Constitution also includes provisions for due process of law and standards for establishing treason that resemble evidentiary requirements in the Hebrew Bible. The hierarchical system of courts further reflects a similar division of labor to that which Moses employed in Exodus 18:17–22.
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The US Constitution and Bible share common principles
The US Constitution and the Bible are two documents with distinct and differing purposes. While the US Constitution is a practical legal document, it is based on moral, philosophical, and political beliefs, principles, and customs recognized by the American people. The Bible, on the other hand, is a religious text considered by many Christians to be the word of God. Despite their differences, the US Constitution and the Bible do share some common principles and influences.
Firstly, the US Constitution and the Bible both promote human worth and dignity. The Constitution rests its authority on "the People," recognizing their inherent value and rights. Similarly, the Bible emphasizes the worth of each individual as created by God, as seen in Paul's words to the Athenians in Acts 17:27, where he states that humans were "of one blood." This idea of human equality is also reflected in the Declaration of Independence, which proclaims that "all men are created equal."
Secondly, the US Constitution and the Bible both recognize the importance of freedom and liberty. The First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, speech, and the press, while the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery, and the Fourteenth Amendment affirmed the equal protection of the laws for all persons. These freedoms echo the Bible's message of liberation and freedom from spiritual and physical bondage, as seen in Luke 4:18, where Jesus proclaims that he has come "to set the captives free."
Thirdly, the US Constitution and the Bible were both influenced by the cultural and historical context of their creation. The Constitution was shaped by the Great Awakening, a Christian evangelical revival that swept through the American colonies in the 1700s, promoting ideas of spiritual devotion, human dignity, equality, and religious tolerance. Similarly, the Bible was written in a time when religious beliefs and practices were diverse and often influenced by cultural and geographical factors.
Lastly, while the US Constitution does not explicitly mention the Bible or Christianity, it does express sensitivity to biblical convictions. For example, it permits presidents to swear or affirm their oaths, and it excludes Sundays from the time limit for presidential vetoes. Additionally, the Constitution's governing principles, such as popular sovereignty, consent of the governed, self-government, and religious freedom, can be seen as consistent with the Bible's teachings on the role of government and the importance of individual liberty.
In conclusion, while the US Constitution and the Bible have distinct purposes and audiences, they do share some common principles and influences. The Constitution's emphasis on human dignity, freedom, and religious tolerance can be seen as reflecting some of the values and beliefs found in the Bible. However, it is important to note that the Constitution also draws from a variety of philosophical and political influences, and its relationship with the Bible is complex and multifaceted.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the US Constitution does not mention the Bible, God, Jesus or Christianity. However, it does refer to "the Year of our Lord" before its signatures.
Most of the men who drafted the Constitution were Protestants. A majority identified as Episcopalians, Presbyterians, or Congregationalists, but some were Deists, and two were Roman Catholics.
The authors assured that the Constitution would encompass those of all religious faiths, or none at all. However, the document does express sensitivity to biblical convictions. For example, it permits presidents to swear or affirm their oaths, and it excludes the Christian day of rest (Sunday) from the ten-day time limit during which a president has to veto a law.
The US Constitution's expression of human worth and dignity, as well as its emphasis on religious freedom, have been attributed to biblical influences. Additionally, constitutional provisions for due process and standards for establishing treason resemble evidentiary requirements in the Hebrew Bible.
Scholars have differing opinions. Some argue that the Bible heavily influenced America's founders, while others claim that the relationship between the two documents is more complex. The Bible's role in shaping the philosophical and political beliefs of the time is generally recognized, but the direct influence on the Constitution is a matter of ongoing debate.
