Volume 6, Issue 40
Jesus Christ was a confirmed historical figure. Secular historians have recorded his life as a preacher, prophet, and man who was crucified on the cross. What is a matter of faith, and therefore the belief of Christianity, is believing that after three days He was resurrected. He fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament. He died for the sins of mankind. In so doing, he realigned the moral relationship of mankind and God.
The Founding Fathers envisioned a proper moral relationship with God as critical to the foundation of liberty.
In Jesus’ anointment of Peter, Christ prophesied that his church would be built “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The Apostles believed in Christ’s resurrection. They lived to spread the Gospel, even in the threat and realization of their deaths.
In the conflicts of this system of things, through their valley of humiliation, the Apostles chose a higher purpose for which to live. The world was changed forever. This decision at which they arrived was, in essence, an ultimate crossroads, a crucifix of human destiny.
A critical choice of the cross of two paths by which determination one is changed forever, and thus, one’s destiny.
The eternal theme of liberty begins with Christ’s proclamation to “love your neighbor as yourself.” This principle of life is the true formula for the pursuit of happiness. Primarily seeking one’s own personal interest in this system of things not only will not, but cannot lead to happiness.
This axiom also alludes to government. For when government demands compliance with doctrine by individuals for its own selfish purposes, the precept of liberty is violated. In such situations, liberty must be defended against government tyranny. The question is always, in rebellion, is one serving oneself or the greater cause?
Runnymede
In the turbulent year of 1215, the English barons penned the Magna Carta. It was initially a peace treaty between the nobles and King John demanding relief from arbitrary justice. The Runnymede Council set in motion the revolutionary ideas later embodied in the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America.
The rebel barons paid with their lives acting on a creed for a call greater than themselves.
1776
The Boston Tea Party of 1773 was a rebellious act protesting “taxation without representation.” The act itself was a tactical response to the greater issue. The King was still acting in his own best interest, interfering with the basic liberty of men to conduct their own affairs.
The Founding Fathers found that “When in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands…to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them,” they proclaimed, “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
The patriots chose to defend liberty. They recognized principles greater than themselves. They pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. They committed to a higher calling over personal interest in this system of things.
Civil War
In 1856, the United States was facing its own crucifix of destiny. The issue of slavery divided the country gravely. Based on personal, political, and economic interests only, the issue was intractable. Abraham Lincoln was driven to preserve the Union, not by boundaries, but by constitutional principles. He admonished, “Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties. And not to Democrats alone do I make this appeal, but to all who love these great and true principles.”
The Confederacy seceded from the Union. Their rebellious act was not based on the greater cause. They chose personal interest in this system of things. Demanding slavery as an economic right violated both the Constitution and God’s law to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
The Confederates were acting in defense of a culture of self-interest that codified personal economic gain from the sweat of another man’s brow.
Judge Kavanaugh Hearings
The confirmation hearings of Judge Brett Kavanaugh for the U.S. Supreme Court continue. The country is divided gravely. There are those elected officials charged with the defense of the Constitution who declare Judge Kavanaugh guilty without presumed innocence. Progressives have opposed his confirmation simply because he was nominated by President Donald Trump. The true intention of their efforts has very little to do with the thorough analysis of Judge Kavanaugh’s character. Their mission is to assure that a liberal jurist is confirmed to the Court. A Supreme Court Justice who will bend interpretation of law to reflect the intellect of the times is their objective.
Regardless of one’s political views or social values, recognizing and maintaining a cause greater than oneself, steeped in the history of liberty, from Jesus Christ through the Civil War, is an ultimate call in life. The democracy of our government allows for the scrutinization of Judge Kavanaugh, particularly in the Senate’s role to advise and consent. In fact, the public deserves and is enriched by the process. However, demanding that Judge Kavanaugh be rejected without due process, without corroborating evidence, without at least proof beyond a reasonable doubt, annihilates the legacy of historical liberty.
Acting solely on one’s own personal political convictions, without concern for any infliction of limitation on another’s liberty, is acting on one’s interest in this system of things.
Runnymede, the U.S. Declaration of Independence, and the south’s secession from the Union resulted in death and a war. Jesus Christ, as a prophet to non-Christians, and as a savior to Christians, set the standard for the ultimate sacrifice for the preservation of liberty.
Progressives’ protestations in opposition to Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation have breached the definition of acceptable behavior in absence of any respect for personal liberty.
Recently, Senator Ted Cruz was sighted with his wife at a restaurant. Protestors surrounded him, disrupted his meal and the restaurant’s environment. The public is on the verge of incivility. Further, Senator Jeff Flake, in a CBS 60 Minutes interview, stated that there is no way he could have demanded an FBI investigation if he were running for reelection. He is wrong on two counts. His disruption of the Senate hearing protocol was disingenuous, and he would not have stood on principle if he had to stand for reelection. This is a Senator defying the greater cause for self-interest. This is a Senator betraying his oath to defend the Constitution.
In reaction to the Confederacy’s refusal to negotiate peace, Abraham Lincoln warned, “When the people rise in masses in behalf of the Union and the liberties of their country, truly may it be said, ‘The gates of hell shall not prevail against them.’ ”
The failure to defend liberty for others, as one desires for oneself, desecrates the lineage of sacrifice made by our ancestors for personal liberty. Liberty destroyed for one is liberty destroyed for all. Lost liberty is lost hope. And lost hope results in lost generations.
Citizens’ decision to respect the Constitution is at a crossroads. In these times, a commitment to eternal liberty must be renewed. In this decision process, our country is again at the crucifix of American destiny.
My name is Marc Nuttle and this is what I believe.
What do you believe?