Gary's State of the Union

Gary discusses the current state of the country now that President Trump has taken office.

Between the time of the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the United States Constitution (written 1787), the separate states operated under the Articles of Confederation (1781). These articles attempted to unite the independent states so that they could consolidate their powers in order to function more effectively, especially in time of war. The experience of war with the British, however, taught them that even under the Articles of Confederation, they were unable to perform some vital functions. In order to remedy the weakness of the Articles of Confederation, the Constitutional Convention of 1787 was called.

Because of the biblical principles that characterized the colonies from their earliest days, the Constitution reflected many scriptural principles that gave it strength and effectiveness. In order to safeguard the states from a potentially tyrannical centralized government, a separation of powers was instituted—more commonly known as the three branches of government.

What fears led our founding fathers to enact a division of powers? Their fears were, in part, historical. The experience that the colonies had with England’s Parliament before the American Revolution was evidence enough that no central government should have absolute sovereign power over independent and sovereign states. The Declaration of Independence voiced the grievances of the states. The Declaration saw the expansionistic power of King George III as “a design to reduce [the colonies] under absolute Despotism” and that “the history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.” Those who framed the Constitution wanted to prevent the same thing from happening to the states.

The framers of the Constitution were also aware of the biblical doctrine of the depravity of man. Man, left to his own desires, seeks to place himself in places of power and authority unless there are certain checks and balances to stop him. “When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person or body, there can be no liberty, because apprehensions may arise lest the same monarch or senate should enact tyrannical laws, to execute them in a tyrannical manner. Were the power of judging joined with the legislative, the life and liberty of the subject would then be the legislator. Were it joined to the executive power, the judge might behave with all the violence of an oppressor” (The Federalist, #47).

God and Government

With a fresh new look, more images, an extensive subject and scripture index, and an updated bibliography, God and Government is ready to prepare a whole new generation to take on the political and religious battles confronting Christians today. May it be used in a new awakening of Christians in America—not just to inform minds, but to stimulate action and secure a better tomorrow for our posterity.

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Gary discusses the current state of the country now that President Trump has taken office. Many of the things Trump is doing in his first week in office are positive and following through on campaign promises, but some people are still nitpicking his every move. Gary tries to bring some historicity, rationality, and biblical worldview to the situation.

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American Vision’s mission is to Restore America to its Biblical Foundation—from Genesis to Revelation. American Vision (AV) has been at the heart of worldview study since 1978, providing resources to exhort Christian families and individuals to live by a Biblically based worldview. Visit www.AmericanVision.org for more information, content and resources