The covenant is very dear to our modern world, being that many political philosophers that shaped our modern world based much of their theories on a covenanted government. When looking at the United States, the theory was considered important from the Mayflower Compact and on. The theory of “a covenanted people” is associated with Locke, Hobbes, and Rousseau. Our “framers” took all of the aforementioned history and philosophy in account to develop our virgin nation. The concept of a covenant and covenanted form of government has greatly metamorphisised over time into nations such as ours. The thoughts of its origins are also very electric and diverse. Despite all of these idiosyncrasies, there runs a common thread through a compact form of government, and that is power is in the hand of a sovereign and all involved in the government are there by tactic consent.
Around the time the pilgrims rebelled against King James in England, philosophy was abundant, especially that influenced by the belief in god. A majority of the governments around the world were monarchies. As far as our country is concerned, the pilgrims were the first to establish a covenanted government with the Mayflower Compact. This compact stated that all aboard the ship headed for the “new city of God”, were under the rule of God. Here is the clincher: even though it was a government under the rule of God, the agreement was that the people in God’s name would run the institutions of government. People executed God’s will his “permission”. In these times, people believe that they were carrying out God’s name and very will. These people weren’t bound together by caprice and whim, but for and out of necessity and deep-rooted religious beliefs. They formed a civil body politics so they may increase their chances at survival.
The next vital document that was created in the “New World” was the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. This document was closely related to the Mayflower Compact in that it was made in the name of God, it established a theocracy. This document brought people together in a tacit agreement that they would obey the word of God, as interpreted by the people and the sovereign appointed (a magistrate). The fundamental Orders and the Mayflower Compact are very distinct from the Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution in that they are theocracies. The people governed the letter two of the aforementioned; religion played little or no importance.
The American political notions we practice today take root from early colonial times. Our political understanding had its genesis as early as the 17th century, which stemmed from the writings of intellectuals, such as John Winthrop and William Penn. Equipped with these convictions, both Winthrop and Penn brought about visions of how their respective colonies will be structured in the New World. John Winthrop wrote The Modell of Christian Charity as a platform to lead a group of Puritan refugees in the colony of Boston, Massachusetts. Also armed with his own political philosophies, William Penn’s Frame of Government of Pennsylvania constructed a settlement, which promoted religious liberty and individual conscience. Although the two founders wrote about varying principles, there were some parallels evident between their founding visions. Furthermore, by highlighting the outward distinctions and similarities of their visions, we can recognize the strengths and weaknesses of the two political structures. Ultimately, the explorations of these very elements aid in determining which community is more appealing to call home. In my case, the principle of individual
Based on the Mayflower Compact (Nov 11, 1620), Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (Jan 14, 1639), Ordinances for Virginia (Nov 28, 1618/Jul 24, 1621), and the Frame of Government of Pennsylvania (Apr 25, 1682), the colonists from each of the different colonies all had some primary laws. However, when I compare these individual colonies and their laws, values, and goals, I recognize that they are not all exactly the same. On the contrary, all of the documents do contain some similarities.
In the Declaration of Independence references to God are made in four spots. The drafters of the Declaration would refer to “nature’s God” and inalienable rights which the “Creator” recognizing that natural rights were only a result of the Divinity (Declaration of Independence, Greene, p. 298). However, most Americans were not mere deists; they were a Christian people who believed in an active God. Thus in the conclusion the Declaration refers to the “Supreme Judge” and “Divine Providence” (Declaration of Independence, Greene, p. 300). This belief in religion, which of the time was primarily Protestant Calvinism, explains the method of civil resistance pursued in North
Thomas Jefferson once said, “A democracy cannot be both ignorant and free.” The American settlers desired freedom and a sense of sincerity, or openness. The harsh oppression the British placed on the settlers left a lasting impression on the settlers’ minds. They used their familiarity and experiences with the oppression to form the ideals of the Constitution and the Amendments. According to civilliberty.about.com, the father of the Constitution, Thomas Jefferson, was somewhat captivated with the concepts of freedom of speech and religious practice.
...laws were unfair and should be more reasonable as well as democratic. He thought that it should be fair for all and there is a need of liberty, religion and justice (Doc N). Later on, religious toleration flourished among the colonies. This was a very important change because religious toleration was an important step towards democracy.
As the regions began to expand and develop, their motivations for settlement helped to mold their societies. New England was a place where men sought refuge from religious persecution and was established as a haven for religious refugees. Despite this reason for settling, the New Englanders still attempted to spread their own beliefs of religion. As illustrated by John Winthrop in his Model of a Christian Charity, he preached to his fellow colonists that “we shall be a city upon a hill” (Doc A) exemplifying the Puritans’ aspirations of a Holy Utopia. He and countless other New Englanders practiced the belief that they must all work together. They were determined to “mourn together, labor and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work.” The Articles of Agreement plainly laid out the basis for the New England region. These articles made New England a cosmopolitan mix of rich and poor families, all being in possession of land and resolute in doing God’s work (Doc D). However, while the New Englanders settled to create a Holy Utopia, the people of the Chesapeake were concerned not only with their religious freedom, but also ...
Colonists of all religions are able to make a connection between God’s wrath towards the ancient Jews, and themselves if they continued to fall under the rule of the King of Britain. A majority of people who flee to the colonies are looking for religious freedom and obey God’s rules religiously (no pun intended). Evangelists believed all humans are sinful but they can be saved by divine right. Paine makes another reference to the Bible when he says, “Ye that oppose independence now, ye know not what ye do” (99). This is a reference to what Jesus says, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23: 34). Jesus’ executioners do not realize they are slaying the Son of God. Thomas Paine advises that opposing liberation is the same type of decision for Americans as killing Jesus is for his killers. The idea of hereditary succession confuses and angers Paine. If a ruler of a great nation has a son, what makes the son fit to rule? Just because he is the King's child doesn’t mean he will be a successful ruler in the future. A monarchy and hereditary succession produce nothing but bad governance, corruption, revolutions, and unnecessary
Theocracy is a control with no separation between religion and state. Divine law regulates all aspects of individual relationships (Perry, 206). Under correct circumstances, theocracy could be the most superior form of government. However, in a world filled with sin, this form quickly collapses under man’s control. Only when God truly rules is a theocracy tolerable (Rev. 21:3).
The American Covenant begins when God directs chosen people to this promised land,. His purpose behind this new nation and its covenant was to establish a foundation whereupon His children might fully exercise their agency to choose Christ and His gospel and thus qualify themselves for eternal life.
Most could probably see that is was painfully obvious as to who the religious fanatics were. New England’s colonists seemed to have a more religious tone, than did that of the Middle or Southern regions. The Puritans, who had apparently come to America to escape ridicule and religious persecution, were taking up on that very idea, punishing all those whom did not share in their ideas. They were stiff, strict people and did not allow for much, but the main idea is that they were driven by a higher power, God. This made the Puritans successful Massachusetts’s colonists in that they were strong-willed and willing to make their government work. The type of government chosen by the Puritans worked well, a theocratic environment. A theocracy is defined as government of a state by immediate divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided. According the John Winthrop, who was to be their governor for some number of years, it seemed that their grand purpose in A...
It’s so ironic that Harry Jackson and Tony Perkins publish the “Personal Faith, Public Policy” in 2008 when the United States is experiencing such a major shake with the Federal Government. The question was asked, what kind of government do you want (Jackson, Perkins, 2008)? Then the choice was given: honest, efficient government that has security for property, life and personal freedom (Jackson, Perkins,2008). All the above choice is necessary; however, the government is on the Lord shoulder (Isaiah 9:6). God has ordained four institutions of authority: self-government meaning (I Peter1:15-16) the biblical standards of conduct; the institution of family, how it is structure (Ephesians 6:1-4); the institution of civil government meaning
Many of the British North Americans who settled faced religious persecution in Europe. They refused to conform to the teaching of the Church of England and fled Europe. Among those who fled were the Quakers and Puritans, two large religious groups in Britain. However, not everyone was willing to accept these religious groups in America either. Many of the Europeans already living there were of the Christian faith. They didn’t want these groups corrupting the minds of the people in their town. Because of this several religious groups started their own colonies. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Maryland were founded by the Puritans, and Pennsylvania was founded by the Quakers. The Age of Enlightenment also contributed to religious toleration. The Maryland Act Concerning Religion (1644) was a breakthrough in the early history of religious freedom in America. According to Maryland Act Concerning Religion “matters concerning religion and the honor of God ought in the first place be taken into serious consideration and endeavored to be settled” (Maryland Act 28). Many colonies, however claimed to practice religious freedom, but still had an official state religion. Freedom of religion is considered to be a fundamental right. People are now able to worship whatever and whoever they choose as long as they do transgress on public
The men who founded America were men with deep religious beliefs and a firm faith in God. They based their actions and decisions on what the Bible teaches, and used God’s laws to write the laws of our nations. Benjamin Franklin once said “Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence. That He ought to be worshipped…as to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals and his religion, as he left them to us, is the best the world ever saw, or is likely to see.” (Franklin, Founding Faith Archive). His statement was not only indicative of his beliefs, but of the beliefs of the rest of the founding fathers. They believed that a successful country was built upon principles laid out in the Bible by God, and that ultimately, the “ideal society” could be formed if everyone adhered to the guidelines established throughout the word of God. While these men were not deities that served as any sort of moral standard, they did serve as Godly influences. Their belief that the guidelines for a successful country were written in the Bible ultimately led to these men laying the foundation for one of the most dominant societies this world has ever seen.
While on the Mayflower, the settlers came to the realization that there would be no civil authority on the new land for them to follow. Resulting from that realization was the Mayflower Compact, it was designed to be their rule and guide to life on the new land. This was the first American State Paper; it provides the original statement of the principles of American democracy as we now know it. In addition it was the first self-government within the colonies and it regarded people as the source of power. The Mayflower Compact expresses four major ideas, a deep faith in God and his guidance, a deep loyalty to England and the king, a mutual regard for one another as equals, and the intent to establish equal laws to all men. It was the birth of constitutional liberty and became the official constitution of Plymouth Colony until Plymouth merged i...
was now an independent country, the Constitution laid out guidelines and rules on how the country should run or work. 1-The Declaration of Independence is only a statement that proclaims that the 13 colonies were independent states and no longer under British rule. 2-The Constitution is the basis of the U.S. government and is the supreme law of the land. 3-Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, and it was then edited by the Continental Congress, which unanimously adopted it on July 4, 1776. As a result, this is why We American citizens celebrate Independence Day on July 4. 4-The Constitution was written in 1787 by a convention of all the states which was called for the purpose of recommending changes in the old government. The Constitution, after getting approval from the states, came into effect in 1789. Jefferson’s letter to the Danbury Baptist was written in 1802 and must also be read in context of his declaration in the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom that “Almighty God hath created the mind free….” In reiterating the question of this assignment “What do you think the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution thought about the separation of church and state or about the separation of God from government?” The “wall of separation” exists to affirm natural rights, including those of faith and religious worship. This separation does