Democracy at a crossroad America at the Cross

By Norman Franklin

Norman Franklin

This generation of Americans are witnessing chaotic times derived from an effort to dismantle democracy. Or perhaps a reconstruction of the most perfect union.

The nation has been through times of testing before. It has been through chaotic times of upheaval, and contractions – social and political, that have stretched the bonds of liberty.

America was formed on a hyphenated religious-democratic foundation. Liberty for some, justice for some.

We espoused Biblical piety but practiced moral depravity. It’s evinced when we juxtapose the pages of the American history narrative with the narratives of Scripture.

It reveals a conflated story of divine providence.

The Trump administration’s swift and harsh policy changes are alleged to move our country back to the moral high ground. They exact severe sacrifices on the marginalized, the poor, the least of these among us.

It’s a charade. And the architect of con tractions dances with a chainsaw before an approving audience of conservatives. He’s doing the will of the people who are in the will of God.

The nation began with a misstep. The divergent evolution of our democracy guided by Biblical principles has led us to this pivot. We’re trying to put toothpaste in the tube the Founders stepped over.

We are a nation of Christians. We elect leaders who are discipled in Biblical principles. As they govern, they are led by their Christian values. A nation of liberty and justice for all; a government of the people, by the people, and for the people most certainly aligns with the will of the God of the Bible.

Democracy should support human dignity and equality. Genesis 1:27 affirms that all people are made in the image of God. We stated such in our founding documents: “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.” Every person has a voice and value.

Our democratic systems ide ally seek justice through fair laws and shared power. Yet subcutaneous remnants of Jim Crow Law and segregationist sentiments are surfacing. Scriptures admonish us, “Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

Leaders are to be held accountable to their God, and to the people they serve. Proverbs 11:14 has this to say, “where there is no guidance, a people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”

The checks and balances of democratic governance are labelled obstacles. They impede the march to reclaim the moral high ground. But accountability mirrors Biblical principles.

In our times, safety is an abstract idea. Fear reigns. Elected leaders, judges, and department heads of government face death threats when their appointed duties conflict with the new reality.

We are in an era of majority rule legitimizing immoral laws. With the system of checks and balances dismantled, leadership does what is right in their own eyes.

Scripture warns against a cultural disconnect from divine truth.

During the time of the Judges in the Old Testament, “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25)

Sunday is Resurrection Day. Across the landscape of Christian America, men and women of religious orders will mount the pulpit and declare, “He is Risen.”

The question we must ask ourselves is, has He risen in our hearts.

America at the Cross.