Proverbs 20:10

 

 

This past Sunday during my Bible class, wherein we were studying the passage in Proverbs 20:10, a discussion arose about "standards." For our editorial lesson today I'd like to pursue that topic a little further by combining it with something I watched a while back and then tie both to our current situation and, if successful, realize a spiritual lesson.

First, a few words on "standards." On just about every occasion in the Bible, the word "standard" relates to the definition of a "flag" or a "banner" or a "signal." As in, something to rally around. Something that defines a particular place or area. That definition can fit with our thoughts here today, but there's another definition that also can be used and that is the one that relates a "standard" to a "measure." As in, something that we are to "measure up to."

Now here's the important thing about "standards." They have to be "set." They have to be "fixed," as in always be the same, or in the proper location. They cannot be changeable. They can't vary or be moving around. Either of our definitions fit with this thought, don't they? If the "standard/flag" is not fixed in its place, how is anyone going to know where they're supposed to assemble, to come to? If we're talking about a "standard/measure," how can one compare something to a varying "standard" of length, width, weight, conduct, morals, ethics or anything else which we need as a guide? Simple answer to those questions, you don't and you can't.

Okay, now let's look at a little history that I found interesting and I hope you do too. I was taking a "virtual tour" of our nation's capitol building the other day and some things were pointed out by the tour leader, a Mr. David Barton, that I found extremely interesting. In the rotunda of the capitol is a copy of the first Bible printed in English in the United States. I know, what with the way our national government works (or doesn't work) you're probably surprised to know that there actually is a Bible somewhere in Washington DC.

But, that's not the interesting thing here. What borders on amazing is, that this particular Bible was printed by the United States Congress in 1782. The records relating to this edition of the Bible contain in them this citation: "A neat edition of the Holy Scriptures for the use of our schools." Come again! For use by who? By what? Our nation's schools? Wow, doesn't that just baste your turkey?

You know what else is interesting about this Bible in the rotunda? Inscribed on the inside of the front cover, written by the founding fathers of our nation, are these words: "Resolved, the United States and Congress assembled, recommend this edition of the Bible to the inhabitants of the United States." What an interesting and inspiring thought. That the first English language Bible printed in America was endorsed by Congress for the nation's citizens and for "use in our schools."

Based upon the climate of our government and its citizenry today, it would appear to me that our "standards" have changed over the years. Have not remained "fixed." I mean, we started out as a nation basing our laws on a "firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence." Our founding fathers believed in the "superintending Providence of God." They made the statement that they believed that "God governs in the affairs of men" and they prayed daily for His guidance in making our laws and in forming this nation.

They also said, in writing the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, that our rights are expressed therein because they were "endowed by their Creator." I firmly believe that our nation started off having as its "standard" the precepts found in God's Word. And I also firmly believe that America has not held to that "standard." We've allowed it to be changed. We've moved it around to suit whatever happens to be convenient at the time.

Let me provide you with one more example of how much, as a nation, as a society, we've gotten farther from the "standards" that we began with. Here again, I learned this from my virtual tour of the capitol building. I did not know this and I hope you find it as interesting as I did. Did you know that our nation's capitol served for almost a century as a church building?

In 1800, when Thomas Jefferson was President, he ordered that on Sundays, when the Congress wasn't in session, that the capitol be used as a church building. It's said that about 2000 people per week met there for worship services and this lasted for almost a century. Here's something else I found interesting because you hear people say that Jefferson, if not an atheist, was at least anti-religious. For the four years that he served as President, he attended church services in the capitol.

Well, what about our current situation? How far have we digressed away from the "standards" with which we started. In the beginning we had a Bible printed by the founding fathers, endorsed by Congress for use in the schools and recommended for all inhabitants. Now, you can't even mention anything "religious" in schools.

Wait a minute! That's wrong. I should have said that you can't mention anything to do with "Christianity" in schools. You can talk about and study Islam, you can have Hindu sayings present and Buddhist posters on the walls. We are now a nation whose government says that you can't have a "nativity scene" in public, but you can celebrate Aztec religious ceremonies. (San Jose, Ca.)

Today, we can talk about, demonstrate and have open Muslim worship services in the streets, but don't you dare offer a prayer to God or Christ before a sporting event. Don't you dare attempt to start a Bible club on a school campus. I have no doubt that you can have a Muslim club and the reason I have no doubt about that is, some schools are already altering their class schedules to accommodate Muslim students who want to pray to Allah several times a day.

Yes, we have to have "separation of church and state" but, in practice, that means "separation of Christianity and state." From some of the recent events around the country it appears that I'm not the only one interested in seeing our nation return to its "standards." I just hope and pray that, as a nation, we haven't gotten so far away from God and His "standards" that we won't "return" to those "standards" and let Him "heal our land." (2Chron. 7:14)

Ron Covey