Become a self-taught person
Where is America going? Who will determine it? The future of the nation was initially entrusted to “We the people ... ” It rests not in the halls of congress, but in the will of the people ... or the lack of will.
Our streets have recently been stressed by mob protests. The zeal of the people in these well-orchestrated marches is concerning. However, though the numbers are impressive, they pale in comparison to the number not marching. Of greater concern than the fervor of the protesters is the passiveness of non-marchers.
James Madison left us this warning in Federalist 10: “Popular government is dominated by factions — that is, by passions or interest adverse to the rights of others or to the common good.”
The great experiment called America was to see if people could govern themselves under the Republic form of government with inalienable rights that supersede those afforded by government.
In his first inaugural address, President Washington adjured, “The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the Republican model of Government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hand of the American people.”
Washington identified the only sufficient basis for self-government, “The foundation of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality.”
In addressing the Massachusetts Militia in 1789, John Adams related to this theme: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
Looming large is the question: Have we lost the capacity of self-governance? Thomas Jefferson opined, “The qualifications for self-government in society are not innate. They are the result of habit and long training.” That is what is lacking in our country. A generation is emerging that has not been trained in how government works and certainly do not have the habit of self-governance.
Jefferson further amplified this principle noting, “(Without becoming) familiarized with the habit and practice of self-government ... the political vessel is all sail and no ballast ... ” To be untaught is to be undisciplined.
Regarding one of our former presidents, the premier of Czechoslovakia said America can survive him. The question is, can America survive the people who elected him?
Federalist 39 contains this insight by James Madison was given birth “with honorable determination which animates every votary of freedom, to rest all our political experiments on the capacity of mankind for self-government.”
Individuals as well as nations employ better self-discipline when they connect today’s action with tomorrow’s results.
Now, to further define the “We” in our Constitution as a party of one, me. What can an individual do? Start by complying with the Scripture that asserts people are to “discipline themselves for the purpose of godliness” (I Timothy 4: 7).
Persons can change their self-discipline, that is self-control, and thereby improve their lives. So can nations. Discipline comes from the same root word as disciple. To disciple is to teach. Become a self-taught person, one who studies sources of government, religion, civility, social grace, and how to develop inner peace. There is no better source than the Bible.
A pivotal principle is summed up in the ageless Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
The Rev. Nelson Price is pastor emeritus of Roswell Street Baptist Church in Marietta and a former chairman of the Shorter University
board of trustees.