FAITH OF THE FOUNDERS: Political Philosopher John Locke on Law and Scripture
(QUICK READ) — British political philosopher John Locke was not one of the Founders because he was in England his entire life and never set foot in the colonies. Yet, his writings on government, particularly his “Second Treatise on Civil Government,” was widely read and applauded among the Founders.
Locke’s essential point was that men form governments to protect them and their natural rights from the violence and disorder that characterizes what Locke called the “State of Nature.”
The Lockean ideas that government should be based on the consent of the governed and that the governed have natural rights which government is created to protect are clearly evident among the philosophical roots of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.
But, as we see in the following quote from the Second Treatise, Locke was very much aware of and supportive of the influence of the Bible in these matters. To recognize the existence of Law follows logically from the existence of a Law-Giver.
“Laws … must be made according to the general Laws of Nature, and without contradiction to any positive Law of Scripture, otherwise they are ill made.” – John Locke, “Second Treatise on Civil Government.” — Cited by Mark Strand.
Many of the quotes reprinted in HillFaith’s “The Faith of The Founders” weekly series of posts are compiled from Benjamin F. Morris’ classic work, “The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States.” Morris, an historian and pastor, published the first edition more than a century ago.
Quotations are also compiled from Mark Strand, author of the Daily Inspirations email he shares on request here and that HillFaith highly recommends to all congressional aides, be they working on Capitol Hill or in a state or district office back home.
Mark Strand was for 16 years President of the Congressional Institute, and he is a former fellow of the Harvard Institute of Politics. He was also a 24-year veteran congressional staffer, including four years as Chief of Staff to Sen. James Talent (R-Missouri).