Op-Ed: Applying Biblical Principles to Public Policy

 

The story of America started with a group of imperfect people who knew that a government of the people, by the people, and for the people would need to be grounded on something perfect. In an imperfect world, they knew that the only perfection they had was God and His divine word. Using the eternal and perfect truth of His word, they founded the greatest country that ever existed — the United States of America.

It is no secret that the country they founded has drifted far from the principles that made it strong and resilient. A quick glance at the daily headlines will tell you all you need to know about the trajectory of the country. Constant political bickering and division, economic hardships for the American people, out-of-control government spending driving our society further into debt, and constant attacks on people of faith and their values from extremist left-wing movements have made it clear that we are headed in the wrong direction  . The American people are forgotten, and their well-being is too often ignored by the Nation’s leaders. According to a recent Wallstreet Journal article, Americans are also becoming less religious. Now, just 39% of Americans say religion is “very important”  to them after 62% of Americans said religion was “very important” to them in 1998. The bottom line  in all the issues that our society faces is that America has lost its way.

But it’s not too late for America.

Time and again throughout the scriptures, God heard the prayers of His people and responded to save them. This restorative power of God    was ultimately embodied in the mission of Jesus, who completed the ultimate healing work through His sacrifice on the cross that brought mankind back into fellowship with Him. Today, God is still in   the business of restoring nations.

It’s time to go back to the founding principles that guided America’s policies and its remarkable story over the last 246 years of its existence.

America First Policy Institute’s (AFPI) Biblical Foundations Project is taking America back to these core principles and putting the American people first. Each of the 10 AFPI policy pillars is grounded in scriptural truths that ensure that its policy ideas honor God’s word and stay true to its teaching. The 10 pillars include making the greatest economy in our world work for all Americans, putting patients  and doctors back in charge of health care, giving parents more control of the children’s education, making the America energy independent and so much more that puts the American people first.

The project aims to equip pastors, churches, and all people of faith in America with language that will empower them to speak to the issues at the core of what’s challenging America’s future. The goal is to inspire people to articulate why America First policies are not just the right direction for the American people but also are grounded in the eternal truth of scripture.

God has used His people in the halls of power throughout the millennia. Moses, Joseph, Esther, and Daniel are just some examples of the heroes of the Bible who changed the course of their nation’s future. God is not finished with empowering people to bring change to America. This project aims to inspire those who feel called to become leaders in their communities to take the next steps in fulfilling the mission of that calling. God has always used ordinary people to do extraordinary things — that has not changed.

The Biblical Foundations project is about reaching the heart and soul of America and taking our Nation back to those values that made this country great.  

2: Chronicles 7:14 declares, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Christians always start with prayer because they know that God hears them. Prayer is a posture of humility; it’s saying to God that only He can do the impossible. And while solving problems in America may look impossible, we must remember that God is in the business of doing the impossible.