America's Founding Fathers gave us the country's
founding documents, such as the Declaration of
Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and
others. In order for them to form such documents, they
had to lean upon some common understanding of law,
government, social order and a basic moral code. These
understandings sprang from a common acceptance of what
has come to be known as the Biblical Ethic. The
term "Biblical" refers to "the influence of the
Hebrew Bible and the New Testament on one's system of
values, laws and ethical code." It is not just a system
of theological thought, but a culture of values as seen
in one's individual's right to life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness.
Although there are many biblical principles from which
our Biblical values spring, I have selected six
of Dr. Richard Lee's Biblical principles that
seem to have the greatest relevance in America's past
and present. These "common sense" values provide moral
balance in a seemingly unbalanced world.
1. The Dignity of Human Life
2. The Traditional Family
3. A Strong Work Ethic
4. The Right to a God-Centered Education
5. Common Decency and Respect for Another's Right to
Life
6. Our Personal Relationship to God