abstract: Civil society is a divine institution; Nations are moral persons and are bound by the moral law; The fealty and service of nations are due to Jesus Christ; The Holy Scriptures are the supreme law of nations; Civil office cannot wisely or safely be intrusted to immoral and wicked hands

Skip Navigation

by William Einwechter

The Christian Statesman began publication on September 2, 1867, and has remained in constant publication ever since (136 years!). As far as we know, it is the oldest continuously published journal of opinion on Christian principles of civil government in the United States.

The Reformed Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh houses the complete archives of The Christian Statesman. This past November I had the privilege of looking through these archives with the kind assistance of the Seminary librarian, Thomas Reid. It was quite an experience to hold in my hands and peruse an original Vol. 1, No.1 issue of The Christian Statesman. As I looked through that issue, and others, I was struck by the wealth of material in them. It is my goal to bring some of these past articles back into print for the instruction and edification of our readers. To this end, I am establishing a "From The Christian Statesman Archives" section in this journal. The first articles come from 1867 and 1868 and are on pages 26-32.

It was also interesting to read the editors' original statement concerning the purpose of The Christian Statesman. I thought you would profit from reading it as well, so I am reproducing it here as it appeared in the September 16, 1867 (Vol. 1, No. 2) issue.

The Christian Statesman

A Semi-Monthly Journal

Devoted to the Cause of

Public Morals and National Religion

The design of this sheet, as its name suggests, is the discussion of the principles of government in the light of Christianity. It will maintain the following fundamental positions:

Civil society is a divine institution. The State has its origin in the will and arrangement of God, and its powers and functions are determined by Him.

Nations are moral persons and are bound by the moral law. The Commonwealth wields a moral power, and subserves moral ends, analogous to those of the family, and, like the family, the nation may and ought to worship God.

The fealty and service of nations are due to Jesus Christ. Through him, national homage is to be paid to God, and national blessings, and the forgiveness of national sins are to be sought for his sake.

The Holy Scriptures as a revelation of the will of God to men for their guidance in all the relations of life, are the supreme law of nations.

Civil office cannot wisely or safely be intrusted to immoral and wicked hands, and should be restricted by constitutional enactment to men in sympathy with the great ends of government.

The rising interest on these topics in many parts of the land it will be the aim of The Christian Statesman to sustain and extend. For the full, practical recognition of these principles in our own land, we shall steadfastly labor. All news of interest in connection with this cause we shall be careful to present. Other nearly related questions such as the Christian Law of Marriage, the Sabbath, and legislation for its observance, the Temperance question, in all its aspects, the Limitation of the Franchise, the Prevention and Punishment of Crime, and the fundamental question of all--the Inspiration of the Word of God--will receive seasonable and careful treatment. At the same time, by faithful summaries of news, by timely discussions of public affairs, and by a due proportion of devotional reading, we will endeavor worthily to sustain the character of a general and religious newspaper.

We venture these promises in view of the ample assistance secured for our columns. The list of our regular contributors embraces among others the following names:

Dr. Tayler Lewis, Union College.

Dr. George Junkin, Lafayette College.

Prof. J. H. Seelye, Amherst College.

Pres. Jonathan Edwards, Jefferson and Washington College.

Dr. J. H. McIlvaine, College of New Jersey.

Rev. J. R. W. Sloane, New York.

Dr. J. T. Cooper, Philadelphia.

Rev. S. O. Wylie, Philadelphia.

It will be the aim of the Editors constantly to secure discussions of the principles of government, and their application to the passing affairs of the nation from the highest sources.

The price of the paper having been fixed at the low rate of one dollar a year, we appeal to all friends of the cause to support it--

1st. By promptly subscribing for it. 2nd. By an earnest and persevering effort to secure additional subscribers, and 3rd. By supplying the means for its wide gratuitous circulation in behalf of the cause. We ask the means to send it to every College and to the rooms of all Christian Associations, to place it on the desk of every legislator and in the hands of every minister of the Gospel.

The terms of the paper, as announced on the first page, will in all cases by strictly adhered to. Money should be remitted, whenever practicable, by bank check or Post-office money-order.

Address,

The Christian Statesman,

Box 620, Philadelphia

As can be seen, there have been some changes in the content of The Christian Statesman (we no longer give news summaries or include devotional material), but the focus of this publication remains essentially the same after all these years. This can only be due to the providence of God and the biblical vision of the founding editors, Dr. David McAllister and Dr. T. P. Stevenson. The five "fundamental positions" given as the guiding principles of The Christian Statesman are an admirable summary of "government in the light of Christianity." It is hard to see how any thinking, biblically oriented Christian could reject these principles or balk at promoting them. The National Reform Association, the publisher of The Christian Statesman, expresses similar truths in its "Statement of Purpose" and its "Principles of Christian Civil Government."

It is also interesting to note some of the specific topics set forth for discussion by the original editors. These issues were matters of great concern to Christians in 1867. They should still be for us today, even though as a nation we have drifted much further from our Christian foundations than we had in 1867.

First, they were troubled by departures from the Christian law of marriage in regard to divorce. The editors realized that stable marriage and biblically based laws in support of marriage were essential to a stable, prosperous society. Today, not only has the Christian law of marriage been completely set aside and our divorce laws are in shambles, the current debate is over whether or not the state should sanction "homosexual marriage"!

Second, the Sabbath issue was very important in 1867. In that day, our local, state, and national governments enforced observance of the Sabbath--cessation from normal, unnecessary business and commerce by appropriate legislation. The editors were of the mind that the magistrate was responsible to uphold the Fourth Commandment for the honor of God and the good of society. Today, the Sabbath is completely ignored in law and in society, and though a number of Americans still attend church, it is now mainly a day for selfish pursuits, shopping, watching professional sports on television, etc.

Third, was the matter of temperance. The temperance question related to the alarming traffic in and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Temperance was understood by some to refer to total abstinence from alcoholic liquors, and this was probably the meaning assigned to it by the original editors. Although I am of the opinion that total abstinence from alcohol is not required by the Scriptures, temperance, i.e., moderation in the use of alcohol and the avoidance of intoxication, is required (and as an application of the principles of Christian liberty a Christian may honorably choose to abstain). Furthermore, the founding editors probably advocated that civil law should be employed to regulate the liquor traffic; whether or not it is the function of civil government to do so is, I believe, open to serious debate. Nevertheless, not only do we have the continuing problems of drunkenness and alcoholism in our day, we also have a huge drug problem. Both of these plagues are helping to bring our society to ruin.

Fourth, they spoke of the limitation of the franchise. This dealt with the question of who should be able to vote in a Christian republic. The founding editors would have been concerned about a number of matters here. One was whether or not the ungodly should be able to vote. If, as they believed, "Civil office cannot wisely or safely be entrusted to immoral and wicked hands," neither can the franchise be given to such. Another was the question of female suffrage. Today, the franchise is open to everyone of age without question or qualification, and the results have been disastrous.

Fifth, they wanted to address the perennial problem of crime--its prevention and punishment. They rightly saw that this is a central task of civil government. Today, the problem of crime and its punishment is epidemic. Our criminal law has departed widely from the standards of Scripture, and our system of courts and theories of penology are in total disarray. Too often the criminals are protected, and the innocent are punished.

Sixth, the original editors understood that the battle in American society was ultimately for the authority of the Scriptures as the inspired Word of God. They advocated, "The Holy Scriptures as a revelation of the will of God to men for their guidance in all the relations of life, are the supreme law of nations." Their comprehensive view of biblical authority meant that they believed that the Bible is the standard for all matters relating to civil government, and that Americans ought to look to it and submit to it as such. Today, quoting the Bible as an authority in civil and legal matters is taboo. Americans have completely rejected the Scriptures as an authoritative guide to truth and justice in the sphere of civil government.

So, as this survey indicates, the matters of concern in 1867 are still issues of concern for Christians today. The challenge is that we face these concerns in a different and more hostile setting than they did. Our society is more thoroughly secular than it was in 1867. Furthermore, not only is society more secular, the church has largely assimilated the secular worldview in regard to civil government. Our problem is acutely one of an apostate theology of the state gripping the minds of Christians. The church is thoroughly pluralistic and antinomian in regard to society and the state.

Note, for example, that in regard to the six issues raised by the founding editors, Christians are more a part of the problem than they are of the solution! The church has departed from "the Christian law of marriage in regard to divorce," and our Christian homes breakup at nearly the same alarming rate as the world. Professed Christians have rejected the Fourth Commandment as irrelevant to "this age of grace," and profane the Sabbath with nearly as much gusto as unbelievers. Christians are not known for "temperance" in any area of life, and a number boast of their love of alcohol while deriding those who choose the path of abstinence. Christians have no regard for the complex issue of who should have the franchise, and their only concern in regard to voting (if they vote) is to decide who is the lessor of two evils. As far as crime and punishment is concerned, biblical law is rejected by our Christian leaders, teachers, and lawyers for the vague notion of "natural law." For the great majority of Christians, reason and the democratic process are king when it comes to law. Finally, the mass of Christians may consider the Scriptures to be inspired and useful for devotional purposes, but beyond that they will not go; surely, they believe, the Scriptures do not give the inspired will of God for nations and governments.

It gets no better when we consider the views of the majority of churches and Christians on the five "fundamental positions" given as the original guiding principles of The Christian Statesman. Sad to say, most Christians, including evangelicals, are more in line with the views of Barry Lynn and Americans United for the Separation of Church and State than they are with the fundamental principles articulated by the founding editors of this publication.

In conclusion, The Christian Statesman is committed to carrying on the legacy of being an uncompromising voice for the advocacy of the Christian principles of civil government. We look forward to bringing you reprints of articles from our archives and to publishing articles by contemporary writers that address the issues before us today. Our allegiance is to Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Our standard of authority is the revealed Word of God. Our mission is to change the minds of men and bring them into conformity with what the Bible teaches concerning civil government. This mission begins with the church--until Christians think biblically on these matters there is little hope for reformation in society.

We give the same invitation to our readers for the support and increase of The Christian Statesman that was given in 1867. Here is how you can help:

1st. By promptly subscribing for it. 2nd. By an earnest and persevering effort to secure additional subscribers, and 3rd. By suppling the means for its wide gratuitous circulation in behalf of the cause.

The subscription rate was $1 per year in 1867. In 2004, we no longer charge any specific subscription rate, but send the Statesman out to all who request it. However, we do this with the understanding that you will give, as you are able, to support the work of the National Reform Association and The Christian Statesman. Be a part of a work that God has been doing in our nation since 1867.

back to top