We The People

This is an excerpt from my forthcoming book, “Equal Protection Under God”.

We the people. Those three words conjures up definitive images and thoughts in the minds of the people of the United States of America. For some it evokes feelings of patriotism, pride, images of the American flag flapping in the wind, voting, and breathing the air of freedom.  It’s the cornerstone in this country to equality, the freedom from slavery, oppression, and to the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. For some, these words ring right and true. For others, the concepts are great, but they have not been realized. 

The Preamble

Those first three words represent the standard for which we strive to live in the USA. “We the people.” The preamble goes on: In order to form a more perfect union. Establish justice. Insure domestic tranquility. Provide for the common defense. Promote the general Welfare. Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity. Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. 

The Constitution

The Constitution of the United States of America is sometimes revered, sometimes cursed, but we, as Americans, always refer to it and rely on it in our everyday lives. Each time we say, “but that’s my right” or “I have a right”, we are referencing and invoking this document that has existed for over 200 years and been pulled, stretched, examined, and scrutinized every way imaginable to glean the meaning of each and every word within the Constitution and its Bill of Rights. 

It is the Constitution that guarantees equal protection under the law, prohibits slavery, grants women the right to vote, allows us to own and carry guns, and give us the freedom to speak out against our government without retribution. It is the Constitution that prohibits the government from telling us what god to serve, what religion to be part of, and where or how we worship.

Neither Male Nor Female

The concept of “we the people” is also found in the Bible. Paul wrote, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male or female, for you are all on in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:28) Paul also wrote, “So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” (Rom 12:5)

We The People Means ALL People

Both the Bible and the United States Constitution were written by men. However, they were written for the benefit of all people, men and women, young and old, and people of different races. “We the people” does not only mean white men. The precepts apply to men, women, white people, and people of color. And, to be clear, our constitutional rights are not our “God given rights” as I’ve heard some people proclaim. We don’t have a God-given right to own guns, speedy trial, free speech, free assembly, and such other rights enumerated in the United States Constitution. 

Constitution And The Church

But what does the Constitution of the United States have to do with the American church? America and the Church have sacred writings, the Constitution for the USA and the Bible for the Church. Throughout American history, the courts have sometimes looked to the Bible or used God’s Word as guidance. In my home state, an Alabama Supreme Court Justice removed from office because he refused a federal court order to remove a 5200 pound Ten Commandments stone monument that he had brought into the State’s judicial building. His removal stirred up controversy amongst Christians across the nation.  

Our Faith In The Supreme Court

We, as Christians, look to the Constitution for guidance and protections of our rights and freedoms. We have put faith and hope in this American institution to ensure that our right to freely worship, choose our own religions, and can freely express our Christian beliefs are not taken away. 

In SCOTUS We Trust

Leaders in the American church, mostly conservative denominations, have been vocal about SCOTUS cases that touch on issues such as abortion, marriage, family, LGBTQ rights, and religious rights and discrimination.  The 2016 and 2020 election cycles were explosive. Several nationally known religious leaders in this country spoke openly about the election from their pulpits. Christians were flooding social media to proclaim the importance of the presidential election on the make-up of SCOTUS. SCOTUS was hyped as the protector of  our religious liberties, the right to life was at stake, and the right for people to stand up for their beliefs on homosexuality, and the ability to reject portions of the Affordable Care Act that were seen as violation of religious freedoms when it required Christian companies to provide insurance that covered birth control.  So, the refrain from the faith leaders in America was: whatever the character or moral flaw of the Republican nominee, he was the only one conservative Christians could vote for so we could get a conservative on the Supreme Court to protect our religious liberties, right to bear arms, and right to life.

What Can The Church Learn From SCOTUS?

With the importance we’ve placed on SCOTUS, and the power we’ve assigned it in our lives, surely there are some lessons we can learn from it. We’ve given them power, what can we take away from their decisions over issues in American society.  Jesus gave people value, he reached out to the marginal, the disenfranchised. Jesus showed us how to live and love others. Likewise, there are some Supreme Court cases that can teach us how to value and bring dignity to a population of people that has been 

Changing Landscape For Women

SCOTUS has changed the landscape for women, opening up opportunities previously denied, and declaring that women are to be treated equally. Jesus changed the landscape for women as well. We look to how he honored women throughout his short time on earth, we see that He praised a woman’s obedience to God’s call, He said that a woman getting educated about faith was preferred over domestic duties, He talked theology with women, and He told women to evangelize and preach the gospel. The “great commandment” doesn’t say men are the only ones who are to win people to Christ.  

Conclusion

Just as “we the people” in the preamble to the Constitution does not mean only men, “we the children of God” does not refer to men only. Women have value within the church as we do within American society. Are there women leaders in your church? Your denomination?

Photo courtesy of #KathySmithImages