On November 22nd, 1800, the second President of the United States, John Adams, issued the following prayer at the dedication of the new Capitol building in Washington.
"It would be unbecoming the representatives of this nation to assemble for the first time in this solemn temple without looking up to the Supreme Ruler of the universe, and imploring his blessing. May this territory be the residence of virtue and happiness! In this city may the piety and virtue, the wisdom and magnanimity, that constancy and self-government, which adorned the great character whose name it bears, be forever held in veneration! Here, and throughout our country, may simple manners, pure morals, and true religion flourish forever!"(John Adams, pg 554 David McCullough 2001 Simon & Schuster)
Imagine today, an unpopular and ridiculed President, standing before a joint session of congress and offering that prayer? Adams was at the very lowest point in his presidency, even though he had averted a war with France and had maintained a fragile peace with England; even though he held the new Union together when it was being bombarded by a growning internal strife over State's rights; even though his efforts to protect the country brought about the genesis of US naval power, Adams remained the but of jokes and disdain. Yet there remained in John Adams a deep desire, motivated by a true vision, that the country would somehow find its way forward by looking toward God. Amazing!
How would that play out today? For the most part, the entirety of the nation would receive that prayer. It would go over nicely. Few would get upset. In fact, whichever President voiced it would be pat on the back and appreciated. Our culture would probably react with a heart, Christianlike, 'Amen!' But would it mean anything?
The problem would not be with the words of the prayer themselves, nor with the humility in Adam's attitude. It would be in the current meaning of the words, not the words themselves. In Adam's day, everyone held the same definition of virtue and morality, of good manners, and proper conduct. Seeking a Supreme Ruler of the universe meant seeking calling on one, and only one being. They all knew who He was.
Today, virtue means anything an individual wants it to mean. Noah Webster, a contemporary of John Adams, the creator of Webster's dictionary of the English language, defined virtue like this: "conformity to a standard of right: a particular moral excellence: manly strength of courage: Valor: commendable quality: chastity in a woman." In our culture, this word has given way to ambition and appearance, not genuine integrity of character. When an occupant of high public office can, in private, commit generally defined sexually immoral acts, yet be extolled for his virtues as a leader, something is amiss. When a candidate for the same office can sit for twenty years and listen, with all acceptance, to morally bankrupt drivel from his spiritual leader, yet be seen as a truly virtuous follower of Christianity, something is wrong. When a candidate can politically partner with known terrorists, frauds, and the Hollywood elite, yet still be rising in popularity, something is horribly wrong with today's definition of virtue.
Morality....there's another one. Adams knew what it meant...so did the congress. It meant an avoidance and disdain of every appearance of evil. Shame was the natural result of adultery, or incest, or homosexuality. Sure, sin was just as present then as it is now. But can we honestly say that our society accepted it then as it does now? I think not! In the 1800's, breaking God's moral law was genuine taboo. Today, morality is relegated to individual preference....preference being the new standard of truth. If it's okay for me, then it's not a sin...it's not immoral. That's how we got a Bill Clinton, or a John Kennedy.
Let's talk about manners and decency. What, you ask, is good manners? If I would have walked down the street as a teenager with my pants hanging at half-moon level, I would've been corrected by every man and woman who could get their hands on me, plus, I would've been taken to the woodshed by my peers. STANDARDS APPLIED! Sure, legalism can get harsh, yet no law gets harsher. What happens if this slide into a standardless, indecent culture continues unabated? Homosexuals already have the right to parade in public...ludeness included....pornography is rampant....language standards have been removed from the public airwaves....violence has become a virtue...there is no true religion...hmm. How much worse can it get?
If John Adams or George Washington were to visit the Union and the Capitol today, I do believe they would quickly succumb to death by heartbreak. There is no longer any public virtue, morality, or good manners..in their definition of the terms. Oh, there is seeking after a Higher Being...several Higher Beings in fact. It's all good! Right? How the mighty have fallen!!
But, there is still virtue, there is still morality, there are still good manners. They are wrapped up in one...Supreme Being....and his name is Jesus of Nazareth...Messiah, Son of God, soon coming King! His kingdom is real. We who call upon his name must begin to live out loud with his virtue, his morality, his good manners, his holiness, his truth, his incredible love, and with his boldness to speak the truth, even when it got him a cross. This is the only hope for America. This is the only straight talk. It is the only CHANGE that will work. Are you on board to live out loud? Go John Adams!
Determined to Believe,
Pastor Jim
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