Pastor’s Perspective 11-03-2020

The most recent unrest in the heart of Philadelphia has caused me to reflect on a book I read just a few months ago during my annual two week vacation. Actually, I’ve been reflecting on that book ever since I read it. Even more so now with our national election this week. From the introduction of “If You Can Keep It:  The Forgotten Promise of American Liberty” by New York Times bestseller Eric Metaxas:

“In the heart of Philadelphia, in a Georgian brick building that still stands, one of the most extraordinary events in the history of the world took place. There, in what is today called Independence Hall, over the course of about one hundred days in the summer of 1787, some of the most brilliant men of that or any other era created what would become the Constitution of a new country. They were creating the legal foundation for a form of government that had never been tried before; and they were creating the possibility – and the golden and glorious promise – of something called the United States of America. The men in that room were an astounding array of the leading lights of American history. George Washington was there, along with Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and Roger Sherman, among others… Whatever it was that they created that summer in that building has so grown and flourished in the more than two centuries following that it is simply without equal.”

Metaxas goes on to argue that the document – as brilliant as it was – could be only a beginning. The people themselves would have to do a lot to make it work. A government in which the people govern themselves would be fragile and would require the people’s attention in a way no other government would. The most remarkable takeaway for me was the author’s explanation of Os Guinness’ “Golden Triangle of Freedom.” Freedom requires virtue. Virtue requires faith. And faith requires freedom. Take a few minutes to reflect on those three simple statements… where our nation is today… and what is at stake in this and every election here in America. The title of the book comes from an answer Benjamin Franklin gave to a woman who asked what kind of government they had come up with. He replied, “A republic, madam, if you can keep it.” I highly recommend this book for your reading.

See you Sunday! ~ John