Seven Foundations of Civilizations
In the introduction to a 2014 speech delivered on “Civic Education,” the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia said:
Washington is my favorite of the Founders—the one I would most have liked to meet. Not just because he was the indispensable man—the man without whom the American Revolution would not have succeeded. But also because he is a puzzlement. He was not a great intellect; indeed, he was quite sensitive about his lack of formal education. (He was not even, to tell the truth, that skilled a military tactician as The New York campaign demonstrated.) And he was surrounded by great intellects, who produced great writings—Hamilton, Madison, and Jefferson, to name the most prominent. Washington himself wrote not much of note, beyond his famous First Thanksgiving Proclamation and his Farewell Address. . . . Yet all those well-published, intellectual geniuses looked up to, deferred to, stood in awe of George Washington. What was there about the man that produced that result?
It must have been character. Washington was a man of honor, of constancy, or steady determination. A man who could be believed, trusted, counted on. (64-65)
In his Farewell Address delivered September 19, 1796, Washington speaks of what he called “indispensable supports . . . great pillars of human happiness . . . firmest props of the duties of men and citizens” (emp. added). He asked: “Who that is a sincere friend to [free government] can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?” (Avalon 299, emp. added).
Long before Washington addressed this “foundation of the fabric” of human society and civilization, the book of Psalms posed the question: “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psa. 11:3, NASV, emp. added). Delitzsch renders the verse with the following: “When the pillars are pulled down, ‘the righteous—what will he do?!” (186). The pillars are “the foundations of the state, upon whom the existence and well-being of the land depends” (188).
Providing a good summation of the context of this passage from the Psalms, Cloer says:
. . . [T]he friends of David are saying that the foundations of the law and order of their society are crumbling. They are being destroyed. This decay has doubtlessly come because of Saul’s poor leadership. Due to this dissolution of the fabric of community life, his advisers are counseling that the righteous have not been able to do anything and will be powerless to accomplish anything in the future. Their conclusion is that staying around will be useless [So, they say, “Flee like a bird to your mountain . . .”]. . . . David looks at his situation from the perspective of faith. He believes God has placed him where he is. He is in this dilemma for the noble purpose of doing God’s will. . . . Since God is with him where he is, escaping to a cave in the mountains will not bring God any nearer to him. . . . Therefore, the worst enemies do not scare [intimidate] him into running to the mountain for safety. (145-46)
When the foundations of civilization are being attacked it is no time to run and hide; rather, it is time to be sure of our understanding of these foundations, prepare ourselves to better affirm and defend them, and take refuge in God who is the Ultimate Source of them. “In the Lord I take refuge. . . . The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven; His eyes see, His eyelids test the children of men” (Psalm 11:1, 4).
I. The Theological Foundation
Long before Washington addressed what he called “the foundation of the fabric” of human civilization and society, Paul wrote his letter to Rome with a beginning that implies with ultimate authority and clarity the true foundation of the fabric of human civilization. This foundation is God.
The theological is the logos about the theos (i.e. the logic of God). God is the foundation of the foundations. The remarkable first chapter of Romans implies how foundational the knowledge of God is to humanity and all of creation. When it comes to knowing, nothing is more foundational than God.
According to Paul, knowing God, invisible and possessing eternal power and divine nature, actually exists is foundational to what every accountable human being can and should know. Paul wrote,
. . . [W]hat may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead [divine nature, deity], so that they are without excuse.” (Rom. 1:19-20)
God is the ultimate reality and every accountable human being is confronted with the evidence for God through one’s own inner self with consciousness, memory, rationality, conscience (a sense of ultimate, absolute good and oughtness); one’s own body, which is both contingent and teleological; other bodies; other minds; the physical universe, which is both contingent and teleological; numerous additional constituent elements; all of this composes what can be called the one conglomerate argument (i.e. the total evidence warrants the deduction) for the existence of God. When properly deduced from general (natural) revelation in the world and in man, this is not merely a conclusion that is probably or simply assumed to be the case. The force of this is such that Paul says one is “without excuse” if he does not embrace the existence of God. Paul’s use of anapologetos (“without excuse”) implies the conclusion necessitated by general (natural) revelation is more than just probable. It is certain! It means “the state of being without excuse in a legal sense” (Thiele 139). “The purpose of natural revelation is to leave man without a justifiable excuse before God . . . without legal defense. . . . Josephus uses the word in the sense of ‘unanswered,’ ‘without defense’” (Rogers and Rogers 317).
II. The Rational Foundation
Paul says men became “futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Rom. 1:21). The word foolish (senseless, ASV) is translated from asunetos, which has its roots in the idea that means they were “not able to put together the manifest evidence about God” (Robertson 329). Lard says they either “set out from wrong premises or . . . conducted the process amiss, and reached unwarrantable conclusions; or they may have been at fault in both these respects . . .” (54). In other words, their premises were false and their argument was invalid. An argument, to be sound, must have true premises and the premises must demand the conclusion.
Rationality entails “putting together the facts and information and drawing conclusions and seeing relationships” (Rogers and Rogers 460). It is “an adding up . . . a collecting together” (Hamilton 279). Civilization will flourish to the greatest degree only when men are rational. The negation of God in the human mind is the result of irrationality in the sense of failing to honor the law of rationality. However, Christian theism honors the law of rationality (cf. Luke 1:1-4; John 20:30-31; Acts 1:1-3; 2:22-36; Rom. 1:1-4, 20; 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 15:1-19; 2 Cor. 10:3-5; 13:5; Philip. 4:5; Col. 1:9; 1 Thess. 5:21; 2 Tim. 3:14-17; Heb. 3:4; 1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Pet. 1:16-21; 1 John 1:1-4; 4:1, et al.). In making a defense before a number of prominent non-Christian leaders, Paul was accused of being out of his mind due to his higher education (Acts 26:24). In reply, Paul said, “I am not out of my mind. . . . I am speaking true and rational words” (Acts 26:25, ESV). The word used by Paul that is translated rational (ESV), soberness (KJV, ASV), reason (NKJ) and sober truth (NASV) means that which is “intellectually sound” (Luck 1097).
III. The Natural Foundation
In addition to the basic foundation of God, and reasoning to God through the process of fitting together the available information (evidence), a third pillar of civilization is implied in this biblical passage when Paul described those who “changed the natural use into that which is against nature” (Rom. 1:26). There follows further description of these who, not having had the law of Moses, did by nature the things of that law and, in doing such, “they show the work of the [Moral] law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness” (Rom. 2:14-15, ASV). Thayer defines nature (Gk. physis) in these verses as the “nature of things, the force, laws, order of nature; as opposed to what is . . . abnormal, perverse” (660). One of the biblical references cited by Thayer where physis (nature) has this meaning is Romans 1:26.
This foundation is also implied in one of the most foundational documents of the United States of America (i.e. The Declaration of Independence). In its very first sentence the Declaration makes reference to “the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God.” John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States, explained the meaning of this phrase. Adams wrote: “‘The laws of nature and nature’s God’ . . . of course presuppose the existence of a God, the moral Ruler of the Universe, and a rule of right and wrong, of just and unjust, binding upon men, preceding all institutions of human society and of government” (13-14).
The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology includes the following in its discussion on physis (nature):
[P]hysis denotes the natural condition, quality or state (e.g. of the air, of blood, or the physical features of the land. . .). . . . One can read of the koine physis, the common moral nature of all human beings . . . the regular order of nature, which determines the distinction between the sexes. (Harder 657, 660, emp. added).
Today, there is much confusion about foundational words that are fundamental to the very nature of humans ontologically and existentially. By this we mean foundational to the nature of our very being and existence as humans. It is no surprise moral confusion runs deep in society when popular leaders are writing books in which they assert such propositions as the following: “Implied in its [the U. S. Constitution’s] structure, in the very idea of ordered liberty, was a rejection of absolute truth, the infallibility of any idea or ideology or theology or ‘ism’ . . . that might lock future generations into a single, unalterable course . . .” (Obama 93). In response to the assertion that the Founders’ view of “ordered liberty” was characterized by rejection of “absolute truth” (viz. the rejection of the infallibility of any idea, theology, or ‘ism’) that might lock future generations into an unalterable course of action, one is inclined to ask: “Not even the absolute truth of the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God? Not even moral law? Not even theism (the existence of God)?
IV. The Moral Foundation
The moral law is a constituent element in the natural order of human existence and implies morality is foundational to human civilization. The late British diplomat, Sir John Glubb, a military commander, and prolific author of books, chiefly on the Middle East, wrote an unusual book titled The Fate of Empires and Search for Survival. Glubb studied empires (super-power nations) in existence during the last 3000 years. He concluded that all such empires or super-power nations in human history during this period began with “the age of the pioneers, followed by the ages of conquest, commerce, affluence, intellect, and decadence” (57). Glubb says the final stage (decadence) and the final characteristic of this stage (a weakening of religion) involve moral and spiritual disease. Glubb summarized the essential connection between religion and morality in human flourishing:
Decadence is a moral and spiritual disease. . . . It has been shown that, normally, the rise and fall of great nations are due to internal reasons alone. . . . Politicians are unwilling or afraid to admit our decline is due to a loss of moral fibre. Yet there cannot be the slightest doubt that this is the case. No amount of intellectual cleverness can restore greatness to a nation which has lost its energy, its initiative, its honesty and, above all, its dedication to service. . . . I am convinced that moral standards can only be raised by a revival of religion. (31-32, 53, 57, emp. added).
C. S. Lewis, in response to the proliferation of literary filth and obscenity in culture, wrote, “I treat this development as a symptom, a sign of a culture that has lost its faith. Moral collapse follows upon spiritual collapse” (265). The loss of the metaphysical foundation (i.e. knowledge of God) results in the loss of the ethical foundation (i.e. absolute right and wrong). Again, Paul says it best in Romans 1:18-32, making it clear that the irrational denial of God’s existence made known from creation results in a denial of what is seen clearly from the natural order.
V. The Heterosexual Foundation
Romans sets forth the foundational element of heterosexual monogamous marriage in conjunction with the total context of biblical teaching (cf. Gen. 1:27; Matt. 19:4). Paul wrote:
Therefore, God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lusts for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. (Romans 1:24-27; cf. 7:1-3)
Again, just how remarkably relevant this section of Scripture is, in harmony with reality, should be obvious to those who know the Bible.
In a dust jacket commendation of a 2015 volume of essays titled, The Thriving Society: On the Social Conditions of Human Flourishing, Mary Ann Glendon, a Harvard professor of law says, “There is no shortage of learned [volumes] on why great civilizations die, but . . . these essays tackle a challenge of far more immediate interest. . . . [T]hey ask: What can help a decent society to survive and thrive? . . .” These essays about the thriving society include an essay titled, “The Family as First Building Block” written by Mark Regnerus a professor of sociology at the University of Texas at Austin. His research on the adult children of parents who have had same-sex sexual relationships was published in the July 2012 issue of Social Science Research. In his Thriving Society essay, Regnerus says,
Social scientists of the family until fairly recently noted the comparative stability and social benefits of the two-parent (opposite sex) married household. . . .
Can marriage be comprised of two men or two women? Few believed so prior to thirty years ago, and only in the past ten years has majority opinion in European countries asserted so. . . .
Few question that the family . . . is important for human flourishing. . . . [However] the cultural turning away from the biological family in the academy and the legal community is remarkable. . . . [T]he evidence for its strength is incontrovertible and the costs . . . in its absence obvious, [but] it is increasingly politically unpalatable to go to bat for the nuclear family. . . . (49, 51-52, 64-65, emp. added).
The anchor essay in The Thriving Society, is “five Pillars of a Decent and Dynamic Society,” which serves as the opening chapter in the book. This essay is by Robert George, Princeton University Professor of Jurisprudence and author of Embryo: A Defense of Human Life (2001), and What Is Marriage? Man and Woman: A Defense (2012). Professor George states: “It is difficult to think of any item on the domestic agenda that is more critical today than the defense of marriage as the union of husband and wife. . .” (4).
VI. The Social Foundation
When civilization experiences ongoing disconnect with proper foundations theologically, rationally, naturally, morally, and sexually, the result will be social chaos. The loss of God in mind results in the loss of God in life, and it affects not only the individual, but society as a whole. “And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done” (Rom. 1:28, SV). Stott presents a summary of verses 29-32 in the following:
Paul gives a catalogue of twenty-one vices. . . . All commentators seem to agree that the list defies neat classification. It begins with four general sins with which these people have become filled, namely every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. Then come five more sins which they are full of and which all depict broken human relationships: envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice (29). Next come a couple on their own, which seem to refer to libel and slander, although [The New Testament in Modern English] offers a characteristically imaginative translation: ‘whisperers-behind doors’ and ‘stabbers-in-the-back.’ These two are followed by four which seem to portray different and extreme forms of pride: God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful. Now comes another independent couple of words, denoting people who are ‘inventive’ in relation to evil and rebellious in relation to parents (30). And the list ends with four negatives, senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless (31), which [The Jerusalem Bible] rather neatly renders ‘without brains, honour, love or pity’. (78-79)
Morgan sums up how the implications of the loss of a sufficient attachment to the true foundations of civilization play out in society: “The measure in which any people neglect the sacred means which express Divine relationship, is the measure which sooner or later they violate the principles of social relationship, and oppression and suffering take the place of liberty and prosperity” (125).
Civility is a basic thread that holds civilizations together. When civility goes, civilization goes. Today the thread is unraveling before our eyes: From the rising tide of Islamic terrorism; racially motivated hatred and violence; mass shootings; secularism that has resulted in a degenerating decadence; vitriol that spews from various media; rancor that characterizes political campaigns, talk shows, reality TV, and street protests; epidemic litigation; all of this, and more.
VII. The Biblical Foundation
The book of Proverbs affirms, “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint” (29:18, NKJV). Even with all of the preceding foundations or supports, society is lacking. The reason? No one of us perfectly lives up to the evidence he has. Even among the very best, there is no one who, accountable for his thoughts and actions, lives in perfect harmony with the content made known (1) within himself, and (2) outside himself (cf. Rom. 1:18-32). Furthermore, the content manifested through the above foundations (and all else provided through general revelation) is limited.
There are answers, not provided in creation, to what are crucial questions about life. The Christian faith, as revealed in the 66 books of the Bible, makes the claim it is the complete and final revelation of God to man (cf. Matt. 28:18-20; John 14:26; 16:13; Rom. 1:1-4, 16-17; 16:25-27; Gal. 1:6-9; Eph. 3:1-5; Col. 2:3, 9-10; 1 Tim. 3:14-15; 2 Tim. 3:14-17; 2 Thess. 1:6-9; Heb. 2:1-4; 2 Pet. 1:3; 2 John 9-10; Jude 3; Rev. 22;18-19, et al.).
There is a sense in which the history of Western Civilization provides sufficient evidence, in conjunction with biblical content, to establish the Bible as a constituent element in the foundations of civilization. The Syntopicon of Great Books of the Western World describes the Bible with the following: “ONE BOOK STANDS OUT from all the rest because, in our tradition, it is—as the use of ‘Bible’ for its proper name implies—the book about God and man” (Adler 2: 558). The Bible is further described as having “unparalleled influence upon western culture” (3: 589).
The ultimate foundational explanation for the progress, prosperity, prominence, and power of the Western world in general, and the United States in particular, rests in the Christian moral foundation of social and cultural life (i.e. the revelation of the Judeo-Christian worldview that culminates in the person and work of Jesus Christ). It does not rest ultimately in guns, government, or goods, but in God (Christian theism).
Great European and American leaders even argue the case. In his speech at Zurich University (1946), Winston Churchill said: “This noble continent [Europe] . . . is the fountain of Christian faith and Christian ethics. . . . If Europe were once united in the sharing of its common inheritance, there would be no limit to the happiness, to the prosperity and glory which its three or four hundred million people would enjoy” (qtd. in James 27). During an interview in 1968 with David Frost, Ronald Reagan openly expressed his awareness of the place of the person Jesus Christ when he said Christ was the historical figure he admired most. In an earlier speech, Reagan asked, “Can you name one problem that would not be solved if we had simply followed the teachings of the man from Galilee?” and Reagan affirmed “the answer to ‘each and every problem’ could be found in the ‘simple words of Jesus of Nazareth’” (qtd. in Kengor 121).
If it is the case, as affirmed by some of the voices of the greatest European and American leaders, that the heart of Western civilization is the Christian moral foundation of social and cultural life, then attacks on the Christian worldview are attacks on the foundation of the Western world, not the least of which is America. Such attacks occur daily in America from Hollywood to Washington, D. C. to high level campuses of academia, health care agencies, churches, shopping malls, schoolrooms, living rooms, and numerous other places in Hometown, USA.
Christian values will not survive in a culture that rejects the divine foundation of these values (cf. Rom. 1:18-32). As the chairman of the missions committee in one of America’s greatest congregations said to me: “This is not just a ‘religious’ issue. This is a ‘civilization’ issue—the very continued existence of our civilization.”
Conclusion
The psalmist wrote, “If the foundations are destroyed what can the righteous do?” (Ps. 11:3). It must be remembered that there is the sense in which all the constituent elements that are foundational to what human life on Earth is truly about can never be destroyed. They may be forsaken by man on Earth, but as the psalmist also wrote, “Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled [stands firm] in heaven” (Ps. 119:89, NASV). As Scripture affirms in another context, “[T]he firm foundation of God stands. . .” (2 Tim. 2:19, NASV). The greatest Person in the history of civilization is, and always will be, Jesus Christ—the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). He has delivered the absolute truth about the foundations of life (1) theologically, (2) rationally, (3) naturally, (4) morally, (5) heterosexually, (6) socially, and (7) biblically through His person, word, and work.
Ultimately, and beyond all that exists in the world for the benefit of man, He has by His appearing revealed His purpose and grace “given to us in Christ Jesus before time began” and “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tim. 1:9-10). What a foundation He provides through the Gospel for your life and mine! Amen!
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