The Presbyterian Church is foundational to the United States of America. Our presence in American culture and society in the 18th century held significant prominence and influence. The only ordained clergyperson to sign the Declaration of Independence was John Witherspoon, Presbyterian pastor and president of the College of New Jersey, later known as Princeton University. Witherspoon was an influential theologian, educator, and preacher in the early days of our founding. You can see his fingerprints in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. We are heirs to his legacy, and I am impelled by this tradition to speak about it here.
Please note – I am not a historian, and this is likely an oversimplified summary. If I get my facts wrong or my interpretations are off base, I’d be glad to learn how and why.
Total depravity is an idea that gained prominence in the 1500s, and was continued by Witherspoon throughout his teaching and ministry. The idea of total depravity is the pragmatic truth that no human being will ever be perfect. At our base level, we are not always the person that we want to be. This isn’t a finger-wagging chastisement of certain depraved individuals in regards to their behavior. Nor is it a fatalistic abdication of responsibility – if I’m bound to do wrong, why fight it? This, for me, is something that lies at the heart of empathy. We can recognize the humanity in others and work to forgive them, as we will inevitably need forgiveness from someone.
John Witherspoon held this view of human-kind, something that he taught students that included presidents, senators, and cabinet secretaries. Presbyterianism was at the root of many founders’ outlook on life, so much so that King George at times referred to the American Revolution as, “That Presbyterian Parson’s war.”
Witherspoon’s outlook on human nature helped shape the pragmatic systems of government that were in the process of being birthed. We can idealize leaders and governments, but the reality is that they are made of people and people will do the wrong thing if they are able to. If we are to be governed by people, we have to accept that they are imperfect and self-interested. This is where Witherspoon’s thumb is put on the scale.
He wrote, “It is of consequence to have as much virtue among the particular members of a community as possible; but it is folly to expect that a state should be upheld by integrity in all who have a share in managing it. They must be so balanced, that when everyone draws to his own interest or inclination there must be an even poise upon the whole.”
If all of us are driven by self-interest, then let’s make sure that the self-interested leaders have their interests in tension. Instead of assuming that we will always elevate virtuous figures, Witherspoon thought instead to allow our worst impulses to check one another, and then hopefully find a balance.
One of his star pupils, James Madison wrote, “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.”
This system of checks and balances has often been imperfect, mainly because we’re all human. But this system exists to prevent anyone to rule with unchecked ambition. If one of those checks falls by the wayside, then the equilibrium is lost. This must be remembered. If my depravity counters yours, then we’re left with some level of virtue. If your depravity overwhelms mine, then virtue becomes an abstract concept.
This is the tradition that has shaped me. This is a faith that animates me. We will not live in a just or healthy society if we remove any meaningful checks on ambition. This is our legacy, and it is in danger.
No one person is fit to rule. By abdicating this responsibility, we are betraying our past, our present, and our future.
Peace,
Jeff
If you're looking for a welcoming Presbyterian church in Brighton, NY, we’d love to connect with you! Twelve Corners Presbyterian Church is located at 1200 S. Winton Road in Rochester, NY. We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. or tune in to our livestream on YouTube. While you’re here, consider helping us spread joy and support for our neighbors through our community programs. You can also connect with us on Facebook or reach out to our office with any questions by calling 585-244-8585 or email us through our secure contact form.
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