The Bible and the American Founders: A Lecture with Dr. Daniel Dreisbach

The American Founders drew on diverse intellectual traditions in framing their new governments. Among these traditions are British constitutionalism, Enlightenment liberalism, and various expressions of republicanism. The influence of a biblical tradition – Hebraic and Christian – often goes unnoticed. This is surprising because the Bible was the most accessible and authoritative text in eighteenth-century America, and it was the most referenced work in the political literature of the era. Many in the founding generation appealed to the sacred text for principles, precedents, and normative standards to govern their polities. They looked to the Bible for insights into human nature, civic virtue, political authority, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and other concepts essential to the establishment of a well-ordered political society. This lecture will focus on biblical influences on an emerging constitutional tradition, giving attention to ways in which the Bible informed general principles of and approaches to governance, as well as influenced specific constitutional provisions. Daniel L. Dreisbach is a professor in the School of Public Affairs at American University in Washington, DC.