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By Nancy Salvato May 7, 2008 Page 2 of 2
Biblical Philosophy Protestant biblical philosophers, such as Luther (1483-1546), who challenged the authority of the Papacy by writing that faith need not be mediated by the church, and Calvin (1509-1564), a French Protestant Theologian were, at first, authoritarian and gave sovereignty to the monarch. This was in contrast to Catholic theorists, who limited the power of Kings to preserve their own authority and the autonomy of the Church. Protestants, for obvious political reasons, enlisted the aid of the Kings to resist the Catholic Church. However, Protestant sects soon rejected the top-down ecclesiastical structure of power in favor of a bottom-up approach. Their own church was to be run by members of the congregation and they began to think of political authority in the same way. Anglicans were more politically conservative, favoring governmental authority, whereas Quakers tended toward more radical democratic ideas.
Strauss learned much from his study of religion, (web site) classical, and modern political philosophy. He recognized that religion could be constructive or destructive, depending on the belief system. He also recognized religion's role as a balance to moral relativism, (web site) the replacement of moral authority with progress and science. He focused his teachings on the tension that has evolved in western civilization between what he called "life in accordance with Revelation or the life according to Reason -- Jerusalem versus Athens."
Strauss taught his students that the liberty that we take for granted and which stems from the mixture of classical, Biblical, and modern political philosophy is at risk not only from outside forces, (web site) but from swinging too far in the direction of the radical left and radical right wing factions in this country. Outside forces, such as radical Islamists, who use terrorism as a tool to wage violent Jihad against our country are not open to talk and persuasion. Militant and religious extremists inside our own country do great damage to individual freedom, as well.
Know Thy Enemy Straussians are critics of multiculturalism. They believe this movement has contributed to a decline in education and that within this institution there is a need to revive a, "sense of citizenship and civic responsibility." There is also a need to repair, "vital national institutions such as the armed forces," so that we can protect ourselves from our outside enemies. But first we need to recognize our enemies. (web site) William Bennett said it best after 9/11, stating that we need a moral clarity so that we can recognize evil. --- Nancy Salvato is the President and Director of Constitutional Literacy Program for Basics Project. -------------------- Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA. >> Back -- Page 1 2
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