King
Alfred
the
Great
The
Real Beginning of English and American
"constitutionalism"
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(hardback 1060 pages) |
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The English speaking people have had a heritage which has
led the world in understanding “constitutionalism” in
government and ethics. The reason for that is undoubtedly
connected with the rise of Christian principle throughout
the British Isles.
Missionary work to the British Isles dates to at least the
2nd century AD. With it came the ethics and principles of
the Scriptures. But, that missionary work languished over
the following centuries and the people of England, like so
many throughout Europe, lost sight of a viral Christianity
and didn’t have access to the actual Bible.
Some early kings of Britain were self-consciously
Christian, to the degree that they understood
 the faith.
But, others certainly were not so. In the 10th century AD,
Alfred the Great came to the throne of a divided England.
It was he who led his people against the vicious attacks
of Danish invaders. It was he who united his people into
an Anglo-Saxon nation.
He was the heralded Christian king of the England. We've
all heard of Magna Charta. We enjoy the heritage of
freedom so strongly preserved in America and its
predecessor, Great Britain. But, do we know that this was
the king who foresaw the need to use Biblical precept in
order to bring stability to the realm. He saw that one
nation after another rose and fell. None could establish
itself permanently. But, what if God's truth, which is His
everlasting Word, were to be included in the laws of the
people? Wouldn't that help to guarantee future stability
in the culture? Then, when changes did occur, the culture
would retain its Christian heritage and values. As a
result, he incorporated the precepts of Exodus 20- 24 into
the laws of his society. Because those laws are given in
Scripture to teach mankind HOW to govern justly, the
result was the rise of local governance coupled with an
emphasis on “rights of people’ and their right to contract
(covenant) with their government.
In other words, the legacy which was to be Magna Charta
three centuries later, had its origin in the social and
legal impact of those chapters of Exodus that taught a
barbaric people how to be a “just” and upright people,
socially, and legally.
His accomplishments…
- He introduced the Council of nobles called the
Witangemot (The Witan). In time, this would grow into what
history later called the English Parliament.
- He introduced the chapters of Exodus 20 - 24 into the
civil legislation of the Anglo-Saxons of Britain. This act
was monumental for history. This would change not only
Britain forever, but would ultimately impact the whole
world.
- He called for pastors to teach his people the Word of
God in the hamlets of England. This led in time to both
legacies: the teaching of the Bible as well as the
perceived need for education throughout the realm.
- He brought peace and unity to the realm.
- He saw in Scripture the three-fold division of
government: the executive, legislative and the judiciary.
Though he didn’t understand how they could function
separately and yet harmoniously, he did create the seed
form of a legislature: the Witan.
- His reign brought about the whole concept of English
civil liberties and due process, such as they understood
such principles at that time.
- His rule was benevolent and decidedly Christian in tone
and precedent.
- He set precedent for the English people as to what an
obedient Christian prince should be like in Scripture.
His life was one of heroism
1) defending his people from
invasion, 2) providing Christian scholarship with answers
for their understanding, and 3) vision - a future foreseen
in principle - and carried out with such understanding
that any future Magna Charta (3 centuries later) would
almost be a foregone conclusion.
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