Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has called for a return to Biblical values, on which, he contends, this nation was founded. So, let’s pause and consider how we define Biblical values.
The first problem we run into is the variety of writings we find in the Bible – from a series of authors who number anywhere from sixty or more in the Old Testament to ten or more in the New Testament. So, in the Old Testament (OT), we find Genealogical interests represented with lengthy lists of ancient ancestors and, then, of course, the interests of those who wrote elaborate laws for the Hebrew people to follow. Priestly interests were represented is the establishment of rituals which took the form of Temple worship. Now, all of these values have now been consigned to the dust bin of the past and it’s doubtful Johnson proposes reestablishing any of these. Then, there is the issue of Jewish nationalism, most clearly evidenced in the book of Esther (which fails to mention God at all). Since the U.S. already recognizes the state of Israel, there is nothing more to be gained with this policy – except to hold Israel to account for its failure to adhere to the values of the OT prophets in seeking justice and righteousness. Actually, the prophets were frequently critics of the nations of Judah and Israel for a variety of reasons – so, the idea that religious adherents should be sycophants of the nation is an absurdity.
Then, there is a wide difference in philosophy among the writers of the OT literature. “Vanity of vanities. The writers of the books of Kings, Samuel and Chronicles all gloried in the military victories and barbarity of Joshua, the Judges, David, Solomon and others. Song of Solomon delights in erotic sensuality and polygamy was the practice of David, Solomon and other wealthy Jews in the period prior to the exile. All is vanity” is the attitude of the author of Ecclesiastes. The author of Esther is a nationalist but Hosea’s author wants to make Assyria a benefactor of the Jewish nation. The Psalmist seems to revere a mountain dwelling God: “I will lift mine eyes to the hills….”, a God who encourages peaceful dwelling with neighbors and a reverential attitude.
So, what are the values that can be found in the New Testament? Forgiveness, compassion, tolerance of differences, equanimity, adherence to truth, rejection of violence as a way to resolve disagreement and acceptance of political authority (“Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s…”). At the same time, Jesus despised hypocrisy, false religiosity, exploitation of others (particularly the innocent and naive), and the pursuit of wealth. All of the New Testament writers appear to anticipate a Parousia in the near future. They appear indifferent to political conditions – except to endure them and wait for the end. Maybe Johnson sees another set of values arising out of the Bible but it appears he not only fail to pursue those named above but that he is even willing to operate in contravention to the values that have been a traditional pillar of Christianity.