Engage: The 4th Box of Liberty

By Scott Jones

In a previous blog, I quoted Frederick Douglass who said that there are 3 boxes that defend our rights:

·         The Ballot Box

·         The Jury Box

·         The Cartridge Box

Gary DeMar writes that the late Congressman Larry McDonald said that there was a fourth, the Soap Box.[i] The Soap Box is the exercise of the individual’s God-given right to free speech in the defense of Liberty. In a Constitutional republic, this is a Box the Christian citizen can use to oppose an oppressive government that threatens liberty, without risking rebellion against the government.

Recently the citizens of Virginia demonstrated how to peaceably demonstrate against the egregious gun control legislation being proposed by the state legislature and governor. The Founders and the philosophers that influenced them agree that self-defense is a God-given right. The proposals by the government of Virginia to strip its citizens of this right is a clear example of oppressive tyranny that people of good conscience should oppose. In response the citizens assembled at the state capitol to protest the legislature’s plans. They assembled peaceably in public areas with signs of protest, and they also met with specific legislators as the opportunity presented itself.  This tactic brought national attention to a state issue and showed that the contemplated legislation is not consistent with the will of a large proportion of the people. Not only did the demonstration support God-given rights and the Second Amendment to the Constitution, but it also showed the power of the civil society. The demonstrators were peaceful and broke no laws, despite the governor’s prediction of chaos.

There’s no better example of the power of self-governing citizens than the battle that’s unfolding in Virginia. Citizens are speaking up and showing up in an incredible way to defend their rights.[ii] (Mark Meckler)

The Christian citizen should avail himself of every opportunity to speak out in defense of Liberty and the God-given rights, granted equally to all men and women. For example, and this is not an exhaustive list:

·         Writing letters to the editor

·         Writing letters to elected officials

·         Advocating for or against policies and legislation on social media

·         Speaking at schools and civic clubs on American History and Liberty

·         Attending town halls with elected officials

·         Visiting elected officials in their capital or local offices

·         Attending and speaking at rallies and conventions

·         Participating in demonstrations against specific policies and legislation

The Soap Box is a powerful tool in the hands of an educated and courageous citizenry. Christians, acting in accordance with the revealed will of God, should be the most courageous citizens of all.

For God has said:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

And again:

Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. (1 Corinthians 16:13-14) 

None of us can do it all, but each of us can do something. Pick your Soap Box and let your elected officials know that you will accept nothing less than a courageous stand on a Biblical worldview and a strong defense of our God-given rights. If they fail to listen, then your next recourse is the Ballot Box.

 Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.  

[i] DeMar, Gary. “Do You Know the Four Boxes of Liberty?”. The Torch, May 2018.

[ii] Meckler, Mark. Convention of States Action email dated 1/22/2020.

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