Justice Scalia – Rock of Gibraltar

By: American Decency Staff

Thomas Jefferson stated, “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.” This would well describe Justice Antonin Scalia. When I think of Justice Scalia the “Rock of Gibraltar” comes to mind.  By definition, it’s “any person or thing that has strength and endurance that can be relied on.”  His stalwart character could be depended upon in any decision, ruling, or dissent.  Even as he spoke to those graduates at the College of William and Mary, “Bear in mind that brains and learning, like muscle and physical skill, are articles of commerce. They are bought and sold. You can hire them by the year or by the hour. The only thing in the world not for sale is character,” Justice Scalia’s character was solid and would neither be moved by gale force winds of opposition nor the eroding rains of time—he was a rock.

What made him so rock-solid?  It’s because he knew he stood on the side of truth.  He searched out for truth and fact and let nothing else sway him. In his own words:  “God assumed from the beginning that the wise of the world would view Christians as fools…and He has not been disappointed. Devout Christians are destined to be regarded as fools in modern society. We are fools for Christ’s sake. We must pray for courage to endure the scorn of the sophisticated world. If I have brought any message today, it is this: Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ. And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world.” He was rock-solid because he searched for truth and proclaimed his faith in The Rock—Jesus Christ.

Justice Scalia looked for the original intent of the authors when interpreting the Constitution and handing down any ruling. He sought out the truth and was bold in standing on it.  Al Mohler describes it this way:

“Scalia’s significance lies in his commitment to originalism, also known as textualism — the belief that the Constitution of the United States is to be read and understood and applied in keeping with the language, syntax, and vocabulary of its text as understood to be intended by the framers. This was how the Supreme Court had operated for decades, without even having to express originalism as a method. All that changed in modern decades as the Court and the nation’s liberal legal culture adopted an understanding of the Constitution as an evolving document that was to be interpreted in light of current social needs — even if this required the abandonment of the Constitution as a regulative document.

Progressivists, as they styled themselves, argued that the Constitution is to be interpreted as a “living” text that can be made to mean whatever modern jurists and legal theorists want the text to mean. As Scalia would later explain, judges had grown accustomed to remaking the world in their own image, abandoning constitutional government.” (To read Al Mohler’s complete article on Justice Scalia, click here.)

Or in Justice Scalia’s own words, “The Constitution is not a living organism. It’s a legal document, and it says what it says and doesn’t say what it doesn’t say.”

This is how the Bible should be viewed—authoritative! “It says what it says and doesn’t say what it doesn’t say.”  The problem is, the church of America and many of its members treat the Bible in the same “progressive” manner.  While the Bible is a living word, it’s not to be changed according to society’s change.  Instead of the Constitution and the Bible being honored as an authoritative text and showing the way to rule and to live, it’s seen by “progressive” politicians and churches as a document that changes with the times rather than defining the times. Instead of changing our lives to fit these documents, they desire to change these documents to fit their lives, their thoughts, and their desires; thus “remaking the world (and the Word) in their own image.”

Instead of these documents being the authority, men desire to make themselves the authority.  They desire to become a law unto themselves—much akin to those in the times of the Judges—where every man did what was right in his own eyes.

There’s great danger in this; we can legalize and soothe over our God-given consciences to do anything—including murder, theft, immorality, and the list goes on.  At this point you might think I’ve left my senses.  “Murder? Theft? Immorality,” you ask? 

Yes, I said all those things. Abortion (and all the forms of ending life unnaturally) is murder; yet, we’ve “legalized” it and many churches are defending it.  Socialism—in any degree—and over taxation without consent is theft. Again, we’ve legalized it and the church, by and large, supports it.  Immorality? We’ve seen the legalization of divorce for any or no reason, the allowance of illicit sex, homosexuality, and pornography accepted in the political and religious arenas alike.  As holiness and purity are removed from our nation and the church—one law, one compromise at a time—salt loses its saltiness and the light dims a little more.

Let’s not forget that silence is a form of consent. Justice Scalia ruled into these realms according to the Constitution and commented on them from a conservative, Biblical standpoint.

Justice Scalia on Gay “Marriage”.

Justice Scalia on Abortion:

Whether talking about the Bible or talking about the Constitution, if one follows them faithfully, they may not like what the conclusion of the matter is, it may make them uncomfortable.  As Justice Scalia points out, “If you’re going to be a good and faithful judge, you have to resign yourself to the fact that you’re not always going to like the conclusions you reach. If you like them all the time, you’re probably doing something wrong.”

Instead of treating the Bible like a living (changing) document, convincing ourselves that times are different so the meaning is different now, let’s remember that even though times change, the Word of God stands unchangeable forever.  Take C.H. Spurgeon’s advice: “Always stand to it that your creed must bend to the Bible, and not the Bible to your creed.”

With this rock-solid justice now gone, what will the Supreme Court be like?  Who will he be replaced by?  What side of good or evil will judicial rule tip to? As the implications of Justice Scalia’s removal from the delicate balance of justice in America seep in, the ramifications will start to weigh heavily upon those concerned with the moral/spiritual direction of our nation.

But do not fear or be anxious in anything.  Daniel 2:21 tells us that God is the One who changes times and seasons; God is the One who removes kings and sets up kings (or justices). Pray!  Our trust is not in any president, justice, or rock of Gibraltar; our trust is in The Rock—Jesus Christ!

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