Foreword to Has Democracy Had Its Day?

The publication of this monograph by Carl F. H. Henry is a great moment for the Acton Institute. This essay is more than just another installment in our occasional paper series, because Carl Henry is more than just a theologian; as Charles Colson says, many consider Professor Henry to be the foremost American evangelical thinker of this century. He embodies John Calvin's dictum that there is no division between sacred and secular and that we must give our whole self over to the service of the Lord-the mind as well as the spirit. His has been a persistent and eloquent voice calling on Christians of all denominations to engage in serious, critical scholarship on every aspect of the human and natural world.

In this monograph-adapted from his lecture to a Grand Rapids audience, and which appears in expanded form under the same title in a book published by the Christian Life Commission-Professor Henry speaks as an acute observer of modern democracy. Recalling Alexis de Tocqueville's insight that America's greatness lies in her moral goodness, he argues that democracy's prospect for the twenty-first century is dim unless we modern democrats renew our attachment to a transcendent moral order that ennobles the human soul and educates us on how to use our freedom to the benefit of ourselves and the glory of our Creator. He teaches us that our loss of social and personal order goes beyond the abdication of personal responsibility; it is the result of a lack of concern for virtue itself. We learn from him why America cannot continue on its present path.

Despite our moral and spiritual corruption, however, Professor Henry is not altogether pessimistic about democracy. He cautions us against idolizing any form of government because we are flawed and can never find our salvation in earthly politics. But he also argues that democratic self-government offers an avenue for serious social and political reformation. Professor Henry calls us to understand once again that self-government demands virtue and that virtue can only be recaptured through a serious reflection on the truth about God and ourselves. In his view, democracy constantly invites this sort of reflection.

It is a great privilege for us to publish this monograph. I well recall one sunny Roman afternoon that I happened to be at the Vatican when a crowd of about 7000 people exited an audience with Pope John Paul II. In the midst of the crowd I saw Paul Henry, who was my congressman, and Karen, his wife. We were all amazed at the coincidence of encountering each other in such a setting. Nor did I allow the opportunity to pass to tease Paul that I would be sure to tell his world-famous evangelical father that I had spied him exiting a papist event. We laughed together-it was always easy to laugh with Paul-never realizing that soon Paul would be stricken with an aggressive brain tumor that would take him from his family and friends. I have a photograph someone took of us all standing together under Saint Peter's dome, which recalls to my mind the ancient proverb, "Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." (Ps. 133:1)

Paul always reminded me of Carl, both in visage and in intellect, so it is a special honor to make this incisive essay available to a wider readership. We hope that you will find it as rich and thought-provoking as we have. We will continue to provide a public voice for such high-quality works on the assurance that hearing the truth is necessary for becoming truly free, both personally and as a nation.

Robert A. Sirico is president and co-founder of the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty. Holding a master’s degree in Divinity from the Catholic University of America, Father Sirico is the author of numerous journal and newspaper articles on public policy, economics, and theology. He is also a full-time parish priest, a member of the Mount Pelerin Society, and an international lecturer on economics and religion.