UnGodly Holiness Part 5, Silencing the Church

In Poland, under the Communist regime of the 1950s, churches were required to register with the government, pastors had to be licensed by the government, and pastors could not speak out on politics. Doing so could result in the shutdown of the church and the pastor's license could be revoked, making it illegal for him to follow God's call in the ministry. This was fairly common in Iron Curtain countries prior to 1980, as is my observation from reading "God's Smuggler" by Brother Andrew.

Governments have always despised religious intervention from the time King Henry VIII decided that he didn't like being told by the pope that he couldn't divorce his wife. While governments tolerated religion, some even officially adopting certain religions, the movement in the world has been to rid countries of religion. The Communist were very effective at this. Government wants the churches to stay out of the political arena.

Now Baptists believe in separation of church and state. What this means is that the state does not pick an official state religion, neither does the church usurp authority over the state. The United States put into the Constitution with the first amendment the prohibition of Congress making "any law regarding the establishment of religion or the free exercise thereof." What this meant was that Congress would not adopt a state religion, neither would it regulate religion, neither would it limit the free exercise of religion. It did not say that churches could not petition Congress, support a candidate for Congress, or lobby for or against legislation.

However, IRS tax code does just that. Churches seeking the non-profit status are legally prevented from attempting to influence legislation or elections. This code is in direct violation of the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution because it regulates the free exercise of religion. It limits churches' abilities to stand up against pro-abortion legislation, and stand up in favor of pro-family legislation. Furthermore, churches are not even allowed to contribute money to political causes. (Read the IRS tax codes and state business codes).

The problem we face as churches today is that we not only have the government silencing our voices in the political arena, some of our own people are calling for us to shut up as well. They cite examples such as Jesus being apolitical, their belief in separation of church and state, and rail against Christian PACs that lobby for pro-family legislation, or legislation that expands Christian liberties. We should be all about saving souls and not worry about the politics, or so they say.

To fall into this line of thinking is to ignore thousands of years of precedent, not only in scripture, but in Baptist history as well. Did not the prophets try to influence the kings they were under? Did not Jesus try to explain His Kingdom to Pilate? Did not Paul try to convert and influence Festus, Felix and King Agrippa? Was Rhode Island not founded by Baptists seeking refuge from persecution? Did not Baptists, and John Leland in particular, lobby the U.S. Government for the freedom of religion clause in the first amendment? These are just a few examples.

The point is, when governments follow evil trends and pass evil laws, God's people must rise up and voice opposition to those laws. If they do not, then the evil consequences will come upon the nation with little or no warning.

Paul wrote that we should pray for our governments that we can live peaceably and worship freely, and James wrote that we should put our prayers into action. We have the ability to petition our government for the purpose of protecting our Christian liberties, and for the purpose of keeping our government in line with the things that God finds acceptable. Should we neglect this blessing, and turn a blind eye to the evils being perpetrated by our government, we have no one to blame but ourselves when the persecution comes.

Therefore, the church is right to oppose pro-abortion, pro-homosexual, and pro-immorality legislation. Don't let the opposition, either external or internal, silence you. You will be held accountable by God.