American Churches: On the Wrong Side of History

American Thinker ^ | 07/11/2015 | By John L. Hancock

[SeekAndFind]

The Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage has sent a shockwave through the Christian community. Many are wondering how it came to be that a nation built on the freedom of religion is now forcing people of faith to choose between obeying the government and following their religious convictions. For an answer to that question they need not look further than their own churches.

For several decades, Christians have accepted the premise that politics has no place within the churches. Whether this is rooted in an extreme interpretation of the concept of the separation of church and state or pastors’ aversion to discussing controversial topics, it is a belief that would be unrecognizable to previous generations of Christians.

In fact, it is a belief that places many modern churches and their congregations on the wrong side of history.

Last month the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta was celebrated throughout the English-speaking world. This document is rightfully seen as the seminal document of individual liberty, including that of a free church. What is nearly forgotten is that it would never have been possible without an archbishop named Stephen Langton and his monks in Canterbury.

As historian Cyril Robinson would write, “Langston was a man of high courage and large ideas... He understood the barons’ grievances and saw that they were right. So when he backed them, the authority of his name and office won the entire nation to their cause.”

[Arm_Bears]

Grew up in the Methodist church.

They left me behind in their move to the Left.

Converted to the Episcopal church when I got married.

They left me behing in their move to the Left.

Decided I don’t need organized religion; I just need Jesus.

Pretty happy now.

[kingu]

Conservative churches. Liberal ones are constantly politicking. For evidence, just look under Obama’s mothballed bus.

[cripplecreek]

For several decades, Christians have accepted the premise that politics has no place within the churches.

That irritates the hell out of me. The seeds of the American revolution were sown by the colonial churches. Guys like Washington, Jefferson, Franklin etc didn't come up with their ideas on freedom all by themselves. Men like George Whitfield had already plowed the field and scattered seed long before our founders came along.

The British recognized it and tried to impose govt approved ministers in colonial churches which led to even greater anger. By the time the revolution began, the churches were actively recruiting members for militia.

"It was Sunday morning early in the year 1776. In the church where Pastor Muhlenberg preached, it was a regular service for his congregation, but a quite different affair for Muhlenberg himself. Muhlenberg's text for the day was Ecclesiastes 3 where it explains, 'To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven; a time to be born, and a time to die, a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted...'"

"Coming to the end of his sermon, Peter Muhlenberg turned to his congregation and said, 'In the language of the holy writ, there was a time for all things, a time to preach and a time to pray, but those times have passed away.' As those assembled looked on, Pastor Muhlenberg declared, 'There is a time to fight, and that time is now coming!' Muhlenberg then proceeded to remove his robes revealing, to the shock of his congregation, a military uniform."

"Marching to the back of the church he declared, 'Who among you is with me?' On that day 300 men from his church stood up and joined Peter Muhlenberg. They eventually became the 8th Virginia Brigade fighting for liberty."

"Frederick Muhlenberg, Peter's brother, was against Peter's level of involvement in the war. Peter responded to Frederick writing, 'I am a Clergyman it is true, but I am a member of the Society as well as the poorest Layman, and my Liberty is as dear to me as any man, shall I then sit still and enjoy myself at Home when the best Blood of the Covenant is spilling? ...So far am I from thinking that I act wrong, I am convinced it is my duty to do so and duly I owe to God and my country."



A Christian who isn't politically active is no Christian at all.

[Gamecock]

That’s OK. I’m on God’s side, that is really all that matters.

[trisham]

Excellent post.

[Bryanw92]

>>Decided I don’t need organized religion; I just need Jesus.

He is all we need. But having a body of believers around you is a huge benefit. I moved to the PCA which, along with the other orthodox Reformed churches, is the true successor to the Calvinist churches that brought the desire for revolution to the colonies.

http://donsweeting.com/2014/07/04/those-blasted-presbyterians-reflections-on-independence-day/

They also understand that Christian freedom is not freedom to sin as those Progressive Methodists, Episcopals, and PCUSA Presbyterians-in-name-only believe.

[G Larry]

History demonstrate that cultures embracing homosexuality DESTROY THEMSELVES!

[PGalt]

Secular totalitarians driving a stake in the heart of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with “social” religion.

28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of “separation of church and state.”

16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.

17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda.

http://www.usdebtclock.org

Socialism Is Legal Plunder - Bastiat

[60Gunner]

"Decided I don’t need organized religion; I just need Jesus."

Same here.

[PGalt]

Thanks for posting/linking. History BUMP!

[RnMomof7]

I would worry if they were not on the “wrong side” of history

[IwaCornDogs]

Yes, The Black Robe Regiment is definitely making a comeback!

http://blackroberegiment.ning.com/

[cripplecreek]

"Brethren, we came to this country to practice our religious liberties, and if we don't get involved, we're going to lose them."
--John Peter Muhlenberg, 1777

[TheRobb7]

ping for later

[IwaCornDogs]

Amen!

Written into the first sentence of the Declaration, and the last sentence of The Constitution, we have allowed what is clearly stated to be denied.

[GingisK]

... Christians have accepted the premise that politics has no place within the churches...

That is the LeftISIS explanation. Actually, government controls do not exist within churches. Anything church goers wish to discuss within those churches is perfectly legal and well outside of any regulation. IRS stipulations are Unconstitutional, and should be dealt with.

[ravenwolf]

For several decades, Christians have accepted the premise that politics has no place within the churches.

---

I have went to several Churches in the past and I have never heard a preacher speak much on politics.

I believe what they do and have saw it is to murder the scriptures so much as to get the wrong message out.

Jesus said the hirelings will flee when the wolf comes, so the trick is to stave the wolf off by preaching a gospel the wolf loves.

The people has a preacher telling them every thing they want to hear which is why they don`t leave and go to a real church.

But I think with some exceptions it will not make any difference how they vote at the polls.

[Salvation]

Check this out. You just may find a story similar to yours.

Coming Home Network

[arielguard]

My pastor speaking at a political event here in CA on this very topic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb-7gw1yVio