The Church and Governmental Politics

DEFINED AS expression of a person or entity’s position, whether called north or south, east or west, positive or negative, conservative or liberal.., personal politics becomes a sociological factor that is ideally found in any human society. In this vein, given that we are constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech, we in the United States of America have a right and responsibility to voice our opinion in the public square. This is most evident in our free, Constitutional-guaranteed ability to cast votes in any public election.
Amid the fray, however, comes instances where public statements are needed. This was accomplished by congregation member and Viet-Nam veteran Lenny Anderson, and myself... as pictured below.

 Denominational allegiances found within the church, however, often use scripture foundations and traditions to justify any discipleship attitude of the church expressed also in the political process. Responses to political current flow from the church, therefore, may range from a full expression and financial support for any political participant or position... to a total withdrawal from any participation, Diverse opinion exists within the church then..., about whether a person found in authority, clergy or laity, may rightly participate or serve within secular government. Answers range from those entities that recommend active participation in “worldly” concerns in the public square, to those denominational expressions that wholeheartedly dictate to their adherents a reluctance to participate and influence governmental processes.

 In Reinhold Niehbur’s work “Christ and Culture”, the author classifies and describes our church participation according to denominational expression. Each class is derived from a particular theological interpretation of scripture and its accepted view of the world in salvation history. Herein lays the deciding factors within a church, each which holds its own internal measure of politics.

 Within Niebuhr’s pages we find positions portrayed… ranging from “Christ over Culture” wherein the church leadership is bound by divine right to oversee, guide and render judgments upon any political processes of a secular leader or government

 From this overseeing position, found primarily expressed in Catholic and Orthodox denominations, comes a political stance that attempts dictatorial speaking of divine will into the public square. This position is derived from such scriptural foundations as the exemplary prophets that chided ancient kings such as Saul or David.

 Other denominations, however, form quite different opinion. To many of these, the church is to maintain some level of either authentication, dialog or separation. For example, given its roots in English history, the Episcopal denomination is classified as “Christ and Culture”. In this vein, the church largely helps to establish and authenticate governmental position, especially on such matters in our own day as gay marriage and abortion. These are items that affect the very foundations of societal behavior.

 Midstream in the flow we find my own denomination. Lutheranism attempts to maintain a dialectical “Christ over against Culture” expression. We attempt a “push me, pull you” relationship as we participate in political process. As well, we find that many other Protestant denominations carry similar political stances. These include Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist and other independent, but small Reformation offshoots of Calvinism.

 The last category we find in Christian expression falls subject to quite isolational theology. In their fundamental sway, found by some in Assembly of God and Pentecostal denominations, the church is not to have any discourse with the “sinful” hoi poloi of the world. With a definition that supports strict separation of church and state, this "us vs them" theological thought world leans heavily on dispensationally-interpreted writings found as such in the book of Revelation. Within this theology, the worldly and sinful shall be dealt with supernaturally, independently and prophetically by God… daily and most certainly in the “end times”.

 Carried to unhealthy extremes, however, this last theological stance carried into error may form a worldview that results in such tragedy as the cultic Jonestown or Davidian massacre of persons… or a cult that goes suicidal to hitch a ride on a comet.

 Here please know that within my own Lutheran faith expression carried out in the United States, I find keen agreement with my denomination’s “Christ and Culture dialectic”. In this expression, whether as a church leader or layman, Lutherans hold the right and responsibility to dialog at varying levels… and influence our governmental expression. With foundations in Luther and Melancthon’s opinions expressed in the Book of Concord and other Reformation era documents, and stemming from guidance found in the Augustinian “Two Kingdoms” doctrine, I conclude that God works within society through both church and government. In this, it is then the responsibility of the populace of the church to participate with, or hold office within government to endorse or reject governmental process, even to the point of civil disobedience. These molding attempts I see as according to proper expression of both Law and Gospel.

 The proper function of Law as encountered in commandments and legal structure is that the Ten Commandments are the immutable and unchanging dictates of the Almighty will of God. These constructs first convict humans of sinfulness and drive us to seek salvation in Christ. They are the “nomos” laws of the Torah that are so well communicated in the book of Exodus, The laws are repeated in scripture as recovered and published again in Leviticus, even though slight differences in stating of the Law exists between the two due to their historical time frame of retrieval.

 Scriptural study, however, reveals that a second quality of law is revealed as casuistically founded. This flows from Old Testament record. In "case by case" style, casuistic law flows to the Hebrews from the ancient scribal pens. In these laws we find that enforcement may find either foundation or adaptation, according to a “greater good” within a given society. In this way, we find such items as ancient dietary restrictions against eating pork and seafood to now be unnecessary in public domain. Many biblical scholars and theologians believe these were casuistically given to a mobile shepherd society, a society which often had no proper way to cook said providence. In this way the nomadic Hebrews acquired protection against death from trichinosis. This danger is no longer primary in our more sedentary society that is highly educated concerning proper food preparation. These dietary laws are thus relaxed in our society

 Scriptural law, however, has a third use. These are present additionally to regulate the fair doings of human society. But, with this last being said… we find that gross, unfair and harmful laws passed by a society are often counter-productive… passed with political sway and power struggle in mind. These are often made in the name of modernity. These laws are keen fodder for discussion and expression from diverse church venues. This is especially so in sensitive areas, such as those expressed in God’s Commandments that fomenting proper care for the elderly, the marriage union, and nascent, embryonic life.

 The unchanging Commandments are surely foundational for the over-against-ness positions voiced from such as my own denominational expression within the North American Lutheran Church (NALC). As a called NALC pastor, I strongly endorse the unchanging Commandment foundations of proper care and respect given to the elderly through Social Security, Medicare, and similar legal activities. Additionally on these grounds, I endorse the biblical definition of marriage strictly as being a state that can only exist between heterosexual beings. Lastly, my record shows strong opposition to the abortions of unborn infants. I believe to kill an embryo at the whim and will of the human politic is a bold affront to the divine will of God toward life. To do this horrid deed, though deemed necessary by society under such instances as certain medical procedures and life threatening malady, is surely murderous.
 The downhill slide caused toward greater sin sets up our society for such as focused abortion toward minorities and others who may be considered as genetic misfits. Such praxis was followed by Darwinistic social evolutionists within the Nazi regime of WW2, and are yet followed subtly in this land. This latter evolutionist concept is statistically found to be heralded by profit-seeking demonical organizations and money-mongering physicians. This is  particularly found in this decade focused toward black, female or Down’s Syndrome-afficted embryos that have been provided with nascent life in this nation.

 It is in this discourse that I find our church is surely needed as an expression of God’s intent for life and liberty in this society. But we have become lazy and timid and neglect our responsibility. I counter that we are called, encouraged and empowered in the Spirit to express opinion in the public square. If needed, write or call a Congress person about issues, or request Presidential attentions. Indeed, if need be we are called even to “lay down” our substance and our lives in right service.

 Be urged, therefore, by this article to call or write leaders in all three branches of government to amend the progress of unjust legislation or practices. Let us do so in the name of Jesus Christ, who overturned tables in the marketplace of the temple, and who therein confronted powers within both church and state during his ministry on earth. In this way, such appalling events as the blocking of entry for veterans to the WW2 Memorial may disappear from the American scene. So it should be written, and so it shall be as God wills it.

Infant Mortality for Gain...

PROGRESSIVE AND LIBERAL POWERS today, expressed in both religion and state, offer the mortality of weaker persons in our society upon altars yet formed by ancient gods. With a selective focus in the modern world using tactics that remind us of Nazi experiments and genocidal manias in Eastern Europe and Africa, we find that the populations most impacted by this horrendous modern ideology are the unborn and very young. This is tied to the inability of this segment of our population to voice complaint. Others segments of our population, namely elders and geriatric... though similarly attacked by our cannibalistic society... normally do have some resources to express when they are made victims of persecution.

 Another important fact often escapes us.. our quietude leads us to wrestle with such alarm only as we challenge rapacious abortion facilities. Consequently, we need to examine the roots of the problem. We need only look at our human history to find the flaw. Viewing human history, we find a glaring reflection. A horrid furrow ploughed deep into our society is highlighted. We become aware that murder of these helpless children has been a stalwart of human depravity for eons of time.
 You see, we find that ancient biblical record reveals the practices of rampant child murder in societies that existed centuries ago... often given the gratuitous title of “sacrifice”. The act was a method of deity appeasement during ancient times. As biblical witnesses describe, the thunder gods Marduk and Ba’al Hammon were thought to be persuaded by such horrid practices. Though both nature gods were just natural occurrence that we moderns know as thunderstorms, the upshot was that depending on the weather conditions of such as land and sea in Canaan, a nature god would seasonally roll in upon the land toward pre-scientific peoples from the Mediterranean Sea, or similar bodies of water. By doing so they would quench the thirst of the land for a bountiful spring planting.
 However, if the wind blown storm god entourage did not show with its attending royal goddesses, named in the Canaan realm as Astarte and Tannit (thunder and lightning), and thus water the land for a good crop like a bull urinating on a flat rock... some satanic priest would say that something needed to be done to lure the deity’s attention.
 When rain did not fall, being pre-scientific... but not stupid, the priest divined, “Let’s sacrifice something to get Ba’al’s attention.” There was not enough food, but surely there were plenty of relatively insignificant crumb snatcher’s running around playing with dradles. These were already too many to feed if the society's sacrifice idea didn’t work, so child sacrifice would be repeated again, and again, etc. It was done repeatedly to offer up blood and bones, and sometimes by virtue of weather patterns... it worked. The rain would come. Thus as time rolled on, the practice of child sacrifice grew, entrenched satanically by such as Beel-ze-bul into the ancient cultures.
 To be sure, even when not always successful in bringing rain, the blood and body of a child spilled out on the ground in a religious ceremony did save food that would have been consumed by that child. The food was preserved for those other villagers deemed more worthy because they would have bodily strength for the next planting. The ancients would just keep doing this child sacrifice horror until either the god paid attention, bringing rain.., or the lesser population would make food shortages a moot point because there were just not as many persons left around to feed.

Mot and Worms of Destruction…
How widespread was this phenomenon? Very wide! In ancient Persia, Babylon and Canaan, fickle Marduk was courted and cantankerous Ba’al Hammon was also invited. In the Mediterranean arena, Isis, Osirus and Mot were wooed in Egypt to a rain dance for the crop cycle. In the pantheon of the northern Africa, we read that the ancient gods Ba’al Hammon, Astarte, and Tannit and other deities were enticed for grape crop success. You see, even wine goddesses of the very early Greeks and Roman cultures did the same until those cultures realized that the practice was deleterious to the growth of their armies.
 How far did this human sacrifice go? Records of such activities echo into Germanic, Teutonic, Nordic, Slavic civilizations, and others farther removed. We see in this historical study then, that widespread child sacrifice was done very early in history.
 We then may ask ourselves, "Is it any wonder that this murderous practice still persists in our scientific era?" Children are still being “sacrificed” to the gods of prosperity, whether the economic aim is personal, national, or international, and not necessarily agricultural.
 The recent, and too long enduring massacre of children by such as abortionist Dr. Gosnell under the State of Pennsylvania’s nose, is surely based in this economically motivated agency. He and others profited greatly by continued child sacrifice. It was a racially and class biased eradication of societal “crumb snatchers” by political powers, continuing so that persons in this nation may be wooed and secure with bigger, better housing, nice cars, and many fields for employment and gain. Many since infamous abortion promoters such as eugenics promoter Margaret Sanger, yet query, “Why should a modern, progressive population allow the birth of a child, when their un-tethered preschool tuition could be used as down payment for a golf club membership or new convertible?”
 Is the travesty that blatant? Yes indeed, but clothed in satanic forms. Author Ann Coulter noted the various means of subterfuge that these murderous and self-centered powers exert. They are devious  and should be known by anyone with concern. You can find them discussed in her book. Click here to view her work...

"Godless: The Church of Liberalism"

How Should Christians Respond?
Where should Hebrew and Christian world views differ from this inherited nature deity appeasement? The revelation of God’s mindset as to our faith walk on this matter begins partly through the story of Abraham and Isaac. The scripture reveals to us that father and son were called by God to go up on Mount Moriah. Faith history tells the mountaintop scene of potential child sacrifice, designed both as a test for the fidelity of Jehovah’s servant and revelation of God's deliverance. God intervenes before Abraham’s knife saps his son’s life, saying that Abraham should withhold the slaying… and God substituted a goat as blood sacrifice. God then states to his servant..,

 "By myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will indeed bless you, and I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore. And your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies, and by your descendants shall all the nations of the earth bless themselves, because you have obeyed my voice." (Genesis 22:17)

 We note here that amid the unfolding of subsequent covenant history, instead of child sacrifice for the benefit of his nomadic people, God substitutes his own sacrifice. The faith history of Israel shows our God as a benevolent, creative deity that provides plenteous population growth. In this way the faithful will survive amid wars and the warp and woof of civilizations… until the time of Christ’s birth and beyond. Therefore in the flow of history, once and for all, Christ Jesus is finally made the “one and only, all time” child sacrifice for eternal survival and the prosperity of faithful humanity.

 With this history therefore, as Christians we should point out sinfulness and economic practices that say we need to sacrifice precious children to the faux gods of our own profitability. In fact, we must protest and witness that the love of our Creator indicates that just the opposite is true, in our God’s mandate he says that “Thou shall not kill.”
 The only begotten, eternally living Son of God, Jesus Christ, sacrificed himself so that his church might grow across the world.. The kingdom of God should not have its numerical growth hampered by those in the body politic who grow richer by stealing the inheritance of a murdered, future community in Christ.
 In this proper work of faith, therefore, we are freed from our dependence on the gods of crops, houses, cars, and other possessions. We are called to rightfully use these things, and not make them our masters. Our task is to further the work of Christ’s kingdom. We are also called to voice condemnation and march against on those who would snip the spine of children in the quest of satanic pursuits. We are called to birth, baptize, raise, educate and commune these silent and vulnerable children. This is where the people of God, in his one, holy apostolic church, should rightly stand… this is where we Christians need to stand firmly.

Same-Sex Marriage and the Church

OUR MEDIA crackles with news about growing approvals in American state legislatures concerning Same-Sex Marriage. Repeated turmoil comes out of politically progressive states such as California. Some states, like New York, have already moved to legally permit such unions.., thus putting clergy in rather delicate conversation with non-heterosexual couples about their expressed reluctance to perform such ritual. Conversations about this matter, and any resultant refusals to perform said ceremony have brought several lawsuits to the fore.


My own denomination has thankfully already stated its position against such matters, citing that heterosexual marriage is the only human sexual union that is scripturally supported. The statement, at present, legally protects my right to provide refusal. However, this last statement does not necessarily provide for me, as a pastor, an argument for pointed justification on our position to valued persons within our society. Greater clarity is needed whenever questions arise from persons who cite that an American majority approves of such legal relationships. In considering the point, and others often expressed, I can now turn you to a recently received article published for English churches, which may help many American clergy who ponder answers for the same issue. I offer that article to you now…

On Same-Sex Marriages  

Several good points are raised by the author, that leaders and laypersons of the church in this or any other nation should not join a sinful, yet progressive “going-along-with-ness” in order to “get-along-with” an impetus of our society. We are called as God’s people by the Word of scripture alone, over and above any local, state, or national government mandate. Therefore, let us study scripture.., and be ready to answer concerning the faith that is within us.