freedom of religion freedom of speech freedom of the press freedom peaceably to assemble k. Value of government by consent of the governed, and dangers of tyranny - tyranny by unelected judges making laws rather than interpreting laws - tyranny by executive branch making new laws through regulations, and failing to enforce existing laws l. Israel and the Middle East m. Basic civics class teaching people how US government works something many schools – tragically fail to teach effectively anymore. 3. Differences It is not necessarily bad if Christians differ on some of these issues, and it might be healthy, for some of them, to have a forum with Christians advocating various views. That surely happened with the slavery controversy and the proslavery advocates in the church – were vastly outnumbered in the debate and they eventually lost and lost decisively. 4. Pulpits and the nation Since 1954 Amendment” to the Internal Revenue Code, which put some restrictions on “Johnson the political speech of churches, the pulpits of America, which should be the moral conscience of our government, have been largely muzzled out of fear largely ungrounded fear. – And there is strong reason to believe this IRS law is itself unconstitutional -freedom of religion -freedom of speech no Q at all that churches are free to advocate for and against various moral and spiritual issues that impact political questions (without mentioning particular candidates by name) F. Reasons for hope 1. The Lord God Almighty rules over the nations For kingship belongs to the Lord, and (Ps. 22:28). he rules over the nations Who rules by his might forever, let not the rebellious whose eyes keep watch on the nations— exalt themselves (Ps. 66:7). For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God (Ps. 75:6–7). who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and (Ps. 103:19). his kingdom rules over all The is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will (Prov. king’s heart 21:1).
freedom of religion freedom of speech freedom of the press freedom peaceably to assemble k. Value of government by consent of the governed, and dangers of tyranny - tyranny by unelected judges making laws rather than interpreting laws - tyranny by executive branch making new laws through regulations, and failing to enforce existing laws l. Israel and the Middle East m. Basic civics class teaching people how US government works – something many schools tragically fail to teach effectively anymore. 3. Differences It is not necessarily bad if Christians differ on some of these issues, and it might be healthy, for some of them, to have a forum with Christians advocating various views. That surely happened with the slavery controversy – and the proslavery advocates in the church were vastly outnumbered in the debate and they eventually lost and lost decisively. 4. Pulpits and the nation Since 1954 “Johnson Amendment” to the Internal Revenue Code, which put some restrictions on the political speech of churches, the pulpits of America, which should be the moral conscience of our government, have been largely muzzled out of fear – largely ungrounded fear. And there is strong reason to believe this IRS law is itself unconstitutional -freedom of religion -freedom of speech no Q at all that churches are free to advocate for and against various moral and spiritual issues that impact political questions (without mentioning particular candidates by name) F. Reasons for hope 1. The Lord God Almighty rules over the nations For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations (Ps. 22:28). Who rules by his might forever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations— let not the rebellious exalt themselves (Ps. 66:7). For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another (Ps. 75:6–7). The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all (Ps. 103:19). The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will (Prov. 21:1).
No-time-for-retreat.03-ETS-paper-11-18-15-2.docx