Hesedken

Dear friends,

The following letter was written in reply to a well known man. I hope that the points I made will be of interest to you. It is not a personal letter.

May the Lord bless you, and mercy, peace and love be multiplied,

Br. Ken

P.S.

If you like, fax or mail a copy to a friend.

"Dear Mr. Whitehead,

"Concerning your "Note of Concern" to the ACLU executive director, even though I agree with you that the ACLU is a wicked and deceived group, I refuse to sign it. Actually, I'm not a supporter of 'free speech' when the speech is contradictory or rebellious against the teachings of the Holy Bible. Incidentally, if free speech in America were prohibited when perverse or profane, Bill Clinton would not have such an access to perverting the world through the proliferation of licentiousness and corrupting the morals of children and adults.

"I'm a Christian and I want to do only the things which I can do in the name of Jesus--that the peace of God may rule in my heart. Thus I do not want to challenge the ACLU as you suggested: 'to defend the free speech rights of all individuals' because that is like saying that it is acceptable for one person to say one thing, as long as it is acceptable for a person with an entirely different and perhaps contradictory viewpoint to say another thing--but it actually isn't acceptable, certainly not with me.

"Furthermore, I disagree with the statement of Jefferson that, 'religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God; that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship' (qtd. in Rutherford). This statement is not concentric with biblical teaching concerning the unity of the church and is in direct opposition to 'Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you' (Heb. 13:17). This verse is in reference to spiritual leaders. People have a need to realize that spiritual leaders have more authority than political leaders.

"Although Jefferson was a great political doctrinaire, he seemingly condoned an act of political indifference toward religion. The particular text is brief, and as to the specific wording it is difficult to completely analyze his religious character. Contrarily, as far as political convenience is concerned, according to my personal like, I believe that government should be encouraged to respect only Christianity and its adherence.

"He stated, 'I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act ... which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion"' (qtd. in Rutherford). Since religion is not respected according to this particular wording, this thought seems to open a door to irreligion. It also tends to void the efficacy of the legislative structure as to urgent, penetrating, effective, theocratic-legislative action because it seemingly allows the attempt to circumvent 'that the multifarious wisdom of God might be known now to the principalities and to the authorities in the heavenlies by means of the assembly [the church]' (Eph. 3:10), 'according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord' (Eph. 3:11). This Scripture declares that it is God's purpose for the church to have a spiritual influence upon the government. Therefore, government should be exhorted to respect the religion of Christ and only that religion. Personally and contrariwise to the foresaid statement of Jefferson, I think it is a great and salutary ideal that every government should found itself upon the invitation, respect, honor and submission of the instruction of religious people who promote the teachings of Christ.

"He added to symbolize a political stumbling block--' ... thus building a wall of separation between church and state' (qtd. in Rutherford). His viewpoint seemingly attempts to diminish, in effect, the specific, legal opportunity for the church to have an influence on government. However, God has supplied His people with ministers, 'apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers' (Eph. 4:11), and the wisdom, 'multifarious wisdom ... of the assembly' (Eph.3:10), to serve the church and all of mankind including areas such as government, 'principalities and to the authorities' (Eph. 3:10). See my paper "Decency and Order."

"The church is commanded to separate itself from the world. Many times the church has to withdraw and separate itself from political wickedness; but nevertheless, no one should ever suggest that government separate itself from the church except, of course, for theological error, heresy, other sins, and at worst--apostasy. The church is the body of Christ and is taught to seek its direction from the Lord through the Holy Scriptures and righteous living. Thus, if government denies the direction of the Lord, then it opens the door for irreligion and its repercussions to step in. This causes iniquity to abound. See my paper "Sexual Immorality and the Brink of Apostasy." In order for Christianity to prevail, and irreligion to fail, Christians must hold or love the virtue of a faithful witness for Christ pre-eminent more so than self-preservation, and absolutely more so than lust. See my paper "Active Piety instead of War." I believe sometime in the future some people will be beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and the word of God--see Revelation 20:4. We are held accountable to uphold God's word. Praise be to the Lord for the work which he does upon those luminaries who lift up the name of Jesus and his word."

Works Cited

Rutherford Institute. "A point of law." Rutherford
March 1993:13.

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