Mealtime Meditation on Madison

“So, I read James Madison’s first inaugural address today.” That was my offering to the family at dinner last week. That led to speculation about what exactly Dolley Madison saved when the British invaded Washington D.C. in 1814...well, that’s what the wife and children discussed. I contributed a few thoughts about Dolly Madison snack cakes. It was a productive discussion. The family figured out it was a portrait of George Washington. The snack company went out of business a few years ago.

The “Father of the Bill of Rights,” in that inauguration speech, didn’t say much...it was three pages long (brevity, the best sort of politician’s speech). But the fourth president of the United States of America still managed to describe the foundational ideals that guided him, including religious liberty: “Assuring myself, that under every vicissitude, the determined spirit and united Councils of this nation, will be safeguards to its honor and its essential interests, I repair to the post assigned me, with no other discouragement, than what springs from own inadequacy to its high duties. If I do not sink under the weight of this deep conviction, it is because I find some support in a consciousness of the purposes, and a confidence in the principles which I bring with me into this arduous service...to hold the Union of the States as the basis of their peace and happiness; to support the Constitution, which is the cement of the Union, as well in its limitations as in its authorities; to respect the rights and authorities reserved to the States and to the people, as equally incorporated with, and essential to the success of, the general system; to avoid the slightest interference with the rights of conscience, or the functions of religion so wisely exempted from civil jurisdiction...the source to which I look for the aids which alone can supply my deficiencies, is in the well tried intelligence and virtue of my fellow Citizens, and in the Councils of those representing them, in the other Departments associated in the care of the national interests. In these my confidence will, under every difficulty be best placed; next to that which we have all been encouraged to feel in the guardianship and guidance of that Almighty Being whose power regulates the destiny of nations, whose blessings have been so conspicuously dispensed to this rising Republic, and to whom we are bound to address our devout gratitude for the past, as well as our fervent supplications and best hopes for the future” (March 4, 1809).

Prior to the ratification of the Bill of Rights, then-U.S. Representative (Virginia) Madison wrote against taxation of Virginians in support of religious congregations. The tax he opposed was mandatory, even though the citizens could designate which church was supported by the monies. After seeing the persecution of Baptists in Virginia by the established church (Anglican), Madison remained consistently opposed to any civil involvement in religion, be it supposedly positive (financial support of the church) or negative (government oppression of particular religions). “It is the duty of every man to render to the Creator such homage and such only as he believes to be acceptable to him. This duty is precedent, both in order of time and in degree of obligation, to the claims of Civil Society. Before any man can be considered as a member of Civil Society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe...we maintain therefore that in matters of Religion, no man’s right is abridged by the institution of Civil Society and that Religion is wholly exempt from its cognizance...if Religion be exempt from the authority of the Society at large, still less can it be subject to that of the Legislative Body...the preservation of a free Government requires not merely, that the metes and bounds which separate each department of power be invariably maintained; but more especially that neither of them be suffered to overleap the great Barrier which defends the rights of the people. The Rulers who are guilty of such an encroachment, exceed the commission from which they derive their authority, and are Tyrants” (“Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments,” June 20, 1785).

The fruit of this conviction became foundational to this nation a few years later: “The Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution... Congress [this was back when the government and the people knew who made the laws in this nation] shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances...” (“Bill of Rights,” ratified in 1791).

While we should all be thankful that religious liberty was a conviction of Madison’s, it certainly wasn’t new: “God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in any thing contrary to his word, or not contained in it. So that to believe such doctrines, or obey such commands out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience; and the requiring of an implicit faith, an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience and reason also” (1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, 21.2 – the Baptists eliminated the clause found in the Westminster Confession of Faith of 1646 which called upon the civil magistrate to be involved in maintained order, unity, and discipline in the churches).

Neither is this conviction concerning religious liberty an old one: “God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power” (Baptist Faith & Message 2000, 17).

Religious liberty. May it continue in this nation and spread throughout the world in the generations to come. This is, I believe, the apostle Paul’s chief concern as he tells the church to pray.

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority” (1 Timothy 2:1,2a). Sometimes we stop there in our reading, interpreting Paul to mean that we pray for civil leaders either for their own sake or for the good of the nation. What the apostle says afterwards should refine our understanding of his command to pray.

“...so that [what follows is the reason for the command to pray] we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth” (2:2b-7).

We pray for civil leaders so that we may lead a peaceful life, but even this is not the end of Paul’s reasoning (his concern isn’t for our comfort). This peaceful life is for the sake of the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to “all men.” The same God Who has ordained this in the current Gospel Age is the One Who calls preachers, missionaries (apostles), and teachers to proclaim Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:1-8 is about religious liberty for the sake of missions/evangelism.

The apostle closes out this section by returning to his original command in a tidy book-end: “Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension” (2:8).

Religious liberty. We pray for it and work for it, not primarily for our own personal freedom, but for the sake of the spread of the Gospel to those who have yet to hear it proclaimed. Our primary motivator for advocating religious liberty is the desire of “God our Savior” to have Christ, the “one mediator...between God and men” proclaimed everywhere.

This also means that if we aren’t focused on missions and evangelism, we are wasting this most rare and precious of freedoms.

Keep it at the forefront of your prayers, Church. Work hard at preserving it as your birthright and inheritance, U.S. citizens.

By the way...after telling my kids about religious liberty, they tried to discuss the War of 1812 and I tried to tell them about snack cakes. Seriously. Someone's got to be the adult.

Give Them the Sermon

Let me get this straight: lawyers from a major U.S. city subpoena sermon notes & recordings concerning anything said in the pulpit concerning a controversial law and/or the major who supported the law and/or anything topically related to the content of the law, and the general majority response of the church and pastors is basically, “h**l no, we won’t go”?!

Dr. Moore (whom I normally enjoy reading) of the S.B.C.’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission even managed to dig up a Bible reference to defend this attitude: “The churches, and pastors, of Houston ought to respond to this sort of government order with the same kind of defiance the Apostle Paul showed the magistrates in Philippi. After an earthquake, sent by God, upturned the prison where Paul and Silas were held, Luke tells us that the officials sent the police to tell Paul and Silas they could go. Paul replied. ‘They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned men who are Roman citizens and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly. No! Let them come themselves and take us out’ (Acts 16:37).”

Seriously? Why are we surprised by these subpoenas? Are we still so theologically thin that we think unbelievers will always act with logical consistence, clarity of thought, reason-guided passions, and true “liberty and justice for all”?

First, regardless of where you stand on apocalyptic biblical texts, it seems clear that just a cursory reading of them indicate difficult times for believers, be it in the past, present, or future (Daniel 7:17-26; Revelation 11:3-7; 12:17; 13:6,7; cf. John 15:19-21; 16:33; Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 3:12). “He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time” (Daniel 7:25). “They will be given.” Who does the “giving”? Who measures the “time, times, and half a time”? Who’s in charge?

Secondly, and – most importantly from a Great Commission standpoint - why in the world wouldn’t we joyfully turn over every single sermon we’ve ever written and preached (they’re probably all on these churches websites for all to access anyway)?

“Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city. Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved” (Matthew 10:14-22).

“But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. The gospel must first be preached to all the nations. When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved” (Mark 13:9-13).

“But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake. It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be hated by all because of My name. Yet not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives” (Luke 21:12-19).

I interpret these passages to be exclusively about the events leading up to and including the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in A.D. 70, but I know that most people understand these passages to refer to the “end times.” Given that popular approach to these red-letter passages, where do we find the civil disobedience as far as sermon material goes? Don’t we find the opposite, whether we interpret this to be general principle or specific command? Doesn’t the Lord tell us we will be brought before the government for the purpose of the Trinity (Father, Matthew 10:20; Son, Luke 21:15; Spirit, Mark 13:11), that He might speak through us as a testimony? Why wouldn’t we want city lawyers and their masters to hear the Word? Hopefully somewhere in these sermons the Gospel was presented and the Word faithfully taught – if not, why were any other things said in the pulpit?

Hopefully we have faith that the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a means of saving grace through the effectual calling of God the Holy Spirit when and with whomever He sovereignly chooses to extend it. After all, we were saved by it. These who oppose are not greater sinners than we ourselves were, are they? They are not deader in their transgressions and sins (Ephesians 2:1), more committed to being enemies of God (Romans 5:10), more faithful to dad the devil (John 8:43,44), are they? If so, we have a more serious problem – you don’t have a Christian view of the lostness of humanity and the grace of God, but ultimately have a thinly-veiled merit-based religion. I don’t believe that to be true of any of you protestors in this situation (I write this way by means of illustration). We believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that – by the power of the Spirit – saves absolutely dead human beings from their sin and the wrath of God against that sin and brings them into right relationship with their Creator through the work of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit unto rebirth and eternal life by His great and amazing grace through faith. The dead – be they us formerly or massive cities of the lost with their democratically-elected leaders presently – can be brought to life by the Word of Christ. Give them the Word.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances” (Amendment I, December 15, 1791). Our confidence must not be in the Bill of Rights, magnificent as it is for a man-created document. The lostness of humanity and the Scriptures teach us that, apart from the divine imposition of general grace, there can be no legal or logical consistency when it comes to the people of God in Christ. We will be hated because they hated our Lord first (John 15:18). We need to be cautious about filtering our response through either American convictions or warrior bravado more than we do through Scripture. The Church is, and always will be, “the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). We are far more than non-profit incorporations under the laws of this government or that government. We are something eternal and unstoppable. And we have the only message of life, life, eternal life.

I appreciate these pastors so much and all who speak out as heralds of the truth of the Word of God (despite how my over-use of rhetorical questions may skew perception of my attitude). I don’t think I’m bringing up Bible verses these guys (or you) have never read or heard. Of course not. Sometimes, though, in the emotional reaction to lawlessness (which is what these subpoenas are) and astoundingly corrupted logic, we momentarily get shifted on our firm theological/biblical foundations. Brothers and sisters, the lost cannot think or act with consistent justice or logic (2 Kings 17:15; Romans 1:21; Ephesians 4:17,18). I am reminding us that the same Word which declares the folly of the world to be lawless sin also clearly lays out the consequences for proclaiming that Word and being faithful to its Author. Keep fighting, but be sober and prayerful, not shocked and dismayed. May we preach “faith in Christ Jesus” (which Acts 24:24,25 says includes “righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come”) even more firmly anchored to the Word with “great sorrow and unceasing grief” (Romans 9:2) for their ensnarement to “the devil, since they have been held captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26). This is a spiritual battle - the legal and political is necessary but not ultimate. Prayerfully proclaim the truth louder and stronger with hearts broken for those still in absolute darkness.

Give them the sermon.

Three Witnesses to Independence

“Civil power is earthly and natural, reaching only the external man; but ecclesiastical power is spiritual, regarding the internal man and the conscience. The latter is not regulated by natural reason, civil laws and human statutes, by which states are governed; but the Word of God alone and the canon of the Scriptures dictated by the Holy Spirit. It is not exercised in a political and worldly, but in a spiritual and mystical manner by the keys of the Kingdom of heaven and by the sword of the Spirit and other similar weapons; not carnal, but the power of God to the pulling down of strongholds and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:4,5). It administers the sacraments, which are seals, not of any earthly or civil privilege, but of mystical union with Christ and of His spiritual benefits. Nor does it regard any other end than the edification of the body of Christ, the establishment of His Kingdom and the salvation of sinners” (Francis Turretin [1623-1687], Institutes of Elenctic Theology, 18.29.16).

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances” (First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America, 1789).

“God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power” (Baptist Faith & Message 2000, XVII).

A Southern Baptist Considers Memorial Day

“God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.”

- Baptist Faith & Message 2000, XVII

Memorial Day. Recognize that “a free church in a free state” is an ideal that is not free of cost, and remember those who gave themselves to defend this ideal with their lives, to the benefit of the Church here and in many other places around the world.

This principle is codified in the Bill of Rights: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
- 1^st Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America