Tuesday, September 20, 2005
The Argument OverThe Pledge Of Allegiance
I must confess to some amazement at the debate that has come up in the Christian blogosphere regarding last week's decision that the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance was unconstitutional.
Jollyblogger has a pretty decent symopsis of the discussion and some comments of his own, so I won't recount the discussion here. It centers primarily on the concept of civil religion, it's difference form genuine Christianity, or any other religion, and it's place in American society.
Now, on top of that discussion let's look at this post from Al Mohler. Mohler is looking at a piece by Arthur Schlesinger in the NYTime over the week and quotes him as saying
The Second Helvetic Confession says this
And yet, the presence of such people in the church influences the church as well too. It cannot help but be so, communication is a two way street, particularly when a lot of those people help foot the bills. When we consider the example that Mohler points out -- the doctrine of original sin, the signs of its erosion in the church is everywhere. While it has not been officially discarded, it is increasingly difficult to hear it preached upon or spoken of. In other words, as the civil religion erodes, so, apparently does the genuine religion.
Thus, while remainingin the boundaries of Christian behavior that Jollyblogger discusses,
In the meantime, Tod Bolsinger is giving us some great pointers on how to live until the God really does rule the earth.
Jollyblogger has a pretty decent symopsis of the discussion and some comments of his own, so I won't recount the discussion here. It centers primarily on the concept of civil religion, it's difference form genuine Christianity, or any other religion, and it's place in American society.
Now, on top of that discussion let's look at this post from Al Mohler. Mohler is looking at a piece by Arthur Schlesinger in the NYTime over the week and quotes him as saying
The idea of original sin was a historical, indeed a hysterical, curiosity that should have evaporated with Jonathan Edwards's Calvinism.This quote illustrates why the idea of civil religion is radically important. Schlesinger's analysis is dead nuts right on in terms of the prevailing civil religion, but as the discussion Jollyblogger follows makes VERY clear - that's something very different from practiced Christianity.
The Second Helvetic Confession says this
Not All Who Are in the Church Are of the Church. Again, not all that are reckoned in the number of the Church are saints, and living and true members of the Church. For there are many hypocrites, who outwardly hear the Word of God, and publicly receive the sacraments, and seem to pray to God through Christ alone, to confess Christ to be their only righteousness, and to worship God, and to exercise the duties of charity, and for a time to endure with patience in misfortune. And yet they are inwardly destitute of true illumination of the Spirit, of faith and sincerity of heart, and of perseverance to the end.I would venture to say that many of those who and "in, but not of" the church would be adherents to the prevailing civil religion. Should the prevailing civil religion wander too far from genuine religion, should we excommunicate such poeple? I would answer, "NO!" For by their presence in the church we may reach them with the true gospel.
And yet, the presence of such people in the church influences the church as well too. It cannot help but be so, communication is a two way street, particularly when a lot of those people help foot the bills. When we consider the example that Mohler points out -- the doctrine of original sin, the signs of its erosion in the church is everywhere. While it has not been officially discarded, it is increasingly difficult to hear it preached upon or spoken of. In other words, as the civil religion erodes, so, apparently does the genuine religion.
Thus, while remainingin the boundaries of Christian behavior that Jollyblogger discusses,
Still we must respond to these things and the first thing Christians need to do is remember that the Christian faith was made to thrive in a hostile environment. The Bible tells us how we can respond to hostility by loving our enemies, praying for those who persecute us, blessing those who curse us and doing good to those who hate us (Matthew 5:44). We can also rejoice that we have been granted the privilege of suffering for Christ (Phil. 1:29-30). Anger, retaliation, name calling and the other standard fare of much of our national discourse must not be present in the lives of Christians.it is vitally important that we fight for the civil religion.
In the meantime, Tod Bolsinger is giving us some great pointers on how to live until the God really does rule the earth.
Think about what it will be like when God?s righteous reign and rule permeate all of creation. Think of the way that the Bible describes it: the lion will lay down with the lamb. There will be no more wars. No more injustice, no more deceit. People will live in peace and harmony, fulfilling their commitments and loving each other the way God loves us.What a great vision! The church shouldbe moving towards it, but alas, from my perspective, the influence of the civil religion has the church moving away from it. Thus it is necessary to enter the debate and fight for the civil religion -- to have it align as closely as possible with the genuine religion of Jesus Christ.
