ACH Study Groups
Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders
7659 Gingerblossom Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com
www.ACHStudyGroups.com
July 1, 2014
This is a letter to our friends –
Patriot Pulpits & Liberty Churches
I came across the term, “Patriot Pulpits & Liberty Churches” in an article by Rev. Chuck Baldwin (Google it). He referenced a long string of colonial pastors whose sermons are easily available for reading. Chuck identified his messages with theirs and mused that in today’s church culture they would seem strange or even unbiblical.
Recently there has been yet another charge of apostasy against John Locke, whose biblical logic and reasoning had a great influence upon colonial pastors and thus upon their flocks. It has been my privilege to defend Locke in one of those dialogs. In doing so, it appears to me that some of the “typical American church” is less interested in defending the faith than it is in defending the church doctrine!
According to Isaiah, God said, “Come let us reason together.” Thus, God is reasonable. If a church doctrine appears unreasonable, either the doctrine is false, or the reasoning is wrong. The fact remains that the American church is not taking a lead in defending Christian liberty or even teaching about it.
Many times I come across church goers who quote Romans 13:1, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.” And similar verses: Titus 3:1, 1st Peter 2:13-14, 1 Timothy 2:1-2.
I respond that nothing in creation is without a set of laws to govern it. Within those limits is peace and growth. Outside those limits is chaos and degradation.
Take King David in the Old Testament (2nd Samuel): God made David king. All the set of kingly laws and authority were granted to King David by God. It was within David’s authority to send for Bathsheba, his married neighbor. Bathsheba came to the king’s office as she rightly should. When King David propositioned Bathsheba, he had stepped outside the authority God had granted him. Bathsheba would have been within her rights to decline.
American officials have no authority outside the limits God places upon their authority. Their authority may be further limited by the limits we place upon their authority before hiring them. Where are the Patriot Pastors and Liberty Churches teaching this today?
Recently I posted a piece encouraging churches to invite candidates to attend a worship service then be introduced to the congregation. One very dear (and honest!) friend responded with a string of reasons for inaction. I suspect she speaks for over half of the churchgoers who read the post:
– “Most of those I know are Democrats.”
– “[The professional group] don’t discuss politics, religion, and barely anything else except themselves.”
– “Many of them are single, or have no children and are much more secretive about their personal lives.”
– “As far as the people at church … most things are involved w/ church activities and political issues aren’t discussed.”
– “[I] do know a few who are Republicans, but not that many, and don’t want to ‘rock the boat’ by bringing up stuff that will start an argument.”
When the godless government troops come to shut down and burn the Patriot Pastors in Liberty Churches, will you fear to ‘rock the boat’? Will you be ashamed that you and your church were not on the godless government’s list?
