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A Few Principles Concerning Religious Liberty
Written by Paul Dean
Friday, 04 July 2008
There is no little confusion as to what the relationship between the church and the state should be. Yet, the notion of a composite society, that is, a non-sacral society, finds its genesis in the New Testament and its revelation that the church is a people within a people. That the church should be seen as co-extensive with society is to miss the point of Christ’s redemptive plan and the calling of a people to Himself by grace. His kingdom is not of this world or else His followers would fight (Jn. 18:36).
Despite the contemporary confusion related to this critical subject, a number of the nation’s founding fathers understood New Testament truth in connection therewith, in part, if not in whole. They were certainly influenced by pious men, not the least of which was John Leland, a Baptist preacher committed to Christ and biblical, religious liberty. His words may be surprising to the modern Christian, but let the reader hear: “Let a man be Pagan, Turk, Jew or Christian, he is eligible to any post in that government.”
On this Independence Day anniversary, July 4th, 2008, the topic of discussion on “Calling for Truth” will center upon principles of religious liberty as evinced by the New Testament vision of a composite society. Some of our comments may be surprising, but, let us remember that Scripture is our authority, not tradition, and that the saints of Christ must not only being reformed (transformed) by the new birth, but be committed to ever being reformed by the light of Scripture and the work of the Holy Spirit.
