Whenever a news story comes up that concerns the separation of church and state....my mind instinctively reverts to how this might affect evangelicalism....and the proclamation of the gospel. Not that these news stories are not important in themselves for often they are....last week for example when the Supreme Court ruled that...."Maine cannot exclude religious schools from tuition assistance programs"....and today's news of course where the court ruled in favor of a high school football coach who was fired for praying on the field....but none of these issues....not the constitution....not freedom and liberty....not America itself....not our own lives....nothing....takes precedence over defense of the gospel of Jesus Christ!
For many years I was consumed somewhat by the threat of communism here in America...and the first seven years of these posts are filled with warnings on that danger....and that concern remains....but now our other flank is also in danger....as a Christian nationalism threatens the accurate proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I don't want to get too specific here....the name of the nationally known minister....in Reformed circles....is not necessary....suffice it to say that I was thrilled to hear that a message from him would be highlighted on one of the many programs of which I listen. I have heard this man speak for decades. He was one on whom I would dwell on every blessed sentence of the gospel that he uttered....but the message in question here was disjointed....mixing the freedoms of the citizens of a country in with the freedoms that we have in Christ. He didn't stumble on words....but it did seem that a couple of times he stumbled on thoughts....and once or twice his reasoning sounded....vacant....far off....as if he didn't even understand what he himself was saying. I wondered if his church....deep in MAGA country....had somehow influenced him over the last six years....instead of he warning them?
It turned out that our heroes in the church during the pandemic were the pastors who fought to keep church doors open. It did not matter at all if there was any gospel in those churches.....nor did it matter that common sense and concern for human life was behind temporarily closing those doors....nor did anyone consider that when a megachurch closes its doors....a lot of money does not come in....and a lot of the bills for fancy amenities and superfluous ministeries in the church....would have to wait to be paid.
We on the....'right'....are starting to unilaterally 'demand'....which the other side has always done...more than request reasoning together....which we had always done. We're starting to punish people for not holding to the opinions that we hold to....which the other side has always done. In short we are becoming as the other side! We criticize their outrageously biased news media....from our outrageously biased news media! My recommendation here....is to stay vigilant as to mixing patriotism in with the gospel of Jesus Christ!
