Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

This year’s election is barely 2 days old, and some media pundits are already trying to frame scenarios that this (Trump’s Win) was due to some violation of the U.S. Constitution, specifically the “Separation of Church and State.” The only issue with any such theory is that neither the statement nor any form of it is found nor asserted in our constitution.

A conversation with a U. S. Congressman (who is also an accomplished attorney) illustrates how deeply this non-constitutional phrase has been infused in our constitutional thinking. As we were discussing the importance of basic religious values and teachings to public behavior and society in general, he lamented, “We know these values are important; it’s unfortunate that we can’t do anything to promote them.” Surprised, I queried, “Why not?” He replied, “We just can’t.” I persisted, “Why not?” He answered, “Because of ‘separation of church and state.’ ” I responded, “ ‘Separation of church and state’? What about it?” He replied, “It’s in the Constitution—the Constitution won’t permit us to have religious values in public arenas.” I returned, “That phrase is not in the Constitution!” Forcefully he countered, “Yes it is!” “No it’s not.” “Yes it is.” We went back and forth. I finally gave him a copy of the Constitution and asked, “Would you please find that phrase for me?” He replied triumphantly, “I’d be happy to!” He immediately turned to the First Amendment, read it—and became very embarrassed. He said, “I can’t believe this! In law school they always taught us that’s what the First Amendment said!” Amazed, I asked, “You’ve never read the Constitution for yourself?” He replied, “We were never required to read it in law school!”

Yet, even after learning that the phrase is not part of the Constitution, many citizens nevertheless persist: “Well, even though the words aren’t there, isn’t that what the First Amendment really means? Wasn’t that the intent of those who framed that Amendment?” The answer to that question is, “No; that was not their intent”—at least not in the way that we have come to know separation of church and state today. What evidence proves this? The Founders’ own writings as well as the official documents surrounding the framing of the First Amendment—documents such as the Congressional Record.

David Barton, Separation of Church and State: What the Founders Meant (Aledo, TX: Wallbuilder Press, 2007), 5.

There are many resources available for concerned and informed citizens to read and do their own in-depth study of this subject. For today we present the following from the Colson Center for Christian Worldview.

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Church and State

By: John Stonestreet and Dr. Glenn Sunshine

The buzz over Christian Nationalism, muddied by the lack of a definition of what exactly Christian Nationalism is and who is guilty of it, is an opportunity to reflect on the proper relationship of religion and government. Despite the dire warnings of an imminent and existential threat from Christian theocrats, it’s important to note that this kind of discussion, of the limits of the religious influence on the state, could only happen in a culture widely shaped by Christianity. In fact, many scholars of religion argue that the idea of religion is itself a product of Christianity…

Continued at the link above

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RELATED

Progressive “Christian Nationalism”

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BONUS DEVOTIONAL

Searching for Wisdom “‘Where can wisdom be found?’” (Job 28:12).

Wisdom is found in a Person, not a place.