I welcome you with a short but dynamic article entitled "THE QUESTION that CHANGED MY LIFE" by David Ryser. To see the original and complete article, click the title in the last sentence. I am also linking to this article in the "Relevant Articles" Section of this website.
The Question that Changed My Life
(by David Ryser)
"A number of years ago, I had the privilege of teaching at a school of ministry. My students were hungry for God, and I was constantly searching for ways to challenge them to fall more in love with Jesus and to become voices for revival in the Church. I came across a quote attributed most often to Rev. Sam Pascoe. It is a short version of the history of Christianity, and it goes like this:
"'Christianity started in Palestine as a fellowship; it moved to Greece and became a philosophy; it moved to Italy and became an institution; it moved to Europe and became a culture; it came to America and became an enterprise.'
"Some of the students were only 18 or 19 years old--barely out of diapers--and I wanted them to understand and appreciate the import of the last line, so I clarified it by adding, 'An enterprise. That's a business.' After a few moments Martha, the youngest student in the class, raised her hand. I could not imagine what her question might be. I thought the little vignette was self-explanatory, and that I had performed it brilliantly. Nevertheless, I acknowledged Martha's raised hand, 'Yes, Martha.' She asked such a simple question, 'A business? But isn't it supposed to be a body?' I could not envision where this line of questioning was going, and the only response I could think of was, 'Yes.' She continued, 'But when a body becomes a business, isn't that a prostitute?' ..."
Click "THE QUESTION that CHANGED MY LIFE" to read the remainder of this powerful article.
In the articles, books, audio teachings, and other resources on this website one can learn the biblical principles and facts that show that incorporation and 501(c)(3) for churches grieves our Lord and results in dire consequences. Click the following link to see what getting involved with civil government has done for the Salvation Army: Salvation Army Reaches Settlement in Church-State Suit (Feb. 18, 2010). I cannot overemphasize the fact that the United States government is not the friend of churches, believers, or the Lord Jesus Christ. The federal government is intruding more and more into the affairs of state churches (incoporated churches or churches who obtain any type of legal entity status, including Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) tax exempt status).
Welcome to churchandstatelaw.com
Click the "Blog" button for links to all the articles on Jerald Finney's "Separation of Church and State" blog - including articles with audio teachings on all issues involved with church and state law such as the biblical principles of government, church, and separation of church and state; the history of the First Amendment; Supreme Court religion clause jurisprudence; and union of church and state through incorporation, unincorporated association, corporation sole, and 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Click the Click the "About This Website" for a definition of "church and state law" and other information. "Books" button for information on ordering books by Jerald Finney and other authors or to see a preview of 2 of the books by Jerald Finney. Click the "Radio Show" button for links to Jerald Finney's radio broadcast. Click the "BLC Testimonials" button for audio and written testimonials of pastors of churches organized according to biblical principles. Review the other buttons.
Anyone can learn many valuable facts concerning government, church, and separation of church and state through the resources offered on this website. For example, in God Betrayed/Separation of Church and State: The Biblical Principles and the American Application by Jerald Finney one will learn many verifiable facts that he probably has never read anywhere else about the history of the First Amendment and Supreme Court Court Jurisprudence concerning the issue of separation of church and state. By the way, the Supreme Court has never addressed the true history of the First Amendment and separation of church and state, probably because the Court leaves God and theology out of the equation. However, to fully understand the information and insights on this website, you must first be born again; then, after salvation, you must seek to increase your knowledge of many important issues involving the individual believer, family, church, government, and separation of church and state. If you are not born again, please go to the "Salvation" button. If you are born again, go to the "After Salvation" button for information on the importance of growing in knowledge and truth and walking in the Spirit.]
May the Lord richly bless you and your church through this website. The purpose of this site is to provide resources for Christians and churches who want to learn the biblical principles regarding church, state, and separation of church and state. This website provides books, interviews, radio broadcasts of the teaching of Jerald Finney concerning church and state law, articles, and testimonials of pastors of churches which are operataing according to New Testament principles. Taking advantage of these resources will educate the believer who wants to understand the theology (true theology in the Word of God), history, law, etc. concerning the preeminent doctrines of church, state, and separation of church and state (as opposed to separation of God and state). Thus, this website will be invaluable to those churhces who are seeking to glorify God and please the Lord Jesus Christ by organizing according to biblical principles--in other words according to the highest and controlling church and state law.
Jerald Finney, the author of this site, is a born-again Christian lawyer who has dedicated his life to serving the Lord in this vital and neglected ministry. Since being saved in 1982, he has been a faithful member of a Bible-believing Baptist church. In 2005, the Lord called him to become the lead counsel for the Biblical Law Center, a Christian ministry whose main function is to help churches understand and apply church and state law. Since that calling, he has completed four books dealing with all issues concerning separation of church and state.
Unlike believers and churches in many countries such as China, Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Columbia, and many other nations, American churches and Christians can please the Highest Authority by complying with His church and state law and the laws of civil government as well. They can operate as New Testament churches while also operating within civil church and state law. A church can choose to be under God only without disobeying any civil government law and without persecution. American church and state law does not say that churches must become legal entities such as corporations, unincorporated associations, charitable trusts, corporations sole, or 501(c)(3) tax exempt organizations. Churches can choose to operate as New Testament churches under God only, because the First Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, speech, press, and assembly, as well as the right to petition the civil government for a redress of grievances. While operating solely under God, they can still use all properties (real estate, vehicles, etc.) that a state church utilizes.While so doing they will have advantages over state churches--without persecution from civil government; they will not deny the power of God; they will not grieve God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost by putting themselves under another authority; they will still be free to follow all God's directives for the organization, position, relationships, privileges, and duties of the church; they may preach on abortion, marriage, politicians, politics or on any subject they desire.
to New Testament principles. Click on the "Talk Show Interviews" button at top left or at the bottom for immediate links to exciting and informative interviews of Jerald Finney.
To listen to the archived radio broadcasts of the teaching on church and state law, go to the "Radio Broadcast" section.
Most importantly, this website first recognizes that there are two types of people, saved and unsaved; provides guides for the unsaved to get saved (click the "Salvation" button.); and explains that the saved have responsibilities that only they may achieve (click the "After Salvation" button.).
[Important Note. Christians should have the highest of integrity. They should be ideal citizens. God, the Highest Authority, has laid out, in His Word, principles for and the jurisdictions of individuals, families, churches and civil government. Should a Christian or Christians commit a crime or tort, God gives civil government jurisdiction to deal with the offender.]
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