Separation of Church and State Law Blog

The purpose of this site is to Glorify God by publishing truth concerning the issue of separation of church and state. The Bible is the standard for all matters considered. The author invites anyone to show him where he is wrong biblically, historically, or legally. Only one to this point has even attempted to do so. The author quickly pointed out the error of that person. Many have issued wild, uneducated, conclusory attacks without substance. One man of Protestant persuasion who once attended the same church the author attends approaches others behind the author’s back telling them not to listen to the author; but he has never been willing to substantively discuss or debate the issues. Than person, like many others, follows the spiritual principles of the god of this world-greed, selfishness, pride, etc. instead of looking deep into the Word of God for answers.

I. Book Reviews.

032811 Outcome-Based Religion: Purpose, Apostasy, & the New Paradigm Church by Mac Dominick, Cutting Edge Ministries (www.cuttingedge.org)
120211 The Writings of John Leland, Edited by L.F. Greene
010312 The Word: God Will Keep It/The 400 Year History of the King James Bible Only Movement 

II. Articles:

A. Misellaneous Spiritual/Legal Issues (Started 121011)

121011 The Legality of Door-to-Door Evangelism

B. Letters from pastors and others.

110511 More Letters from Pastors and Others
040511 More Letters from Pastors and Others 
121110 More Letters from Pastors and Others concerning this “Separation of Church and State Law” Blog
090610 Letters from Pastors Regarding Hyles/Schaap and Other Articles
041810 More Letters from Pastors in Response to the “Separation of Church and State Law” blog ad My Replies
033010 Letters from Pastors in Response to the “Separation of Church and State Law” blog ad My Replies
102309 What Pastors are Saying in Response to this blog

C. Articles which systematically examine the biblical principles of government, church, and separation of church and state and the American application and misapplication of those principles. The biblically literate believer who reads and studies these articles will understand the principles, history, and basic legal concepts taught.

1. Articles on the biblical doctrine of “Government”:

030311 Introduction to articles on the biblical doctrine of “Government’
031111 Biblical teaching on self-government
041911 Family government and conscience 
051411 Civil Government
072311 God desires nations to choose to glorify Him
081211 Israel-The only theocracy ordained by God 
091211 God is the God of Israel
101811 God desires Gentile nations to glorify Him
110511 God judges nations
120211 Conclusion to "The biblical doctrine of government"

2. Articles on the biblical doctrine of “Church”:

120110 Introduction to articles on the biblical doctrine of Church”
121710 Definition, organization, and purposes of a church
011011 Christ, the Head/Husband/Bridegroom of His churches
020811 Conclusion to articles on the biblical doctrine of “Church”

Articles on Church apostasy:

032811 Book Review: Outcome-Based Religion: Purpoose, Apostasy, & the New Paradigm Church by Mac Dominick, Cutting Edge Ministries
080710 On Jack Hyles Sermon, “The Treasure is in a Field”
082110 Jack Schaap, First Baptist of Hammond, Heresy and Apostasy
091810 Recent Accelerated Apostasy in the United States
110910 Church Incorporation, 501(c)(3), Heresy, and Apostasy

The author will continue to add to this series until complete. The biblically literate believer who reads and studies these articles until the end will understand the biblical principle of separation of church and state and the American application of that principle.

3. Articles on the biblical doctrine of “Separation of Church and State”:

010312 Introduction to the biblical doctrine of "Separation of Church and State"
031012 Definitions of "separation of church and state," "established church," and "religious freedom or soul liberty" 
031012 Dispensational Theology versus Covenant Theology
040212 Distinct differences between church and state render them mutually exclusive 
092909 American Abuse of Romans 12.1-2 and Related Verses. This audio teaching by Jerald Finney shows the biblical bankruptcy of the false teaching that Romans 13 and some other verses taken out of context teach almost unlimited submission by Christians and churches to civil government.

Additional articles to complete the study of this topic will be added.

4. Articles on the history of religious liberty in America:

010610 An Abridged History of the First Amendment. Since this topic is so vast, this article is longer than most articles on this blog—21 single spaced pages, excluding endnotes (not so long considering the wealth of information distilled on this vital subject). Sadly, very few Christians know the facts presented in this history. Tragically, few Christians want to know it. To fully understand the issue of separation of church  and state, one must have knowledge of the history of the First Amendment.

5. Articles on Supreme Court Religion Clause jurisprudence:

Articles to complete this study will be added later.

6. Articles on “God Betrayed: Union of Church and State in America”:

051610 Church Incorporation Increases Liability of Church Members. Today, the most common reasons given by churches for incorporating and seeking 501(c)(3) status are (1)  limited liability; (2) to allow a church to hold property; (3) civil government recognition of tax exempt status assures church leaders, members, and contributors that the church is recognized as exempt and qualifies for related tax benefits (For example, contributors to a church that has been recognized as tax exempt would know that their contributions generally are tax-deductible); and (4) convenience—it is easier to get a tax deduction for tithes and offerings given to an incorporated 501(c)(3) church than for tithes and offerings given to a New Testament church. This article will deal with the first reason, limited liability. Future articles will cover the last three reasons.
52910 Analysis of another reason given for church corporate status: to hold property. This article will deal with the second reason, to hold property. The first reason, limited liability and already been addressed in the article “Church Incorporation Increases Liability of Church Members.” A future articles will address the last two  reasons.
071010 Tax Reasons Given for Church Corporate-5019c)(3) Status. A Biblical and Legal Analysis. This article deals with the following reasons given for church corporate-501(c)(3) status: civil government recognition of tax exempt status assures church leaders, members, and contributors that the church is recognized as exempt and qualifies for tax related benefits (For example, contributors to a church that has been recognized as tax exempt would know that their contributions generally are tax-deductible); and convenience. Prior articles have addressed other reasons.
050810 Your Conviction to Incorporate God’s Church or Not. Another reason given by some pastors and Christians for their decision to incorporate is that it is up to each individual church to decide the issue based upon “Bible-based convictions.” Relevant definitions of “conviction” are: (1) “a strong persuasion or belief:” (2) the state of being convinced” (Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (10^th ed., 1995). Principle may be defined as: “a comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption” (Ibid.). Of course, if a conviction is based upon biblical principles, that conviction is valid in the eyes of God. If one acts upon a conviction which is not based upon principles in the Word of God, “sin lieth at the door.”

040610 The Most Important Thing: Loving God and/or Winning Souls. This article proves from the bible that church corporate 501(c)(3) status dishonors the marriage relationship between Christ and His chuch.

D. Other articles examining the biblical principles, history, and law of incorporation and Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) status of churches:

061610 Preaching on Sodomy in a Hate Crime Atmosphere
030710 Does God and/or Civil Government Require Churches to Get 5011(c)(3) Status?
022610 Laws Protecting New Testament Churches in America: Read Them for Yourself. This article presents the hierarchy of laws protecting New Testament churches in America, quotes relevant portions of United States laws which protect New Testament churches in America, and  quotes relevant laws from Kansas (one can do a similar study of laws of other states which affect churches), and comments upon some of these laws.
120609 Separation of Church and God. How incorporation and 501(c)(3) status separates God’s churches from God.
091509 The Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) Exemption-Definition-Control Scheme. An audio teaching player on this subject is included in this article.
091509: Separation of Church and State: Christians Who Call Evil Good and Good Evil.  Among other things, this article explains exactly the meaning of "legal entity" and "church incorporation." Located on the article are two audio presentations which deal with "legal versus spiritual entities" and "incorporation of churches." This article has links to more thorough audio teaching on this subject.

E. Articles by Pastors

1. Pastor Jason Cooley (See oldpathsbaptistchurch.org)

072311 THE INFLUENCE OF TAX EXEMPT STATUS ON THE LOCAL CHURCH'S FINANCIAL STRUCTURE
081211 Part I: THE Human Reasoning BEHIND  a church organizing under the 501c3 corporation
031312 Ye Cannot Serve God and Mammon/On Recent Bank Foreclosures on Church Properties  

2. John Leland: Colonial Baptist pastor and patriot

091211 ON SABBATICAL LAWS
101811 THE PARCHMENT. AN ALLEGORY
110511 FREE THOUGHTS ON WAR   

F. Miscellaneous articles

1. Exposing the dangers of David Barton's teachings.
2. David Barton's Christian Revisionism.
3. An answer to an article entitled, "Dechristianizing America Rampage: Part IV"
4. Do you want to go to church?
5. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge

III. Audio series on God Betrayed/Separation of Church and State: The Biblical Principles and the American Application (Just click link to go to audio teaching):

1. The Biblical Principles of Government
    a. Introduction
    b. The proper motivation and goal
    c. Self-government
    d. Family government and conscience
    e. Civil government
    f. God desires nations to glorify Him
    g. Israel - the only theocracy ordained by God
    h. God is the God of Israel
    i. God desires Gentile nations to glorify Him
    j. God judges nations
    k. Satan orchestrates the world system
    l. Conclusion

2. The Biblical Doctrine of the Church
    a. Introduction
    b. Definition, organization, and purposes of a church
    c. Christ, the Bridegroom/Husband/Head of the  church
    d. Heresy and  apostasy
    e. Recent accelerated apostasy in America
    f. Apostasy at the end of the church age
    g. The church will reign with the Lord
    h. Conclusion

3. The Biblical Doctrine of Separation of Church and State
    a. Introduction
    b. Definitions
    c. Dispensational theology versus covenant theology
    d. Distinct differences between church and state
    e. Render unto God the  things that are  His
    f. Christ-church, Husband-wife, Bridegroom-Bride 
    g. Conclusion

4. History of the First Amendment 
    a. Introducton
    b. The Pilgrims and Puritans in Massachusetts
    c. The Baptists in Rhode Island
    d. The Separates and  Baptists in New England
    e. From New England to the South
    f. To Virginia
    g. To the New Nation
    h. Conclusion

5. Supreme Court Religion Clause Jurisprudence 

6. God Betrayed: Union of Church and State 
    a. Introduction
    b. Spiritual versus legal entities
    c. Incorporation of churches
    d. Federal government control of churches
        through 501(c)(3) tax exemption
    e. The incorporation 501(c)(3) control scheme
    f. Spurious rationale for incorporating: limited liability
    g. Spurious rationale for incorporating: to hold property
    h. Spurious rationale for incorporating: tax exemption
        and tax deduction for contributions
    i. Conclusion