Welcome

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). In spite of the direction the federal government is leading our churches, the Christian Law Association, for example, and its lawyers led by David Gibbs, as well as pastors of fundamental Baptist churches of the Jack Hyles variety, are leading America's "Bible believing churches" toward the heresies and apostasies that eventually come when a church compromises her love relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Another article of relevance as to the matter of the relationship of church and state is: When the Church Bows to the State/Gay Bishops in the Church of England.

In order to fully understand the author's conclusions, one must be born-again and continue in the God's Word (See e.g., John 8.31-32). Nothing is more important to a believer than the relationship of Christ to His local churches and compromising that relationship, as the New Testament makes clear, starts a church on the path to heresy and apostasy.

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 "Talk Show Interviews" button at top left or at the bottom for immediate links to exciting and informative interviews of Jerald Finney. 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.

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. After that calling, he has completed four books dealing with all issues concerning separation of church and state. In 2012, the Lord called him to become a member of Old Paths Baptist Church in Northfield, Minnesota, a local New Testament Church. Finney now operates the Lord's "church and state law" ministry under the leadership of Pastor Jason  Cooley of Old Paths Baptist Church. He also remains good friends with Dr. Greg Dixon, head of the Biblical Law Center.

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.

[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.]

Companion website: "Separation of Church and State Law Blog" (left click to go directly to blog) - this website has many articles and audio teachings concerning the issue of separation of church and state.