×

Church and state each need God

DEAR EDITOR:

Last week we celebrated Independence Day when in 1776 the 13 colonies officially broke with the religious and political tyranny of England. One of the signers of the Declaration of Independence was the Rev. John Witherspoon, the president of what is now Princeton University. This was a bastion of Biblical Christianity, as was Harvard, Yale, Brown, etc. Obviously, political involvement was not considered contradictory to religious freedom; in fact, so-called “separation of Church and State” was never to be interpreted as separation of “God and State!”

God was to be the head of both the political and religious community; thus, chaplains were appointed to serve in Congress and the military. In time our coinage was proudly embossed with the motto, “In God We Trust.” Church and government were not to be in conflict but rather complimentary, having “separate” functions in our society. This is why men like George Washington could be a Revolutionary War general, president of the United States and a Biblical leader all at the same time! Only in America!

We desperately need to be reminded of this piece of our great history, which has been lost in the quagmire of “political correctness” and the flat-out attack on our U.S. Constitution. Significantly, this assault progressively has gained momentum since the 1960s when the Bible was removed from the public arena. Unfortunately and shamefully, the Christian Church has compromised its Biblical absolutes; this has resulted in moral relativism or making the “rules” as we go. This has fostered the attitude that says, “If it feels good, do it” — right or wrong is not an issue. All this spells pending national disaster and judgment that will never be remedied by any politician; we are in over our heads! It’s time for God-fearing people to get back to Biblical basics, while crying out fervently for God’s divine intervention and mercy. King David’s prayer is certainly apropos: “It is time for thee, LORD, to work; for they have made void thy law” (Psalm 119:126). “Heaven help us” needs to become a personal reality, not just a common cliche.

WILLIAM FINNIGAN

Howland

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
     

Starting at $4.85/week.

Subscribe Today