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The Political Church

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · May 14, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 20.

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The Political Church

By B. M. HEALD

B. M. HEALD
The organized methods for the purpose of uniting church and state are very apparent, and the rapid growth in this direction is alarming; yet how few realize and appreciate the real situation, how few are acquainted with the direful results of the union of church and state; in fact, how few clergymen and men of responsibility in the church care to know and understand the present-day conditions.
The churches seem to be seized by a spirit of Law instead of Love. This is very evident in the aim and object of the many church leagues and societies; there exist at the present time over forty “Sunday observance” societies, all being organs of the nominal church, appealing for the enforcement of the laws.
The following is a plank in the platform of one of these church leagues: “That through the various political parties we nominate and pledge for the executive, ministerial, and judicial offices, men who by their character and personal influence will insure the enforcement of the law, and that we vote only for such persons.”
Notice the trend of argument, as presented by a prominent speaker of one of these church leagues: That at present the liquor men are to a very great extent controlling politics; now if the church can form a federation systematized in the form of leagues, societies, or associations, and put politicians in office as the result of the vote of the church, then, instead of law being made as result of the liquor vote, it will be made as result of the church vote. Then the inevitable step will be that what laws are desired by the church will be passed and enforced, as the executive, ministerial, and judicial officers will be under obligation to the church.
The platform of the church confederacy,—that “the kingdom of Christ must enter the realm of law through the gateway of politics, and that we should swear an oath of allegiance to Christ in politics, and march in one grand army to the polls to worship God,”—is of a suspicious nature, and contrary to the teachings of Christ.
Christ taught that his kingdom is not of this world; if it were, then his servants would fight.
Again: he came not to judge the world, but to save the world. By force?—No; but by love. The Spirit says, “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22: 17. Furthermore, if the nominal churches were filled with the Holy Spirit, there would be no need of resorting to law; for the gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
Of all institutions the church can not afford to sacrifice, for political consideration, her position as the light of the world. As has well been said, “Christ wants no help from Cæsar.” The watchword of the remnant church is, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Church federation would have us adopt the following: “Not by thy Spirit, but by our might and our power.”
Mansfield, Pa.