The Big Question: How much loyalty do Christians owe to local, state, and federal governments when their laws conflict with biblical teaching? Few people understand that all Christians are to be totally submissive to Christ in all matters (Col. 1:18). Even all governments are subject to Him! (That won’t play well in Washington and all places of power.) Consequently, what kind of loyalty do we owe any human ruler?

Rome had changed rulers frequently and often violently. Caligula had been assassinated; Claudius had been put to death by poison; and Nero was, at that time, reigning as a bloodthirsty tyrant. Jews were known to be as difficult to control as a roomful of angry cats. Jerusalem was always known as a rebellious city (Ez. 4:15, 16) and to compound the problem, Jews, who were to be ruled only by a Jewish king according to Deut. 17:15, now were ruled by a Roman tyrant. All that made them ripe for rebellion.

The early Christians were Jewish converts who had been under Roman rule for hundreds of years, often rebelling without success, resulting in much bloodshed. The Roman system was founded upon paganism so Jews and Christian Jews even wondered if they owed any obedience to pagan rulers, especially since Nero was killing Christians by the thousands. Pagan religion had been woven into the Roman civil government; hence, early Christians refused to serve in any capacity as judges, soldiers, civil workers, etc. It would be insane to serve in a government that is determined to destroy you; moreover, they could not swear supreme allegiance to Caesar.

In spite of the above, there was no question what Christians should do: God commanded them to submit to pagan rulers! In fact, Paul told those early Christians that they must obey those in authority even if the rulers were ungodly and sinful. That command was given so that there might be a calm, correct, civil society–even if it were pagan. However, it was clearly understood that no Christian should obey an immoral order.

But to resume the subject, and conclude the argument: while I have had disagreement with some of Dr. Dobson’s past positions, I respect his courage, commitment, and convictions in this matter. However, he did not go far enough. He should add: “We will not comply with your order and you will have to come close us down!” I hope he doesn’t’ think that is too militant. It takes courage to challenge the government but it takes super courage to tell them, “Come and get me.”

Christian militancy is missing in most churches even those who identify with fundamentalism! Some have stood such as Dr. Greg Dixon and his son Pastor Greg A. Dixon who were pastors of the 8,000 member Indianapolis Baptist Temple, one of America’s largest and most influential churches. The Dixons refused to withhold FICA taxes from their school and church workers who paid their own taxes. Some misinformed or uninformed people have accused the church leaders of refusing to pay taxes. The problem was not in paying the taxes due but how the money was collected and paid. The Dixons did not believe the government had the authority to force church leaders to be tax collectors and their stand is supported by the First Amendment and the New Testament!

The Bush administration disagreed, and after a 93-day siege in 2001, sent 100 heavily armed federal marshals (after all, these were dangerous Christians) to take their property, valued over six million dollars. While the church leaders, along with scores of other leaders from around the nation were praying, the Feds carried them out of their building. The government then sold their Christian school building (that had enrolled 700 students) to a Charter School and bulldozed the other buildings and the large auditorium down to the dirt–a first in American History. The church leaders told the government, in essence, “Come and get us.” They did and the church folk lost everything except their faith and character.

The Dixons have been friends of mine since 1960 and I have preached for them many times. After the Federal Government stole their buildings and 22 acres of land, the church moved to a better location near Interstate 65 on the south side of Indianapolis and still has a thriving ministry.

While there is no legitimate comparison of the Indianapolis Baptist Temple to the Branch Dravidian cult in Waco where 55 adults and 28 children were slaughtered by their government, there are some parallels. While the Waco cult was weird, warped, and wacko, there is no law against being such. After all, many names, mostly Democrats, come to mind. Even though the cult was weird, they did not deserve to be burned and shot by their government. For sure, the Feds came after them, but the world watched the unprovoked, unlawful, and unnecessary brutal suppression of a religious cult who refused to bow to the government. Charges of child abuse and illegal gun possession were used by the Feds to justify the brutal killings but such charges were discovered to be untrue–after 83 innocent, helpless Americans were slaughtered!

Dr. Dobson, Catholic Hospitals, Liberty University, and other universities and religious groups should live up to their convictions or turn off the lights, lock the doors, and everyone go home. Those ministries (and there will be many) that cave under government pressure do not deserve to be mentioned in the same context as the faithful Christians who have died and are dying today for their convictions. Some things (like unborn babies) are worth fighting for, even worth losing everything.

CEOs of the ministries that cave will hold news conferences to explain (rationalize) their surrender to federal pressure: “Well, we fought a good fight, but lost the battle; however, everyone knows where we stand. We will obey the government in order to continue our valuable ministry.” Others will declare: “Well, we tried and made it clear where we stand; however, as we look at the issue again, we believe we can live with the decision. After all, the feds have a point.” Still others will say: “Our board of directors has prayed about this and while it is unpleasant, we have looked at the scriptures again and believe we can live with the order. After all, we are commanded to obey every law of man.” Others will declare: “We fought, even sued the government but we lost so we will obey the law under duress.” Those are many words that justify nothing.

Unsolicited advice for Dr. Dobson and other ministries: Don’t close down your ministries; force the feds in jackboots to close you down. They won’t use tanks and guns–probably.

http://bit.ly/1iMLVfY Watch these 8 minute videos of my lecture at the University of North Dakota: “A Christian Challenges New Atheists to Put Up or Shut Up!” And pass it on!

Copyright 2014, Don Boys, Ph.D.

The fraternizers will be promoted (but should be pitied); those who fall on their swords (seeking some credibility by not joining the enemy or identifying with the “fighters”) will be praised and those who fight and disobey the law and operate in the shadows will be prosecuted, shunned, and hated.

I responded to one of my critics who thought that standing on principle by refusing to obey the law, did more harm to the cause of Christ than fighting to the end. He suggested, as many will do, to choose another battlefield, surrendering to Obama and going along in order to get along. I do not think that is scriptural.

He mentioned “a mighty church in Indianapolis that stood on principle and refused to act as a tax collector.” He had most of his facts straight but not all. That church was the Indianapolis Baptist Temple, identified as the eleventh largest church in America in the 1970s. It was pastored by Dr. Greg Dixon and his son, Greg A. Dixon, long time personal friends. I have preached there numerous times over the past fifty years.

The Dixons and the church have been maligned for many years by uninformed critics who were often motivated by envy, jealousy, anger, fear, and other hidden emotions and motives. And alas, too many were of our own spiritual family–fundamental Baptists! Most Indiana pastors stood in safe shadows while the Dixons and others fought the battle and alas, many AWOL pastors were not saddened when the feds in jackboots (what are jackboots anyway?) played their hand.

The Dixons were accused of not paying church-owed taxes (FICA) but that is simply not true. All taxes were paid by the ministers, associates, and teachers, my youngest daughter one of them. The federal thugs at the IRS did not like the fact that the church refused to be a tax collector. So, federal agents during George W. Bush’s administration, under orders of an active Christian Attorney General William Ashcroft, raided the church, carried out the worshippers, and bulldozed the huge, beautiful auditorium. That was a first in American History and a stain on our national flag.

My critic has every right to believe that the leaders chose to fight on the wrong battlefield; but I question his wisdom in doing so.  He opined, “Being forced to provide insurance coverage for abortion, or being forced to be a tax collector, is a violation of religious liberty, but it is not a sin to be victimized. It is nowhere near denying Christ.” But the church leaders saw the issue as a matter of the lordship of Christ. To surrender to the government was a surrender of Christ being Head of His church. Contrary to what the critic wrote, it would have been exactly that: a denial of Christ’s lordship.

My critic wrote, “Blaming the victim, or demanding that the victim fall on his sword and leave the field of battle rather than tolerate any violation of religious liberty, only makes things easier for the enemies of Christ.” But I don’t blame the victim; I blame the intrusive government officials who reject, ridicule, and rip the U.S. Constitution and are sworn enemies of everything holy. Moreover a vital principle is if the government can control a ministry in small matters, they can control it in big matters. The safe, sensible, and scriptural thing to do is not submit to any control–period.

To make an important correction, it is impossible to “fall on [your] sword and leave the field of battle.” If you fall on your sword, you don’t leave the field of battle. (Talk to King Saul!) Some Christian leaders will join the enemy and support Obama; other leaders, after an effort to resist, will close their ministries thereby falling on their sword in their fight for principle and therefore will give up any effectiveness. The highly principled will fight on, undercover if necessary, without succumbing to the enemy or committing spiritual and organizational suicide.

Catholic leaders have declared that they will close their ministries rather than obey big government. Most Protestants and Baptists have been very silent to make a commitment. I do not agree that “falling on the sword” will make it easier for the enemies of Christ. I think it will be devastating for the world to see principled people give up everything except their faith in Christ. However, it will be much better to fight rather than close up shop.

Finally, my correspondent wrote, “Today, who even remembers what church I’m talking about? They could still be winning souls. Instead they are forgotten, just like all who fall on their swords will be.” Evidently, he is not cognizant of what has happened in the past twenty-five years although he chose to write about it. The Indianapolis Baptist Temple did not cease to exist. They staggered for a while without a permanent place to meet but persisted and a few years ago moved farther south to a much better location near Interstate 65 and have a huge, beautiful building. Their leader is Greg A. Dixon, son of the pastor who led them in their struggle. They are still “winning souls” and have an outreach like few churches, having started 18 churches in Indianapolis, plus foreign missions work typical of all good churches.

The Dixons and other church leaders did not “fall on their swords” but rather continued the fight another day and have been wielding their Excaliburs very effectively all over the world. Will present-day Christian leaders join the enemy cause or fall on their swords ending their effectiveness, or fight to the very end? Modern Christians should have the attitude of Spartan Greeks whose mothers told their soldier-sons to fight until they were victorious or be carried home on their shields!

I will not fraternize with the enemy, fall on my sword, but will fight to the end.

I will not surrender to the enemy (Obama and his lackeys) nor commit suicide by willingly closing down my ministry, but I will fight on to an ignominious defeat or glorious victory.

Either defeat or victory will be, in the end, an eternal victory.

My critic sarcastically asked, “And how much stronger would the church have been made had all Christians refused and been killed?” Evidently, he did not know how persecution happened in the Roman Empire. The persecution was not constant, but took place in “fits and starts.” Moreover, the worst part of persecution took place in selected localized areas, depending upon the local rulers, urban or rural areas, etc. Furthermore, many Christians did not “go public” and, therefore, did not face persecution. Believers who refused to obey Caesar and made much to do about it were given an opportunity to recant and deny Christ and some did so. And later recanted their recantation.

My critic said that case law amends the Constitution but he is wrong. If that were true, it would mean that the Constitution would be constantly changing. Case law is a constantly developing body of law which has made new interpretations of law which can be used as a precedent in similar cases. He has it backwards: case law does not amend the Constitution but case law is determined by the Constitution. The Constitution must go through the amending process before it can be changed.

Radicals want the Constitution to be “flexible” so that anything can be read into it to justify things like ObamaCare, abortion, homosexuality, etc. My critic declared, “So all it would take to silence the churches in this country would be for them to all commit hairy kerry (sic) as soon as they have less then (sic) 100% religious liberty.” I assume he meant to write “hara-kiri,” not hairy kerry, but then I often presume too much.

But back to his previous mistake about the martyrs. No, the church would not be silenced, at least not true churches. It might be one of the best things to happen in America if a thousand preachers went to jail for refusing to obey an oppressive government order. During 1662, over 2,000 preachers in England lost their pulpits or went to jail for refusing to obey the king’s order to strictly adhere to the Book of Common Prayer.

In the 1600s, the government of England started losing control of religion in Wales when hundreds of independent churches and chapels were established by nonconformist Independents, Baptists, Quakers, and others. The Nonconformists were gaining too much influence in England and Wales so the King and Parliament decided to bring them under control. The Act of Uniformity of 1662 required all ministers to assent to the rites and liturgy of the Established Church. In fact, all clergy, college professors, and schoolmasters had to agree with everything in the Book of Common Prayer! All clerics who refused to follow the common prayer book were ejected from the Church. Out of approximately 10,000 preachers throughout the country, about 2,000 were ejected (and some went to jail) but 20% to 25% of the country continued to worship illegally, holding secret services in barns and other unapproved locations. That could happen here.

My critic wrote, “I understand those who have drawn the line here, and wish them success. But souls are still being saved that won’t be if everyone gives up and goes home at the first sign of trouble.” He made a gargantuan leap in logic when he suggested that people won’t become Christians if individuals, churches, and businesses refuse to obey ObamaCare in obedience to the Bible and their conscience. I suggest that such courageous action would prove to the cynical world that there are still people who will do what is right if it costs them everything–that was everything: reputation, job, home, business, retirement plan, and personal freedom.

He accused Christians of going “home at the first sign of trouble.” Principled people are not running home; they are fighting in court; they are going on record that they will not obey the law even if they lose in court. Whatever happens in court, they know the end result: they will not obey the law! Wow, that takes courage, character, and commitment to biblical principles. Government officials, judges, media, and politicians have not met many people like that. They will be shocked when businesses, churches, hospitals, orphanages, schools and other entities are closed by the government and the leaders are marched off to jail!

Some potential compromisers have begun to set the stage (and self-justification) for their eventual compliance by stating that ObamaCare may force them “to violate their consciences,” which is not a biblical response. The principled response is, “I won’t comply whatever the threats or consequences. Period.” No room for negotiation (read: compromise).

Others have said, “Americans have no choice in this matter.” But of course we do. We have the choice to say, “Yes” or “No.” That is a choice.

I have made my decision.

I affirm that the U.S. has great power but its authority is limited. Obama needs to be taught that lesson which seems to have escaped him in his Muslim school. But then, Muslims don’t believe in separation of church/mosque and state. They believe that the mosque is over the state! Christians know the church is not over the state–God is! However, neither Obama, nor the U.S. Supreme Court, nor Congress, even with 100% vote, has authority over the church of the living God. We will see if some major Christian leaders have the courage to teach Obama and other tyrants that lesson.

James Madison wrote, “There is not a shadow of right in the general government to intermeddle with religion. Its least interference with it would be a most flagrant usurpation.” The First Amendment forbids any interference in religion. “Congress shall make no law.” What is it about the word no that Obama and his lackeys don’t understand? No still means no. And any entity of government trying to force religious institutions or religious people to march to its music is a rape of the Bill of Rights.

It is commendable that some religious colleges, seminaries, hospitals, etc., are fighting ObamaCare in the courts, and they may win; however, what will they do if the end result is that they must obey the court to provide abortion for their employees? If those religious leaders have any biblical convictions, they will tell the courts and the government that they have no choice but to disobey. That means a one million dollar plus fine per day which they cannot pay and should not pay even if they had unlimited funds.

Refusing to obey a court order means their doors will be closed and their leaders imprisoned for contempt of court. And, of course, they would be “guilty” of contempt! What else could one expect? Catholics have gone on record that they will not obey the law; what about Protestant and Baptist leaders? It is one thing to fight an issue in court, and another thing to say, “We will not bend or bow and are willing to burn if necessary, but we will not obey the law to facilitate the killing of innocent babies.”

Many of those religious leaders will finally capitulate to the evil command of Obama, and will plead their defense on what they call, “biblical grounds.” But they will have to twist the Bible like a pretzel to justify their cowardice. Some will decide that life does not begin at conception so abortion in the early months is not killing a baby; it is more like removing a mole, wart, or tumor. Sounds almost noble! You can justify anything if you play with it long enough.

Others will tell us that while they believe it is wrong, they must obey the government as the Bible teaches in Romans, chapter 13. Other pragmatic leaders will say, “Look, I don’t like it but if the government puts us out of business and some of us go to jail, then we will not be able to continue our ministry. After all, one has to be practical.” No, one does not have to be practical. One has to do right, not what is practical, profitable, or pleasing. Moreover, if the college and seminary presidents go to prison, they can have a new ministry with an abundance of people who need to hear the Gospel message. Those college presidents can write their autobiographies titled, From President to Prison: To God be the Glory! Now, that is noble.

Algernon Sidney in 1683 was beheaded by King Charles II for declaring that there is no divine right of kings to rule over a nation. He said that no man had a right to rule unless he had the consent of the people. He was right. Obama thinks he is a king, but he is more like a court jester.

Sitting Bull surrendered at Fort Buford in July of 1881 and declared, “I wish to be remembered that I was the last man of my tribe to surrender my rifle, and this day have given it to you.” There is a time to do that, but not when it comes to Christian principles and obedience to God. I will not be the first or the last to “surrender my rifle (of obedience to God).”

The fight goes on and good people will be going to prison to satisfy the Marxist doctrine of a tin-pot dictator in the Oval Office.

A second group of Christians refused to burn incense, but they bribed officials to procure the necessary certificates! What a warped sense of values: “No, I won’t bow to Caesar, but I’ll bribe his officials to say I bowed to him.” I suppose they were among the modern Evangelicals and Fundamentalists who believe that “preaching the Bible is the most important thing in the world.” No, “preaching the Bible” is not the most important thing; obeying it is! You can preach the Bible without obeying it, but you can’t obey it without preaching it. If obeying the Bible is not top priority, then any compromise can be justified. However, that second group did manage to keep breathing between seizures of guilt.

A third group of Christian simply refused to obey Caesar and surrender the lordship of Christ. They didn’t bow, they didn’t bribe, and they didn’t breathe–for very long. They quietly went to their deaths and the churches grew stronger.

That was another day, another issue, but the tyrants living then were similar to those living and “reigning” today in the U.S. White House. Tyrants don’t like principled people refusing to bow to their commands. The major issue with tyrants is control–total control. A similar issue is gathering steam as I write: ObamaCare includes forcing Christian churches, schools, hospitals, and businesses to provide abortion coverage in health insurance.

Recently, Hobby Lobby lost their case for an exception to the federal edict because it was a business, not a religious organization. But then, the First Amendment does not refer to “church” or “school” but to “religion.” That can mean organizations or individuals. The family that owns Hobby Lobby is highly dedicated and will face fines of over one million dollars per day if they refuse to burn incense to “little Caesar” and disobey their Bible convictions.

ObamaCare demands that any business or philanthropic organization (including churches and Christian schools) with fifty or more employees must cover contraception and abortions in their health plans or be fined into submission by the White House Caesar. It’s interesting and noteworthy that he would not have been elected had it not been for “Christians”!

Some Catholic bishops have gone on record stating their non-compliance, “We will not obey that law.” Non-thinkers, even some church members, retort that those religious leaders must think they are above the law and expect special privileges. The fact is they are above that law since it is obviously contrary to the First Amendment. Those Catholic bishops are to be commended for their courage, commitment, and convictions.

Some non-Catholic universities have made the same commitment, but only a few. Where do many other famous schools and denominations stand? Many of them are good at talking, some at balking, and only a few at walking. Even Fundamentalist schools that have walked the walked are strangely silent. They have been willing, more than willing, to lecture others on “taking a stand” and “paying any price,” and always “doing right, whatever the cost.” Where are they on this issue? Will they “come out from among them” and close their ministries rather than comply?

Major American Evangelical and Fundamentalist universities and seminaries are silent. Are they willing to defy, disregard, and disobey the feds in order to stay true to their convictions? Of course, if they have real convictions, they have no choice but to obey God rather than man–even the man in the White House. But are those institutions willing to lose everything by standing for biblical commands? We will probably see some incredible mental gymnastics from Christian leaders and some will even twist Bible teaching like a pretzel to justify obeying Obama.

In addition to Catholic churches and schools, Louisiana College (Southern Baptist) in Pineville, Louisiana, Geneva College, Wheaton, and a few others are challenging the law. Question: will they refuse to obey “Caesar” to the very end or will they “make an accommodation”? Another question: what will Evangelical and Fundamentalist schools do? My opinion? Most will cave like a house of cards.

Christians were told by Caesar: “You can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ if you also say that ‘Caesar gives you permission to say Jesus is Lord.” They replied that Caesar owed every breath to Christ and bravely went to their deaths. Christians today have to decide in every area of life if Jesus Christ is truly Lord. The cost of accepting Christ as Lord is higher and higher each year.

We will see if the Roman Catholics show more courage, character, commitment, and convictions than some Fundamentalists and Evangelicals!