Biblical Law

The Baptists in Rhode Island, under the leadership of Roger Williams and Dr. John Clark, established the first civil government in the history of the world to have religious liberty. Understanding the colonial history of Rhode Island is critical to understanding the history of religious liberty and the history of the First Amendment.

The Pilgrims came to America in 1619 and were eventually absorbed by the Puritans. The Puritans first arrived in 1629. They felt they were the right people at the right place and at the right time to show the world what could be done by a people totally dedicated to doing things God's way. According to their theology, the established a church-state and began to enforce all of the Ten Commandments and their version of theology. They denied others what they came to America for. They persecuted, in every way they could under the circumstances, those whom they labeled "heretics."

Their experiment soon proved futile. Corruption had set in by 1660, in spite of their efforts. After hanging 4 Quakers, England sent word that there would be no more killing of others because of their religious beliefs. Nontheless, the Puritans persecuted those whom would not bow down to their false theology in every way they could.

One must understand the history of the Puritans in New England (as well as other facts which will be taught in these episodes) before he can fully understand the story of the drafting and ratification of the First Amendment.

churchandstatelaw.com has many resources, including books by Jerald Finney, to help those who are seeking truth about these matters.

The true history of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution has been hidden by historical rivisionism, both secular and Christian. This series gives hard facts that reveal the history of the First Amendment.

The atmosphere in the American colonies was such that for the first time in history, events combined to gradually convince the founders of the United States to implement the biblical principle of soul liberty, or religious liberty into the Constitution.

This begins the study of the American application of the biblical principle of separation of church and state. Since the beginning of the church, Christians believed and practiced separation of church and state. They paid dearly for this practice.

In the fourth century certain religious leaders were seduced by Constantine to join hands with the state. Over a thousand years of the worst persecutions imaginable followed as religion worked hand in hand with the state to enforce all ten of the commandments. Anyone who did not bow down to the theology of the state church was imprisoned, horriby tortured, burned alive, drowned, buried alive, beheaded, etc. as the state religion tried to stamp out all forms of what they called "heresy."

The Protestant churches followed the theology of their mother in this matter and continued the persecution. However, forces and circumstances were such in the American colonies that the final result was the first nation, the second civil government behind the colony of Rhode Island, to have religious liberty.

Romans 13 is incorrectly cited out of context more than any other verse to justify almost total obedience by Christians and churches to civil government in all matters. For Romans 13 (or any part of it) to mean such a thing would make Romans 13 inconsistent within itself and within the context of Scripture as a whole.

Christians should be ideal citizens, but ideal citizens run into trouble with a tyrannical out-of-control civil government which sets its own standards and does not follow those standards of the Supreme Ruler of the universe.

These studies on Romans 13 will reveal the true meaning of those verses.

This episode finishes the study of Luke 20.25, Matthew 22.21, and Mark 12.17 ("Render unto Caesar....") and begins a systematic study of Romans 13 ("Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers....").

This episode begins a systematic study of verses taken out of context to support the incorrect position that Christians and churches are to submit to civil government in all things (with the possible exception of preaching salvation). This study examines Matthew 17.24-27 ("Doth not your master pay tribute) and begins a study of Luke 20.25, Matthew 22.21, and Mark 12.17 ("Render unto Caesar....").

These issues are also the subject of the book, Render unto God the Things that Are His: A Systematic Study of Romans 13 and Related Verses and also are covered in less detail in God Betrayed. Both those books are available from the "Books" page of churchandstatelaw.com.

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