Is the Drop The Stone campaign a concession that absolute separation of church and state is the law of the land?  In this tumultuous, divisive election year, Drop The Stone calls for churches and Christians to follow Jesus’ example by foregoing judgment and performing acts of kindness for those across the political aisle.  However, its intent is not to acquiesce to progressive efforts to silence Christian voices by labeling any reference to politicians, parties, or policies “Christian Nationalism”.  In some ways separation of church from state (government) has been extended to include separation of church from doctrine (beliefs) and society (culture).  Where should the lines be drawn or have the lines been moved to box in churches and Christians, forcing conformance and compromise when there’s no spiritual or legal justification for walking on eggshells?

It’s worth noting that those moving the lines and drawing boxes neglect to mention “separation of church and state” appears nowhere in the U.S. Constitution.  Roger Williams, a pastor, was the first public official to allude to the concept.  His concern was government overreach into a church’s affairs – not the converse.  Thomas Jefferson’s letter to the Danbury Baptist Association in 1802 referenced a similar “wall of separation” to protect religion or government from dominating the other.  The Establishment Clause in the First Amendment guaranteed “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” but its primary, original intent was to ban the formation of state-sponsored churches.

When weaponization of “Christian Nationalism” and “Church/State Separation” infringes on fulfillment of the Church’s mission, as is often the case today, Drop The Stone does not ask Christians to ignore that reality.  If post-Christian culture demands distance then it’s difficult to live out our GC³ mission – the Great Commandment, Great Commission, and Great Calling.  For example, in this election year, fears of crossing lines or alienating a faction of the congregation keep many pastors from speaking up about injustices or engaging in causes that could be construed as political.  Redefining what’s biblical as “political” is a powerful hammer in the progressive toolbox, and the final nail in the coffin is association of Christianity and Christians with a particular politician or party.

However, in order to love God and our neighbor (Great Commandment), Christians must share a Gospel that the Bible says will offend and society considers politically incorrect.  Making disciples who make disciples (Great Commission) means pushing Christ-followers beyond the comfort zones of political and social norms.  Producing “fruit“ through cultivation of God’s creation (Great Calling) should not be restricted to activities only outside the “political” sphere.  Yes, Drop The Stone calls for love and compassion to overcome America’s division, but not at the expense of GC³ (because GC³ is the definition of love and compassion).

Separation of Church from Doctrine…

Kindness and forgiveness in Jesus’ name mark the biblical path to peace amidst division.  That doesn’t mean believers shouldn’t stand their ground and hold firm in their beliefs when society demands separation of church from Christian doctrine, like:

1. Sanctity of Human Life – If there’s a hill worth dying on, it may be saving the lives of the most vulnerable human beings in our nation
2. Depravity of Human Nature – If efforts to remove “sin” from America’s vernacular are successful, it would obviate the need for atonement
3. Freedom of Religion – If freedom “from” religion prevails, the concerns of the “Nones” and “Dones” (with church) will curtail the rights to worship publicly
4. Freedom of Speech – If expressing fundamental Christian values becomes considered de facto “hate speech”, we turn the First Amendment against itself by using the Establishment Clause to undermine religious freedom of speech
5. Prayer – If prayer, offering to pray, or inviting people to pray is prohibited in public settings, our response should be prayer first and political action second
6. Care – Government funding comes with strings attached.  Proposed legislation would exclude Christians from certain charity work (e.g. fostering children).
7. Share – If the “7 step plan to ban evangelism” restricts where and how Christians can discuss the “bad news”, it limits the reach of the “good news”

Currently, pastors are still at liberty to speak in defense of these inalterable truths and inalienable rights.  If we don’t, the world will take whatever ground we give.

Separation of Church from Society…

There is ample precedent in other countries testifying to the feasibility and outcome of removing Christianity from every facet of life.  Decades ago, it would have been difficult to envision the progress progressives in America have made in such a short period.  Just as redefining whatever is biblical as “political” silences our voices, classifying a setting as “public domain” is all that’s required to eliminate references to Christianity from its hallways:

1. Classrooms – “Conspiracy theorists” who feared that removal of prayer from public schools would be a slippery slope were proven correct
2. Athletics – Considering religious activities at sporting events political statements or offensive to a few (attempts to) keep GC³ out of those venues
3. Companies – Employees fear professing faith or Christian values will cost them their jobs, under the guise of deference to coworkers the Bible accuses of sin
4. Courtrooms – To maintain the constitutional balance of power between the branches of government, associating Christianity with politicians or a party excuses removing any symbols of the religion upon which our laws were based
5. Social Media – Prominent social networks flag posts, restrict advertising, and cancel influencers who violate politically or socially acceptable parameters
6. Clubs – Unless expressly Christian, attempts to infuse faith are frowned upon
7. Social Settings – Bringing up either religion or politics, two unrelated topics that are frequently conflated, risks being ostracized, crossed off invitation lists

Drop The Stone does not ask churches to remain quiet as separation of church from state gradually evolves into separation of church from all sectors of society.

Biblical Response to Separation Anxiety…

Jesus wasn’t partisan or interested in an earthly throne but urged those politically inclined to Drop The Stone.  By law, pastors must use discretion when talking about elections, and churches can’t endorse candidates or contribute to campaigns.  Churches don’t have spiritual and legal grounds to take sides or promote an unhealthy “us” versus “them” mentality during election seasons.  On the other hand, pastors should combat efforts to relegate church to a remote corner of society.  However, the most effective battle plan is equipping churchgoers to carry out GC³ in their circles of influence:

1. Prayer – Seek the Lord for forgiveness, wisdom, and the courage to follow our convictions when asked to compromise our beliefs or role in culture
2. Confession – Take responsibility for unproductive ways members have handled political disagreements within the congregation and with non-believers
3. Repentance – Return to intensive discipleship, convincing congregants to love even “enemies” who try to separate churches from state, doctrine, and society
4. Compassion – Sympathize with those consuming a steady diet of anti-Christian propaganda contending human nature is good (so there’s no need for Jesus)
5. Agape – Look past exterior appearances, actions, and words, seeing them as eternal souls made in our Father’s image, yet lacking a relationship with Him
6. Truth – Counter the lies with God’s Word, teaching members how to convey truth to coworkers and neighbors who wouldn’t darken a church’s doors
7. Proximity – Remind those more comfortable around their own kind that being different but not distant is the key to being effective and not divisive

Rather than pursuing GC³, many churches have accelerated America’s political climate shift by either assuming a defensive posture (afraid to offend) or offensive posture (being more vocal about sin outside than inside the church).

It’s Your Turn…

In what other ways have you seen churches or Christians pressured to relent, soften their stance on biblical principles, or stay out of places they’re no longer welcome?  In those cases, was their response GC³, Drop The Stone, or a more divisive approach?