TO BE INVOLVED OR NOT TO BE INVOLVED, THAT IS THE QUESTION

The following, known as “A Declaration by Men of Marlborough,” was published in Massachusetts in 1773:

“Death is more eligible than slavery. A free-born people are not required by the religion of Jesus Christ to submit to tyranny, but may make use of such power as God has given them to recover and support their liberties.”

Americans, during the colonial period and the first half of our nation’s history, took very seriously the responsibility pastors and churches have regarding civil government. This continues to be the case today, with all honest people who are well educated in the Bible and in America’s history.

It is extremely important now, that pastors and church members not be intimidated into assuming a non-role politically or become anything less than proactive where the conservation of our liberty is concerned. Don’t buy into the revisionist history being written today about the American Revolution that eradicates the size and significance of the contribution made to it by Christians. From behind pulpits, in the marketplace and on the battlefield Christians made a contribution, without which George Washington said, the effort could not have lasted beyond the first year.

In 1775, Patrick Henry stood up in St. John’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, Va. to deliver a speech that would end with the words, "I know not what course others may take, but as for me – give me liberty or give me death.” But the real backbone and driving sentiment of this speech is found midway into his address where he said:

“Millions of people armed in the holy cause of liberty are invincible by any force which our

enemies can send against us. Besides, Sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There

is a just God who presides over the destiny of nations.”

Today, we who stand behind the pulpits and sit in the pews of America’s churches need this same sentiment to drive us, and develop in us the backbone needed to stand against the people and policies that are rapidly, day-by-day, leaching away our liberties.