Christian Patriotism
by Alonzo Trevier Jones
Edited and Reprinted from:
Christian Patriotism or Religion and the State,
Published in 1900 by Pacific Press Publishing Co.
Oakland, Cal., New York, Kansas City
and
The Third Angel's Message No. 3,
delivered Tuesday, February 5, 1895 by A. T. Jones
at the General Conference of 1895
Published in the Kingdom of Heaven
Year of Our Lord, 1991, 1993, 1997
and 2002
Preface
As long as the Church keeps herself entirely separate
from the State, she can consistently and rightly disregard any and
all legislative acts, judicial decrees, or executive powers, that
touch religious practices because she ever denies the right of government
to touch religion or any religious question in any way. |
Citizens of heaven are not bound by manmade laws. Such is the glorious
freedom granted to everyone who will separate from the governments
of the world and make God their only King, their only Judge, their
only Lawgiver. Renunciation of worldly citizenship and giving our
allegiance to the heavenly government is what A. T. Jones is urging.
This book, written at the turn of the century, lays the foundation
for being a naturalized citizen of the heavenly government. It shows
why state governments were formed and how we are called to "come out
from among them" and "not be like the other nations."
The chapters for this edition of Christian Patriotism have
been recompiled from two of Jones' previously published works - Christian
Patriotism and The Third Angel's Message.
I was first introduced to A. T. Jones a few years ago when I regularly
"rode the circuit" from Portland to Medford. On one of these tours,
I was scheduled to speak in a small town in Southern Oregon. When
my family and I arrived, we stopped at a local restaurant where we
noticed a poster: "Come Hear Paul Revere Speak - In the Spirit of
A. T. Jones." It was embarrassing. Who in the world was A. T. Jones?
All I could do was pray that we were one Spirit in Christ.
After the gathering, participants expressed their astonishment at
the similarity of our message. That's when I was handed my first copy
of Christian Patriotism.
Alonzo urged people 90 years ago to come out from the governments
of the world and claim their heavenly citizenship. I can't help wondering
if he would draw crowds today preaching separation from the state.
How many today would surrender their state driver licenses, vehicle
registrations and social security numbers? Jones says, "It is perfectly
plain that the teaching of the Word of God is that for members of
the Church to form any connection with the State is to reject God."
Paul Revere, Pastor
Year of Our Lord, 1991
Introduction
Christian patriotism, loyalty to the law and government of the
Most High, is the loftiest aspiration that can ever come to any soul.
__________ The separation of religion and the State is one of the most important
questions that any people can ever consider in connection with Christian
patriotism; because the union of religion and the State has marked
the greatest apostasies from God. It has caused more misery than any
other thing in all history.
The complete separation of religion and the State is Christian. Unswerving
loyalty to this principle is Christian patriotism. This is not a mere
sentiment or side issue of Christianity; it is one of the fundamental
principles and chief characteristics of Christianity.
And the separation of religion and the State is one of the great thoughts
of the Bible. It is one of the leading principles of that Book which
for man is the source of all sound principle.
Many people think that the two or three expressions of Christ as recorded
in the New Testament are all that the Bible contains on the subject
of the separation of Church and State. But separation of religion
and the State is one of the original thoughts of the Bible, and reaches
from the beginning to the end of the Book.
We propose here to give a series of studies of the Bible on this great
subject of Christian patriotism or the separation of religion and
State.
Being one of the great thoughts of the Bible, this subject is of vital
importance to individuals everywhere in their relations to
God. It is a principle that is involved in the daily experience
of Christians and not merely an abstract question.
The ways of God are right. His Word is the only certain light, the
only sure truth. The principles which He has announced are the only
safe principles for the guidance of men. We hope to make each study
so plain that every reader can easily grasp the truth of it.
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