Restoring the Influence of Religion

Much has been said recently by politicial pundits regarding cases concerning religious liberty. It does appear that many liberties that have been taken for granted in the history of our country are being eroded by a secular humanist worldview that seeks to make naturalism and “tolerance” the religious mores of our day. As Christians we can and certainly should seek to speak out in the public square for the sake of religious liberty, and many are doing just that. And as we seek to speak intelligently to the masses in this forum and press for freedom, may we also be praying for revival and proclaiming the gospel. Wilberforce reminds us, in his words and deeds, that we can champion these kinds of rights at a political level, but if the Christian worldview attained through the acceptance of the gospel is not happening in our culture, it will come to little good. May we be vigilant then, as we get on social media and news channels to champion religious liberty, to all the more vigorously plant churches, proclaim the gospel, instruct in Christian worldview and ethics, and pray for revival to come through the work of the Spirit.

“Let true Christians then, with becoming earnestness, strive in all things to recommend their profession, and to put to silence the vain scoffs of ignorant objectors. Let them boldly assert the cause of Christ in an age when so many, who bear the name of Christians, are ashamed of Him: and let them consider as devolved on Them the important duty of suspending for a while the fall of their country, and, perhaps, of performing a still more extensive service to society at large; not by busy interference in politics, in which it cannot but be confessed there is much uncertainty; but rather by that sure and radical benefit of restoring the influence of Religion, and of raising the standard of morality.”

Jeremy Kimble (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Assistant Professor of Theological Studies at Cedarville University. He is an editor for Credo Magazine as well as the author of That His Spirit May Be Saved: Church Discipline as a Means to Repentance and Perseverance and numerous book reviews. He is married to Rachel and has two children, Hannah and Jonathan.