“Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.”
Jesus (Mt. 22:21)
“We ought to obey God rather than men.” — Peter and the Apostles (Acts 5:29)
What Would You Do?
What would you do if the government ordered you to do something against your deeply held religious beliefs based on clear Biblical teaching?
For example, what if the government forced you to help pay for an abortion, even though you believe what the Bible teaches, that life begins at conception? Or assist in marriage ceremonies for homosexual couples, even when you believe as the Bible says, that marriage is only between a man and a woman?
What would you do if the government ordered you to remove a cross or a display of the Ten Commandments placed on public property? Or to refrain from praying at public events?
As citizens of two Kingdoms, what should we do when facing a choice between God and Caesar? Would He encourage us to take a stand, like Daniel and his friends did? Would He support those today who are promoting the Manhattan Declaration — and why does it matter anyway?
The Manhattan Declaration?
The Manhattan Declaration was released in 2009 out of growing concerns about government-led attacks on the sanctity of life, the institution of marriage, and religious liberty – all of which have become even more intense since that time.
Spearheaded by the late Chuck Colson and then signed by some 150 prominent Christian leaders, over 500,000 people have added their names to the Declaration, stating that “We will fully and ungrudgingly render to Caesar what is Caesar’s. But under no circumstances will we render to Caesar what is God’s.” To add your name, just go to www.manhattandeclaration.org.
Our Guests
Dr. John Sloop served as senior pastor of the First Presbyterian Church on Court Square in Harrisonburg for over 26 years before retiring and then serving as chaplain and now Chaplain Emeritus of the Valley Family Forum.
Joining him is Angie Williams, a support pastor at Grace Mennonite Church and former employee of the Federal Aviation Administration. She is a frequent speaker across America and the author of Joy in Adversity.
Valley Faith in Action
VFIA airs five times on WAZT-TV, the Faith Network, beginning at 8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, again at 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Sunday, and finally at Wednesday midnight. That is on Comcast Cable Channel 13 in Harrisonburg and Rockingham but varies in other areas, including on WIAV-TV at 8:00 p.m. every Friday in Washington DC.
We value your prayers, your encouragement, and your support, so if you would like to help with a tax-deductible gift, please send it to the Valley Family Forum at 3465 Izaak Walton Dr., Harrisonburg, 22801.
For Life, Faith, Family, and Freedom,
Dean