“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)
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What Would You Do?
What would you do if the government ordered you to do something against your conscience?
For example, what if the government ordered you to help pay for an abortion, even though you believe what the Bible says, that life begins at conception? Or assist in marriage ceremonies for homosexual couples, even when you believe what 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 with those 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 now 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
John Sloop served as senior pastor of the First Presbyterian Church on Court Square in Harrisonburg for over 26 years and is now our Family Forum Chaplain. Joining him is Angie Williams , a pastor at Grace Mennonite Church and a former employee of the Federal Aviation Administration. She is a frequent speaker across America and has also written a book entitled Joy in Adversity.
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Valley Faith in Action airs five times on WAZT-TV, 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 the Harrisonburg/Rockingham area but varies in other locations.
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