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Church And State Revisited © 05.15.12 By D. Eric Williams
This article appeared in the May 17 edition of the Cottonwood Chronicle
When the Continental Congress declared the 13 colonies independent of Great Britain in 1776, a first action on the part of the various states was to write constitutions. Two qualities stand out in most of the original state constitutions. First, most of the states required any man who aspired to public office to confess the Christian faith. For instance, the Delaware constitution of 1776 mandated, “Every person who shall be chosen a member of either house, or appointed to any office or place of trust, before taking his seat, or entering upon the execution of his office, shall ...subscribe the following declaration, to wit: 'I, A B. do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for evermore; and I do acknowledge the holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by divine inspiration.'”
The North Carolina constitution of 1776 declared that, “no person, who shall deny the being of God or the truth of the Christian religion, or the divine authority either of the Old or New Testaments, or who shall hold religious principles incompatible with the freedom and safety of the State, shall be capable of holding any office or place of trust or profit in the civil department within this State.”
Pennsylvania insisted elected officials “make and subscribe the following declaration, viz: 'I do believe in one God, the creator and governor of the universe, the rewarder of the good and the punisher of the wicked. And I do acknowledge the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by Divine inspiration.'”
A second quality common to some of the early state constitutions is a prohibition against clergy holding public office. North Carolina's constitution provides an excellent example, declaring that “no clergyman, or preacher of the gospels of any denomination, shall be capable of being a member of either the Senate, House of Commons, or Council of State, while he continues in the exercise of the pastoral function.”
Although Tennessee was not one of the original 13 states, it's fundamental law required a confession of faith on the part of civil officials and also declared that “no minister of the gospel, or priest of any denomination whatever, shall be eligible to a seat in either house of the legislature.”
These requirements reflect a sound understanding of kingdom political theory. Although the modern mind recoils at the thought of requiring civil officials to embrace the Christian religion it would be the norm in a consistently Christian society. After all, complete authority in heaven and earth has been given to Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). When Jesus told Pilate that his kingdom was not of this world he meant that his power was derived from another place. He certainly did not say that his kingdom was not for this world. It most definitely is. Thus, civil officials are ministers of God required to bring their arena of activity under the authority of King Jesus (Romans 13:1-7).
At the same time, ecclesiastical leadership must restrict its governing activity to the institution of the church. Our founding fathers (the men who wrote the original state constitutions) understood that the separation of church and state simply meant each institution is beholden to God for their arena of activity not for the sphere of influence given to any other institution. Therefore, civil leaders are required to govern their realm of responsibility according to the law of God just as church leaders are required to oversee their arena of activity in accordance with God's word.
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The Truth About The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
By D. Eric Williams
Should we take seriously a story about a boy who routinely visits heaven? And what measuring stick should we use in answering that question? Is it enough that this tale employs Christian terminology or is there a higher standard we must look to? Find out in the booklet, The Truth About The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly.
Publication Date: Oct 31 2011
ISBN/EAN13: 1466488786 / 9781466488786
Page Count: 76
Binding Type: US Trade Paper
Trim Size: 5" x 8"
Language: English
Color: Black and White
Related Categories: Religion / Christian Theology / Angelology & Demonology
List Price: $5.25
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Heaven Is Real, The Book Isn't An Astounding Refutation Of A Story About A Trip To Heaven And Back
By D. Eric Williams
The New York times best selling book, Heaven Is for Real outlines the tale of four year old Colton Burpo's emergency surgery for a ruptured appendix and the startling revelations that followed. In the months and years after the successful surgery Colton began to unfold a fantastic story to his parents. But is the account logical - and most important - is it biblical? Find out in the booklet Heaven Is For Real: The Book Isn't, An Astounding Refutation Of A Story About A Trip To Heaven And Back by pastor and writer D. Eric Williams. If you've read the best seller, you need to read this critique!
Publication Date: Jul 28 2011
ISBN/EAN13: 1463774087 / 9781463774080
Page Count: 35
Binding Type: US Trade Paper
Trim Size: 5" x 8"
Language: English
Color: Black and White
Related Categories: Religion / Christian Theology / General
List Price: $5.25
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The Christmas Season Stories For Each Week of Advent And Christmas Eve
By D. Eric Williams
Prophecy, Shepherds, Bethlehem, Wisemen and Christmas Eve: each week of the Advent Season is special and exciting. Now you can make your Christmas Season more compelling and real than it has ever been before.
The Christmas Season, Stories for Each Week of Advent and Christmas Eve, will transport you to the time and place where it first came to pass. Be there as the prophet Isaiah declares the coming of the Messiah. Live with the first century shepherds who were told of Christ's birth and experience their awe at the angelic visitation. Agonize with the Bethlehem innkeeper who has "no room in the inn." Wander the far reaches of the Middle East with the Wisemen as they search for the promised Messiah. And finally, live the heartbreak and joy of Mary and Joseph as God's ancient promises find fulfillment through them.
The Christmas Season is sure to become a cherished part of your family's Advent celebration for years to come.
The Christmas season needs a lot more attention from evangelical
Christians, and that is what D. Eric Williams provides in his book "The Christmas Season: Stories for Each Week of Advent and Christmas Eve." We tend to pay too much of the wrong kind of attention to Christmas, and not nearly enough of the right kind. In these short fictional stories for each week of Advent, Christian families can find good material to help focus their thoughts on the reason for the season. Douglas Wilson
Publication Date: Nov 14 2007
ISBN/EAN13: 1434816575 / 9781434816573
Page Count: 100
Binding Type: US Trade Paper
Trim Size: 6" x 9"
Language: English
Color: Black and White
Related Categories: Fiction / General
List Price: $7.50
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Men Of Issachar Understand The Times, Know What To Do As A Christian Man Demonstrating The Kingdom Of God In Your Family, Church And Community
By D. Eric Williams
According to Webster's dictionary a crisis is a “decisive moment or an unstable or crucial time or state of affairs” in history. It is fashionable to suggest the early 21st century is a time of crisis. We are told by our leadership that crisis is at every hand. Indeed, when crisis does not materialize as quickly or as violently as one might expect it seems civil leadership is not adverse to creating “crisis.”
However, we are in the midst of crisis. The situation we face today is not economic, environmental, political or sociological. Instead, it is a crisis of leadership at the most elementary level. It is a crisis requiring a dramatic cultural shift in order to correct the course of history. As things now stand we are headed for disaster. Indeed, we are experiencing the slow unfolding of disaster all around us even today.
Publication Date: Feb 14 2011
ISBN/EAN13: 1441435670 / 9781441435675
Page Count:190
Binding Type: US Trade Paper
Trim Size: 5" x 8"
Language: English
Color: Black and White
Related Categories: Religion / Christian Life / Men's Issues
List Price: $8.75
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Quasimodo On Skis A Collection Of Humorous Essays Designed to Produce A Chuckle In Even The Most Curmudgeonly Of People
By D. Eric Williams
D. Eric Williams lives in north—central Idaho with his wife, a whole passel of kids and a laptop computer. His latest offering “Quasimodo On Skis” is a collection of quirky, witty, personal and downright hilarious shorts guaranteed to raise a laugh from even the most jaded. Join D. Eric Williams on a humorous ride through life from a cockeyed point of view.
Publication Date: Feb 20 2011
ISBN/EAN13: 1460931971 / 9781460931974
Page Count: 98
Binding Type: US Trade Paper
Trim Size: 5" x 8"
Language: English
Color: Black and White
Related Categories: Humor / Form / Humorous Essays
List Price: $6.95
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The End Was Near End Times Bible Prophecy Made Simple
By D. Eric Williams
Are we living in the Last Days? Are the End Times upon us? Many popular writers confidently say we are the terminal generation - but is that what the Bible says? Find out in this introductory study of biblical eschatology by Pastor and writer D. Eric Williams.
In this brief overview of the topic, Pastor Williams reveals the proper approach to interpreting End Time passages and provides the tools necessary for understanding biblical eschatology.
Publication Date: Apr 06 2010
ISBN/EAN13: 1451591209 / 9781451591200
Page Count: 130
Binding Type: US Trade Paper
Trim Size: 5" x 8"
Language: English
Color: Black and White
Related Categories: Religion / Christian Theology / Eschatology
List Price: $7.75
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Shine Forth As The Sun The Messianic Reign In Parable According To Matthew's Gospel
By D. Eric Williams
The kingdom of God: when will it begin? What are its characteristics? Who will be a part of it? Drawing from the "kingdom is like" parables of our Lord Jesus Christ, Pastor D. Eric Williams examines these questions and more in this collection of sermons concerning the kingdom of God according to Matthew's Gospel.
Publication Date: Mar 30 2010
ISBN/EAN13: 144143772X / 9781441437723
Page Count: 212
Binding Type: US Trade Paper
Trim Size: 6" x 9"
Language: English
Color: Black and White
Related Categories: Religion /
Biblical Studies / Theology / New Testament
List Price: $8.95
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Real Faith Studies In The Epistle Of James
By D. Eric Williams The Epistle of James is all about Faith - real faith, living faith, active faith. Like the apostle Paul, James would have us work out our salvation with fear and trembling. This book endeavors to show just how that is done.
According to James' epistle, real faith is based upon certain presuppositions. True faith finds joy in hardship. Faith brings unity in the body; it engenders self control; it benefits the individual and the world at large.
Real Faith, Studies In The Epistle Of James will enable you to read the letter of James with fresh eyes and allow you to apply this misunderstood book to your walk of faith.
I am happy to commend D. Eric Williams' studies in the epistle of James. "Real Faith" is down-to-earth, just like the epistle, and is well-suited to help the reader unpack the kind of practical help that James is known for. Douglas Wilson
Publication Date: May 19 2009
ISBN/EAN13: 1441436782 / 9781441436788
Page Count: 174
Binding Type: US Trade Paper
Trim Size: 5.5" x 8.5"
Language: English
Color: Black and White
Related Categories: Religion / Christian Life
/ Personal Growth
List Price: $8.35
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The Power Presentation Career Acceleration Through Public Speaking
By D. Eric Williams
Studies show the #1 factor for career success is communication skills. In these tough economic times it is critical that you learn to communicate with power and effectiveness.
Public speaking is the language of leadership. If you can stand in front of a group and convey your ideas in an understandable and interesting fashion, you will automatically be seen as a leader. You will be recognized as an expert - even if you are only one step ahead of the crowd. Think about the great leaders and business personalities in history. William Jennings Bryan, Winston Churchill, FDR, Martin Luther King Jr., Ronald Reagan, Lee Iacocca and others. Everyone of these people were mere mortals like you. However, everyone of them knew how to speak the language of leadership; they knew how to convey their ideas in a public presentation in an understandable and interesting way.
The Power Presentation will show you how to do the same.
Publication Date: Nov 15 2007
ISBN/EAN13: 1434818985 / 9781434818980
Page Count: 150
Binding Type: US Trade Paper
Trim Size: 5.5" x 8.5"
Language: English
Color: Black and White
Related Categories: Business & Economics / Leadership
List Price: $7.75
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