LET'S TALK ABOUT IT. A recently published paper on Christian political theory argues that civil governments should promote Christianity through law. The authors write: “Civil government ought to promote true religion.” They point to historical examples of governments supporting Christianity through legislation, including: “blasphemy laws” and “Sabbath legislation.” Historically, “Sabbath legislation” referred to Sunday laws — civil laws requiring rest or religious observance on Sunday. The logic is simple: if government should promote Christianity, it may also legislate religious observance. This discussion is not merely academic. Writers within this movement — including those associated with Presbyterian political thought and institutions such as the Heritage Foundation — argue that civil government has a responsibility to promote Christianity in public life. In their view, laws such as blasphemy laws or Sunday legislation may be justified if sufficient political support exists. In other words, the goal is not just theological reflection on history, but real political action aimed at reshaping society according to their understanding of Christian principles. But this principle is exactly what historically produced Sunday laws, where civil power enforced religious practice. In the United States, such a principle runs directly against the Constitution. The First Amendment states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” America’s founding principles were designed to separate church and state, preventing government from enforcing religious observance. Yet Scripture reveals that this very nation will eventually depart from those lamb-like principles. Revelation 13 describes a power that begins “like a lamb” but later speaks like a dragon, using civil authority to enforce worship — identified as the United States. The mentality now being promoted — that government should legislate religious practice — is the very principle that will ultimately make Sunday legislation possible again. But the Bible also describes those who remain faithful to God's holy Seventh-Day Sabbath: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” — Revelation 14:12 In the end, the issue will not simply be political. It will be loyalty to Christ and obedience to His commandments vs obedience to a false religious system. Read the full document here: https://www.reformedchristianpolitics.org/_files/ugd/e554b2_fcbf0b0df2854a948f1a8d44c3acea7f.pdf?index=true