I need to preface what I am about to say with the statement that I really do not like the word “clergy.” It is repugnant in my mind because it was born out of the efforts of those who wanted to model the New Testament bishopric after the Old Testament priesthood. While it is clear that there are similarities between the two, upon Jesus’ death “the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom,” ending the need for a representative leadership embodied in the priesthood and leaving the church with servant leadership embodied in the lowly shepherd. Nonetheless as a moniker, the word clergy is largely synonymous with church leadership, especially in the eyes of the secularist. Thus, I use it here rather loosely for their sakes rather than my own.

But why talk about the silencing of the clergy? Because it is abundantly clear that secularist society has been at war against Christianity for quite some time now, even in our own country, and despite First Amendment freedoms. And because even the Bible says, “I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.”

While the prophecy was concerning Jesus, the principle has universal application with special relevance to the church because this is our leadership model. Part of the secularist’ tactic is to drown out Christian opposition by turning up their own volume, both in decibels and in individual voices, but the other part is inducing Christianity to turn down their volume through the silencing of the pulpit. And this they have done to every church that cared to become a 501(c)3 tax exempt corporation. Under the First Amendment to the Constitution, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Not only does this mean that the pulpit is free to preach against evil, even if it be found in government, but it cannot be penalized by the government for so doing. And thus Congress cannot even tax a church, because to do so is to make a law respecting an establishment of religion; it is the establishment of Congress, and thereby the U.S. Government, as superior to the church. By taxation, the government becomes lord and master, but the First Amendment to the Constitution makes the church free. Taxation of the church is a violation of the separation of church and state doctrine touted so rigorously by the secularists. The only time a church loses its freedom is when it voluntarily gives it up to the 501(c)3 mafia.

But why silence the clergy? If secular humanism is so superior to Christianity, what are they afraid of that they cannot take them on in fair debate?

It is because the clergy are supposed to be behaviorists. Their textbook is the Bible, God’s very words, and as students of that book they are eminently qualified to judge between what God calls good and what God calls evil. And not only to judge, but to proclaim — it’s their job. Remember the lowly shepherd? The safety of his flock depended upon his ability to recognize their natural predators, like wolves, lions, bears and such. And once recognized, he would then place himself between the predator and his flock, defending them with his life. In Psalm 23, David says, “thy rod and thy staff comfort me.” David full well understood the use of the rod and staff as offensive weapons used by the shepherd with deadly accuracy along with his trusty sling. For those familiar with David’s story, along with a lion and a bear, Goliath would find out that fighting against a shepherd was not a fair fight.

Folks, there is only one reason that anyone would ever want to silence those whose job it was to defend against evil: They, themselves, are evil and don’t want to be exposed. In John chapter 3, the Bible says, “Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” And it would be bad enough for such attempts to be made in America’s streets, but when such attempts emanate from the halls of government, it means there is wickedness in high places.

The truth is the church is free, placed off limits to the government by the First Amendment to the Constitution; this is the wall of separation Thomas Jefferson said had been erected between church and state. Every clergyman needs to climb upon this wall and use their freedom of speech to warn their congregations of the encroaching evils.

Ron Hamman is pastor of Independent Baptist Church of Wasilla; contact him at 357-4229 or rghamman@mtaonline.net