Griem is just doing his job

Reader Mark Rozett’s letter (“Griem’s response was dogmatism,” Mailbag, Oct. 13) about Pastor Bryan Griem’s “In Theory” answer to the question, “Should churches be able to support candidates,” showed a lack of knowledge of American history. The point of intimidating the church using the Internal Revenue System is a moot point, since it is unconstitutional under the 1st Amendment. In regard to the second point made using Luke 20:25, “…render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s,” this is a good illustration and clearly demonstrates that there are two jurisdictions, civil and religious. Jesus Christ is saying that we should be involved with both, since the verse has that connective word “and.” Also, Matthew 28:18-20 is the Great Commission in which Jesus Christ is giving us the marching orders to go out and do what he has commanded us to do.

Re: the third point that the church is “apolitical,” meaning that the church is not to engage in politics: The Battle of Lexington began when the British were marching into the area and Pastor Jonas Clark, being warned by Paul Revere, put out the warning and 150 of his congregation came out with muskets in hand for defense.

It was George Whitefield, John Wise, Samuel Cooper, Jonathan Mayhew, Charles Chauncey, James Caldwell, among many other pastors and evangelists, who spoke against the king from the pulpit. These warnings from the pulpit cried out that the king wanted to make the Colonies a church state, wanted to take away their liberties, both civil and religious.

Christians are values voters. Pastor Bryan Griem is doing what he is supposed to be doing from the pulpit.

Roy M. Lopez
Glendale