Swanny's
Swaggy's
Comments and Reflections
Comments upon various relevant issues from
a Christian perspective.
Think on
these things.





Web Site Contents
Swanny's Swaggy     Entry page and introduction to this Web Site.
We Tell A Tale     Background information about Australian swagmen and the like.
Bogatzky's Devotions     A classic daily devotional by Henry Bogatzky
Faith's Cheque Book     Dependable guarantees from the Word of God. .
Some Basic Texts     Some important and useful bible texts to understand and remember.
One Hundred Texts     Texts of evangelical and reformed importance arranged by the Irish Church Mission.
M'Cheyne's Bible Readings     Read the KJV Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice in a year.
Spurgeon's Catechism     Charles Spurgeon's Catechism with questions and answers.
Boys' and Girl's Catechism     Learning Basic Christian Beliefs Early in Life.
Proposed Sections     Science and faith, and revival and other things.
Renewal and Revival     References and Studies on these important subject. All Christian should seek revival.
Science and Faith.     Christianity and science can exist in harmony.

Verse of the Day - MEV.

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"It is not in man."
O Lord, I know, that the way of a man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. - KJV.
I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. - ESV.
O Lord, I know that the path of [life of] a man is not in himself;
It is not within [the limited ability of] man [even one at his best] to choose and direct his steps [in life].
- Amplified Bible.
Jeremiah 10: 23.


"Man proposes, God disposes." - Anonymous
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. - KJV.
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. - ESV.
Man's mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them. - Amplified Bible.
Proverbs 16: 9.

There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord shall stand. - KJV.
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. - ESV.
Many plans are in a man's mind, But it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand (be carried out). - Amplified Bible.
Proverbs 19: 21.


"Think on these things."
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things
are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
- KJV.


Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable,
if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
- ESV.


Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God's word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute;
if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them,
and implant them in your heart].
- Amplified Bible.
Philippians 4: 8.


KJV is the classic King James Version, ESV is the modern English Standard Version and the Amplified Bible gives expanded text.





Charles Spurgeon's Beliefs on State Aid.

        "But Christ's church wants no state aid, and should abhor all carnal weapons. We, as a body, denounce all government grants, we should think that one single farthing from them would stain the pure lily-white of the Baptist hand, we should count it a plague spot on our denomination, if we had a single sixpence from government.
        We want no help from the State, and we will have none. When we discover that Paul and the apostles ask the aid of the Caesars, we will also bend the knee and pray for State patronage, Let other churches stand as paupers at the feet of the State, and gratefully receive endowments and benefactions, but we will not wear gilded fetters. Baptist never will be slaves'. We have not one diamond in the hilt of our sword, which was given us by governors, nor does our uniform contain one atom of royal gold. In this, therefore, we will still glory, that 'the weapons of our warfare are not carnal.'"


Remark.
        Some of Spurgeon's language may seem old fashioned and quaint to us "moderns" but his gist is plain enough. It is surely significant that the man dubbed the "Prince of Preachers", held such strong views on the necessity of rejection of state aid for churches. He,undoubtly, firmly bases this rejection, on sound scriptural principles and historical and practical considerations. It is the principle of a free church in a free state.

Reference.
        Taken from the sermon entitled "The Holy War" based on 2 Corinthians chapter 10 verse 4 - "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. - KJV. Compare "For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds," - Amplified Bible.

Published in "C H Spurgeon's Sermons Beyond Volume 63" compiled by Terence Peter Crosby Page 564, chapter 40. Day One Publications 2009 - ISBN Number 978-1-84625-145-0

Comment:-
"He who pays the piper calls the tune." "Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers."
        If any church or denomination accepts state aid from the government then, surely the government can expect to have a say on how and by whom it is used. This means unbiblical government policies may be brought to bear on church procedures and organizations. A conflict arises if the church's teaching are opposed to the what the government expects of it.
        This was perhaps, why many churches in the past and present; particularly non-conformist and free churches, were and are opposed to state aid. "The piper" may want believers to fit in with his unchristian plans and practices. Any church and government partnership, in these situations, is fraught with danger and difficulty, for the church is unequally yoked with unbelievers. It is best for churches to not compormise their scriptural principles by completely avoiding state aid.
        Modern society has drifted further and further away from Christian values. Governments are increasingly promoting legislation to legalize such things as euthanasia, abortion, gender issues, political correctness etc. Sadly this is the case to some degree or other with all the main political parties within Australia. Conservative christians find much that is offensive about these practices and oppose such legislation. The trouble is that those who accept state aid put themselves in a very awkward position.
        Who do they follow Christ or "Caesar"; God or man? Severe restrictions may be applied by the state as to what the church must and can't do. This interference by the government, into the life of church and individual christians, can only have a detrimental effect on its authority and witness. This is surely too high a price to pay and which, if continued, will see churches merely become agencies of the secular government. In other words; no longer a free church but more like a subservient vassal with little spiritual authority. No wonder so many churches have lost their unction and power. It seems "the mighty dollar" has become more important to them than "Almighty God."

Areas of Conflict.
        True Christian churches and believers accept the bible as the final authority in matters of faith and practice; in other words, what we are to ultimately believe and how we are to behave. For the Christian, freedom of belief and conscience, consistent with the bible's teachings, is a necessary part of life. To seek to impose another way of thinking and believing contary to this ethos is plain discrimination and may lead to persecution. Christians of all people should seek to maintain the law of the nation, which at least in Western nations is largely built on the Judaeo-Christian ethic. Howevever, if governments introduce legislation that runs counter to Christian principles, then the believer must obey God and not "Caesar." Not only must they not obey it but they must also oppose it.
       For example, churches which accept state aid for schools, health and aged care and charitable outreach are expected to be so-called "non-discriminatory" in whom they employ. This could entail, seeking to enforce the church institution, to give jobs to people who may be actively opposed to Christian belief and morality.

See also 1. Views on Church and State Relations
             2. Do a Google search using "Which churches don't accept state aid?" This will bring up mostly United States related information but much of it is generaly relevant, to the discussion on separation on church and state, as well as matters pertaining to religious liberty. There is a more distinct adherence to "church and state separation" in the US than there is in Australia for example.

Tax Exemption for Churches.

The main concern is that exemptions of this sort are a form of state aid. As such, they allow the government to have undue influence over church practices. In the U.S.A. for example, if a church wishes for tax exemptions they must allow the state to impose certain restrictions on them. This particularly applies to the areas of charitable work, health and education, as well as gender and employment matters. Conversely the USA is a more secular state than Australia, in that religious instruction is not directly permited in government schools.

Any church, that conducts a business for profit, must surely be expected to pay government tax on those profits. In other words, if it is a profit making enterprise it must pay tax. Otherwise it is gaining a monetry advantage from the state for the running of its religious activities. This goes against a basic principle of the separation of church and state, where the state should not support the religious pratices of any religious body. This must apply, even if the profits are used for charitable work, such as operating an aged-care facility. Even if it's not for profit and purely a charitable enterprise, state aid allows government intrusion into its activities. Fair enough, even if state aid is not accepted, certain employment, health and safety and other standards must be maintained. These are any lawful requirements expected by every good citizen and organization. However, the government is not in any way an authority on what a Christian can and can't believe. This importantly includes the sensitive area of moral belief and practice.

Christian churches are not any any way businesses and should not be treated as if they are one. Even in charitable efforts, which may be considered as "good works," churches should fully self fund their efforts. The prime mission of any church is the spread of the gospel; the good news of Jesus Christ.

It is a justified criticism, of churches that seek tax exemption, that they are given a distinct advantage over ordinary secular businesses in not having to pay tax. Some churches end up with substainial assets because of this favourable treatment. This goes right against the scriptural principle of "not laying up treasure on earth" and gives the appearance that making money and having possesions, even if it is church property, is of considerable importance

This is undoubtly a complex issue, but Christians are to be primarily guided by scriptural principles and not those of any worldly system. Legitimate making of money and gaining of possesions is lawful but it is never to be the primary basis for our lives. "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righeousness and all these things shall be added unto you." In other words, all our needs will be satisfied.

Everything a church or christian does in the name of Christ should be self funded with no exceptions. A lot of the disdain and even contempt against churches is because they are seen as opportunist and going against their own belief. Unfettered and consistent Christian compassion and goodwill is necessary.




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