Outposts, fortresses, boroughs, towns, and cities are the progression of civilization. From a fence post and garrison to streets and capitals our nation was built on the model of European civil society developed during Christendom. However, these bastions of freedom and goodwill have been slowly and then quickly lost. The Culture Warriors of the 1980s gave way to the Cultural Engagement of the 1990s and now the culture is lost. Yes, there are still villages and churches that honor God. But, on the federal level, our government opposed Christian virtue, many states are not much better and some are even worse.
If we commend localism (more government at the lowest possible level that is most accountable to voters) we must determine the line of demarcation and strategy to retake lost ground. At what level of municipal government can we find common bonds? Start there. Retreat alone is not a strategy; it may be a method to save forces and recapitulate our objectives. We cannot survive alone in cloistered monasteries (contra the Benedict Option) or behind walled castles forever. Christ’s church is always on offense, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it (Matthew 16:18).” Storming gates is a tactic from siege warfare.
Some Christians today suggest that today we must become a cultural insurgency because we have lost ground to the woke liberal ideology. Building fortresses is necessary in many areas. Some even recommend leaving blue states for red states. Although it was once hard to admit, the atheistic secular movement has captured cities and even entire states over the last 75 years. So we may need to leave or in some cases, we can surround blue cities with pockets of godliness. Pennsylvania is one such land, where we once were free but are no longer. Owning land here may be a losing proposition because a government that does not honor God will not honor your rights. However, before we abandon ship, let’s consider what we are forfeiting if we pack up and leave this homeland.
William Penn (1644–1718) was singularly responsible for establishing one of the most Christian provinces of America. A Quaker, Penn was trained in Biblical discipleship from a young age. In 1681, King Charles II granted the younger Penn the right to land in colonies to pay off debts the crown owed his father.
In 1682 at Chester, the preamble of charter for Pennsylvania recites, "Whereas the glory of Almighty God and the good of mankind is the reason and end of government, and, therefore, government in itself is a venerable ordinance of God, and forasmuch as it is principally desired and intended by the proprietary and governor, and the freemen of Pennsylvania and territories thereunto belonging, to make and establish such laws as shall best preserve true Christian and civil liberty, in opposition to all unchristian, licentious, and unjust practices, whereby God may have his due, Caesar his due, and the people their due, from tyranny and oppression."1
Rather than treating this law as some ancient document, we should assert that it remains a founding document in this state. God’s glory and man’s good are still the purposes of government ordained by the Lord. We must enforce laws that prohibit wickedness and evil practices, from murder to theft and everything else. Enacting just laws respects God while the lack of justice dishonors Him. Citizens of this commonwealth determine what kind of government is acceptable, and for too long we have bent the knee to unchristian tyranny and oppression. Can we change this?
Religious pluralism in Pennsylvania was there for practicing Christians, not pagan witches. Penn continued, "That all persons living in this province who confess and acknowledge the one almighty and eternal God to be the creator, up-holder, and ruler of the world, and who hold themselves obliged in conscience to live peaceably and justly in civil society, shall in no wise be molested or prejudiced for their religious persuasion or practice in matters of faith and worship; nor shall they be compelled at any time to frequent or maintain any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever." We have distorted the meaning and intent of these sentiments in our modern landscape of ideological capture.
Our freedom to worship does not create an obligation for others to do the same. However, with this freedom comes a responsibility to uphold Biblically just laws and rules. We can not simply say that “we believe in God” and do nothing based on our commitment to the ultimate truth of Jesus’ sovereign reign. Pennsylvania must submit the Lorship of Jesus Christ in Harrisburg and every county, including Philadelphia and Allegheny. God is the authority over the state and church. This requires complete leadership reforms starting from the ground up, in churches and townships across the state.
Early historian George Bancroft noted, "In the judgment of this Quaker patriarch and legislator, government derived neither its obligations nor powers from man. God was to him the beginning and the end of government. He thought of government as a part of religion itself. Christians should keep the helm and guide the vessel of state."2 This gets sticky because the spheres of state and church are separate (see Kuyper). But the church should check the state's immorality through the people's voices and actions.
The consent of the governed should be concerned with acquiescence to the Biblical foundation of government, not elections alone. In this statement “Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed” Jefferson neglected God’s position. Just powers come from God; we should agree with Him to support godly and righteous leaders. Pastors and Christian leaders provide direct accountability to politicians for the people through conversations and prayer. This is what the PA Family Council has done and is supposed to do. Sons and fathers who turn to heaven in our capital to pray together can make things right. Then, we all can get to work on this mission as an army of faithfulness, shoulder to shoulder here on earth saying “Your kingdom come, your will be done (Matthew 6:10).”
How can we more actively encourage Christian men to stand up in brotherhood and unity to pray for Pennsylvania together? That is our charge and challenge today. It starts with Man Up in Pittsburgh and other cities but faithful service requires a more concerted effort to change our state for God’s glory and our good. We are not just in the business of reforming lives but through the Holy Spirit, but also saving marriages, families, and communities. This is what men are made to do.
William Penn further issued this law, "To the end that looseness, irreligion, and atheism may not creep in under the pretense of conscience in this province, be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That, according to the good example of the primitive Christians, and for the ease of the creation, every first day of the week, called the Lord's day, people shall abstain from their common toil and labor, that, whether masters, parents, children, or servants, they may better dispose themselves to read the Scriptures of truth at home or to frequent such meetings of religious worship abroad, as may best suit their respective persuasions." Blue laws were made red with the blood of Christ. Can we start on Sunday? You have the option to worship God in your place and manner, but not to disrespect Him. Freedom of religion is used to promote faith. Religious freedom requires true religion, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world (James 1:27).”
Further, Penn wanted to establish this outpost of faith and to promote Christianity to the native Indians. His treaties with the Lenape Native American tribe were models for all future relationships. Unfortunately, conflict damaged these agreements, many tribes were not as trustworthy as the Lenape, and his model was not adopted or followed by future Americans. But his intention was clear, to convert unbelievers who had a notion of spirit but did not know God’s only begotten son Jesus. And he did so unapologetically. We need to find the same courage when it comes to our neighbors who neither know God nor honor his name.
Pennsylvania may be hard to reclaim, but it is worth trying. Let us start with our immediate surroundings, schools, and towns. A wood dedicated to the Lord is not some dream that is lost and forgotten. Our churches have dry bones that can live again. Towns and cities that worship God in Pennsylvania can be a present reality if we seek God’s face together and acknowledge His power in our lives.
Long, G., & Patrick, J. J. (1999). Constitutional debates on freedom of religion: A documentary history. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. Chicago
Bancroft, G. (1856). History of the United States. Chicago