1. CHRIST vs. Culture
Public Square

2. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
U.S. Constitution Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

3. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
In American culture, a lot of discussion and debate is occurring around this phrase:
Congress shall make no law…prohibiting the free exercise of religion

4. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
Key questions to address
How should a Christian behave in public?
Should we insist that our values be followed?
What about those who with different values?
Where are the boundaries?
Who are the key players or organizations?
What does the Bible say?

5. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
Freedom from Religion Foundation (ffrf.org) “Won’t you join FFRF in our critical work to promote nontheism and defend the constitutional separation between religion and government? With more than 22,500 members, the nonprofit FFRF works as an effective state/church watchdog and voice for freethought (atheism, agnosticism, skepticism).”

6. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
American Civil Liberties Union (aclu.org) “For almost 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States.” Is this organization defending the rights of religious people?

7. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
Liberty Institute (libertyinstitute.org)
Protecting Religious Freedom for Public Expression and Defending Public Religious Displays
Protecting religious freedom in the public arena is critically important. This includes defending and restoring:
Religious speech in public locations
Public religious displays
Religious speech in the work place with no retribution for employees, employers, customers and vendors

8. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
Alliance Defending Freedom (adflegal.org) “Alliance Defending Freedom defends religious freedom and opposes all attempts to compel people to compromise their beliefs or retreat from civil and political life as the price for following their faith.”

9. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
Free speech and the willingness to discuss uncomfortable ideas is under threat on college campuses where "trigger warnings" and "safe
spaces" are becoming increasingly common.

10. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
Even President Obama has raised concerns about university students being "coddled and protected from different points of view." And recently, a provocative essay in a Wesleyan University student newspaper nearly led to the demise of the 150-year-old publication.

11. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
What does the Bible say about the responsibility between our government and it’s citizens?

12. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
Romans 13:1-2 (NASB) Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

13. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
Romans 13:3-4 (NASB) 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

14. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
Romans 13:5-7 (NASB) 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience's sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

15. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
I Timothy 2:1-2 (NASB) First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

16. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
I Timothy 2:3-4 (NASB) 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

17. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
Titus 3:1-2 (NASB) Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, 2 to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.

18. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
II Peter 2:13-14 (NASB) 13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.

19. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
II Peter 2:15-17 (NASB) 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. 16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

20. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
What if our government doesn’t protect us as God intends? What are we to do?

21. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
Matthew 5:10-12 (NASB) 10 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

22. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
Matthew 10:16-17 (NASB) "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues;”

23. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
Matthew 10:18,22 (NASB) “and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 22 You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.”

24. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
Luke 9:51-53 (NASB) 51 When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem; 52 and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. 53 But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem.

25. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
Luke 9:54-56 (NASB) 54 When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" 55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; 56 for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.“ And they went on to another village.

26. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
I Peter 2:21-23 (NASB) 21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;

27. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
I Peter 2:24-25 (NASB) 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

28. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
There are many examples in the news regarding the inappropriate limits being placed on people of faith in the public square as well as inappropriate acts of violence against people of faith being allowed. Having now reviewed this issue and having sought God’s guidance through His Word, how are we to behave?

29. CHRIST vs. Culture – Public Square
Matthew 7:12 (NASB) “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”