These articles were first printed in The Signs of the Times, 1899. In 1900, they were printed in book form, with the addition of some extra articles that were attached as extra chapters at the end, entitled: Christian Patriotism. I have published these originals because the shorter length makes the topic more concise and accessible.
The subject, that the separation of Religion and the State has always been God’s purpose, even in the Old Testament, seems, on the surface, to be an incredible conjecture. We tend to associate the Old Testament with a theocracy that ruled by force and bloodshed. But A. T. Jones makes it clear in these few chapters, that this was never God’s purpose or ideal.
Contents
- The First Great Commandment
- Apostasy—Babylon and Assyria
- The Lesson in the “Father of the Faithful”
- The Lesson of Egypt
- Out of Egypt. The Singular Nation–Choosing a King
- Like All the Nations
- Result of Being “Like the Nations”
- Taught to Babylon
- Taught to Medo-Persia
- Christ the Example
- “The Powers that Be”
Asides from the obvious association of this book with the topic of Religious Liberty, the premise of this work is a big step towards a better view of God’s character. And if that weren’t enough, it also clarifies why “separation of church and state,” is a “lamb-like” power-principle, which helps us to identify the United States as the prophetic power referred to in Revelation 13:11-14. Therefore these articles deserve to be brought to light again. 73p
