On Making a Nation Christian

Ethics Daily has posted a story about "Nashville Rally Motivates 'Values Voters'" that gives an incredible quotation by Jerry Sutton:

"Our goal is to motivate every single believer, everyone who names the name of Jesus, to be involved in the political process," said Jerry Sutton, pastor of Two Rivers Baptist Church, site of Monday night's rally.

"We have every intention of out-praying, out-thinking, out-working, out-serving and out-loving our opponents," Sutton said. " And we will by the grace of God make this a Christian nation."

Jerry Sutton was one of the first people I met when I went to Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth. We graded each other's daily quizzes in Clyde Glazener's introductory Greek classes. At that time Sutton was reading the Bible and preparing to become a humble preacher. There was no sign then that he was ambitious to become a political boss.

Sutton needs to go back to reading his Bible. Nations can't become Christians. Only people can become Christians. And, it always happens the old fashioned way -- by faith and not by force of law or politics.

Jesus said, "It is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God and serve him only'" when he was tempted by the sin to which it appears that Sutton has succumbed (Luke 4:5-8).