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From The First Baptist Church in America – Providence, Rhode Island
Religious Liberty Sunday – July 5, 2009
“The Irony of Liberty” (Matthew 18:23-34)
Dr. Dan Ivins, preaching

Independence weekend is especially meaningful here at the Meeting House, since it was built a year before the Declaration was signed. Just being here on this particular holiday allows us to feel that sense of connection. It took 157 years for Frederick Douglass’ piercing question to be fulfilled: “What does Independence have to do with me?” For the first time in our history Douglass could look into the White House and see occupants like himself.

I like what ol’ Patrick Henry said: “Either kill me or let me live!” (A joke ya’ll). But liberty ain’t no joke. It’s always had an incongruous aspect to it. From the beginning in early America, even though some came to the new world in search of religious liberty, Western European church/state alignment soon became the norm here as well. And instead of squabbling over there, they continued to squabble over here.

South Carolina and Virginia were established as Church of England colonies; paying taxes to the government for maintenance of Anglican churches. Only members of the Church of England could vote. The Massachusetts colony fled the oppression of the Anglicans. But there it was the Puritans who sternly prohibited the presence of the Church of England. So strict were they that our Baptist forebears were persecuted. That’s why the founder of this church, Roger Williams and Ann Hutchinson came here when “no mighty work could be done” there. Their banishment to Rhode Island was the first lively experiment, where outcasts were free to establish religious liberty for all. Even the right to not be religious. I don’t know what it means for you to be a part of that fine tradition but it sure makes me proud!

But when it comes to religion, everybody always seems to be getting rid of somebody. Maryland was Roman Catholic and made an attempt at tolerance but never got there. New York was a Dutch Reformed colony but they socked it to the Quakers, who moved to southern New Jersey. The Presbyterians had the northern part. Pennsylvania, started by William Penn, was a Quaker colony. Anglican, Swiss and Dutch Reformed, German Lutheran, Anabaptist, Quaker, Presbyterian, Jewish, Puritan! So much diversity!

By the time of the American Revolution, Americans were thoroughly familiar with American religious intolerance. How quickly they forgot what happens when the European religious tradition was perpetuated, as each colony tried to impose its own brand of religion in their jurisdiction. The history of the world has proved what a difficult lesson it is to learn about freedom: when church and state are intertwined, it ruins the church and poisons the state. So once again, rather than leading to liberty, freedom and independence, early Americans only brought more intolerance, oppression and death.

That’s why a major part of the successful American experiment was the dis-establishment of religion. People in this church should be proud of that. No one religion would be the government standard in this new land! Instead, religious tolerance and government neutrality would be the rule for this country. And it has turned out to be one of the most creative and important decisions in religious history. For the first time, laws were in place that allowed the diversity of American religion to prosper.

Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the Declaration was more influenced by the enlightenment than Christianity, but even he was a nominal Anglican. Diversity shaped this nation from its inception and still does, because it challenges us to build our faith on something deeper than our differences. But we keep lapsing back to the old way. It’s the irony of liberty.

Injustice is what Jesus’ parable of the unmerciful servant is about. A king was concerned about settling his “past due” accounts. But amidst all the talk about settling the score, it’s more about grace than justice. One poor guy was in debt up to his ears to the tune of 10,000 talents. That was so much money it would take 150,000 years to work it off. The king was a realist, so he mercifully forgave the debt. And the man breathed a sigh of relief at his good fortune. But not so relieved that he couldn't spot a debtor who owed him a paltry 100 denarii – a single days wage, and could be worked off in a short time.

But the freshly liberated man, freed of his massive debt, collars the other guy and demands that his small debt be paid now. The disparity of the one who received abundant mercy but won’t show any mercy represents the irony of freedom. When the poor man said, “But I don't have the money,” he callously had him tossed in jail. Word of this injustice leaked back to the king and he had the man brought in and said, “Look, when I showed you mercy I meant for you to show mercy to others. You can't have your freedom all to yourself.”

Funny thing about liberty – once some people get it, they don't want anybody else to have it. That’s how it was in this country, till the Baptists got the 1^st Amendment to the Constitution passed. Now that’s under attack. Why are we so slow to recognize what the founders wisely saw so clearly, namely, freedom of religion is a package deal? And we can't have ours unless others have theirs. Why would we not want others to have it too? I guess it has to do with power and control issues. Getting our way.

Jesus’ story about the two debtors reminds the Church that it’s a community of the forgiven and forgiving. To lay claim to one without extending the other is to miss the point. The question is whether we will live in response to the mercy we have received from God or to the injustices we have received from other people? Show me an ingrate and I’ll show you one like our first debtor: bitter and vengeful.

But if anybody believed in religious freedom it was Jesus. He taught us to do unto others as God has done unto us. He saw how Judaism in his day tried to imprison other people's spirits, by teaching that God cares for Jews only. God has no favorites. He got in trouble as an advocate of religious liberty; and for championing the separation of church and state: “Render unto the Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” In the temple where he overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, Jesus went out on a limb for the Greeks because God knows our freedom of religion is tied up with everybody else’s. Even those who don’t care to have it.

As American culture becomes increasingly diverse, questions of national identity and faith become less defined. But the best of Baptist tradition has argued that being American and Christian means freedom for all. For 450 years, the early church was persecuted and martyred by the state and had no religious freedom. Then Constantine repeated the sin of Israel and combined religion with the state, making Christianity mandatory. Watch out when Christians become the majority! They no longer had to fear persecution. But the greatness of any majority is seen in how they deal with minorities. So after getting a taste of power, you guessed it, the church began to persecute other religions!

In the 16th century, after 1000 years of church and state one-upmanship, English Separatists fled the persecution of Anglicanism to come to a new world in hopes of establishing the Plymouth Bay Colony. But as soon as they landed on these shores to escape religious persecution, they became persecutors themselves. Same old, same old, only over here.

Coronado of Spain, conquered Latin America by using the threat of violence to spread the gospel. All natives who refused to convert to Catholicism, he had burned at the stake. On one occasion, he was about to torch an Indian and asked: “Will you now repent of your sins so you can go to heaven when you die?” The Indian said, “No, I’d rather die. And I don't want to go to heaven because I’m afraid Christians will be there!”

And when our infant nation developed its present form of government it was the Baptists, led by John Madison of Virginia, who fought for the Bill of Rights to the new Constitution. The First amendment establishes religious freedom, where the state remains neutral in matters of religion. It was the wisest thing the founders did. And Baptists played a major role in this noble heritage when our forebears demanded this dual emphasis upon religious liberty and the separation of powers. Religion will not be imposed here!

What is it about liberty that once we get it we don’t want anybody else to have it? Why do people try to impose their religious views on others, or manipulate the state to espouse their brand of religion? Once people gain their freedom, they’re like the first debtor in Jesus' story, and use their freedom to restrict the liberty of others. The genius of religious faith is personal conviction lies at its roots. Faith is either voluntary or it’s invalid. Neither can liberty can't be coerced. But it can be lost. Perhaps our church’s greatest gifts is to continue to model the best of our American Baptist heritage by extending the blessings of liberty to all, rather than use our liberty to browbeat those who are different. Like Paul suggested to the church in Galatia: “You were called to freedom brothers and sisters. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love, be servants of one another.”

This week as we celebrate our national holiday, the best that is in any of our traditions demands that we afford the decency, freedom, and respect to those whose ideas and practices differ from our own. Early American Baptist blood was shed to guarantee that right. After 9/11 we got a brief taste of America at it’s best: national unity in spite of differences in outlook. When we were attacked by religious fanatics – willing to kill for their beliefs. Then we were big-spirited as a nation and rallied around this country, priding ourselves as Americans of all stripes, “one nation indivisible,” without having to be homogeneous. Alas, that didn’t last long. Let us always be alert to the roots and reasons of our patriotism.

I was born a Southern American, endowed with the freedom of beliefs, without having to look over my shoulder. That’s why I am most grateful for what others have come to mistrust: our lively, contentious religious pluralism. But that’s what brings me the most pride in our country; when we manage to define and defend our diversity as all-American. It has served us well for 233 years. I hope we’ll keep it that way.

So what does it mean to be a Christian American today? I can only speak for myself. I am proud to be an American Baptist Christian in the U.S.A., to be #36 in this historical place. No other church in the world would I want to be a part of any more than this one. And since I was a kid I’ve been honored to pledge my allegiance. Some people forget that the “pledge of allegiance” is a pledge, not a prayer. And the greatest part is how it ends: with liberty and justice for all. Respecting the flag means respecting the values of others, who love their country as much as I love mine. Let us continue to stand for an America that’s like our church; not driven apart by our differences but united around shared values and respect for diversity.

Providence Prayers /7-5-09/

All praise to Thee O God, for the star-spangled history of this great country in which we live. It is an amazing panorama that makes us proud of the blue, red, and white. Today we pray for Thy presence, to sustain us and guide us, that we will not lose heart. In the eyes of God, no nation is either favored or foreign.

In this historic congregation, we especially thank Thee for the privilege of inheriting this nation and the ideals upon which it was founded, the freedoms we possess; for our religious liberty and leaders who acknowledge the need for a proper relationship between church and state.

The scriptures tell of a slave, released of a debt he could never repay, only to inflict on another the same guilt from which he is freed. Thanks be to God for forgiveness, for releasing us from the many debts we have accumulated. And according to Thy design, we are equipped to receive forgiveness only when we extend it to others.

Replace our lusty thirst for national competition with a passion for human cooperation. Turn our prayers for greatness into goodness; our prayers for success into service. May all nations learn to pray for one another, not prey on each other.

May this hour of worship help us appreciate our roots and motivate us to do whatever we can to bring to pass the vision of “one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” We praise Thee that our government was so structured that it paved the way for many different kinds of churches to flourish, including our own. W also ask Thy blessing upon our national leaders. Grant them a vision larger than partisanship. Endue them with a desire for fairness, honesty and compassion.

We would not forget those among us who are suffering, healing, or dying. All who are lonely or grieving their losses. May our flag continue to stand for liberty for the whole human family. Impress upon us through the symbols of our country and our faith, the importance of freedom–what it took to get it, what it takes to keep it, and what it means to share it.

May your benediction rest upon us all and may you smile on all that’s good in our country and inspire us to change what is bad. We ask it in the name of the greatest Liberator of all time, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.