Dear Friends at 5C:
I received a number of inquiries about recent protests in many cities including our neighborhood. People have asked questions in the midst of riots across the country: Where does the church hold her position on the death of George Floyd? Will Christian faith have anything to do with social justice? What is Christians’ response to Black Lives Matter movement? What does the Bible say about what we are experiencing now? Last but not the least, What is the future of our country? To do my best in this brief letter, I try to tackle these complicated questions with simple answers.
First of all, let me clarify the separation of church and state, which was established by the founding fathers of this country. The first amendment grants religious liberty for all who live in this free land, prohibiting the government from intervening in religious matters. Likewise, the church should not be involved with lobbying or sponsoring political parties or candidates. Through centuries, this constitutional right has been proved to be effective so that the church fully focuses on her mission. Therefore, our church will not publicly endorse any presidential candidate in the coming election in November, and no one is supposed to promote his or her political view through church platforms such as church meetings, gatherings, WeChat groups, or email communication, etc. Otherwise, the church violates the codes and may lose 501(c) (3) tax exemption status. Of course, as the Bible teaches, Christians should always pray for the government and their local leaders.
Is social justice a political issue? The answer is “Yes” because it involves every level of our government as we are seeing in recent weeks, and also the answer is “No” because it is far exceeding political level and penetrating into every aspect of people’s life. In addition, social justice has been Christian mission for centuries, countless believers have devoted their lives to this cause. For this reason, the church can’t place herself outside the controversy, and American society should hear the voice of Christian faith on this issue. And then, what is our answer to this controversial issue? The power of the gospel brings equality among all people on earth, no matter where a person comes from, matters like gender, race, family background, education, and profession. The work of Christ on the Cross eliminates all the division or enmity among human beings. Through Jesus Christ, all people can be united into one people under God. Therefore, Christians have a good message at hand for this generation as racial tension is running high throughout our society.
Based on the above consensus, it is easier to answer those tough questions. For George Floyd, we denounce the excess force that police officers carried out as the result of killing an innocent person. For protests around the country, we denounce the riot and looting in any community under the cover of a good excuse. For political leaders, we are calling, this is not time to promote your political agenda but put aside your disagreements and serve this country for a common good. For fellow Americans, we are pleading, be calm, and resistant to evil. It is important to promote awareness but social justice can not be achieved on the street. Rather this accomplishment must involve the government of all levels, intellectuals of all wisdom as well as people of all kinds. Through working together, America will be able to come out of this distress with greater strength in exemplifying her values and faith in the world.
My dear friends, America is under attack, not only from a malicious virus from the outside but also from racial divisions within. It is time for us to face reality and resolve this racial issue through collaborating with one another. In this process, the church should have a voice and Christians should be a part of social justice advancement. Let us pray that God shows His mercy upon America, so our country may return to the ideology where this country was founded- One Nation Under God. I have confidence in this great country and people, and a bright future is certainly possible in decades to come.
Please feel free to join me during Pastor’s virtual office hours on Friday if you would like to discuss more these issues.
Look forward to seeing you virtually on Sunday.
Blessings!
Pastor Jinchang
親愛的中岸教會朋友們:
最近,收到一些關於最近抗議活動的查詢,這些抗議發生在美國許多的城市,也包括我們所居住的地区。在全國各地的騷亂中,人們提出了許多问題:教會对喬治·弗洛伊德之死持什麼立場?基督教信仰與社會公正有關聯嗎?基督徒對“尊重黑人性命”運動有何反應?聖經裡如何描述我們現在所經歷的一切?還有就是,我們國家未来终向何方?我儘量在這封簡短的信中,對這些複雜的問題,給出一些簡單答案。
首先,讓我澄清一下由美國開國元勳所奠定的政教分離政策。美國憲法第一修正案,賦予生活在這片自由土地上的所有人擁有宗教自由,禁止政府干預宗教事務。同樣,教會也不應當參與遊說或贊助政治黨派或政黨候選人。兩百多年來,這項憲法修正案被證明是合理有效的,因此教會才可完全專注於她的使命。因此,對於 11 月即將到來的大選,教會不會公開支持任何總統候選人,會員也不應當通過教會禮拜集會、小組聚會、微信群或電子郵件等任何教會平台來宣揚其政治觀點。若教會違反此項準則,可能會失去 501(c) (3) 免稅資格。當然,正如聖經所教導的那樣,基督徒應始終為政府及領導人祈禱。
那麼社會公正是政治問題嗎?答案是肯定的,因為最近幾周我們也看到它涉及到政府的各個層面。同時,這答案也是否定的,因為它已經遠遠超出了政治層面,並滲透到人們生活的方方面面。此外,追求社會公正一直是基督徒的使命,幾個世紀以來,無數的信徒將生命奉獻於這一使命。因此,教會不能將自己置身事外,美國社會應該在這個問題上聽到基督信仰的呼聲。這樣,我們對這個頗有爭議問題的答案是什麼?福音的能力在於為地球上的人類帶來平等自由,無論你來自何處,不論性別、種族、是何家庭、教育背景和職業。基督在十字架上的工作消除了人類之間的一切隔閡或仇恨。藉著耶穌基督,所有人都可以在上帝之下合而為一。因此,隨著整個社會的種族緊張局勢加劇,基督徒當為這一代人,宣揚這個美好的信息。
根據以上認知,我們來回答這些棘手的問題。對於喬治·弗洛伊德之死,我們譴責警察的過度暴力而造成無辜者死亡。對於全國各地的抗議活動,我們譴責以任何藉口在一些社區所發生的暴亂和搶劫。對於政治領導人來說,我們呼籲,現在不是宣傳政治主張的時候,而是應當擱置分歧並為這個國家人民的共同利益服務。對於美國同胞而言,我們懇求,請大家保持冷靜並抵抗邪惡。最重要的是要提高認知,上街遊行本身不能實現社會公正。但是,實現社會公正必須涉及各級政府、智者賢人以及所有族群。通過共同努力,美國將能夠走出困境,以更強大的力量向世界證明自己的價值觀和信念。
親愛的朋友們,美國現在不僅外部受到兇惡病毒的攻擊,內部還深受種族分裂的打擊。現在我們當面對現實,通過相互合作,解決種族問題。在這個過程中,教會應該及時發聲,而基督徒應該成為社會公正進步的一部分。讓我們祈禱上帝憐憫美國,將這個國家重新帶回到被最初建立的理想境界- 上帝之下的國度。我對這個偉大的國家和人民充滿信心,相信必會克服目前的困難,在未來的幾十年,擁有光明的前途。
如果您對這些話題有任何問題,可以和牧師在星期五的在線辦公時間進一步溝通。
期待周日线上见!
主僕 陳金昌