Chapter 25 - OF CHRISTIAN ALLEGIANCE

1 Consequently, the allegiance of the Church is preeminently and unconditionally rendered to Christ, its Head and King. While respecting and submitting to governing authorities in accordance with biblical mandates (1 Peter 2:13-17), the Church's loyalty is never to be conflated with, nor subservient to, any particular political party, human ideology, or temporal regime. Our primary citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), and our ultimate standard of obedience is the divine law of God.

2 In an age characterized by a pervasive skepticism regarding objective reality, we unequivocally affirm that truth is not a mutable construct, relative to individual perception or socially engineered consensus. Instead, we uphold biblical truth as the immutable, ultimate, and authoritative standard for all knowledge, morality, and understanding. "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). This divinely revealed truth, apprehended through faith in Christ, serves as the singular plumb line by which all other claims to knowledge and competing ideologies must be rigorously evaluated and, where necessary, corrected. It is the unassailable foundation upon which a right understanding of God, humanity, and the world is built.

3 We steadfastly uphold the biblical doctrine of individual moral responsibility, wherein each person is accountable before God for his thoughts, words, and deeds (Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Concurrently, we acknowledge the pervasive reality of systemic sin and the corporate dimensions of injustice that permeate fallen human societies. While individual culpability remains paramount, the Scriptures also reveal instances of corporate sin and its consequences, demonstrating how sin can become embedded within societal structures and institutions (e.g., the prophetic critiques of Israel's injustice, Amos 5:7-15). Therefore, while we are committed to pursuing justice for the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized, our pursuit is firmly grounded in timeless biblical principles of righteousness and mercy (Micah 6:8; Luke 4:18-19), rather than being uncritically appropriated from secular ideologies that may diverge from or contradict God's revealed will.

4 We tender a gentle yet firm critique of worldviews that aspire to construct a perfected society solely through human ingenuity, effort, or political restructuring, independent of divine grace and redemption. Such utopian aspirations, often characteristic of secular humanism, inherently deny the profound impact of humanity's fallen nature and the pervasive reality of sin (Romans 3:23). True societal transformation is not achievable through mere legislative reform or socio-political engineering alone. Rather, it necessitates the regenerating and sanctifying work of God's Holy Spirit in the hearts of individuals (John 3:3-8) and the subsequent application of biblical principles to all spheres of life, acknowledging that a perfect earthly society will only be fully realized at Christ's return (Revelation 21:1-5). Efforts to establish an earthly paradise apart from God's redemptive plan are ultimately futile and often lead to further disillusionment or oppression.

5 While the Scriptures do not endorse a specific, prescriptive economic system (e.g., capitalism, socialism), they unequivocally establish timeless moral principles that govern all economic activity. We affirm the biblical call to responsible stewardship of God's creation and resources (Genesis 1:28; Psalm 24:1), recognizing that all possessions ultimately belong to Him. We advocate for compassionate care for the poor and vulnerable, emphasizing generosity, hospitality, and just treatment (Deuteronomy 15:7-8; Proverbs 14:31; James 2:15-16). The Scriptures condemn dishonest weights and measures, exploitation, and usury (Leviticus 19:35-36; Proverbs 11:1; Ezekiel 22:12), promoting instead integrity, fairness, and diligence in labor (Colossians 3:23). Furthermore, covetousness and the inordinate love of money are denounced as roots of all
kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10), challenging individuals to prioritize heavenly treasures over earthly accumulation (Matthew 6:19-21).

6 We assert the profound biblical truth that ultimate human identity is found preeminently and irrevocably in Christ Jesus, through faith in His atoning work (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:1-4). This Christ-centered identity transcends and supersedes all other categories, whether racial, ethnic, national, or socio-economic. While acknowledging the reality of God's purposeful design for humanity as distinct male and female genders, as revealed in creation (Genesis 1:27; Matthew 19:4), and recognizing the cultural and societal expressions that flow from these distinctions, our fundamental worth, purpose, and belonging are not derived from these classifications. Rather, they are bestowed by God's grace upon those who are "in Christ," united to Him as adopted sons and daughters of God.

7 It is imperative that the Church's engagement with these vital societal and ethical concerns, however significant, never overshadows or eclipses the core doctrines of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The central message of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for the glory of God alone, remains
the paramount truth to be proclaimed and upheld (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 1:16-17). These applications of biblical truth to various spheres of life are crucial outworkings of our faith, demonstrating its comprehensive scope and transformative power. However, they are not, in themselves, the entirety of the
Christian faith; rather, they flow from and are sustained by the foundational reality of God's redemptive work in Christ. Our primary mission remains the proclamation of the Good News, leading individuals to repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.