Reclaiming the truth of god in the public square
A Monthly Publication of the Church Ambassador Network
As we gather in our churches this July, still fresh from celebrating Independence Day, our minds naturally turn to the profound heritage we have been gifted. This month marks an extraordinary milestone in our history: the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is a moment for deep gratitude, but for those of us shepherding congregations across Ohio, it is also a moment for sober reflection.
We look at the shifting cultural tides around us and feel a familiar, heavy ache. We witness the fragmentation of the family—with Ohio recently ranking a sobering 30th in the nation for family stability according to the 2026 Family Structure Index—and we see the constant barrage targeting the innocence of our children. In the face of such a deeply secularized culture, the temptation to pull back, lower our heads, and retreat into the safety of our church walls is incredibly real.
But we are not called to a spirit of fear or isolation; we are called to lead with a posture of boundless love, transformative grace, and uncompromising courage.
To effectively engage our culture today, we must remember who we are and where we came from. The United States was not an accident of secular philosophy; it was intentionally built upon a profoundly Christian foundation. Reclaiming that historical truth is the vital first step toward confidently bringing our biblical principles back into the public square.
Grounded in the Soil of Faith: The Colonial Witness
Long before the Constitution was penned, the very first sparks of American self-governance were ignited in prayer and rooted in covenant. Consider the words of the Mayflower Compact of 1620, the first foundational document of the New World. The Pilgrims made their intentions unmistakably clear, writing that their perilous voyage was explicitly undertaken: "...for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country..."
This was not an isolated sentiment. As the original thirteen colonies established their individual governments, they explicitly wove their Christian faith into the very fabric of their supreme legal documents. Look no further than the Delaware Constitution of 1776. To hold public office in Delaware, the founders did not establish a secularized, value-neutral standard. Instead, Article 22 mandated that every elected official take the following orthodox oath: "I, A B, do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for evermore; and I do acknowledge the holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by divine inspiration."
From Massachusetts to North Carolina, early American civic life was explicitly tethered to the Lordship of Christ and the authority of Scripture. Our early leaders understood what the Psalmist declared: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12).
The Architecture of Freedom: The Founders' Conviction
When the Constitutional Convention met to form a unified nation, the Founders recognized that the radical political freedom they were proposing could not survive without a solid moral bedrock. They knew that a government "by the people" required a people ultimately governed by God.
George Washington, in his historic 1796 Farewell Address, left a stern warning for future generations who might try to separate Christian faith from public policy: "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports... And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion."
His successor, John Adams, echoed this absolute necessity in 1798, writing plainly to the military leaders of Massachusetts: "Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
The historical record is unyielding. The principles of human dignity, unalienable rights, and self-government that we cherish today were directly derived from a Christian worldview.
"Every Square Inch": Why We Must Engage Today
If our nation was built on these truths, why does our public square feel so hostile to them today? The prevailing cultural narrative insists that faith is a purely private matter—something to be kept quietly within our hearts or safely behind church doors.
But the great Dutch theologian and statesman Abraham Kuyper fiercely rejected this false dichotomy. In his famous 1880 inaugural address at the Free University of Amsterdam, he proclaimed: "There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: 'Mine!'"
We must remember that every square inch including the public square belongs to Christ. When we abdicate our role in law, policy, and culture, we leave a moral vacuum that will inevitably be filled by broken, destructive ideologies.
Scripture commands us to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-14). Salt cannot be spread if it stays safely in the shaker; light cannot dispel darkness if it is hidden under a basket. Bringing biblical principles to bear on policy is not about political domination—it is about loving our neighbors.
When we advocate for just laws, we are protecting the vulnerable, honoring God's design, and fulfilling Proverbs 14:34: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”
Faith in Action: Our Present-Day Assignment
We do not have to look far to see the urgent need for biblical truth in Ohio politics today. Just within the last thirty days, we have seen major spiritual and moral battles play out right on our doorstep:
Protecting Children Online: On June 19, 2026, a federal court handed down a massive victory for families by restoring Ohio’s Social Media Parental Consent Law, dealing a major blow to Big Tech companies seeking unbridled, unmonitored access to our children’s minds.
Defending Innocence and Privacy: On June 29, 2026, the Indecent Exposure Modernization Act (HB249) took center stage as activists explicitly fought to allow sexualized adult entertainment in public spaces where children are present.
Guarding Families from Predatory Harm: Also on June 29, the Save Ohio Sports Act was formally introduced at the Ohio Statehouse to reform sports betting and establish safeguards against the predatory gambling practices devastating Ohio households.
Brothers and sisters, these are not merely political issues. They are deeply pastoral, spiritual issues. They affect the souls, minds, and safety of the flocks God has entrusted to us. If the Church does not stand up to provide moral clarity, who will?
Practical Steps for the Ohio Pastor
Preach the Word with Courageous Clarity: Dedicate time in your preaching calendar to address contemporary cultural issues from a thoroughly biblical perspective. Do not shy away from topics like marriage, the value of life, or digital stewardship. Frame these issues not in political rhetoric, but in the timeless truth and grace of Scripture.
Equip Your Congregation for Civic Stewardship: Remind your people that voting and civic engagement are extensions of their Christian stewardship. Provide resources, host non-partisan voter registration drives, and teach your congregants how to evaluate policies and platforms through the lens of God's Word.
Engage Directly with Your Local Leaders: Build intentional relationships with your local school board members, city council members, and state representatives. Invite them to your church, pray over them publicly during your services, and voice biblical perspectives on policies affecting families in your community.
Join the Movement
We cannot do this work alone. The Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) has developed vital initiatives designed to stand alongside you and amplify the voice of the Church in Columbus and beyond. Take action today:
Attend the 2026 Essential Summit: Be a part of a one-day faith-based conference designed to empower Christians to engage confidently in today’s cultural and societal issues. Buy tickets or become a sponsor for the Summit.
Stand for the Vulnerable at the Statehouse: Attend an upcoming PASH and stay informed about ongoing legislation by visiting our Advocacy Center.
Mobilize Your Church for the Ohio March for Life: Join thousands of believers from across the state on Friday, October 2, 2026, at the Ohio Statehouse to stand as a public witness for the sanctity of human life. Register Your Church for the March.
Let us move forward with immense love for our neighbors, unshakeable grace for the broken, and uncompromising courage to speak truth. God has placed us in Ohio for such a time as this.
The Church Ambassador Network is a ministry of Center for Christian Virtue. They exist to serve and resource the Church in Ohio to understand the times and know how to respond. Read more about their mission at CCV.org/CAN.
