American Pastors Network Calls for Return to Biblical Constraint in Upholding Justice

PHILADELPHIA—Soon after the city of Ferguson, Mo., announced that police officer Darren Wilson would not be indicted on homicide charges for the death of Michael Brown, lawlessness erupted on the streets.

In the hours and days after the announcement, protestors—some of whom turned violent—burned locally owned businesses and police cruisers, despite the pleas of local pastors, the NAACP and Brown’s family to keep the protests peaceful. By Wednesday, about 45 had been arrested and countless buildings burned to the ground.

Sam Rohrer, President of the American Pastors Network (APN,www.AmericanPastorsNetwork.net), says the problem is one of lawlessness masquerading as justice, both in Ferguson and around the country.

“From the very highest levels of government to the streets of Ferguson, we are witnessing the practical repudiation of the rule of law, moral law and constitutional civil law under the false pretense of justice,” Rohrer said. “Our nation, in this ‘Holy Experiment’ of self-government as envisioned by William Penn, was possible, he said, only if the citizens submitted themselves to the 10 Commandments of God. This developing love affair with lawlessness not only threatens our very republic but also will be judged by God Himself. It must be repudiated by all who fear God and love freedom, from the White House to the row house.”

Rohrer adds that any consideration for truth and biblical justice regarding current events—in Ferguson or in the White House and other situations—is conspicuously missing.

“Unless our citizens and leaders direct their energies to the good of others and submit themselves to God’s moral law, lawlessness will continue. If the interest is to preserve our freedom, then duty and responsibility, not license, must be embraced and demonstrated. Where there is no fear of God, there can be no freedom.”

Todd Johnson, a member of the APN leadership council and the pastor of First Immanuel Baptist Church in North Philadelphia, echoed these thoughts.

“When a law is broken, the way to fix it is not to riot or destroy property but to demonstrate peaceably,” Johnson said. “Lawlessness never leads to justice, only to anarchy.” 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

The American Pastors Network is a Ministry Program Affiliate of Capstone Legacy Foundation (a 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian Public Community Foundation registered nationwide).

Pennsylvania Pastors Network is a state chapter affiliate of the American Pastors Network.

###

To interview Sam Rohrer, President of American Pastors Network andPennsylvania Pastors Network, contact Deborah Hamilton atdhamilton@hamiltonstrategies.com, 215-815-7716 or 610-584-1096.