The Bible records "it came to pass in those days, that there went
out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed
[enrolled]" (Luke 2:1)
The Bible records "it came
to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that
all the world should be taxed [enrolled]" (Luke 2:1). This was not a
taxation as we commonly term it today; it was an enrollment or census. In that
day "all went to be taxed [enrolled], everyone into his own city"
(Luke 2:3). Thus our God worked providentially, causing Joseph and Mary to go
to Bethlehem so that our Saviour would be born there, according to prophetic
utterance (Micah 5:2).
In these days our
"Caesar" does not require the long trek back to the site of our birth
or hometown, but he does feel the need to number the people each decade. Our
next scheduled census is to be in 1970. We noted recently that
Ross
Eckler, director of the U.S. Census Bureau, announced the 1970 census may
include questions about religious belief. He reported Roman Catholic and
Protestant groups have requested such questions; Jews and Christian Scientists
are opposed.
United
Evangelical Action, June 1966
While we believe it is beyond
the proper scope of government to make inquiry in religious matters, we do not
align ourselves with those who oppose. Some discussion of this matter is in
order.
Earlier this century the U.S.
Census Bureau published a Census of Religious Bodies (now out of print). As
best we can gather, the various religious bodies co-operated and submitted
statistics of the gatherings they represented to the Census Bureau. The reports
began with a historical summary and background of the particular religious body
and continued by tabulating various local churches, the population of each
divided into age groups of both men and women, and the geographical divisions.
The financial picture was also volunteered in great detail. Statements as to
ownership of edifices, the indebtedness thereon, and expenditures per year
(which approximated the annual total of weekly collections) were divulged. The
Census Bureau issued these statistics in 1906, 1916, 1926, and 1936. We know of
no successful attempt since then to re-collect and publish such information.
We were greatly chagrined to
find that certain Christian publishing houses had co-operated with the Census
Bureau and volunteered such information in great detail for large numbers of
Christians gathered professedly unto the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Although they were professedly unnamed and gathered as such, they were listed
under a heading which categorized them among the many sects of Christendom.
Only the fine print seemed to make some slight distinction. To the common shame
of all of these Christians, they were grouped into numerical divisions and
cataloged with their differences displayed before all.
Now if the 1970 Census does include
questions about religious beliefs or identification with religious bodies, we
wonder what restraint our Christian readers will exhibit. Will they assume an
unscriptural sectarian name so that the census will put them in a separate
category? Or will they be content to be simply Christians refusing all other
distinctions?
We are dismayed by the
impression many Christians entertain when they sign up a child for school
enrollment or enter a hospital for medical help. There is a feeling that the
forms requesting religious information require them to list themselves as other
than simply Christian. There is, however, no regulation, local or national,
requiring true followers of the Lord Jesus to take distinctive titles or align
themselves with any faction of Christendom. Would to God that all His own would
gather simply as in the days of the apostles, unto the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ, and refuse all names, whether in private conversation, application
forms, or national census.
It is said that such census
information is of great assistance to Christians showing them what portion of
the population they are reaching and whom they effectively serve. But it would
seem that the enemy may be laying a subtle snare enabling men to collect
information on the various Christian affiliations whereby to better lure
scattered sheep into the folds of that apostate "world church," now
so obviously forming.
Our hope is that the true Church
will be united and with her Lord in glory before the 1970 Census. Yea, even so
come, Lord Jesus! If in His longsuffering goodness He chooses to tarry longer,
how will you answer the census inquiries—and other information forms in the
meanwhile? We are not borrowing tomorrow’s trouble, for "sufficient unto
the day is the evil thereof." But while others are proposing what to ask
us, may our hearts be all the more dedicated to honor the Lord and to "be
ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh [us] a reason of the
hope that is in [us] with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15). The
"reason of the hope that is in [us]" is not our ecclesiastical
affiliation but the finished work of Christ, His blood shed for our sins, and
faith in His name. We look forward with joyful anticipation to that heavenly
census "in that day when I make up My jewels"—for "they shall be
mine, saith the Lord of hosts" (Mal. 3:17).
We seek, then, not a lobbying
voice in Washington to influence the census query, but an understanding of our
Lord’s will with the needed courage for faithful response.