The Bible study I am teaching in the Capitol this week has tremendous implications for those who believe upholding morality in America will prevent God’s judgment.

It is the assumption of many Christian political activists that God is primarily concerned with the restoration and preservation of our nation. This premise motivates and drives well-meaning individuals, even though such beliefs are biblically unsubstantiated. This will come as a shock to many, but did you know there is simply no evidence in the New Testament to affirm the assumption that God judges nations today?

God’s focus in our present age is not to judge nations but to build up and purify His church, the bride He will one day give His Son (Ephesians 5:27).

If this is a true premise—God’s focus is upon His church and not on judging nations—then believers should be focused on evangelism and discipleship over and above campaigns to improve a facade of national morality. The lifestyle result is...

The Martinsburg Journal has published an opinion editorial by Maryland State Director Brent Alderman:

The Pew Forum on Religious and Public Life released a fascinating poll Monday, detailing the religious beliefs of Americans. While our country is a diverse amalgamation of views, the numbers are encouraging, disturbing and at times, confusing.

The extensive poll contains much, but I'll comment on the answers that caught my attention. I suppose it's a positive thing that 92 percent of us believe in the existence of God. More than 50 percent of Americans pray at least once a day. Only God knows, but hopefully those are meaningful, heartfelt prayers for legitimate needs. One has to wonder, though, if this percentage goes up as the price of oil rises.

For a little head scratching, you might find it interesting that 21 percent of American atheists and more than half of those...

In our ongoing study of Proverbs in the California State Capitol, we are investigating what Solomon has to say about familial wisdom. Marriage is certainly a part of his instruction, and given our state Supreme Court’s recent ruling legalizing same sex ceremonies, one need not look very far to realize that Solomon, and the whole of Scripture, know nothing of the practice. For instance, Proverbs 12:4 states,

An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones.

The Hebrew word in this passage for wife (ishshah) unmistakably means “female,” and the word for husband (baal) unmistakably means “male.”

I remember a legislator in Bible study who years ago challenged the singularity of Scripture on this subject. As a polite contrarian, he desired the following week to present a Bible study to the group that revealed God’s supposed approval of homosexuality. And in fairness to this position,...

I invite you to review our 2008 Annual Report to Our Partners. The report provides a helpful overview of how God is using us to achieve His purposes. This year’s report includes expanded financial information and highlights our goals for the remainder of this year and beyond, including details regarding our planned overseas expansion.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff, thank you for your ongoing partnership with Capitol Ministries. Whether you are a donor or a prayer partner, please know that you are an integral part of our team.

Pulpit Magazine, a ministry of the Shepherd's Conference, posted a series of articles this week by Pastor John MacArthur titled "The Gospel and Politics."

MacArthur argues that "America’s moral decline is a spiritual problem, not a political one, and its solution is the gospel, not partisan politics."

Pastor MacArthur is a member of Capitol Ministries' Pastoral Advisory Committee.

Read the articles: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3,

This week’s study of Proverbs examines the truths related to one’s legacy. Legacy means “something coming from the past as from an age, event, or policy” (Merriam-Webster). Everyone leaves a legacy, great or small, good or bad. For sure, one leaves a legacy with his or her family, and in the case of the Capitol community, one leaves some kind of legacy with the state. This week Solomon’s God-inspired wisdom challenges us to consider what our legacy will be.

Read the study notes

If God is sovereign and omnipotent, how does He reign in the world today between the first and second advents of His Son, Jesus Christ?

The Scriptures provide the answer: He mediates His reign through His ordination of five institutions during this period of biblical history, the Church Age.

My Bible study this week is basic to the Capitol community in that it provides a Christian worldview of God’s perspective on government, its purposes and limitations. It is a must-study for everyone in public office who desires to please God in and by their appointment. Many executive, legislative and judicial errors would be avoided if the respective members of each knew and abided by the construct that follows.

Read the study notes

Listen to the audio

Ralph Drollinger, Curtis Solomon (our prospective state director for Arizona) and I visited the Arizona Capitol on June 2-3. The Lord greatly blessed our trip.

We met with Speaker of the House Jim Weiers, who was very supportive of Curtis Solomon launching his ministry in January. Special thanks to Representative Jerry Weiers (the Speaker’s brother) for spending a significant amount of his time introducing us to his colleagues. Several other House Members expressed their support for Curtis and his future ministry work in the Capitol and around the state.

After our time in the House, we moved over to the Senate and met with the Senate President, Tim Bee. Senator Bee, a Tucson native (Curtis is also a Tucson native), was equally encouraged by the future commencement of Capitol Ministries Arizona. He informed Curtis that he was ready and willing to help in any way necessary. Several other Senators are also interested in having a bona fide Legislators’ Bible study...

Missouri State Representative Ed Emery writes:

I was introduced to Capitol Ministries when I met Ralph Drollinger and Sean Wallentine at a legislator's convention and several of us agreed that we would like to see this Capitol Ministries come into Missouri. Capitol Ministries Missouri has been launched and is beginning to take hold in Jefferson City.

Throughout the 2008 legislative session, Paul has been challenging a regular group of legislators with teaching from God's Word. The men and women who have been a part of these studies come from a variety of church backgrounds and levels of spiritual maturity. In the arena of government, there are frequent challenges to scriptural principles as well as a pervasive temptation to depend on my own wisdom instead of Christ's. I appreciate Paul's emphasis on who God is and why His written word is trustworthy and applicable to the issues of...

I’m pleased to report that Nora Lynn, a senior staff member in the California State Senate, will be joining our ministry headquarters staff in early June.

For further details, I invite you to read this announcement [pdf] from our communications team.