A new controversy touching the issues of church and state has arisen in Des Moines, Iowa, where a holiday display of a Satanic icon was vandalized beyond repair [1], allegedly by a former Mississippi congressional candidate [2]. A number of prominent political figures, including one U.S. presidential candidate, have called for the display’s removal [3], though the state Governor has offered perhaps the wisest and most balanced response:
Like many Iowans, I find the Satanic Temple’s display in the Capitol absolutely objectionable. In a free society, the best response to objectionable speech is more speech, and I encourage all those of faith to join me today in praying over the Capitol and recognizing the nativity scene that will be on display—the true reason for the season [4].
The True Synagogue of Satan
No devout Christian can look at a display like the one at the Iowa Capitol and not be appalled and disgusted. What indeed has the father of lies, the archenemy of God and humanity, the author of pain and suffering for six thousand years, ever done to improve anyone’s life or bring genuine happiness to anyone’s heart?
But as repulsive to the genuine Christian as open homage to Satan surely is, what is far more offensive to God and the converted Christian is the covert homage paid to sin’s originator by many who falsely profess the name of the Lord. Jesus talked about these pseudo-Christians in His message to the church of Smyrna in the book of Revelation:
I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan (Rev. 2:9).
Christians throughout America, and in Iowa especially just now, should ask themselves if their own practical witness reflects the character of the One they claim to honor during this special season of the year. How do they treat the less fortunate? How do they honor their vows of faithfulness to the marriage relation? Do they recognize in every human being a child of God, regardless of ethnic, national, or political affiliation? Does the grace of God rule their spirits, subduing wicked impulses and evil tempers?
The way in which these questions are answered, on the basis of God’s Word, is what ultimately determines—regardless of our profession—whether we belong to the true church of Jesus or the synagogue of Satan. As in early Christian times, so today there are multitudes who claim to be part of the body of Christ, but whose actions belie the nativity scenes that bedeck their homes and churches.
Do we bemoan the infant Savior’s exclusion from the inn at Bethlehem so long ago, while excluding Him from our hearts through the cherishing of favorite sins? Do we deplore Satanic temples and the display of Satanic idols in public while cherishing Satanic hatred, lust, and intolerance in the soul temple of the heart.
The Ultimate Temple to Be Cleansed
The zeal with which certain Christians vandalize Satanic icons on public property would best be directed at the far more dangerous idols in their own hearts. The modern prophet speaks of this ultimate cleansing in such statements as the following:
Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us, as the early rain fell upon the disciples upon the day of Pentecost [##5|Ellen G. White, Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 214.##[.
Unless we pursue this final and most imperative cleansing, we will at last find ourselves among those condemned by Jesus in early Christianity, “which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan” (Rev. 2:9).
REFERENCES
1. Jose Mendiola, “Satanic Temple says part of display in Iowa Capitol ‘destroyed beyond repair,’” Des Moines Register, Dec. 15, 2023 https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/2023/12/14/satanic-temple-reports-vandalism-of-its-display-in-iowa-capitol/71925404007/
2. Hanna Seariac, “He’s accused of taking out a Satanic Temple statue at a state capitol. Now he’s being charged with criminal mischief,” Deseret News, Dec. 15, 2023 https://www.deseret.com/u-s-world/2023/12/15/24003160/who-is-michael-cassidy
3. Mendiola, “Satanic Temple says part of display in Iowa Capitol ‘destroyed beyond repair,’” Des Moines Register, Dec. 15, 2023 https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/2023/12/14/satanic-temple-reports-vandalism-of-its-display-in-iowa-capitol/71925404007/
4. KCRG Staff, “Gov. Reynolds calls Satanic Temple display at Iowa Capitol building ‘objectionable,’” https://www.kcrg.com/2023/12/12/gov-reynolds-calls-satanic-temple-display-iowa-capitol-building-objectionable/
5. Ellen G. White, Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 214.
Pastor Kevin Paulson holds a Bachelor’s degree in theology from Pacific Union College, a Master of Arts in systematic theology from Loma Linda University, and a Master of Divinity from the SDA Theological Seminary at Andrews University. He served the Greater New York Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for ten years as a Bible instructor, evangelist, and local pastor. He writes regularly for Liberty magazine and does script writing for various evangelistic ministries within the denomination. He continues to hold evangelistic and revival meetings throughout the North American Division and beyond, and is a sought-after seminar speaker relative to current issues in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He presently resides in Berrien Springs, Michigan