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The Myth of Christian America  /  MCA (10 of 14): Persecution of Kingdom Christians  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 3
The Pennsylvania charter and Penn’s “Charter of Privileges” promised liberty of conscience “inviably forever,” yet those protections collapsed under revolutionary pressure. What does this teach about the limits of human promises and documents, and what might it show about God’s wisdom in not tying His kingdom to political structures?
Another way to ask: Pennsylvania promised freedom of conscience “forever,” but it fell apart during the Revolution. What does that show about how far human promises and laws can really protect us, and why God may not tie His kingdom to politics?

Direct Answer The transcript suggests that even the strongest human promises—legal charters and “forever” guarantees—can be overturned when power shifts, so Christians should not anchor their hope in political structures. Bercot uses this to argue that God’s kingdom is wiser and safer when it does not depend on government control.

Support from Transcript:

  • Penn’s Charter of Privileges promised liberty of conscience and declared the first article “shall be kept and remain without any alteration inviably forever.”
  • It also claimed no law should diminish the charter without extreme consent, yet later revolutionaries “illegally took over the Pennsylvania government.”
  • Extralegal committees became executive/legislative/judicial power and enforced rules with beatings, tarring/feathering, and hangings.
  • The elected assembly was “totally ignored” and essentially lost power.
  • The new regime imposed militia requirements and a Test Oath that removed core freedoms from kingdom Christians.
  • Bercot concludes this shows “why it’s impossible to have a Christian nation,” and that Jesus and the apostles had “no political or governmental power.”
Discussion Follow-ups If documents cannot keep us safe, what should? How might this change the way we talk about “restoring” Christian freedom through politics?

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