The IM Writers Association. We aim to create a community of writers who share a common faith and passion for writing that advances the Life of Jesus Christ. Consider assisting us with our costs - a safe donor link is available HERE. #93 Identity Politics | PRESERVING THE STATESDr. Stephen Phinney: A critical foundation for preserving the balance of power between federal authority, state sovereignty, and individual rights.
LAW AND EQUITYListen to the podcast version: The Tenth Amendment affirms that any powers not explicitly delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people, serving as a constitutional safeguard against centralized overreach.It reinforces the principle that liberty thrives when governance remains close to the governed. The Eleventh Amendment, ratified shortly after the Constitution’s adoption, protects states from being sued in federal court by citizens of another state or foreign nation, reinforcing the dignity and autonomy of state governments within the federal system. Together, these amendments reflect the Founders’ deep commitment to limited government, local accountability, and the enduring importance of constitutional boundaries. THE WAR OF THE STATES The tension between individual states and the federal government is no longer a quiet constitutional friction—it is becoming an open war over sovereignty, authority, and the soul of American governance. What the Founders designed as a balance of powers has, in recent years, devolved into a battleground of competing agendas. States are asserting their right to govern according to local values—whether on issues of education, criminal justice, healthcare, or environmental policy—while the federal government increasingly imposes sweeping mandates that override those decisions. This clash is not just political; it’s alarming. It asks whether liberty is best preserved by centralized control or by empowering communities to govern themselves. Amendments 10 and 11 were crafted to protect state & individual autonomy and shield local governance from federal overreach. Yet today, those protections are being tested as Washington expands its influence, often bypassing constitutional boundaries. The result is a growing distrust in federal institutions and a resurgence of state-led resistance. From sanctuary cities to abortion laws, gun rights to energy mandates, the divide is widening. If left unchecked, this war could fracture the very union it was meant to preserve. But if addressed with humility, constitutional fidelity, and a renewed commitment to Biblical and Constitutional federalism, it could also reignite the Founders’ vision: a nation where both state and federal powers serve the people—not themselves. A Divided Culture | A Divided NationThe growing divide between state and federal beliefs has intensified into a political tug-of-war, where unity is no longer the goal but ideological dominance is. Instead of fostering a balanced partnership rooted in constitutional federalism, both sides of the spectrum—left and right—are increasingly using federal power to pressure states into compliance with partisan agendas. Whether it's mandates on education, healthcare, environmental policy, or civil rights, the federal government has often bypassed the spirit of the Tenth Amendment, which reserves powers not delegated to it for the states and the people. This erosion of state autonomy has led to a fractured national identity, where states are no longer united by shared principles but divided by imposed ideologies. On one hand, progressive federal administrations have pushed sweeping reforms that some states view as moral overreach—forcing compliance with policies on gender identity, abortion access, and climate regulation. On the other hand, conservative federal leadership has sought to enforce strict immigration laws, limit federal spending, and protect religious liberties, often clashing with liberal states that resist such measures. The result is a nation where states are not simply governing locally but are being pulled into national battles that distort their ability to serve their unique populations. Instead of collaboration, we see coercion. Instead of unity, we see polarization.This trend undermines the very design of American constitutional federalism—a system built to protect diversity of thought, regional governance, and the rights of the people. The Eleventh Amendment was intended to shield states from federal overreach; yet, today, lawsuits and executive orders often circumvent these protections. The danger is not just political—it’s structural, which could end in an internal civil war. When states are forced to swing left or right under federal pressure, the middle ground disappears, and with it, the possibility of national reconciliation. If this trajectory continues, America risks becoming a patchwork of ideological enclaves rather than a united republic. The solution lies not in silencing disagreement, but in restoring constitutional boundaries and recommitting to the principle that liberty thrives when power is shared, not seized. So goes the church, so goes the nation…Just as the tension between state and federal governments has escalated into a battle for ideological control, the Christian Church faces a similar internal war—one that threatens its unity, witness, and spiritual authority. Rather than standing as one Body under the headship of Christ, many churches have fractured along cultural, political, and theological lines. Some congregations lean heavily into progressive ideologies, redefining biblical truth to align with social trends. Others swing toward rigid legalism, elevating tradition above grace. The result is a Church pulled to the left and right, often losing sight of its true center: the indwelling Life of Yeshua and the unchanging Word of God. This division mirrors the state-versus-federal struggle, where unity is sacrificed for dominance. Instead of seeking a Spirit-led consensus rooted in Scripture, many church leaders now fight to impose their version of righteousness, often at the expense of humility, mercy, and truth. The Apostle Paul warned of this in 1 Corinthians 1:10, urging believers to be “perfectly united in mind and thought.” Yet today, the Church risks becoming a patchwork of competing doctrines and cultural allegiances, rather than a unified force of love and conviction. If the Church continues to mirror the political polarization of the world, it will lose its prophetic voice and its power to transform. The solution is not compromise—it is consecration. A return to Christ-centered justice, Spirit-led unity, and unwavering biblical truth is the only path forward. So goes the heart of man, so goes the church…The condition of the human heart is the spiritual epicenter of every decision, conviction, and allegiance—and its state profoundly affects both the Church and its view of honoring the Constitution. Scripture declares, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). When the heart is unyielded to the Lordship of Yeshua, it becomes vulnerable to pride, rebellion, and self-preservation. This inward corruption doesn’t just distort personal morality—it infiltrates pulpits, pews, and public witness. A church led by unrepentant hearts will inevitably drift from biblical truth, replacing divine authority with cultural convenience. This spiritual drift also affects how the Church engages with the Constitution.Instead of honoring it as a framework built on moral restraint and liberty under God, many now treat it as a negotiable document—subject to reinterpretation based on emotion, ideology, or political pressure. When the heart of man is hardened, the Constitution becomes either a weapon or a relic, rather than a covenant worth defending. But when the heart is surrendered to Christ, the Church can rightly discern the Constitution’s original intent: to protect freedom, uphold justice, and restrain tyranny. A pure heart doesn’t idolize the Constitution—it honors it as a tool for stewarding liberty in a fallen world. The Church must return to this posture, lest it lose both its prophetic voice and its civic responsibility. What would happen if individual states were to separate from the federal government? In reality, they can’t! If individual states were to attempt separation from the federal government—essentially secession—the consequences would be legally, economically, and socially seismic. While the idea may appeal to those frustrated by federal overreach or ideological conflict, the reality is far more complex and constitutionally fraught. Constitutional and Legal Consequences
Economic Fallout
National Security and Defense
Social and Cultural Fragmentation
Historical and Moral Implications
In short, while the frustration behind such a movement may be real, the path of separation is one of instability, conflict, and loss. The better challenge is to reform from within—restoring constitutional boundaries, renewing moral leadership, and reuniting around shared truth. That’s the kind of revolution that builds, not breaks. Essentially, the state would be claiming individualized nationality within an existing nation. That is what starts wars.When a state claims to be an individual country within the United States, it strikes at the heart of constitutional unity and invites dangerous consequences—legally, economically, and socially. Such a declaration undermines the foundational principle of federalism, which balances state sovereignty with national cohesion. The U.S. Constitution does not permit unilateral secession or the formation of independent nations within its borders. To do so would violate federal law, provoke constitutional crisis, and destabilize the very framework that protects liberty and order. The dangers are profound. Legally, it would face immediate challenges from the federal government, likely resulting in court battles, sanctions, or even forceful intervention. Socially, it would fracture communities, divide loyalties, and erode the shared identity that binds Americans together. Historically, attempts at secession have led to civil war, bloodshed, and long-term national trauma. Most importantly, such a move reflects a deeper spiritual and moral crisis—a rejection of unity, humility, and shared responsibility. Scripture warns that “a house divided against itself cannot stand” (Mark 3:25). When states abandon their covenant with the Union, they risk becoming isolated enclaves of ideology rather than contributors to a greater whole. The solution is not separation—it is restoration. We must return to constitutional fidelity, moral clarity, and the pursuit of justice that serves both state and nation under God. Always remember, Satan is the master of division, not unity! From a biblical perspective, the idea of a state declaring itself an independent country within the United States reflects a deeper issue of rebellion, division, and the rejection of God-ordained order. Scripture teaches that governing authorities are established by God for the purpose of maintaining justice, peace, and accountability. Romans 13:1–2 says, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” When a state seeks to sever itself from the union, it risks stepping outside the boundaries of lawful submission and into the realm of prideful autonomy. This kind of division mirrors the spiritual condition of the human heart when it resists God’s authority. Just as individuals are called to submit to Christ, nations and states are called to operate within the structures that promote righteousness and order. The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11) stands as a warning: when people exalt their own identity above God’s design, confusion and scattering follow. Likewise, when a state elevates its own sovereignty above the covenant of unity, it invites chaos, conflict, and moral collapse. Biblical justice does not ignore the need for local governance or cultural distinction—but it always calls for unity under righteousness, not separation driven by ideology or pride. Psalm 133:1 reminds us, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.” The Church must model this unity, and the nation must pursue it—not through forced conformity, but through shared truth, humility, and a commitment to honoring God’s design for authority. When we abandon that design, we don’t just risk political instability—we risk spiritual fragmentation. Here’s my challenge to every reader who values both biblical truth and constitutional integrity: If we believe in unity under God, we must resist the temptation to divide under man. The growing impulse for states to declare themselves independent nations within the United States is not just a political crisis—it’s a spiritual one. It reflects a heart posture of rebellion, pride, and isolation, rather than humility, accountability, and covenant. Scripture warns us that “a house divided against itself cannot stand” (Mark 3:25), and history confirms it. When unity is sacrificed for ideological purity, both truth and liberty suffer. So I challenge you: examine your heart. Are you advocating for separation because of righteous conviction—or because of frustration and fear? Are you willing to defend justice without abandoning grace? The Constitution was never meant to be weaponized—it was meant to be honored. And the Church was never meant to mirror the world’s divisions—it was meant to model Heaven’s unity. If we truly believe in Christ-centered justice, then we must be bridge-builders, not wall-constructors. Let us be bold in truth, but gentle in spirit. Let us call for reform, not rebellion. And above all, let us remember that the highest authority we serve is not a government, but a King—Yeshua, who reigns in righteousness and calls His people to be one. Check out our YouTube channel:
Dr. Stephen Phinney is a theologian, author, and speaker with a passion for helping individuals discover their true identity in Christ. His extensive knowledge and compassionate demeanor make him a guiding light for those seeking to understand the depths of spiritual transformation.Judge Mark T. Boonstra & Dr. Phinney are co-writers of the Identity Politics series. Their mission is to reestablish the Founding Fathers’ faith and commitment to building one nation under God.
IM Writers Association is a collective group of Christian writers who support the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ while sustaining an eschatological view of the Holy Scriptures of God.
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