Polarization, Not Decline

This week’s article in Newsweek, “The End of Christian America” claims that Christianity is on the decline in America. What the article really uncovered is that those who identify as Christians, but who have never lived for Christ –“pseudo” Christians- are now more willing to identify as Agnostics or Atheists. The mushy middle is disappearing, as the Bible teaches us would happen. (Revelation 12:11, 12).

On the other hand, every day of the week two new mega churches are opening their doors (Churches with more than 2,000 in attendance, according to Churchgrowthtoday.com.) So it becomes clear that what is happening is not a decline in Christianity –real Christianity- but rather a polarization in America.

Yes, there are two Americas, not as defined by John Edwards, during his presidential bid, of the “haves” and “have-nots,” but two Americas defined by a fundamental worldview that either acknowledges God and the legitimacy of the Bible, or it does not, or put another way, those who believe in “One Nation Under God,” and those who do not.

It’s been said that God has no grandchildren. Americans who have grown as traditional or cultural Christians, are being compelled to decide for themselves who they will acknowledge as the only true God: the God of the Bible, or the god of their own creation. This polarization will continue, as the godless crowd gains the support of government and major institutions, like the media and public education.

Sadly, the reality is that as we move away from our identity as “One Nation Under God,” we will find ourselves to be many nations under many gods. This will mean an accelerating decline in American life. We can look forward to more violence, less prosperity, and an overall continuing degeneration of our culture. The only answer is a spiritual renewal that will call us back to the faith of our Founders: a faith reflected by our greatest leaders, like President Lincoln who told us that

“It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependency upon the overruling power of God…”[1]

Since it is illogical to expect ungodly institutions to teach the truth of our godly traditions and history, it is up to the Church to proclaim the truth, even when it brings division. It is time to see a decline of the mushy middle. Let the polarization continue while we pray for revival.


[1] On March 30, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a Proclamation Appointing a National Fast Day:
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Obama Seeks To Replace The Church

I thought it interesting on this day, March 28, 114 years ago, the American Salvation Army was organized, and now in 2009 on this day, the new U.S. President is moving forward with his plan to replace the “Armies of Compassion” with the army of government. Obama’s plan to eliminate deductions for charitable giving is nothing more than an attempt to replace voluntary charitable organizations with big government. Where liberty thrives helping the poor is a product of compassion and care from those who are more fortunate. When the government takes over helping the poor is the justification for the existence of a wasteful, self-serving government bureaucracy.

The Church must rise up now to oppose this action, not simply because the Church stands to lose, but because this is another power grab to establish an authoritarian socialist government that must necessarily work to silence the Gospel, and will continue to do so little by little until our motto “In God We Trust” is replaced by “In Government We Trust.”

This is precisely the plan and the agenda of the spirit driving the present administration. The clergy must rise up as they have in times past to resist the forces of evil. It’s time for the prophet to prophesy to the king. We must teach our people the principles of liberty under God, and fulfill our duty to our country as stewards of the gift of liberty God has entrusted to us. God forbid that we remain “complacent in Zion.”

Above His Pay Grade?

It appears that Barak Obama is moving full speed ahead to destroy the economy. Why? Perhaps Obama wants us to be like the poor nations of the world to soothe a liberal anti-American guilt complex, or perhaps as one report claims, he knows exactly what he’s doing and is purposely throwing our economy into chaos to put Americans in a position where they will be clamoring for a savior, paving the way for government takeover of a once-free people. Then again, perhaps this is an overestimation of his abilities. He may simply be in over his head, or as he stated, above his pay grade.

Whatever the reason, Americans will have to revisit the foundational principles that have made us the greatest nation on the face of the earth if we are to recover -the principles of liberty under God. These Biblical principles have provided restraints on American capitalism, and they will need to be reaffirmed and publicly acknowledged. The word “virtue” must once again become part of the American lexicon.

Even as the Obama crowd would waste no crisis in advancing their agenda, so should the people of God see this as an opportunity to rise up, exercise leadership and see America once again enjoy God’s favor as we publicly acknowledge that we are still “One Nation Under God.” The Church must lead the way.

Tyler Speaks

It seems like every day we’re hearing of another multi-billion dollar bailout. I believe it bears repeating what was said over 200 years ago about the fall of the Athenian Republic by Scots Historian Professor Alexander Tyler, circa 1787:

"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse (generous gifts) from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, (which is) always followed by a dictatorship."

There it is folks. A nation of fools will we be if knowing history, we simply repeat it. It’s up to those who know the truth to take a stand if we are to see our nation spared from the consequences proven through all of history to be our fate if we continue on the current path. Tyler also taught:

"The average age of the world's greatest civilization has been two hundred years. These nations have progressed through this sequence. From bondage to spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to great courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance, from abundance to complacency; from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependence, from dependence back into bondage."

I'd say we're presently between the apathy and depency stage. What do you think?

At the very core of this entire issue is our collective trust in the King of the Universe. Remember, it was Ronald Reagan who taught us that,

"if we ever cease to be one nation under God, we will be a nation gone under."

That’s the bottom line. No economic plan will save us from the bondage that befalls nations that turn their backs on God. This, too, is proven by history. It is my constant prayer that our nation will turn back to the God of our Fathers. Only then will there be real “hope” for a future of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

It must begin with the people of God. Church leaders must rise up to the call or we will have to answer to our children and grandchildren for the liberty lost, because of our complacency. God has always had a people, a faithful remnant willing to sacrifice "our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor." I'm confident He still has.

LESSONS FROM NADYA

The case of Nadya Suleman, the “octomom” who had eight children by in vitro fertilization adding to the six she already had, presents a clear warning sign indicating where our culture is headed if we continue on this present course to societal chaos and dysfunction.

God has a design for his human creation: First marriage, then children raised by a mother and a father, not by a village or government welfare. Unfortunately, Nadya’s case is slowly becoming more “normal.” In many communities across our nation young girls no longer associate child-bearing with marriage. They see these as two unrelated events, with the former being more desirable than the latter.

For the sake of generations to come we must do our best to support single parent families, while we work to re-establish the prominence of the natural family. Men must step up to the plate to provide loving leadership while we all reaffirm that children are a sacred gift from God for whom parents must be willing to sacrifice. God help us if we become a nation that sacrifices the children for the parents’ happiness. God help the next generation if we don’t turn things around.

CUT THE HOLE OUT OF MY JEANS

The “stimulus” package the feds are about to execute reminds me of the story of the little boy who came home crying because he had fallen and torn a large hole on the kneecap area of his brand new jeans. He pleaded with his mother, “Please Mom, cut the hole out of my jeans so it won’t be there any more.”

Needless to say, cutting out the hole just creates a bigger hole, but alas, at least “we’ll be doing something!” For people who claim at least a minimal level of intelligence, this is a pretty dumb move.

All one has to do is to look at the facts, look at our history, and project out into the future to see that by every measure this is a loser. But then again, that presumes the ability to defer immediate gratification for a long-term good, which the present administration and Congress doesn’t seem to have the common sense to do. Goodbye prosperity; hello poverty. God help us, and God help the next generation.

COMING "CORRUSION"

Already, we’re seeing plenty of evidence of what I believe will be the norm for the next four years. Let’s call it “corrusion.” That’s the combined effect of corruption and confusion. Let me explain.

Confusion will take place when the new administration attempts to govern by situational ethics rather than by the time-tested principles codified by our founding fathers. The liberal view of our constitution held by Barak Obama sees a document interpreted by the light of current trends. As they see it, the Constitution, and all laws that derive from it, should be “liquid” enough to change as conditions change. They call it a “living” constitution. In effect, this means that the Constitution, and the entire legal system that flows from it, can mean anything depending on who is reading it. The final authority is the “reader,” not the document. Thus with many different readers you will have mass confusion. (The conservative view holds that the Constitution and the written law is the final authority.)

Corruption will then follow, because without a fixed sense of authority human nature will cause many to see their way as the right way. This will be further accelerated by our move away from being “One Nation Under God.” Everyone will be a god unto himself. More people in government will be driven by self-interests, and fewer will be there to serve others. It is a Judeo-Christian idea to live to serve others, while those gazing through a humanistic-evolutionary lens are guided by a drive for “survival of the fittest” and “self-preservation.” In this environment the “right thing” will be whatever is self-serving. The means justifies the ends. Just don’t get caught!

We will begin to resemble third world countries where the law is determined by who you know.

The confusion and corruption –the corrusion- will steal our peace and prosperity. Enemies, foreign and domestic, will take advantage of the confusion. Social, political and economic corrusion will be the norm.

That’s why the “What’s next?” question for the Christian has to be prayer –a lot of prayer! We must pray for our new president and those in power over us. We must pray for revival in our land. We must repent of our own sin of religious pride that shows up in ways that keeps us divided and ineffective.

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chron 7:14

We’ve heard it enough, now we must do it!