Evangelical Intelligentsia: evangelical

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Saturday, September 3, 2016

The Return of Jesus Christ & the New Jerusalem

"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." -C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, New York, Macmillan, 1960, p. 119.

This life is short. Anything can happen. Our bodies function for a certain number of years, and then we die. Life can seem very difficult at times. Life can seem great at times, and we’re happy. Life is a strange thing. We walk around in these mechanical bodies working jobs, driving cars, getting married, making babies, walking about hustling and bustling to do this or that on this mud covered sphere flying through the void of space at thousands of miles per hour. You’ve got the moon, the stars at night, the clouds and sun during the day. It’s quite odd.

We do many things in life. We try many things. We work, we wonder, and we dream. And we yearn for something more.

I always had a yearning within. Even when I was very young, me and my sister would do little more than play all day. But after a few years I began to ache, just slightly at the end of the day, and think to myself: Is this all life is? The best way I could describe it is that it’s like the day after Christmas. There’s been this great build up for all these gifts I’d thought I’d wanted, that I thought would fulfill me, and they’ve just let me down.

In the same way, using marijuana, or speed, or getting drunk, I’ve done those things. And eventually after a few years your just waiting for the hangover, or your waiting for the “come down.” You can hardly enjoy it anymore. Because increasingly every day there is growing sense of meaninglessness. There is a growing sense of frustration, as time and again and again and again, I set a goal for myself, I set a desire, a product, a relationship, a marriage, a trip, a season, as my ultimate, that somehow when I reach this point finally, finally finally everything is going to be ok. But that moment never comes. It’s always a let down, and I’m disappointed beyond belief. What a cruel reality, and how frustrating after 50 tries, after 100 tries, after 500 tries.

The true story is told of Deion Sanders, a hall of fame corner back who played for the Dallas Cowboys. He had just won the superbowl. He’d had a great game. He was back at the hotel with superbowl ring. And he was on the phone ordering a new Lamborghini. He set down the foot and a very, very disturbing feeling fell over him. Meaninglessness, he had just achieved every goal he had set, and there was nothing. Just emptiness. In the hotel room, Deion Sanders fell down onto his knees, and called out to Jesus Christ.

All we seek after, the fame, the glory, the relationships, the perfect marriage… it all fails to satisfy that sacred yearning.

That yearning is eternity, set up the human heart by God almighty. It is why we ache for something we’ve never had, a perfect timeless existence in full connection to God almighty. I fall into that too, thinking about the perfect romantic relationship. Maybe then my depression will go away, maybe then my tiredness will fade, maybe then I won’t feel lonely at night. But it isn’t true. Only God can satisfy that eternity, because he has placed it upon our hearts, as a desire for a new world. We have within a sacred desire for life without boundaries, for perfect justice, for perfect love, and for a perfect world. Does it make sense to you? If nothing in this world satisfies me, then I must be made for another world.

As Christians we believe that Jesus Christ the son of God came to Earth, that he died a replacement death for us, he died in our place on the cross, to redeem us in God’s eyes. Jesus then resurrected from the dead bodily. And he returned to heaven. As Christians we believe Jesus Christ will return to collect us, his people, and give us all the promises he has made.

Revelation 22:12-17 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life."

Jesus answers our call for eternity, the desperate desire within all of us for something greater when he says “I am the alpha and the omega. I am the first and the last. I am the beginning and the end.” What an astounding statement, to save that he is all. He is the answer to the yearnings of our deep souls. We’re made in the image of God, making this limiting world quite exhausting, sad for us, we’re like teenager on a kindergarten playground. We’re capable of much more, desiring of greater things, yet stuck on the monkey bars. For now.

Because Jesus Christ is coming back. And when he returns, he will do many wonderful things. We’ll talk about that in a minute, first, let’s look at our apologetic moment.

1. The universe exists and it must have a cause, everything that begins to exist has a cause. The universe began to exist. Evolution can't create, neither can science. The universe needs a first cause that is timeless, outside the system and infinitely powerful. God is the logical first cause (cosmological argument)

2. The universe is finely tuned, there is order in the universe at work that allows for planets, stars and galaxies. There are laws in the universe, constants like gravity, relativity, and so on. It's reasonable that when we find mathematical laws and cosmological laws in the universe, that there is a powerful being that created those systems (argument from design)

3. Within the human cell we find massive amounts of information. When we look at the human eye, we see a system so incredibly complicated that it could never come about by chance. When scientists look into the human body they see a complex yet harmonious system of machinery. We see cells and tissue, and DNA and systems that all function as one, and are irreducibly complex. (specified complexity, irreducibly complexity).

4. The human mind intuitively knows that there is good and evil, right and wrong, good and bad. Objective moral laws exist, they are universal. If objective morals exist, then an objective moral law giver must exist, therefore God exists. (moral argument)

So to review, Jesus came the first time to offer himself as a sacrifice to save us, but this return of Christ has to do with rewarding those who are waiting for him.

We await our savior. We await the great chance to be with Him forever. So we must be careful that we continue in the faith. Jesus has entrusted us with his gospel, and he requires of us that we share it with others. Do you recall the parable of the 3 servants? Each of the servants were good stewards of the gifts the master gave them, aside from the 3rd servant who simply buried his gift and didn’t make any use of it.

Again, think of the parable of the ten virgins. 5 of them were prepared, 5 of them were foolish. The master took a long time to return, and they fell asleep. They didn’t bring enough oil to keep their lamps lit. So they were not able to enter the kingdom. The master told them “I don’t know you.” Those words terrify me. The parable of the ten virgins has always scared me. The last words say “Therefore keep watch, because you don’t know the day or the hour.”

I’m hoping after hoping to hear some very sweet simple words from my savior: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Faithful, and good. Interesting combination. We live by faith, yet we must also try our best to live in holiness.

In the future, we die, or perhaps in our lifetime, Jesus Christ returns. Either way, we meet Jesus face to face. Whether you believe in God or not, you will see God face to face. Every person will. I feel sorry for those killed in the Orlando shooting, because they may find themselves hearing the words “I don’t know you.” I can’t judge, only God knows for certain. But I can examine and discern the truth.

If we are found faithful and good in the eyes of Christ Jesus, we will be rewarded for our good deeds, at an event called the great white throne judgment. Some might say “oh judgment, Jesus wouldn’t judge anybody.”

"Well, actually, he will judge everyone. And to add to that, do you not know you will judge angels?" -1st Corinthians 6:3. Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!

But for those of us who know Christ as our savior and Lord, there is no judgment for us, there is only reward, glory, honor, praise and riches in heaven. For those outside the cross, there will be judgment. And I’m glad for that, because God is a perfectly righteous judge. I’m certain every judgment he makes, the smallest, to the greatest will be 100% just, and right, and deserving.

Judgment offends our modern sensibilities. But judgment is a good thing when done by God. I trust Him. The return of Jesus Christ shows us a whole new side of our savior. Jesus while on earth 2,000 years ago lived a life of radical service, he was meek, lowly, and merciful. The returning Jesus Christ, we see is powerful, strong, and a warrior.

Revelation 19:11-16 “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords. -Revelation 19:11-16 NIV

So we make the cut, we’re a precious friend of Jesus and we’re welcomed into a new state of existence. Many things must come to pass in the end times before that can happen. We’re not going to get too much into that today. We’re going to talk about the city of God.

The scriptures say that our current reality, this Earth and the stars, all of it are destined for fire, for destruction. And in Revelation it says that then comes a new heavens, and a new Earth. And a new city, called the New Jerusalem. Our eternal home, in the next life, will be the city called New Jerusalem.

Now let me tell you about this city, it is really something special. It will amaze you. The New Jerusalem is a city, are you ready for your mind to be blown? God’s eternal city is a giant cube, about 1500 miles wide and 1500 miles high. That gives the New Jerusalem an area of 2.25 million square miles.

This is an approximation of the size of the city when compared with Earth as it is right now. Simply astounding.

Revelation says the city will literally come out of the heavens. Almost like a ship, landing on the new Earth. Revelation 21:11 says the city shined with the glory and presence of God.

Now every once in a while we get a tiny taste of the presence of God. Sometimes when I’m leading Bible study, or preaching or praying at night, I get a sensation of the true presence of God. And it’s the most amazing feeling ever, and I wish it would stay, but it always flees. That’s how things are in this life, in the fall of man. But in the eternal city, the full presence of God will be everywhere. The city has twelve foundations on each foundation is written the names of the 12 apostles of Christ and 12 entrances along the sides, marked with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.

The walls were made of jasper, which is a beautiful red stone. And the city itself is made of gold. The twelve foundations are decorated with all sorts of precious stones, like topaz, emerald, ruby, and amethyst. The twelve gates were each made from a single, giant pearl. Thus the old adage, the “pearly gates.” Literally, the gates to New Jerusalem, your future home, will be pure pearl.

I won’t you to think about that, and picture yourself touching the gate with your hand. Because God willing, one day you will. You really will.

There is no temple necessary in the city, because the city itself is God’s temple. And you live there! Nothing impure will ever enter the city. The nations will come into the city, aka the gentiles. Who are gentiles? We are gentiles. Finally it says in Revelation 21 that the city has no need for moon, stars or sun, because God himself lights the city.

The angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. –Revelation 22:1-5 NIV

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Sunday, April 24, 2016

Spheres of Truth in the World: the Bible, Science, & Politics

As a young man in a strange world I often wonder about life: Why am I here? What is this society? What does human history mean? What is the purpose of government? How does culture change? What philosophies undergird life?

Let's look at five key areas of truth in the world. No one ever taught me this stuff. I was never taught how various disciplines fit together. I had to teach myself through a lot of reading. I encourage the same for all of you; knowledge is power.

For young people like me, you've got to search out the truth, it will not be handed to you. In fact, it will be actively hidden from plain sight.

Let's look at interdisciplinary truth as it fits into a Christian worldview. And when I say Christian worldview really what I'm saying is the truth about what life really is. It's the eyeglasses that bring a blurry world into focus. We can see clearly only through it. But it's not projecting an illusion, it's bringing the world into focus.

1. Bible - The most important aspect in interrupting the delusion of materialism is found within the pages of the Bible. Here we find our manual to life. Many suggest: If only life came with a manual. The truth is shockingly clear: Life does come with a manual. It's found in the Bible. And really all "Bible" means is book. So in essence, the manual for life is "The Book." A description of reality defined by a God who identifies his name as "I am." A God who created the first man Adam, which means "Man." And the first woman, Eve, which means "woman." Fascinating isn't it? The titles provided are the categories themselves, Bible means book. God means "I am" or "I am who I am." The heavens mean the universe. On and on it goes, a base definition of the existence of reality. Do you know what Jesus Christ means? God our savior. Immanuel? God with us.

Within the Bible we find the description of reality as it really is. Every situation is described perfectly, the state of the universe, the state of the Earth, the state inside your heart and mine, all perfectly described as it actually is, instead of how we would prefer it to be. What a tough, tough "the book" to read though. No wonder so many toss it aside! Dare I say, that it tells me exactly who I am, without any filters or white lies! In fact it does just that. And it isn't pretty. The guide book is clear. The truth is tough. But ultimately the truth is what matters the most, find it in 'the book' about 'I am.'

2. Science - Science describes the universe around us. Despite what you may have heard, the greatest scientists have always been believers in God. Galileo Galilei, Isaac Newton, Francis Bacon, and John Kelvin just to name a few of the fathers of modern scientific disciplines. One might come upon the mistaken conclusion that science argues against religious faith. And one would be wrong in that assertion. But there are many in that field who so desire to erase God from western civilization. We must not let them.

There are two areas that I've found particularly intriguing, one is the study of the universe and it's beginning as basis for the necessity of a timeless omnipotent eternal being. There are many, many great books and video presentations on such topics. I suppose it all depends on how you like to learn. I myself prefer listening to audio or watching video of speakers. I've found audiobooks and Youtube to be a real blessing for such endeavors. But if you love reading a good book, well, shouldn't we all be so lucky? My goodness I could list off so many good books and speakers, but I'll just give a few of the best: Francis Collins, watch him speak, or read his book "The Language of God." Search for him on Youtube. Second, of course a personal favorite of mine Ravi Zacharias. And thirdly, the remarkable Dr. William Lane Craig. The last two were roommates in college, imagine that? I wonder what they talked about!

Secondly, the study of the cell. Scientists look into human cells, anatomy, physiology and they see harmonious complexity which points to... God. And I'll recommend a few more brilliant minds. Most notably we have Stephen Meyer of the Discovery Institute. Search for him on Youtube or purchase one of several of his books: Signature in the Cell or Darwin's Doubt. Secondly I'll recommend Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis. Thirdly, I'd recommend the great minds over at the Institute for Creation Research, most notably John D. Morris.

3. Politics - "We are told as followers of the savior, that we must check our faith at the door (into politics). Do you know why they are telling us this? Because the only people who will defend the traditions that America is based on are people who believe in God. Without those people our system must fail. They mean to keep the army of freedom off the battlefield, by telling us we don't have the right to show up. We not only have the right before God, we have the obligation." -Alan Keyes, Progress and Peril.

Government and politics are obviously extremely important. The reason we have the freedom to share the gospel is because Christians were good stewards of their nation; even and especially at it's founding.

Christianity has changed the world, especially in the area of government. But you will never, ever hear this truth in schools, universities or in the public square. You will never hear about it on television or in any popular media. When you really research it, my goodness is it astounding! Christianity preserved human history during the dark ages. Christianity transformed the ancient Roman empire. Christianity blunted the blades of barbarian tribes. Christianity established the first orphanages and hospitals. Christianity was a bulwark against the Muslim invasion of Europe. Christianity was the foundation of the greatest nation on Earth, the United States of America. Christianity today is streaking through Africa, changing the entire continent. Christianity today is flourishing in the hearts of the underground churches of China, inspiring the hearts of once oppressed peoples. Peoples now set free in heart and mind, in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Christianity has done more to invigorate and transform humanity than all the exhortations of Greek philosophers, grand designs of Freemason sages, and systematic designs of benevolent conquerors combined.

Today Christians in the United States are under prolonged, constant assault. The situation is quite bleak. Amazingly the forces that Reagan crushed during the Cold War, managed to survive in ideology, quietly sweep into academia, and seed themselves throughout our culture. Today they are finishing off a systematic toppling of every sector of our once prosperous nation. They've toppled morality, they've toppled the family, they've toppled free markets, they've toppled the Constitution, religious liberty, and now they are consolidating their victories. This is the secret history of western civilization state-side. You will never hear this story in the popular media, because the popular media has largely been seeded by these progressive socialists. But believe me when I say, you've been led astray. We can all tell something is wrong. Very wrong! I couldn't quite place it for so long. But eventually I discovered the truth. And it isn't pretty.

This is a great topic to get educated on. I'll recommend some books and speakers to discover. Alan Keyes is great, for one. The Truth Project dvd set is probably your best systematic source to learn the most. It will wow you. Another excellent dvd series is "How Should We Then Live?" by Dr. Francis Schaeffer. I would also recommend a documentary called "Agenda: Grinding America Down." Some great speakers that have captured my attention recently are these people, definitely Youtube them: Ben Shapiro, Ted Cruz, Mark Levin, Ben Carson, Dinesh D'Souza, Paul Joseph Watson, Dennis Prager, and Alan Sears.

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Sunday, February 14, 2016

Life after Death: Law, Eternity, and the Changed Mind

There are two pieces, at least two parts of the human experience that every human will partake of: being born, and dying. That's right. The death rate for humans is 100%. I don't think people like to be reminded of that. It's a shocking thing to consider in fact.

We all like to pretend we're immortal. But the body dies. There are graveyards in every town and community testifying to that fact. Yet I've seen entire lives lived in rejection of that fact. I've seen entire stories of people who hide from that fact in their minds. Until the hospitals descend, and the grimaces of doctors tell the rest. We're surprised by death. Why? Maybe because death isn't normal.

Every human being born is afflicted with a disease. It's a disease so insidious that no one even gives it a second thought. It's accepted. Yet the human body seems when inquired of by medicine, to have an infinite ability to replenish itself. Cells in the body have the potential to reproduce and maintain the body structure forever. Yet for some reason between the ages of 25-30 the stasis of that period begins to descend into deterioration. Lines form on the face. Aches and pains begin to develop. More and more rest is required. Eventually skin wrinkles and hair turns gray, then white, then loose.

Death comes to us all. Many dodge the topic, yet I think we all seem to understand that death is a reality. Yet some starry eyed dreamers might still ask: "What is the cure to death?" Or:

"Where might I drink of the waters of the fountain of youth?"

But most simply ignore the fact, dodge the fact, bury the fact, and eventually when all other options are exhausted... they accept the fact.

Death is coming for all of us. That fact is indisputable. The question is, can man live forever? Is there such a thing as eternal life? The clock is ticking on every life. I think something like 100,000 people die worldwide per day. Is there life after death?

For the atheist the answer is most certainly no. A person does not live on. In fact for the atheist, in billions of years the stars of the universe will eventually burn themselves out and all life in the universe will vanish. And finally the great black nothingness of empty lifeless, light-less space. Entropy is complete. Is that really the ultimate reality? I don't think so.

For the Christian, we believe all people have souls made in the image of God, that live forever. Yet every person is appointed to die physically. Even Jesus Christ, God on Earth had to endure the suffering of physical death. The word of God says "Man is appointed once to die, and then comes the judgement" (Hebrews 9:27).

But the answer for Christians is yes, every person has value and every soul will live forever. The primary question of eternal life is the quality of that life which hinges on a theological concept called "the judgement seat of Christ."

Or as it's phrased in Corinthians: We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10

God the architect of the universe, the stars, the laws of space and time and the human soul will indeed one day bring into judgement every single person who has ever lived. I don't know that such a process is particularly surprising. One of the most fundamental aspects of the human experience is our interaction with conscience. We each have a sense of what is right and wrong. We wrestle with that aspect of ourselves throughout our entire lives. It's not surprising that a good God would indicate and enforce quality moral standards for his people. Imagine how perfect the world would be if everyone lived in moral perfection.

And so we come to the crux of our problem: Our own moral failings face to face with God's perfect standard.

Have you read through the various commands of the Old Testament? There are many, over 300 I believe? Anyway, probably the most popular are the notorious "Ten Commandments." Shall we take a look?

Exodus 20:2-17

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
“You shall not murder.
“You shall not commit adultery.
“You shall not steal.
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

As a Protestant I guess I'm not a huge fan of the ten commandments. But feelings aside there really isn't anything too unreasonable here.

Assuming God is God, don't worship false Gods, golden caves, carved figurines, and worship God only. Since God made the universe and loves us, we ought to love him back and worship him. That takes care of 1 and 2.

3rd commandment, "Don't use my name as a cuss word." I don't know but I think God is being pretty reasonable when he asks us to not use his name as a cuss word. I wouldn't want my name used as a cuss word "Justin Steckbauer!" God wouldn't either. Fair enough.

The 4th command indicates that we should take one day off to relax and honor God. God says rest. I'm already on board with that. Rest is great. I need more of it.

5th says honor your parents. I struggle with that one at times, I don't always get along with my dad. And I feel the need to vent rather negatively regarding his previous conduct, har har. But I shouldn't do that. My parents did raise me, I think they deserve my respect.

Let's see... don't murder. I definitely agree. Imagine a world where no one murdered others, or shot up churches? That would be great. Seven, don't sleep with someone else's husband or wife. I agree with that. Why do people feel the need to cut in on other peoples relationships? I think they have a phrase for that: homewrecker.

Eight, don't steal. I've stolen stuff. Many times in my life. And I try not to do that today. Yep, the world would be much better if people didn't steal. Just think of Wallstreet and the Federal Reserve.

Nine, don't lie about your friends, or even strangers. Don't lie about what they did or didn't do. I've done that. I've blamed things on my sister when I was younger, when it was me. And I felt guilty too. I'm sure I've done that as an adult too. Maybe to cover my poor behavior.

And ten, don't want what others have. Or as they said in the roaring 50s and 60s, "keeping up the joneses." Today it's competing over cell phones, Ipads, hot rods, possessions, lawn care, or even sports teams. God says "stop wanting everything." We've got all we need. Stop desiring what your neighbor has. That seems reasonable.

As you can probably tell, when it comes to the laws of God... I'm guilty. I've broken all ten in one way or another (No I didn't kill anyone, but the word of God says that anyone who hates a brother is guilty of murder.) How about you? How would you stack up in your obedience to the 10 commandments? Click here to take the test: Are You a Good Person?

So how does this work anyway, is God grading on a curve? Can I sneak by with a C+?

For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. James 2:10 ESV

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20 ESV

God has a perfect standard, and I am guilty. That means I'm in serious trouble. On judgment day, standing on my own good deeds, I will not be good enough to live in the presence of God. I'll be found guilty, and eternally disconnected from God. Does that seem too mean and judgmental of God? I don't think so. Look at how terrible our world is today because of sin. Sin is serious. Whenever I've sinned, I've does an offense to God himself. I have to remember he created me, from nothing, he owns me, and all things belong to him. I myself belong to him. It's reasonable to say that I'm accountable, and that a just God must provide consequences for serious crimes against good conduct. I think we've all been guilty of adding to the problems of Earth, instead of improving them. Left on my own standing, I deserve to be disconnected from God and left in a place of isolation. Some call that "hell." Spooky, but in reality, a place of disconnection from God. And I deserve it. When I really think about it thoroughly, it's true... I really do.

But praise God that it doesn't end there. God himself has provided a savior for us, a certain Jesus Christ of Nazareth, born in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago.

Jesus said, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:17-44 ESV)

In other words: "For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin,^[a] he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:3-4 ESV)

All of that to say: Jesus Christ is our ticket to life everlasting. (John 3:16) Jesus Christ is our fountain of youth. (John 4:14) Jesus Christ is our way to eternal life. (John 14:6)

Each of us need to put on Jesus Christ. The instant we do that his perfect life, perfect death, and perfect resurrection pay our debt in full. God welcomes us into full communion with him. It's a wonderful arrangement, considering our transgressions, which we work so hard to hide from.

Death is approaching. It's coming for all of us. It's like a hunter, stalking us through the wilderness. Though we will all experience physical death (the shadow of death) we can have eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. -Galatians 2:16 ESV

We believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that he really is who he claimed to be: God in the flesh. And we "repent." I don't really like that word. What it means is to "have a change of mind." We change our mind about what is right and wrong. We decide to abandon our own distorted views, and embrace God's teachings regarding life. We embrace the Christian worldview. We agree to live as Jesus lived. We look to Jesus for how to live.

Jesus Christ gave us a new commandment that we are to obey above all the OT commands. He said the new command is that we love one another. We are to love one another as he has loved us (John 13:34). Love is the commandment we are under in modern times.

"Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law." -Romans 13:8

Let all that you do be done in love.1 Corinthians 16:14 ESV

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.1 John 4:11-12 ESV

So assuming we put on Jesus Christ as our "parachute" of sorts for when this world comes crashing down, how can we know that we are remaining in Christ throughout our lives?

Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.1 John 2:6 ESV

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:8 ESV

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. John 14:15 ESV

This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 1 John 4:17 ESV

We can know we are abiding in Christ throughout our years on this Earth by living like Jesus did. Jesus helped those in need, loved the unlovable, and stood up for the truth.

This has been a difficult topic. It's always difficult when we're trying to look at ourselves in an unfettered light. The purpose of the laws of God were to show us, to convict us of our need for a savior. I'm not trying to hurt anyone of you with these descriptions. But it may be offensive. The word of God itself says the gospel is an offense to those who are perishing, but it is the very word of life to those who are being saved. To me, it used to be an offense. Now it's the power and truth of God himself saving me.

These are difficult concepts to deal with. The judgement of God, the wrath of God, the idea of eternal disconnection from God. I hope I haven't scared anyone off with these ideas. But they are the facts. Yet we must believe and understand that these stark realities can, yes, can be reconciled with the incredible love and grace of God. He loves us deeply. He loves us with a full heart. That's why he offered this simple agreement of believing in Jesus Christ and having a change of mind about life. And then we are reborn as his own children. That is beautiful. He wants all to be saved.

But a loving, graceful, merciful Father wouldn't be a good dad if he didn't also act justly, and punish those who are doing wrong. When a child does something wicked, the dad scolds the child, and the child has a change of mind, and the dad lovingly welcomes the child into closeness with the Father once more. It is similar when we sin against God, and then repent and believe in Jesus Christ.

I can't say I fully understand all of it. In fact if I was making up my own god I would do it differently. But that fact doesn't change the reality of my situation. Just because I don't want to believe in a God who punishes evil doesn't mean that God suddenly disappears. The facts on the ground are simple, this is the situation, and the arrangement for salvation is simple: have a change of mind, embrace the Christian worldview, and put on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, your righteousness forever.

I'm sure we will understand better in the next life, but in this one our field of view is limited, and these vast concepts escape our ability to fully comprehend. We want a God of unconditional love, yet we want justice for those who do evil. We want Hitler, Stalin and Bin Laden punished for their sins, but we want unconditional love despite our own. We obviously can't see the issues clearly enough, personal bias, whatever it is, better to trust God, and his plan. His arrangement for the salvation of his people is simple: Faith in Jesus Christ, and changing our lives in response to His.

Consider these things carefully if you haven't yet made that commitment. If you have made that commitment, are you living it? Are you really living like Jesus Christ? Have you had a change of mind? Consider these issues carefully. Pray if you are confused, and seek answers in his Holy word. You won't be disappointed. God is good, and God is love. In the end analysis, though I don't fully understand these concepts of judgment and sin, I trust my God and his plan, that he is doing the right thing. I really do. You should too. He made us from nothing. He knows what hes doing. Maybe I need to stop judging God, and let him do his job, running the universe, while I do mine, serving those in need.

Death is something we all face. Death is terrifying when we think about it. Physical death is a stark reality for planet Earth. Lots of people are dead and lots of people are dying. Do we have souls? Yes we do. We're all going to live forever. The question is, when the jury is summoned, the court room laid forth before the throne of God, what shall the prosecutor say? Will he have a long list of your crimes? Or will Jesus Christ enter the court room, remove that list of crimes, and declare you innocent before God? Will you then receive riches in heaven for your many good deeds? And eternal life, transfixed with joy, with the billions before you whom have chosen the Son? I pray so.

I hope you will humble yourself, and accept such a simple and profound arrangement. I find it to be the state of the absolute truth of this moral universe we engage upon. It is the very soul stuff of existence itself. We are moral beings, found immoral, yet for those who choose it, made perfect in Jesus Christ the one who defeated death on the cross 2,000 years ago.

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. ²He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. ³And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. ⁴Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, ⁵but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: ⁶whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
-1 John 2:1-6 (ESV)

Sunday, January 24, 2016

The Spiritual Journey of Bill Wilson & Implications of the Genesis Mindset

"The door opened and he stood there, fresh-skinned and glowing. There was something about his eyes. He was inexplicably different. What had happened? I pushed a drink across the table. He refused it. Disappointed but curious, I wondered what had got into the fellow. He wasn’t himself. “Come, what’s all this about?’’ I queried. He looked straight at me. Simply, but smilingly, he said, “I’ve got religion.’’

I was aghast. So that was it—last summer an alcoholic crackpot; now, I suspected, a little cracked about religion. He had that starry-eyed look. Yes, the old boy was on fire all right. But bless his heart, let him rant! Besides, my gin would last longer than his preaching.

But he did no ranting. In a matter of fact way he told how two men had appeared in court, persuading the judge to suspend his commitment. They had told of a simple religious idea and a practical program of action. That was two months ago and the result was self-evident. It worked!

He had come to pass his experience along to me—if I cared to have it. I was shocked, but interested. Certainly I was interested. I had to be, for I was hopeless. He talked for hours. Childhood memories rose before me. I could almost hear the sound of the preacher’s voice as I sat, on still Sundays, way over there on the hillside; there was that proffered temperance pledge I never signed; my grandfather’s good natured contempt of some church folk and their doings; his insistence that the spheres really had their music; but his denial of the preacher’s right to tell him how he must listen; his fearlessness as he spoke of these things just before he died; these recollections welled up from the past. They made me swallow hard.

That war-time day in old Winchester Cathedral came back again. I had always believed in a Power greater than myself. I had often pondered these things. I was not an atheist. Few people really are, for that means blind faith in the strange proposition that this universe originated in a cipher and aimlessly rushes nowhere. My intellectual heroes, the chemists, the astronomers, even the evolutionists, suggested vast laws and forces at work. Despite contrary indications, I had little doubt that a mighty purpose and rhythm underlay all. How could there be so much of precise and immutable law, and no intelligence? I simply had to believe in a Spirit of the Universe, who knew neither time nor limitation. But that was as far as I had gone.

With ministers, and the world’s religions, I parted right there. When they talked of a God personal to me, who was love, superhuman strength and direction, I became irritated and my mind snapped shut against such a theory.

To Christ I conceded the certainty of a great man, not too closely followed by those who claimed Him. His moral teaching—most excellent. For myself, I had adopted those parts which seemed convenient and not too difficult; the rest I disregarded. The wars which had been fought, the burnings and chicanery that religious dispute had facilitated, made me sick. I honestly doubted whether, on balance, the religions of mankind had done any good. Judging
from what I had seen in Europe and since, the power of God in human affairs was negligible, the Brotherhood of Man a grim jest. If there was a Devil, he seemed the Boss Universal, and he certainly had me.

But my friend sat before me, and he made the point blank declaration that God had done for him what he could not do for himself. His human will had failed. Doctors had pronounced him incurable. Society was about to lock him up. Like myself, he had admitted complete defeat. Then he had, in effect, been raised
from the dead, suddenly taken from the scrap heap to a level of life better than the best he had ever known! Had this power originated in him? Obviously it had not. There had been no more power in him than there was in me at that minute; and this was none at all.
That floored me. It began to look as though religious people were right after all. Here was something at work in a human heart which had done the impossible.

My ideas about miracles were drastically revised right then. Never mind the musty past; here sat a miracle directly across the kitchen table. He shouted great tidings. I saw that my friend was much more than inwardly reorganized. He was on a different footing. His roots grasped a new soil.

Despite the living example of my friend there remained in me the vestiges of my old prejudice. The word God still aroused a certain antipathy. When the thought was expressed that there might be a God personal to me this feeling was intensified. I didn’t like the idea. I could go for such conceptions as Creative Intelligence, Universal Mind or Spirit of Nature but I resisted the thought of a Czar of the Heavens, however loving His sway might be. I have since talked with scores of men who felt the same way. My friend suggested what then seemed a novel idea. He said, “Why don’t you choose your own conception of God?’’

That statement hit me hard. It melted the icy intellectual mountain in whose shadow I had lived and shivered many years. I stood in the sunlight at last. It was only a matter of being willing to believe in a Power greater than myself. Nothing more was required of me to make my beginning. I saw that growth could start from that point. Upon a foundation of complete willingness I might build what I saw in my friend. Would I have it? Of course I would!

Thus was I convinced that God is concerned with us humans when we want Him enough. At long last I saw, I felt, I believed. Scales of pride and prejudice fell from my eyes. A new world came into view.

The real significance of my experience in the Cathedral burst upon me. For a brief moment, I had needed and wanted God. There had been a humble willingness to have Him with me—and He came. But soon the sense of His presence had been blotted out by worldly clamors, mostly those within myself. And so it had been ever since. How blind I had been.

At the hospital I was separated from alcohol for the last time. Treatment seemed wise, for I showed signs of delirium tremens.

There I humbly offered myself to God, as I then understood Him, to do with me as He would. I placed myself unreservedly under His care and direction. I admitted for the first time that of myself I was nothing; that without Him I was lost. I ruthlessly faced my sins and became willing to have my new-found Friend take them away, root and branch. I have not had a drink since.

My schoolmate visited me, and I fully acquainted him with my problems and deficiencies. We made a list of people I had hurt or toward whom I felt resentment. I expressed my entire willingness to approach these individuals, admitting my wrong. Never was I to be critical of them. I was to right all such matters to the utmost of my ability. I was to test my thinking by the new God-consciousness within. Common sense would thus become uncommon sense. I was to sit quietly when in doubt, asking only for direction and strength to meet my problems as He would have me. Never was I to pray for myself, except as my requests bore on my usefulness to others. Then only might I expect to receive. But that would be in great measure.

My friend promised when these things were done I would enter upon a new relationship with my Creator; that I would have the elements of a way of living which answered all my problems. Belief in the power of God, plus enough willingness, honesty and humility to establish and maintain the new order of things, were the essential requirements. Simple, but not easy; a price had to be paid. It meant destruction of self-centeredness. I must turn in all things to the Father of Light who presides over us all.

These were revolutionary and drastic proposals, but
the moment I fully accepted them, the effect was electric. There was a sense of victory, followed by such a peace and serenity as I had never known. There was utter confidence. I felt lifted up, as though the great clean wind of a mountain top blew through and through. God comes to most men gradually, but His impact on me was sudden and profound. For a moment I was alarmed, and called my friend, the doctor, to ask if I were still sane. He listened in wonder as I talked. Finally he shook his head saying, “Something has happened to you I don’t understand. But you had better hang on to it. Anything is better than the way you were.” The good doctor now sees many men who have such experiences. He knows that they are real. While I lay in the hospital the thought came that there were thousands of hopeless alcoholics who might be glad to have what had been so freely given me. Perhaps I could help some of them. They in turn might work with others.

My friend had emphasized the absolute necessity of demonstrating these principles in all my affairs. Particularly was it imperative to work with others as he had worked with me. Faith without works was dead, he said. And how appallingly true for the alcoholic! For if an alcoholic failed to perfect and enlarge his spiritual life through work and self-sacrifice for others, he could not survive the certain trials and low spots ahead. If he did not work, he would surely drink again, and if he drank, he would surely die. Then faith would be dead indeed. With us it is just like that."

-Bill Wilson (1895-1971) quoted from The Big Book, Chapter: Bill's Story.

The change that took place in Bill's life is incredibly revealing. He walks us through his mindset and the changes that took place in a very descriptive manner. I don't normally include quotes this large, but Bill Wilson's spiritual journey is a fascinating topic. He touches on so many thoughts that I'm sure many of us have struggled with in our own spiritual journeys.

Whether you struggle with alcoholism, drug addiction, or just life on a daily basis, or if you're just an average Joe, I think we can all relate to the thoughts and reactions within Wilson's story. Bill's situation was dire. And whether we want to face it or not, each and every one of us face this same predicament.

We have our current lives, day by day. And eventually we face death. It's true. No one comes out alive. The current death rate of all humans who've ever lived on Earth is 100%. We get 70-100 years and then we're done. Many don't even last that long. More and more are dying in their 50s and 60s from cancer, heart disease, and other issues related to overeating and poor diet (among other issues). We all face the death that Bill had come upon early in his life. The alcohol simply sharpened the edge and forced him to face the full fury of destruction and death early on.

So we all face it. Many of the attitudes and functions of life and the society around us seem geared to help us ignore and push aside that face off. But it's there none the less. As uncomfortable and difficult as it seems to be.

Every single human being born on Earth (aside from a certain Jesus Christ) begins a journey, after birth, headed in the direction of the first two humans, Adam and Eve post-fall. They have an attitude of resistance to the correct nature of reality, which is man in connection to God. There are three basic functions of the mindset of every human:

1) A disgust for any God, a disdain for religion, and yet a quiet yearning for a perfection of existence and a penultimate relationship.

2) A tendency toward wrong actions (sins) and a tendency to flee from God, and from the guilt of those wrong actions. Yet a notable sense of a moral universe, that is, structures in which things ought to be "fair."

3) A primarily selfish attitude, a concern for self and the glorification of self, and the service to self. Included is a tendency to want to play god, and redefine good and evil to suit personal preference.

We live in a sort of tangent universe, a tangent reality, unsustainable and rushing into oblivion. It doesn't appear that way at first though. Especially in the United States. Things are tough, but overall there are sunny days of laughter and balmy nights of passion.

I get a picture in my mind of a person almost being "force walked" down a path to the left; a path that unwittingly leads to destruction, being rushed down that path... while the head slowly turns and the eyes track toward a path leading to the right, to peace and everlasting life, with an increasingly grimacing appearance to the face and an increasing resistance to the dismal march down the road to disaster.

Is it any wonder that so many choose the wrong path? Many, many do. And I can understand why. The default positions of the human mind, with what theologians call "the sin nature" tends toward selfishness, materialism, and an anti-God attitude. Is it so strange that the world is just the way it is now? I don't think so. If the "sin nature" weren't enough, we're also told there is an evil kingdom on Earth that welcomes us into such derision and encourages us to proceed down the wrong path.

Thankfully, there is also a Spirit. A sort of Gandalf the White individual, fully God, galloping about the kingdoms beckoning people to come down the path of everlasting light, gathering the body of Light for battles against the growing darkness. Or as C.S. Lewis pictured it, a sort of Maquis, a french resistance beckoning believers to acts of holy sabotage against the kingdom of darkness.

There is a God. And we see so clearly in Bill's Story how God will work on an individual. We see how God will offer his path. God kept Bill safe as he struggled more and more, and then made himself available to Bill through the words of a childhood friend. Yet Bill had to struggle through his old ideas. His old attitudes about life remained and he had to confront them directly.

Recently I read the stories of two men, Chuck Colson and William Wilberforce. Both of these men had to experience these transitions as well. Just like Bill Wilson, and myself. The old ideas, the post-fall ideas are there right when the conversion occurs. We give our lives to Jesus Christ, but the old ideas are still in the mind. I'm convinced the first few years after any conversion exist for the purpose of processing from the old self centered worldview to the Christian worldview.

If the old mindset was 1) anti-God 2) tendency to sin and 3) selfishness, what does the new mindset look like? Perhaps something like this:

1) A growing love for God, a growing level of forgiveness and grace for those of religious persuasion. And a growing enjoyment of the newly founded relationship with God through Christ. Also, a continuing yearning for a perfection of existence and relationship that is yet to come.

2) A growing tendency to live in a healthy (righteous) manner, while also struggling day to day with temptation and sin. A tendency to begin to come to God in prayer when facing guilt, pain and daily struggles. And of course a continuous yearning for the perfect moral universe to come when God repairs/renews the tangent universe.

3) A growing selfless attitude, or an approach to life that places Jesus Christ at the center. Service to others begins to play a prominent role in life. The default mindset begins to develop, that his or her primary purpose is to glorify Christ who in turn glorifies God the Father. The individual less and less turns to worldly views regarding reality and increasingly trusts the Bible for knowledge about the world (He/she stops playing god and let's God reign in their lives.)

As Bill Wilson put it "God-consciousness." Theologians might call it "the process of sanctification." In other words, becoming more like Christ. Wilson was very severe on the fact that the religious experience was an entire life process that needed to be practiced and built upon.

Another great Christian man named Chuck Colson also believed that the Christian life was much more than a "one and done" affair. He firmly believed that being a Christian was akin to relationship, but also about holding a "Christian worldview." Colson described the process of worldview change that happened in his life after he gave in to God, crying desperately in his car on a rainy day. That change is an internal change, yet it's also an external change. The Christian change is different from others in that in affects entire communities.

Let's look at an example. Suppose a man comes to the odd realization that UFOs must be real and aliens are certainly scampering about in the bushes. As a result, internal ideas are altered but externally nothing really changes. The people at the local diner may look at him funny. When a man switches over to Jesus Christ, some may look at him funny, but lives are beginning to change around him. I saw much the same happen when Jesus Christ entered my story. I had gone on various crusades about the city, calling for political change, writing stories to inspire, but nothing had really caught. Apathy reigned in general. But after the Christian change, I noticed others beginning to rally as well. After two and a half years I've seen a genuine spiritual awakening in central Wisconsin, based around the hard work of many young leaders in this area. It's a beautiful thing.

We are human beings in need of an outside source of assistance, not something within us, but a force outside us. We all need the massive overarching deus ex machina provision, the provision of Jesus Christ. We need the heroic force from around the corner to enter and save us. That process plays out in reality as the real God entering our stories. We are in need of a hero, a certain Jesus Christ to help us to become heroes of our own stories.

Until meeting him we're all playing it down, and living on the outside of our own stories. We might be working decent jobs, selling vacuum cleaners or shuffling paperwork. Or maybe we're smoking dope and hiding in lavender white walled apartments on the wrong end of town. Yet glory and eternity call out to us, beckoning us come and die to self. We must stop begging for pocket change in the ghettos of our stories, when we can be the conquering heroes. Of course all for the glory of the Lord of life, Jesus Christ. But we must first face down the problem, courageously.

What is the root problem you ask? The problem is our desire to rebel against God. The solution is turning to God, and inviting him to full sovereignty of our lives. Paradoxically from that submission comes the most profound power and provision. Or as a certain European philosopher put it: When one makes the commitment, from the commitment flows providence.

Our problem goes all the way back to Genesis.

"Did God really say that?" (Genesis 3:1).

"You will not surely die" (if you eat of the tree) (Genesis 3:4).

And of course:

"Your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God." (Genesis 3:5).

Three lies told by a rogue angelic being. And they believed him. Now every person born on this planet is default with those false positions of the mind. And it's only through a great deal of suffering that we are broken of them.

Fascinating isn't it, that those three views are so prominent today? Think about it.

The authority of the Bible is constantly attacked... "Did God really say that?"

Sin is good, it doesn't matter, there are no consequences, there is no God anyway! Sex whenever, drugs, alcohol, materialism, do what you want, live for the moment. "You will not surely die."

Self help, self enlightenment. Ah, and the New Age movement: We must all wake up to the fact that we are gods and our minds control the universe. "Your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God."

Red pill or blue pill. We can go on believing lies, or we can wake up to a hard truth: "I do need God, and I can trust his Word. Sin is bad (just look at the suffering in the world). I'm not God, but I can be his friend."

The struggle of Bill Wilson played out through alcoholism, self achievement, and deprivation... is all of our struggles. His journey simply magnified the process. It really jumps out in alcohol or drug abuse. Yet we can all relate to that process of searching for self achievement, falling short, and being left feeling empty and excluded from something beautiful that we can't quite grasp.

The spiritual journey hinges on Jesus Christ. We come home to Christ. He embraces us as his children, adopts us into a new family.

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit." -Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV)

The promises become a reality, yet so important is the fact of continuing forward in the Christian life. The daily practice of the faith is vital. The spiritual awakening must be built upon, or it fades and diminishes. They call that "backsliding" in church lingo. Bill Wilson built on his spiritual experience. He began helping others. He began studying and learning about faith. He made amends to those he had harmed in the past. He made frank examinations of his past, and outlined his character defects. He dealt with those defects in quality changes, and attempts to practice the opposite. As a result he became a giant of faith in God, triggering several massive movements, based around the twelve steps which he designed to harness the spiritual experience and build upon it.

In conclusion, God is God. We can trust the Bible, from cover to cover, every book of it. We must trust it, completely, because the world is vying for our trust, in it's false belief systems. The spiritual awakening that has happened in my life, in Bill Wilson's life, in the lives of Wilberforce, Colson, and so many others; It's open to everyone. It's open to you. Simply begin pursuing it. The apologetics are sound. The reasonable arguments are powerful. The expert testimony provided by the greats of history is astounding. And the magnificent figure of Jesus Christ told of in the gospels is a worthy God to follow. Most importantly: God is real. And he has made a way home for us in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Believe it. It's real. Peel away the false reality, see the truth.

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
-Psalm 148:18

"And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
-John 8:32

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Friday, January 1, 2016

Keystones to a Christian Awakening: Reclaiming America in the Wake of a Progressive Nightmare

Cultural Center, Chicago

American Christian Church

"Separation of Powers"

America is in trouble. The very foundations of the country are at risk. There has never been anything like America. Our country is a Christian nation. This nation functions best on a very specific formula. The formula includes the Constitution, checks of power, democratic republican governmental systems, and a firm emphasis on religion and morality.

I was born into the United States during an odd time in her history. It's a time when forces within the country have begun to successfully root out the once dominant Christian culture. They've done so through a variety of means, through media, hollywood, through legislation, through the courts, through academia, the sciences, and through the universities.

The false caricature of the Christian faith was successfully perpetrated onto my mind. I believed Christianity was a backwards tradition that needed to fade into the past. I believed in the goodness of man. I believed in the successes of modernity and globalization. I was believing a worldview that did not match with reality. The reality was much different. It was different in my experience and it was different on the world stage.

So I had to discover for myself, the truth about western civilization. It's a truth that's been carefully buried. It's been excluded from textbooks and blocked from public schools. It's ignored and minimized by universities. No wonder it was so difficult to learn and comprehend. But never-the-less I discovered it. I learned about it in books. These books are not talked about at public schools or modern universities.

I'll pause for a moment to give you a list, if you'd like to learn more along those lines:
1. How Should We then Live? by Francis Schaeffer
2. The Truth Project DVD by Focus on the Family
3. The Sky is not Falling by Charles Colson
4. Seven Men and the Secret of their Greatness by Eric Metaxas
5. Awakening the Evangelical Mind by Owen Strachan
6. We Cannot be Silent by Albert Mohler
7. The Soul of the American University by George Marsden
8. The Dying of the Light by James Burtchaell
9. Icons of Evolution by Jonathan Wells
10. Signature in the Cell by Stephen Meyer
11. Can Man Live without God by Ravi Zacharias
12. Culture Shift: The Battle for the Moral Heart of America by Albert Mohler
13. The Silencing by Kirsten Powers
14. Christ and the Media by Malcom Muggeridge
15. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
16. Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton
17. God and Government by Charles Colson
18. The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis
19. I don't have enough Faith to be an Atheist by Norm Geisler, Frank Turek
20. The Global Public Square by Os Guinness
21. Reasonable Faith by William Lane Craig
22. Seven Men Who Rule the World From The Grave by Dave Breese
23. Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed by Ben Stiller DVD documentary
24. Mining for God DVD documentary by Brandon McGuire
25. Why I'm Not an Atheist at Princeton by Ravi Zacharias

These books, documentaries, and DVDs are well worth your time. Believe me on this. I had to discover this stuff on my own, because I was raised in the pale orthodoxy of the public school and the secular university. Both places were permanent stomping grounds for immorality, multiplied by the depravity poured out by the mainstream media. I wish I could put this in lighter terms, but I can't. It's the truth. We can all see it. Parents wonder what's happening to children? Well, it's no accident. It's a blunder. It's a blunder by those of secular persuasion who refuse to realize that their progressive revolution has left a moral vacuum that is destroying civilization.

Interesting isn't it? Scary? Yes, certainly. But what's interesting is that it's not new. It's happened before. As the word of God says: "there is nothing new under the sun." It happened in ancient Rome, and it's happening today. It happened time and again in the ancient nation of Israel: one generation would follow God, the next would lose touch with their roots, and their children would ruin the nation and God's wrath would come upon them as a due consequence of their sinful culture.

We have school shootings. We have sexual depravity. We have divorce and broken families. We have loneliness. We have a vacuum of meaning. We have addiction rising. We have crime rising. We have alcoholism. We have teen suicide. We have abortion. We have pornography addiction. And sex addiction. We have murder. We have child sex trafficking. We have pedophilia. We have economic domination.   We have a serious problem in western civilization.

The solution? For most, the solution is more government! And that's a natural response. For those who refuse any moral code or religious thought they must appeal to force. They must appeal to the government. They must apply force to a de-stabilizing situation.

Yet I think even the most progressive forces are worried and disturbed by the corruption rising in not only government, but also in business and finance. The rising corruption makes appeals to more government and more regulation futile. We realize that when we give government more power, an already corrupt institution becomes more corrupt. It becomes a feedback loop, a catch 22 ever amplifying itself toward disaster.

Why is this happening? Because a vitally important check and balance has been removed from the American equation. Indeed it is the only reason America can function as a free society at all: It is the check and balance of morality, religious thought, and the public propensity to push for the common good. That has been debased. But it hasn't been removed. It's been altered. Now it's the progressive ethic, behind the general theme that America is bad, America needs to change, America is oppressive, America is racist, America is sexist, America needs to embrace gay marriage, America needs to bring in the population of Mexico, America needs to abandon it's sovereignty to the United Nations, and on and on it goes. It's a very confused and irrational sentiment, more of a reaction against America than any sort of plan for it. And these new attitudes omit morality, in favor of "liberation" in every area: sexual liberation, drug culture liberation, liberation of the LGBTQ community, liberation of women, liberation of nature, and so on and so forth. Yet so often a supposed liberation ends up being shackles in disguise.

Religion has been declared evil by society. Progressives push hard to remove it from all public discourse. Organized religion is always considered bad, always. But spirituality, me-centered stuff is good. That's the new ethic, and boy is it a mess. And it doesn't work.

“The great pillars of all government and of social life [are] virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone, that renders us invincible.” – Letter to Archibald Blair, January 8, 1799; Patrick Henry, Moses Coit Tyler ( New York: Houghton Mifflin Co; 1897), p. 409

We need a firm moral framework. We need religious thought which provokes good behavior. Much like the ten commandments. We need strong families. We need a strong, righteous, and moral public who are deeply inclined toward good. And only in Christ are man's hearts truly tended toward the good. Those factors combined produce the most important check against corruption, the American people, the moral majority. Without it, there is no check against tyranny. There is no stability which can enable liberty and freedom for all. Without religious thought and moral behavior, the USA will have to become an authoritarian nanny state.

In the public square we have become an atheistic country. It's true. We are still relatively free to be religious in private, but in public it is not allowed. In fact biblical Christian views are very quickly becoming considered the new hate speech. Think of the way the media attacks Christians who stand for their faith. Think of Kim Davis, and the family bakery fined over 100k for refusing to bake a cake for a gay wedding. (Source: Charisma News) What happened to right of conscientious objection? In addition, a Christian fire chief in Georgia lost his job for writing a book about the Christian view of marriage, on his own time. (Source: The Washington Post)

In the past eight years the progressive agenda has proceeded forward. The United States is beginning to look strikingly similar to secular Europe. Ironically also, as western countries abandon Christianity, eastern nations and African nations are building their future on the Christian faith. (Source: USA Today) Oh the ironies, they never end do they?

We can never understand what's really going on in the west or the world without understanding that God's word is the truth and the Christian worldview are the eyeglasses by which we can clearly see the world and ourselves.

They can't see where they're taking the country. That's why this secular progressive movement in our culture is so terrifying. It matches perfectly with the growth of depravity, crime, school shootings, and sexual immorality. As the moral center of the nation is eviscerated, immorality grows. As immorality grows, corruption grows. As corruption grows, government must grow into authoritarian madness to stem it's tide. Yet it can never stem it's tide, because the corruption isn't the source of the problem, it's a side effect of it.

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labour to subvert these great Pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and citizens." -George Washington, Farewell Address

What is the way back? There is no way back. We're here and we're moving forward. But there is a way forward. The way forward is for Christian transformation in areas of government, academia, sciences, culture, media, arts, and the public square. We can't so much "retake" lost institutions or cultural settings, but we can innovate and step ahead of the secular progressives.

Will it really be so easy? I'm not saying it will be easy. But the secular progressive movement in this country, the growing immorality and corruption; well, it's been a completely failure. This convoy of subversion is mired in the mud. This "new way" of doing things just isn't working. Everyone can see it, corruption is everywhere. School shootings and gun violence are growing. The younger generation is terrifying in their callousness and apathy. The television media spew out filth and contempt for conservative principles and Christianity regularly. Miley Cyrus music videos are like demented pornos. Modern music is a sex fest of twisted perversion. Corruption is destroying our banking systems and subverting our economy. Big business is mired in over-regulation. The biggest businesses fight tooth and nail to keep small businesses out of the game, so they can establish monopolies of markets. They call that crony-capitalism, which the Washington Cartel is only too happy to help along through corporate welfare.

Is it all really so shocking? To a Christian it makes perfect sense. You remove the moral framework,you remove the religious meaning and you've left a vacuum for corruption and moral relativism to destroy the society. We humans do not tend naturally toward good. We tend naturally toward wrong-doing and ways we should not go. Many of us can attest to that. Many of us have often taken the wrong path. And we've seen others time and again, against all logic and reason, turn again and again to situations and people that harm them and destroy them. Humanity can only tend toward good, and sustainability as a free society in the tender love and presence of the creator of the human race, God almighty, the architect of space, time, and the universe.

We need God. It's the only hope for western civilization. We need God. We know that here. We know that. So what can we do to change the course of human events in the west? Well, there is a lot we can do. I'd like to briefly articulate a strategy for a bold transformation of our current culture. The keystone is this: We must be creative, defiant, and dogged in our determination. We can't stick to the old ways of doing things, we have to innovate, we have to create, we have to be ahead of the game in every area. Does that mean changing the message of the gospel? Of course not. But the message of the Bible, the gospel, the scriptures is fluid. The content doesn't change, but it's application is always adjusting for the current times and attitudes.

Here are five possible strategies, ideas, but I encourage you to come up with your own strategies. Create your own ideas and put them into practice with the long term objective of transforming western culture. In the power of Jesus Christ all things are possible (Thanks to Dinesh D'Souza for his October 17th presentation at Copper Springs that inspired some of these ideas.)

1. Be a Christian Social Media Juggernaut - This is the most accessible item on our list. Anyone can do this, I can do this, you can do this, you don't have to be at the forefront of some Christian fleet or organization to do this. Social media is a gem. We all have a voice on social media. We have the potential of hitting 10 times, 100 times, and even 1,000 times as many people as we would impact on a daily basis otherwise. All you have to do is create free social media accounts and start posting. Post on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Tumblr, Blogger, and many others. Know where the Christian content is on the internet: on Youtube, Biblegateway, YouVersion, and start sharing. Expand your friends, your followers, and keep posting. The key is: do this long term, don't ever stop. Keep posting, keep building your presence, and do it for the Lord. The biggest problem with this is that we can start to think that it's all about us. That is deadly territory. Pride comes before the fall. Stay focused on Jesus. But just keep posting, day and night, no matter what anyone says, keep posting, keep building new accounts on new platforms, stay ahead of the game, spread the good news. God will do the rest.

I will never shut up about social media engagement. If you can't at least post for Jesus, then you are a unmitigated coward and you need therapy because your so afraid of offending anyone or putting your views out there. Take a stand! No fear. Do it long term, day in and day out, when no one cares and wonder "What's the point!" That's the just the moment when God is working power changes in the world. Don't get tired of doing good, soon enough you'll reap the harvest.

2. Develop a strong presence on Cable/Satelite Television - Think big right? Today, right now, Cable television is 100% enemy territory. In fact, Cable even carries false caricatures of the Christian faith on the supposed "faith" channels like the Church channel and TBN and others. It's a perfect package to keep a twisted culture away from the Christian message. The true message never, ever touches the airwaves. That is not acceptable. I'm gonna think really big right now. Imagine twelve Christian channels. Imagine twelve humble Christian channels, with no "phone numbers to give us your money" or infomercial-esc programs to "purchase our dvd" or "buy my book." People, especially young people are tired of consumerism packaged in the guise of Christianity. How dare they anyway? Lord rebuke them! It's so awful because it's a bodyguard of lies surrounding the real God of creation.

Here's a dream for you: Imagine twelve stations, perhaps various strong Christian organizations taking responsibility for a single channel each? Now that would be something special. Of course the greatest concern would be the big shiny camera and it's corrupting abilities. They are legendary. But here's a dream list. May God bring it about, because the real message is blocked on the airwaves.

Channel 1: The Family and Christian Growth - Focus on the Family
Channel 2: Christian Charity efforts - Salvation Army/Samaritan's Purse/Cru
Channel 3: Christian Politics and Activism - Liberty Counsel/Heritage Foundation/Freedom Works
Channel 4: Christian News and Views - Christian Post / Charisma News / Life Site News
Channel 5: Religious Liberty Watch - Liberty Institute / Alliance Defending Freedom
Channel 6: Overseas Missionary Work & the Persecuted Church - Team / Send / Persecution.org
Channel 7: 24 hour child Sponsorship Opportunities - Compassion International
Channel 8: Christian History and Documentaries - Christianity Today
Channel 9: Christian Educational Videos - Liberty University / Prager University / Biola University
Channel 10: 24/7 Sermons - Sermon Index / Various
Channel 11: Christian Movies, Entertainment & Talk Shows - Socrates in the City / Living Waters / Lee Strobel / Eric Metaxas Show / Dennis Prager Show / Mark Levin Show
Channel 12: Christian Apologetics & Philosophy - RZIM / Reasonable Faith / Cross Examined / Ratio Christi

3. Christian Entertainment, Movies, and Music - Imagine a culture constantly informed by Christian media and entertainment. This is something that is having a powerful effect with movies like God's not Dead, Do you Believe, Son of God, and War Room. Christian Cinema is vital and needs to expand into new areas. Think big and think outside the box. How can Christians transform Hollywood, the music industry, and the mainstream media? More and more these institutions are turning out garbage, because without moral underpinnings art and culture become decadent and shallow.

4. Transform the broken Education System - The current college education system is broken, so is the public education system. How could conservative Christians provide a better option? Could we utilize the internet? How could we make it more affordable? Entire generations of kids are leaving schools without even basic knowledge about the world around them. Young adults are going to college and leaving with bizarre ideas about how the world should work. And they're leaving stacked to the eyeballs with crippling debt. It's a broken system, how can we be salt and light to education?

5. Run for Congress or State Legislature - Or support someone who is doing that. Be politically active, it's your duty as a Christian who obeys the ruling authorities, which in our government means we are required to participate for the good of the nation. We live in a Democratic Republic remember? We elect the governing authorities. Our obligation is to be involved, due to Romans 13. We need principled Christians in core leadership positions on the local, state, and Federal levels in our government. Many Christians have done this. Consider the Appeal to Heaven caucus. Think of Ted Cruz or Ben Carson or Tim Scott or Mike Huckabee. They are Christians who saw a need for change in our government and they decided to do something about it. Is God calling you to full time service in politics? Click here for links to relevant Christian and conservative political organizations.

In conclusion, these ideas barely scratch the surface of cultural engagement. Be creative friends and think outside the box. More importantly be dogged, devoted, and determined. Never give up and never stop pushing for these changes. A tireless minority can indeed bring about brush fires of transformation in the minds of men. Pray hard, and pray often. Work hard and work often. We will not go quietly into the night. We will not give up without a fight. We're going to take a stand. We're going to change the world. We must be humble, creative, and dogged in our determination. Godspeed brothers and sisters, it's time to change the world.

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” -Matthew 11:25-30 NIV

Vintage Photo of U.S. Capital

Stock Photo of Statue of Liberty

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