Pigeon Cove Perspective

The Year of the Bible in Pennsylvania

2012-02-06T10:59:00.000-08:00

2012 has been unanimously designated the Year of the Bible in Pennsylvania by vote of the PA House of Representatives. In an increasingly partisan and divided nation, it is refreshing to see strong bi-partisan support for this resolution in the Pennsylvania House.

The text of the resolution notes that “many of our great national leaders, among them President Washington, President, Jackson, President Lincoln, President Wilson, and President Reagan, paid tribute to the influence of the Bible in our country’s development, as exemplified by the words of President Jackson that the Bible is ‘the rock on which our Republic rests.’”

Reaction has been swift and fierce in opposition to H.R. 535. It comes as no surprise that the secular media and liberal religious leaders are decrying the resolution as inappropriate and calling for its repeal. Thank God for the courageous action of these representatives who understand the critical role that the Bible has had in the history of this nation and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

As the Resolution further notes, “This nation now faces great challenges that will test it as it has never been tested before . . . Renewing our knowledge of faith in God through holy scripture can strengthen us as a nation and a people …”

The fact is, H.R. 535 is a return to Pennsylvania’s roots. An act of the 1705-06 Pennsylvania legislature specified that to serve as a civil magistrate one had to “profess to believe in Jesus Christ, the saviour of the world.” The Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 declares that the legislature shall consist of persons who subscribe to the following: “I do believe in one God, the Creator and Governor of the universe, the Rewarder of the good and the Punisher of the wicked; and I acknowledge the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be given by Divine inspiration."

May the substance of H.R. 535 sweep our land in a powerful return to the convictions of our founding fathers.

The Nature of the Fallen Human Heart on Display

2011-11-07T11:50:00.000-08:00

As a native of central Pennsylvania, I grew up an avid fan of Penn State football. In my office I have two Coke bottles, each depicting national championship teams in 1982 and 1986. On my bookshelves are two volumes on Coach Joe Paterno and a Wheaties box that features him on the front.

When we moved to Canada as missionaries in 1982, our location placed us in a situation where getting network TV programming was impossible. So Sharon and I rented a motel room in the nearest town just so we could watch Penn State play for the national title (and defeat Georgia in the process). I still recall the Nittany Lion marching band victoriously playing The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia. That was the only time we ever rented a room but did not bother to stay for the night!

I remain an avid follower of Penn State to this day. So it was with great pain that we, along with the rest of the “Nittany Nation,” received the news that retired, long-time defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky has been indicted on multiple counts of sexual abuse of minors. While one is innocent until proven guilty, the mountain of alleged evidence is greatly troubling at this time, to say the least.

Penn State has prided itself on running a “clean” athletic program, epitomized by the philanthropic work of Coach Paterno and his wife, Sue. Paterno has always been about much more than athletic accomplishments, setting him apart from many of his peers.

So the shock of these recent revelations about Sandusky is intensely difficult to bear. Before he retired from Penn State, Jerry was widely considered a likely candidate to eventually replace Coach Paterno. He had built a strong reputation for defensive excellence, earning Penn State the nickname “Linebacker U” and producing such defensive standouts as All-Pro Shane Conlon and Hall-of-Famer, Jack Ham.

How could a man with such accomplishments and long-term record of excellence fall into the gross sins of which he is accused? The answer is found in the inherent nature of the sinful human heart. Jeremiah wrote these words, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who an know it?” We each are born with a heart capable of the alleged crimes of Jerry Sandusky, and worse. That is why we need a savior.

The proper response to the devastating news out of State College this weekend is to grieve over these alleged violations of the law of God and to remind ourselves of our own need of repentance and cleansing by the blood of Jesus Christ. Rather than taking a “holier than thou” approach to such crimes, we must acknowledge that “there but for the grace of God go I.”

Let us give thanks once again for the gospel of Christ that proclaims that the power of God will change our wicked, hard hearts and make us willing and able to follow Him in faithfulness and truth. And let us pray for Jerry Sandusky and all those caught up in this horrible scandal. May the truth prevail and justice be done. And justice will be done on that final Day of Judgment that awaits every man.

Top Flag

2011-07-25T08:42:00.000-07:00

On my travels in and around Pigeon Cove I occasionally drive by a church with a flagpole proudly displaying the American and Christian flags. According to proper protocol, when flown together, the American flag must be displayed on top, with the Christian, or any other flag, below it on the same or different poles. When displayed inside, the American flag must be on the speaker’s right, if presented on a raised platform. When on the congregation’s level, it must be placed on the right side of the audience. Regardless of the situation, the U.S. flag must be in the place of highest honor.

Now, in most contexts, this protocol is perfectly acceptable. The flag of the various states, civic organizations, or other countries should indeed be flown in a position inferior to the Stars and Stripes. But when the Christian flag is involved, the situation changes dramatically.

For the follower of Jesus Christ, no allegiance, not even American citizenship, can be permitted to take precedence over his devotion to the Lord. To do otherwise is to violate the 1st Commandment by relegating God to an inferior position.

How then should the church handle the display of the American and Christian flags? The only answer, without violating either U.S. or biblical guidelines, is to simply not display either flag. We removed both flags from our church for this very reason.

As Christians and Americans, we are required to render appropriate honor to whom honor is due. But in the matter of displaying flags, it is an impossible situation, the practice of many churches notwithstanding.

Every time I drive by the church mentioned above I cringe inside. If I were to interview members of that congregation, doubtless all would claim to follow the Bible. In this case, perhaps ignorantly, they are guilty of idolizing the American flag. Honoring the name of God demands that He always be given the preeminence.

Theological Termites

2011-04-22T12:13:00.000-07:00

The current issue of Time magazine, published during the most holy week of the Christian calendar, features a startling cover that asks the piercing question: “What if there’s no hell?” The cover story outlines the controversy over the new book by mega-pastor Rob Bell, Love Wins.

Bell suggests that Christ’s redemptive work will eventually see the salvation of all men, hence the implication of the title that the love of God will overcome His wrath against sin. This is a humanly appealing thesis that appears every so often throughout history. Bell has written a new book, but in reality he has simply repackaged the age-old heresy of universalism for 21st century readers.

I write this brief essay on Good Friday afternoon, the annual commemoration of Jesus’ suffering on the cross. Among the difficulties with Bell’s thesis is that his words undermine the reliability and consistency of the Christian faith. Like so many spiritual termites, his ideas destroy the integrity of an orthodox understanding of Scripture so that it eventually crashes under its own weight into a heap of insignificance.

How can there be any eternal merit in the death of one that proclaimed blatant falsehoods—even if they were uttered for an admirable purpose? For Jesus Himself repeatedly spoke of a place for the unrepentant “where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:42-48).

It was Jesus who spoke of the Final Judgment when all men will be divided into two groups, those who will enjoy the blessings of eternal life and those who will “go away into everlasting punishment” (Matthew 25:46).

No, one cannot properly call himself a Christian when he denies these plain words of Christ Himself. It is intensely difficult to contemplate the reality of a sentence of unending torment and suffering. But Scripture unambiguously proclaims this frightening reality. No amount of wishful thinking can change the plain sense of the inspired text.

To subscribe to the reality postulated by Pastor Bell is to confess that there is no such thing as Scriptural authority. Instead, our faith – and our God – become whatever we choose to make them. Bell is thus guilty of proclaiming a gospel, not the gospel of Christ but the gospel of post-modern relativism. Whatever seems right to each person becomes the truth for him.

May God enable us to defend the deposit of truth that has been entrusted to us by the Apostles (2 Timothy 1:13). The proliferation of repackaged heresies requires a renewed effort at exterminating the termites of theological compromise.

The Growing Mountain

2011-03-09T12:03:00.000-08:00

One of the great theological divides separating those who profess to believe the Bible is their view of the future. Some maintain an optimistic eschatology, with respect to the growth of God’s kingdom in the present era; others expect a growing apostasy that will only worsen as time progresses. Both camps purport to find biblical justification for their position.

What did Jesus teach? In Matthew 13 Jesus presented a series of parables designed to shed light upon the nature and progress of the kingdom of God. Two of them specifically address the matter of its growth. In the Parable of the Mustard Seed, Jesus’ point was that the kingdom would experience almost unbelievable growth. The tiny mustard seed germinates and eventually becomes a “tree.” So the kingdom will grow beyond all expectations. In the Parable of the Leaven Jesus teaches that just as leaven will fully permeate a batch of dough, so the kingdom will eventually saturate the entire world.

This concept of massive kingdom growth is not foreign to the Old Testament. King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that is subsequently interpreted by Daniel. Among the features of the dream is the appearance of a stone that smashes the image depicting four human kingdoms. This stone then grows to become a gigantic mountain that eventually fills the whole earth. Daniel explains that the four-part image represents four, major human kingdoms that will be destroyed by the kingdom of God, which shall stand forever. Once again, we see a picture of extraordinary, worldwide, expansion of the kingdom, growth that steadily increases from a tiny beginning to earth-filling proportions. It is this dimension that Jesus taught in the two parables cited above.

Fast-forwarding to the 21st century, many Christians in the West are overwhelmed with the growing degeneracy of society and the departure from the Judeo-Christian foundation of our past. We see European cathedrals becoming museums; we observe the increased hostility to anything distinctly Christian, and clouds of despair overwhelm our thinking. Surely the end must be near; surely Christ will return soon to usher in a time gospel victory.

But the Scriptural vision is one of steady growth in this era during which the kingdom will triumph and fill the earth. How can we reconcile this vision with the present reality? The solution begins with enlarging our perspective. Yes, we in America and the West are currently experiencing a decline. But considering the entire earth, the picture is radically different.

The International Bulletin of Missionary Research recently released some telling statistics. The present world population consists of 468 million Buddhists, 951 million Hindus, 1.6 billion Muslims, and 2.3 billion Christians--with about 1.5 billion attending church regularly. So, no, contrary to popular opinion, the Muslims are not set to rule the world.

In 1911 there were an estimated 400,000 congregations of believes around the world. A century later there are now 5 million. In 1900 it is estimated there were about 9 million Christians in Africa; today that number has exploded to 475 million. Sounds a lot like Daniel chapter 2.

Believers must be careful about forming their theological expectations from today’s headlines. But properly understand, the present reality is further evidence that Jesus did not give the Great Commission as an exercise in futility but because He fully expected that, in time and space, during His absence, it would be fulfilled by the church.

Let us seek the face of God for the restoration of our nation and rejoice in what God is doing elsewhere around the world. The mountain is growing.

Final Words

2011-02-09T06:57:00.000-08:00

What do you say to a faithful Christian, who is near death, on the occasion of your final opportunity to communicate in this life? I was faced with that scenario recently as my wife and I traveled to visit a godly widow whom we have known for thirty-four years. Her husband was an elder in the first church that I pastored; we have been good friends ever since. As we all experience, friendships typically weaken over time. But our relationship with Charlotte has been a rare constant in our lives for decades.

Contemplating appropriate words on such an occasion forces one to cut through the usual light-hearted banter and inconsequential verbiage that comprises much of our social interaction. When brought face-to-face with imminent death in the life of a treasured friend, several strong sentiments rose to the surface of my troubled mind.

First is a visceral revulsion to the inevitable consequences of sin. Charlotte has maintained, by all outward standards, an exemplary Christian testimony well into her eighth decade of life. As long as we have known her she has exhibited a heart to minister to others in a gracious spirit that honored the name of God. Yet Charlotte, like all of us, is infected with the curse of sin. It will take its inevitable and final toll on her frail body very soon. But it can do no more than that because Christ has defeated the power of sin and death. The curse may win the first round, but it will go down in a spectacular display of resurrection power in the end.

Second is an irrepressible sense of joy that a state of being awaits Charlotte, and all the faithful, that will so radically transform her existence as to render the present sufferings but a distant memory, to be recalled only as a means of rejoicing in the sin-obliterating grace of God. Of that land that is “fairer than day,” the old hymn proclaims, “by faith we can see it afar.” Charlotte, in the providence of God, is about to experience what we who remain behind can only yet dream of.

Third, not a single act of kindness done in the name of Christ will have been in vain. The infinite Lord of the universe, in His omniscience and omnipresence, sees and remembers every moment of every life. While we fondly recall many of the benevolences that Charlotte showered upon us, we have also forgotten countless others. And we are but one of a myriad other recipients of her Spirit-driven charity. But God has recorded them all in His book; not one is forgotten.

We sought to convey these brief sentiments to a godly saint whose appetite for this world and its ravages has waned. Selfishly, we want to hold on to such relationships just a little longer. But a loving spirit desires what is best for another; we therefore entrust Charlotte to the wise hand of the Lord who has decreed when her earthly pilgrimage should end. She is ready to meet her Maker, not because of what she has done but because of what He did. We look forward to the grand reunion on the other side.

The Fallout of Shattered Belonging

2010-12-27T10:06:00.000-08:00

What is the greatest spiritual and social crisis facing America in the second decade of the 21st century? Doubtless many different answers would be suggested to that question if it were posed to a large group of people. I believe the answer is found in a recently released report published by the Family Research Council titled The US Index of Belonging and Rejection.

Just released this month, this report is based upon statistics derived from the Census Bureau’s 2008 American Community Survey. It paints a grim portrait of what remains of family life in America. At the heart of the study is an analysis of the number of teenagers aged 15-17 who live with both married birth parents. This population sector was chosen because it represents the oldest segment of children, just before they turn adults at age 18.

The national average is that only 45% of U.S. teenagers have spent their childhood in an intact family with both their birth mother and their biological father legally married to one another since around the time of the teenager’s birth. That means that the majority, 55% of American teens, has grown up in homes where their biological parents have rejected one other. The implications of this pattern are enormous and difficult to overstate.

This alarming reality is a factor of several trends. Approximately 43% of first marriages end in divorce in the first fifteen years of marriage. Further complicating the situation is the increasing reticence of couples to take the step of cementing their relationship in marriage before having children. Today, 40.6% of babies are born to unmarried mothers, thus elevating the significance of the divorce rate among the decreasing percentage of parents who are motivated to get married.

What is the fallout of this pattern of shattered belonging? Every social ill that currently afflicts America is exacerbated by this reality, including poverty, crime, welfare dependency, child abuse, and poor academic performance. Dealing with these unhealthy patterns has become a major drain upon every sector of society. The report’s author, Dr. Patrick Fagan, expresses just the financial peril we currently face in dealing with such fallout: “The dysfunctional majority now expects the intact minority to pay disproportionately for these systems.”

Whither the future? Improvement is absolutely essential if America is to regain its social equilibrium. Scripture warns that there are generational consequences of sin (Exod. 20:5). Sociologists observe that the dysfunctional pattern of shattered belonging deteriorates further from one generation to the next. If America is to survive as a nation, men and women must acquire the biblical view of the role of sexuality and the sanctity of marriage. Marriage is to be entered as a sacred duty before God to establish a permanent home wherein children will be raised according to the Law of God. That God hates divorce is clearly set forth in Scripture (Mal. 2:16). The appalling social landscape found in current American society is solemn witness to the consequences of disregarding the moral framework of the Creator.

Bringing truth and change to bear in this situation is the role of the church, as it proclaims God’s truth and equips individuals and families. Government policy and legislation cannot remedy a situation that is created principally by internal attitudes and values.

Advancing the Kingdom, One Baby at a Time

2010-12-06T12:06:00.000-08:00

A week ago our family welcomed to this world our fifth grandchild, John Jeremiah Parry. The son of our daughter Rebekka and husband Dan, John is their fifth child in less than seven years. Mothers reading these words can appreciate the fact that Rebekka is not currently looking for any new hobbies to fill her spare time.

In reflecting upon the birth of John, a verse in Proverbs came to mind: “Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox” (14:4). One could paraphrase that verse to fit my daughter’s circumstances: “Where there are no babies, there are no dirty diapers, but much good comes from children raised to the glory of God.”

As I write, my dear wife Sharon is spending ten days assisting Rebekka with domestic duties so Dan could return to his job that pays their bills. Our daughter Hannah plans to be there for most of next week after Sharon returns home. Having babies and raising small children entails a lot of hard work. It is a joy and privilege to be able to assist in the households of our children when such needs arise.

In Sharon’s absence, who normally works full time keeping our home running relatively smoothly, each of us who remain are called upon to contribute in ways not necessary when she is present. I pondered this reality as I washed and put away more dishes than usual in the past week.

When we think of “the Lord’s work,” typically the image of a frontier missionary or busy pastor comes to mind as they are engaged in “full time Christian ministry.” Indeed, God calls and equips people to serve in the vital capacities of evangelism, discipleship, church planting, and ministries of mercy. Such faith warriors are necessary for the work of establishing the Christian church among every people, tribe, and nation.

But the point of this brief essay is that the work of “being fruitful and multiplying” is equally critical to the advancement of the kingdom of God. Indeed, one could make the case that the ministry of raising and training children in godliness is foundational to all other avenues of Christian service. For, without a base of godly offspring grounded in orthodoxy and committed to the covenantal responsibilities of being the spiritual seed of Abraham, the missionary enterprise would collapse due to disinterest and lack of support. Pulpits would remain vacant for lack of qualified candidates.

Professing Christendom in America is facing a crisis of gigantic proportions: children are departing the faith in epidemic numbers. One recent survey found that only 1 in 5 young people who are spiritually active as a teen remain so at age 29. Nearly every church has experienced this sad reality. Theories abound to explain this phenomenon, but the reality is that parents are doing a poor job of passing on their faith to the next generation. Or, perhaps the truth is that the next generation reflects all-too-well the mediocre convictions of their parents.

If there is hope for America it will require the repentance of Christian parents who have refused to take seriously God’s command to raise up an abundant, godly offspring. Psalm 127 extols the man who has a “quiver-full” of children. Too many professing Christians have engaged in “unilateral disarmament,” to borrow a phrase from the days of the cold war with the Soviet Union, by choosing instead to limit themselves to one or two arrows. Such a posture is imprudent when engaging a foreign military power; it is equally foolish when participating in the spiritual battles of good vs. evil in the kingdom of God.

Yesterday a guest preacher filled our pulpit. I observed with deep joy his bending down to the level of his six-year-old son who accompanied him and pointing to each word of the hymns as we stood and sang. Effective Christian parenting takes many forms. God is not in the business of producing spiritual drop-outs. It is time that Christian couples take seriously their role in advancing the progress of the Kingdom by the hard, time-consuming work of raising up a new generation of godly men and women who know and understand the Truth and who are determined to remain true to their spiritual heritage. Referring to the potential of such little children, Jesus declared, “of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 19:14). May God bless Dan and Rebekka and all those committed to this vision.

Selective Indignation & the Wages of Sin

2010-04-28T10:31:00.000-07:00

There’s probably not an American to be found who was not influenced by the media barrage to fear the effects of the alleged swine flu epidemic. Doomsday scenarios were constantly being painted, with an urgent call for mass immunizations against this raging killer. All of the hype, however, did not translate into the predicted devastation. Yes, thousands were hospitalized and many died, but far fewer than suggested. Last August a White House report suggested that as many as 1.8 million may be hospitalized in the coming months with possibly 90,000 deaths. In reality, according to the CDC, there were probably about 11,690 deaths due to the swine flue from April 09 through February of this year.

In an article in yesterday’s The Washington Times, Cheryl Wetzstein documents a much more serious epidemic that is essentially being ignored by the same media and government watchdogs that engineered the swine flu scare: sexually transmitted diseases.
Both syphilis and gonorrhea were once nearly eradicated but have returned in epidemic numbers due to the licentious lifestyles of many Americans. A 2004 study published by the American Medical Association indicates that every year 20,000 Americans die of diseases associated with risky sexual behavior. In Wetzstein’s words, “a tsunami of sexual disease is flooding our population.”

And the future appears to be even grimmer. According to the CDC, gonorrhea is threatening to grow into an epidemic that is largely untreatable. The bacteria have developed resistance to many available treatments. Indeed, there is but a single class of antibiotics that remains effective, and resistance is growing even to these treatments.

But, of course, in our relativistic society, the thought of applying the divine solution to such threats is anathema to most journalists and government officials. The Apostle Paul provided the remedy in three words: “Flee sexual immorality.” But preaching this message involves condemning the plague of deviant forms of sexual behavior and all forms of sexual activity outside of monogamous, heterosexual marriage. (E.g., Peter Sprigg, of the Family Research Council, has noted that the resistant types of gonorrhea tend to appear first in men who have sex with men.) And so our civil and medical authorities choose to expend their energies hyping other threats of lesser consequence.

America is reaping a devastating harvest of “the wages of sin.” The answer is not ultimately to be found in some new strain of antibiotic treatment but in humble repentance from our perverted lifestyles and intentional submission to the moral law of God.

The Blessing of Obamacare

2010-03-24T07:34:00.000-07:00

No, I have not lost my mind. I have not been corrupted by the pervasive influence of left-wing commentators and the government propaganda machine in the mainstream media. And, no, I have not been persuaded by the overpowering rhetoric emanating from our President’s teleprompter.

But I believe that the inception of Obamacare may indeed be a blessing in disguise. For this reason: it will force patriotic, conservative, constitution-loving Americans who believe in a smaller, less-intrusive government to dig in, to intensify the fight, to turn to God in a spirit of humble repentance and cry for help—in a manner which would not have occurred had the healthcare bill failed in the House of Representatives on Sunday.

If our side had won on Sunday, it would have been very easy to have a victory celebration and then get speedily back to business-as-usual, following the same Godless patterns that got us into this mess in the first place.

Remember the revival that swept our country immediately after the tragic events of September 11, 2001? Churches were filled in a manner not seen in decades—for the first couple of weeks. Then, slowly but surely, the population of the U.S. resorted to its practice of forgetting God and going its own way.

The election of President Obama caused many Christians and conservatives to wring their hands in despair and fear. But his radical policies have awakened a slumbering giant in our land—the great majority who care about the principles upon which this country was founded. Had McCain won, we would have continued in the same direction toward national destruction but simply at a slower pace than Obama is taking us. Obama’s victory has spurred a revival of our core principles in a way that McCain would not have done.

I expect the same, but intensified, effect from Obamacare. Yes, it may be excruciatingly painful in the interim. But the nature of this legislation and the manner in which it was forced upon Americans who overwhelmingly reject its tenets can prove to be beneficial long term. It will generate a deep-seated, long-lasting resistance movement that may well, over the long haul, be far more beneficial to our country than would have the defeat of this legislative monstrosity last Sunday.

By these comments I do not mean to endorse the corruption, the sell-outs, the lies and distortions, and the spineless resistance on the part of professed pro-lifers that were the human factors leading to the victory for Obama and company. But God has demonstrated that He is an expert in using the evil machinations of depraved humans as a means to effecting good things. There is a need for radical, invasive surgery in our national soul, a process that will require far more than a political victory to accomplish.

Let us not be overcome with despair but rejoice in the providence of our God. Let us recommit ourselves to following His righteous principles as the standard for our personal lives and work to see them instilled once again in our national consciousness. “Blessed in the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12).

What Ails America?

2010-03-12T12:59:00.000-08:00

The majority of Americans, as indicated in recent polls, believes our nation is headed in the wrong direction. And with good reason. Whether the issue is educational achievement, societal morality, financial stability, or integrity of leadership we are not what we once were.

To what do we attribute this obvious decline? And what is the remedy? This week, thanks to a tip from Gary DeMar at American Vision, I came across one of the finest expositions I’ve ever read of the American dilemma, its diagnosis, and the only cure. The assessment is in the form of a study project from an unlikely source: the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, PA.

It was written in 1992 by then Lt. Col. R.L. VanAntwerp, who went on to become General VanAntwerp, serving with the U.S. Army as Chief of Engineers and Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Titled, “The Greatest Threat . . . Spiritual Decay,” you can download a copy of his paper here.

Hope for America is not ultimately to be found in politics, revolution, or self-renewal. The only solution to the national malaise infecting our land on nearly every front is a return to the faith of our forefathers.

I commend to your thoughtful and prayerful consideration the discerning work of Gen. VanAntwerp.

Stoning Heretics

2010-03-09T11:16:00.001-08:00

Reading in Deuteronomy this morning I came to the hard sayings of chapter 13. Like a sharp jab to the face, these stern words get your attention! In this age of tolerance, when about the only sentiment that merits condemnation is the audacity to claim to have found the truth, Deuteronomy stands out for its stark contrast.

God, through Moses, instructed the Israelites to be on the highest alert for even the hint of heretical idolatry. After ordering the execution of confirmed false prophets, the Lord gets more personal. Should the apostate be a member of your very own household, even your brother, your son, your daughter or “the wife of your bosom,” action must be taken. Thus, if even one of the closest people to you on earth should secretly try to entice you to compromise your allegiance to Yahweh, the one true God, you were to respond with resolute action. Such a person is to be put to death, and you are to cast the first stone!

These statements are so far removed from the sentiment of 21st century society, including the American evangelical church, that it is difficult to even contemplate such reaction to the secret enticements of an apostate. But these are God’s inspired words. Like the rest of biblical revelation, God expected absolute obedience by His people to whom the statutes were given.

The United States of America cannot be equated with the ancient Israeli theocracy. We do not simply transfer the Old Testament penal sanctions and codify them as modern law. Nevertheless, such texts are vitally important as they reveal the mind of God on the seriousness of heresy. It does matter what you believe. The exclusivity of the Christian gospel must be preserved at all costs. We have no biblical grounds for ignoring professing Christians, whether family members or not, who espouse a view of God that departs from the historic, orthodox teachings of the church.

At the very least, Deuteronomy 13 should instruct us that it is critical that in our homes and churches we treat the study and confession of sound doctrine with the importance that God does. The Old Covenant demand that those who compromise the truth be executed should cause all who truly know the Lord to sit up and take notice. What you believe is infinitely more important than any other dimension of life.

Despite the efforts of some to suggest that God has moderated from the perceived harshness of the Old Testament, Scripture repeatedly affirms that God never changes. Because of the eternal consequences of apostasy, because of the potential for damning your soul through unbelief, the cancer of heresy must be destroyed. We must treat these matters which the seriousness that a capital crime demands.

If You Don't Vote . . .

2010-03-04T10:11:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, as I executed my daily run through scenic Pigeon Cove, some thoughts came to me about the responsibility that Christians bear to effect changes in our society.

The Apostle Paul famously warned the Thessalonians that “if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” Some had evidently decided to sit back and wait for the Lord’s return without exercising due diligence to provide for their own basic needs. Yes, Jesus had taught us to ask the Father for our daily bread. But such prayer was obviously not meant to negate the importance of individual responsibility to work to provide for the needs of one’s family. Elsewhere Paul wrote that failure to do so makes one “worse than an infidel.”

In 1 Timothy Paul charges believers to pray for civil authorities “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” Now, following the analogy of daily bread, the call to prayer does not negate but rather assumes personal responsibility to work for the fulfillment of the prayer.

Some Christians refuse to vote because, in their mind, doing so somehow taints them with worldliness. But utilizing the daily bread analogy, not only are we to pray for a peaceful and stable society conducive to godly living, we must work to make it happen. One fundamental means of doing so is to cast intelligent votes for candidates who will support principles that undergird a Christian-friendly society.

Refusing to vote, out of a misguided concept of worldliness, or just plain lazy indifference, yet praying in the spirit of 1 Timothy 2, is akin to refusing to work while trusting God to provide food.

Scripture indeed teaches that our primary citizenship is in heaven. But such an identity does not negate temporal responsibilities in this world. Prayer, without accompanying human action, disregards clear biblical principles and vainly puts God to the test.

So, if you are concerned about the direction America is taking, earnestly intercede for our leaders. And vote in every election to demonstrate that your prayers for our nation are not empty rituals.

Wanting Tim Tebow to Fail

2010-02-12T07:24:00.000-08:00

Rush Limbaugh has famously declared that he wants President Obama to fail in his quest to transform America into a socialist state. Picking up this same language, Sports Illustrated columnist Jeff Pearlman posted on his blog for February 2nd that “I want Tim Tebow to fail.” Specifically, Pearlman was referring to Tebow’s potential as a player in the NFL.

Now why would a famous sports writer wish ill of perhaps the most celebrated college football star to ever play the game? Pearlman made it clear that he was not wishing harm to come. “I don’t want him physically injured; h***, I don’t even want him to live anything but a happy life. But I want him to fail in the NFL nonetheless, because a famous Tim Tebow is a dangerous Tim Tebow.”

What has the seasoned columnist and best-selling author so agitated? By all accounts, Tim Tebow is a likeable person, respectfully dealing with his celebrity status in an exemplary manner. Not a hint of the snobbish, arrogant spirit that has afflicted other star athletes.

Mr. Pearlman doesn’t let any room for speculation; he boldly declares his concern: “Tim Tebow scares me, and … he should scare you, too. Tim Tebow doesn’t play football merely for the joy of the game. He plays football because he wants to spread the word of Jesus Christ.”

Pearlman’s chief concern seems to be not that Tebow is a Christian, but that he is motivated to share the gospel with others and urge them to embrace the Christian faith, or suffer the consequences in hell. “This is not merely Tim Tebow’s opinion—but he knows it, in his soul and heart and mind” laments the upset sports analyst.

Now this incident is instructive on two accounts. First, it is an in-your-face reminder of the visceral abhorrence that the Kingdom of Darkness maintains for the Kingdom of Light. Jesus declared that if the world hated Him it would likewise despise His disciples. When a young man of the likeability of Tim Tebow generates this kind of response, be assured it can and will happen to anyone that takes a bold stand for the gospel.

Second, Pearlman’s analysis should cause us to examine the credibility of our own testimony. While he is critical of Tebow’s faith, he has no doubt as to its genuineness or the depth with which it is held. Can critics level the same change with regard to your profession? We would do well to take heed to the nature of our witness. May it be accurately said of me, and you, that our faith permeates every corner of our soul, heart, and mind. God expects nothing less, and the world is rightly scornful of those who only half-heartedly proclaim their Christianity.

A Reason for Optimism in 2010

2009-12-30T06:54:00.000-08:00

Ever since the 2008 national election, it seems that we have been treated to an endless stream of “bad news” stories capable of dampening the spirits of the most dyed-in-the-wool optimists among us. Politicians bent on remaking the nature of the USA into something utterly unrecognizable by her founding fathers seem to be winning the day.

Christians have fasted, prayed, joined fellow patriots in tea parties and other forms of protests, jammed congressional phone lines in an effort to communicate heart-felt concerns, sent endless emails, faxes, and “pink slips” to their members of Congress. But, to date, it seems these efforts have not checked our descent toward oblivion. It appears as though we have engaged a supernatural force for evil that has been impervious to all efforts at mitigating its destructive designs. Certain government leaders seem to have taken a page from Muslim terrorists in assuming almost a suicidal effort to pass their agenda, election results come what may.

It is my opinion that our nation’s very existence is threatened in a manner not seen before, with the possible exception of the War Between the States in the mid-19th century. In the midst of this crisis for the soul and future of America, is there any hope?

Recently I have been reading a biography of Nathaniel Green, George Washington’s top general during the War for Independence. One of the repeated themes permeating the book is the extremely tenuous thread that supported the revolutionary fervor of the Founders. On numerous occasions, our fledgling forces were on the verge of being wiped out by the superior British. But our understanding of history is so weak that we have forgotten the nature of that war.

On February 6, 1783 Washington wrote the following to Green:
“If Historiographers should be hardy enough to fill the page of History with the advantages that have been gained with unequal numbers [on the part of America] in the course of this contest, and attempt to relate the distressing circumstances under which they have been obtained, it is more than probable that Posterity will bestow on their labors the epithet and marks of fiction; for it will not be believed that such a force as Great Britain has employed for eight years in this Country could be baffled in their plan of Subjugating it by numbers infinitely less, composed of Men oftentimes half starved; always in Rags, without pay, and experiencing, at times, every species of distress which human nature is capable of undergoing” (Sacred Fire, 174).

In other words, Washington is suggesting that future generations would not believe that such weak and bedraggled American forces were capable of defeating the British, the world’s superpower. They would consider the truth to be fiction. Time and again the Americans “miraculously” survived and won. Washington did not hesitate to credit Providence as the unseen force behind their victories.

The remnant of believers in America today are, humanly speaking, out-manned, out-gunned, out-spent, and out-organized by the powerful forces bent on changing our country. But such factors are no match for the Spirit and power of God.

2500 years ago, the Lord encouraged another overwhelmed people with these words, “Not by might nor by power, but my My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (Zech. 4:6). The allied political and media conglomerate that is seeking to foist its agenda upon the American populace is no match for the people of God when they trust in His power, even as they necessarily continue the fight on human terms.

May God encourage your soul and strengthen your hands for battle. In the end, Righteousness and Truth will prevail. Let us not fear the onslaughts of the wicked; let us persevere, knowing that the battle is ultimately the Lord’s.

The secret to eventual victory for the people of God is humble repentance and genuine faith—not enhanced fundraising, community organizing, and slick political machines. The truth of 2 Chronicles 7:14 is timeless. The restoration process may yet involve some very dark days for America. Economic and social upheaval, on an unprecedented scale, may be the consequences to be paid for our profligate sins of the past. But, ultimately, blessed is this, and any nation, whose God is the Lord (Ps. 33:12).

Compromised media, corrupt politicians, chicken-hearted leaders, and careless Christians notwithstanding, God’s eye—and His blessing—rest upon those who truly fear Him (Ps. 33:18). God told Abraham He would spare Sodom if just ten righteous men could be found. Let us determine to be that faithful remnant for whom the Lord will spare and restore this nation.

The Proof Is in the Pudding

2009-08-26T06:32:00.000-07:00

Don Quixote is evidently the origin of the adage: “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.” That is, the true quality of something can only be determined by using it. The meticulously prepared dessert dish may look delectable, but one only knows for sure by tasting it.

Similarly, Jesus declared that people would recognize true Christianity only as they observed His followers practicing it in their daily lives: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Sermons of flawless logic, impeccable organizational structure, highly charged worship services, and a large budget are not cited as evidences of genuine Christianity in action. Instead, Jesus points to the practical outworking of loving relationships.

This dimension is the means by which Christianity must be proclaimed to a skeptical world. And, indeed, praise is coming from some unexpected quarters.

Matthew Parris writes for the U.K. Times Online, being twice honored as “Columnist of the Year.” He is also an outspoken atheist. Yet he has high praise for Christianity’s impact in Africa. “[A] confirmed atheist, I’ve become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs, government projects, and international aid efforts.”

Parris used to wish that faith could simply be divorced from all the good things that Christians do and build. But he now appreciates how the Christian faith has transformed the hearts of people from the Africa he knew as a boy. “[S]omething changed in the faces of the people … something in their eyes … the way they approached you direct, man-to-man, without looking down or away.”

Parris has not (yet) embraced Christianity himself, but he has taken a giant step in the right direction by observing the genuine fruits of conversion. The characteristics of honesty, diligence, and optimism he attributes to “a conception of man’s place in the universe that Christianity had taught.”

Marriage in Trouble

2009-07-24T10:09:00.001-07:00

It’s not often that a cover story in Time reinforces the Bible. But in the July 13th issue, Caitlin Flanagan eloquently did just that. Lambasting adulterous politicians Gov. Mark Sanford and Sen. John Ensign, Mrs. Flanagan exposed their self-centered hypocrisy for the destructive behavior that it is. Both men built reputations as conservative and family-friendly. But their actions belie their professions.

Their sorry narcissism adds fuel to the fire of those who argue that conservative, pro-family leaders are hypocrites who spout idealistic principles in an effort to curry the favor of a certain segment of the voting population.

Numerous observers have documented the schizophrenia of American culture with respect to marriage. Society continues to uphold the ideal of a permanent, child-bearing marriage broken only by death. Yet, in practice, the decisions to marry and stay married have been declining for decades. Increasingly, people are choosing cohabitation, nonmarital childbearing, or having no children.

Utilizing the hard facts of social science, Flanagan concludes: “There is no other single force causing as much measurable hardship and human misery in this country as the collapse of marriage.” Even feminist sociologist Maria Kefalas is forced to concede that growing up without a father has a deep psychological impact on a child: “The mom may not need that man, but her children still do.”

The weakened state of American marriage is due to an unrealistic, romantic view of marriage setting impossible expectations that no relationship can achieve, and the myopic failure to account for the devastating consequences of marital breakup.

Flanagan wonders who is left to ensure that the next generation will appreciate the stability and blessings found only in enduring marriage. Her biting answer strikes at the heart of much marital failure: “the ones who are willing to sacrifice the thrill of a love letter for the betterment of their children.”

The bedrock of an enduring society, stable homes require hard work and regular maintenance. But unless present trends are reversed, cultural deterioration will only intensify.

Consequences of Conflicting Visions

2009-07-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

This year the world remembers two men whose impacts upon society are beyond measure. July 10th marks the 500th birthday of John Calvin. Charles Darwin was born 200 years ago on February 12th.

By any reckoning, both men are giants of history. But it would be difficult to find two men with more contrasting visions of life and its significance. Darwin wrote that the laws of nature, apart from God, can explain “the beneficent arrangement of the world.” Rejecting a sovereign Creator, Darwin argued that an evolutionary process in which the fittest survive produced the human race.

Calvin taught the existence of God and that all men are accountable to Him. A product of God’s creative work, humans are obligated to worship God their Creator, seeking forgiveness for their sins that are an offence to His holiness.

The consequences of a Darwinian worldview are abundant and devastating. If men are the products of time and chance, ultimately life has no meaning. There can be no moral absolutes because God doesn’t exist. People are free to follow their own whims, biases, and perversions. No one is in a position to condemn the lifestyle of others. Darwinian thinking thus leads to moral and spiritual chaos.

Conversely, Calvin emphasized that the moral absolutes of God’s character must be the standards of human society. We can condemn certain lifestyle choices because God does. As Creator, He sets the standard for His universe. Moreover, there is such a thing as sin that must be recognized and restrained by society. Our own republican representative government grew out of a Calvinistic mindset. Darwin’s followers became proponents of Marxism and totalitarianism.

Calvin has left a legacy of respect for human life, the family as defined by the Bible, and the necessity of society operating under the law of God. The fruit of Darwinism is moral relativism, leading to abortion on demand, racism, eugenics, and oppression of the helpless.

Thank God for Calvin!

Bending God

2009-06-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

Years ago I knew of a prisoner who was devoutly following his religion. Asked why he faithfully engaged in various rituals, he replied that he was “bending God.” He was saying prayers and reading from his holy book in an effort to induce his god to respond as he wanted.

This man was not a Christian. But his worldview is sometimes found among those who profess to follow Christ. The question that must be answered is this: Is God a means to an end, or the end for which all exists? In other words, does God exist to make our lives comfortable, safe, and prosperous? Or is our existence ordained so that we may glorify His name through all of life, whether it is peaceful or turbulent, prosperous or penniless?

Popular preachers sometimes suggest the former; the Bible teaches the latter. Some of God’s choicest servants, in biblical times and since, have suffered tremendously and died in poverty—simply because they were faithful to their calling. The Christian experience is much deeper than mere material and financial well being

British writer C. S. Lewis said it well: “I haven’t always been a Christian. I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.”

No, the Christian life is a ceaseless struggle against sin and temptation as we journey toward eternity. Sometimes the Christian identity brings tremendous peril, even death. We grieve over our lack of faithfulness to our God. But we understand that our guilt was born by the Savior. So we rejoice in that forgiveness, striving to serve God in a spirit of gratitude and faithfulness.

God’s purpose is not to be a “genie in the bottle” waiting to grant our next wish.
We humans exist for the glory and praise of God, the Creator. Make that your chief end.

Patrick Henry: Fatherhood Personified

2009-05-28T07:39:00.000-07:00

Patrick Henry is famous for his eloquent statesmanship, a powerful force in the founding of our nation. His “give me liberty or give me death” speech is one of the best known in American history; his fiery oratory was one of the factors God used to fan the flames of liberty.

But Henry was more than a zealot for freedom. He understood his God-given responsibilities as a father and strove to fulfill them with excellence. Indeed, as the father of seventeen children and grandfather of seventy, some have humorously suggested that he, not George Washington, should be considered the father of our country!

Beyond the bearing of sons and daughters, Patrick Henry took upon himself the task of preparing them for life and eternity to come. It was his habit to devote Sunday evenings to a time of family worship. He would read portions from the Bible or favorite sermons, along with accompanying the family in singing sacred music as he played the violin.

Henry served as the principal teacher for his school-age children, inspiring them to learn and apply themselves for life. He further tutored his sons in law, one of them becoming a lawyer like himself while another served as a county sheriff.

Beyond academics, he counseled his children for marital success: “My Dear Daughter: You have just entered into that state which is replete with happiness or misery. The issue depends upon that prudent, amiable, uniform conduct which wisdom and virtue so strongly recommend on the one hand, or on that imprudence which a want of reflection or passion may prompt on the other.”

Patrick Henry knew that a stable society must rest upon the foundation of strong homes. He sought to lead by example, understanding that the authority a man “exercised within the larger society was rooted in the authority exercised at home.”

There is a dearth of engaged fathers today. As you celebrate Father’s Day 2009, be inspired by the actions of Patrick Henry.

Dr. Spock vs. the Bible

2009-05-08T06:04:00.000-07:00

The seventh best-selling book of all time was published by Dr. Spock in 1946, The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care. Having sold over 50 million copies and been translated into more than 40 languages, it is hard to overestimate the profound influence his theories have had on our civilization.

Dr. Spock advocated a permissive style of parenting catering to children’s whims and preferences instead of a more directive approach requiring adherence to established standards of behavior. Indulgence, rather than discipline, was the methodology he promoted, ultimately producing defiance toward authority and a self-centered “me-first” approach to life in general.

The fruit of the Spock influence is painfully apparent. The violent crime rate has tripled since 1960. The sexual revolution rages unabated. Today 25% of teenage girls are infected with a sexually transmitted disease. There has been a 318 % increase in sexual assault. Lack of self-control and restraint of passions is the unmistakable consequence of indulgent parenting.

The Bible, in stark contrast, warns parents of the need to deal firmly with the sinful inclinations of their children. Proverbs 22:15 declares, “Foolish is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction will drive it far from him.” Elsewhere, Proverbs argues that a parent who refuses to exercise proper correction actually “hates” his son, whereas the “loving” parent “disciplines him promptly.”

Too frequently we are shocked by news stories of violence perpetrated by children and youth. Ever since Cain murdered Abel there has always been a violent minority in society. But one cannot miss the overwhelming tide of brutality and profligacy sweeping our society today in a manner unheard of 50 years ago.

While we cannot lay all of the blame at the feet of Dr. Spock, it is inarguable that his seminal book started a revolution that has been promoted by countless other “experts.”

Consistent discipline through the loving enforcement of established boundaries and standards is God’s method. It works.

The End of Christian America?

2009-04-24T07:26:00.000-07:00

The April 13th issue of Newsweek featured a cover with the blaring headline: “The End of Christian America.” The title was not a question but a declaration. A subheading for the story stated, “The percentage of self-identified Christians has fallen 10 points in the past two decades.”

An old axiom reminds us that he who defines the terms wins the debate. Whether the article represents reality is entirely predicated upon how one understands the descriptive “Christian nation.” If the predominant religious make-up of a nation determines its label, then assuredly we remain a Christian nation.

76% of Americans still identify themselves as Christians, rendering comparatively insignificant the 1.2% Jewish and 0.6 % Muslim segments. India’s identity as a Hindu nation is never questioned, despite Hindus comprising just over 80% of the population.

One cannot escape the sense that Newsweek made its case with some relish. Indeed, many in the secular media choose to portray conservative Christians as being out-of-touch with the sophisticated worldview of 21st century humanity, one which assumes that there is no such thing as absolute truth. Christianity’s exclusive claims are abhorrent to those who relativize all beliefs and lifestyles.

There is no denying that the influence of the Christian worldview, so formative in the founding of our nation, has been in decline. If present patterns continue, we will follow in the footsteps of Western Europe where Christianity has dwindled to merely a sideshow to the dominant secularism.

But the sleeping giant of American Christianity is slowly awakening. The theme for a major national conference this summer is “The Great Reversal: How Christians Will Change the Future”—the third such annual event in this series (see Americanvision.org). Despite the prognosis that the impact of Christianity in the U.S. has been relegated to the dustbin of history, a groundswell of revival is calling our nation back to her spiritual roots. It remains but wishful thinking for the enemies of the faith to declare the era of Christian influence in America over.

Superior Weaponry

2009-04-17T07:43:00.000-07:00

The nations of the world are in a ceaseless struggle to achieve military strength and ultimately superiority. Nearly every day we hear news of some nation testing a new missile or another pursuing nuclear weapons. The U.S. has followed a doctrine of peace through strength, of achieving overwhelming military dominance, thereby deterring others from taking offensive action against us.

The Bible speaks to the role of superior weaponry in the familiar story of David vs. Goliath. The shepherd boy defeated the veteran warrior--not through an overwhelming display of strength but because of his unwavering confidence that God’s power would bring him victory.

As the Israeli army quaked in fear with their impotent king, David answers Goliath’s defiant words with the following: “The battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”

A timeless lesson from this story is that the Almighty is not limited to human firepower in granting victory. Goliath fell because God inspired a boy to trust him and guided his sling-impelled stone to its deadly mark.

Today in America we face giant challenges to our moral and economic integrity. The circumstances appear to be so overwhelming that there is little we can do but submit. Despair can be immobilizing, the apparent disparity of strength paralyzing.

But we who know God must remember the lesson of David. The Lord delights in using the efforts of the weak and “outgunned” so that His name and power are justly honored when deliverance comes. Let us be encouraged to step out in faith and take action to resist the will of the “giants” in our land. The battle is not lost. Rather, it is time for the people of God to rise to the occasion and recognize that ultimately His power will prevail.

This ancient story does not teach pacifism. Instead, faithful men are called to utilize whatever means at their disposal, recognizing that victory ultimately comes through divine intervention.

Making It to Heaven

2009-03-20T07:17:00.000-07:00

Most people hope to make it to Heaven. Regardless of how much fun you might be having now, there is an inherent recognition that life will eventually end. But many wish to delay departure for as long as possible. As a popular country song puts it, “Everybody wanna go to Heaven, but nobody wanna go now.” For every person, however, the time to pass on will come.

Assuming you wish to enter Heaven’s gate, how will you get there? Understandably, there are some very diverse opinions on this subject. We know that God is holy, just, merciful, and good. Hence, it seems perfectly logical that to be granted an eternal home in Heaven one must strive to be as good as possible during one’s years on earth.

Indeed, a survey of 1000 randomly selected adults last year confirmed this perspective as dominant. Only 28% were convinced that it is impossible for someone to earn their way into Heaven through good behavior.

The critical flaw in this perspective, however, is that it is God who determines the qualifications for residency in Heaven, not human reasoning. He has spoken decisively on the subject: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” Thus the door to Heaven is opened by the work of God Himself in changing the human soul and imparting spiritual life. Through the work of Christ, God grants saving grace. The changed soul responds by embracing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Don’t be deluded into thinking that you can achieve sufficient goodness through your own efforts. God doesn’t grade on a curve. The required perfection for heavenly citizenship comes only through the merit of His Son, Jesus. The necessity of the crucifixion points to the inability of humans to be saved apart from Christ and His work.

Prudent Investing

2009-03-06T06:44:00.000-08:00

We are told that, since the 2008 general election, three trillion dollars have evaporated from investment portfolios across the country. Retirement accounts have been decimated, causing no small degree of consternation among those concerned about preparing for the future. The pattern continues.

What should a prudent investor do in these turbulent and distressing times? Which investments are likely to pay off in the long term? Which are most likely to appreciate or at least maintain their buying power in the face of a severe recession or worse? If you investigate these matters you will find a spectrum of responses proposed by financial gurus and money managers. Whom should you trust? Which advice is worth risking your future financial solvency by following its prescription? There are no easy answers.

The fact is, however, there is a capital depletion of far greater consequence than the precipitous decline on Wall Street. If we desire America to prosper in the long term, it is vital that we rebuild her spiritual capital. For, without such a foundation, we are headed for crises that will dwarf the current economic turbulence.

During the Great Depression times were economically tough, but the moral fabric of the nation prevented widespread chaos. Today, we have lost much of the spiritual foundation that once held communities together. Weekly church attendance, as one indicator, has been steadily declining. In 1990, 20.4 percent worshipped weekly in church. In 2007 the figure dropped to 17 percent. And it is projected to be just 10 percent by 2050. Our society has become secularized and relativized to the point that many no longer believe in objective truth.

While the importance of a free market, sound money, and a government that fulfills only its God-given mandate are important, they pale in significance to the spiritual values of our civilization. Christians must be busy recapitalizing true faith and character. From the right spiritual capital will eventually flow the economic stability we all desire.

Obama Beats Jesus

2009-02-20T10:32:00.000-08:00

As shocking as that declaration may be to some people, it is precisely the headline that appeared in news outlets recently. The full statement is: Obama beats Jesus as American ‘hero.’ The story is based upon the results of a new Harris poll asking citizens to name the person they admired enough to call their No. 1 hero. The 2,634 respondents spontaneously named the person for whom they had the highest regard.

In 2001 an identical poll was taken. The top two then were Jesus Christ and Martin Luther King. Obama had yet to make his appearance on the national scene.

For the record, this is not a political issue. I would be equally incensed if the poll had found that any other politician had replaced Jesus in the top spot.

As Christians, we regard Jesus as the promised Messiah, the Son of God who came to save His people from their sins. He certainly deserves higher status than merely being considered a “hero.” But the fact that a poll finds that more Americans have a greater regard for Barak Obama than Jesus Christ is not insignificant.

Jesus is the only person who ever fully achieved His billing as a great man and the Savior of the world. None who believe in Him will ever be disappointed. In contrast, President Obama’s sky-high approval numbers have already begun a significant decline. He cannot live up to the messianic aura that has surrounded his candidacy and early presidency. He is only human; he will make mistakes; he will disappoint.

We must resist the mass frenzy that places any mere human on too exalted a pedestal. We are called to pray for our civil leaders, but we are commanded to worship Jesus Christ.

A poll is simply a tool to gauge public opinion. In this case, the Harris poll reveals an ominous trend that will lead to regret and disillusionment.

A Positive Lesson from MLB

2009-02-09T09:38:00.000-08:00

With Super Bowl XLIII now history, some us look forward to the start of Major League Baseball. Unfortunately, most of the news about MLB recently has been bad. Some of the game’s biggest stars have become tainted with allegations of steroid use. But let me wash away those sordid stories with one of great inspiration and instruction.

Back in the mid 80s Tim Burke started pitching for the Montreal Expos. Burke set a National League record with 78 appearances in his rookie year in 1985 and won his first eight major league decisions. By 1987 he became the leader of the Expos’ bullpen, going 7-0, with 18 saves and an outstanding ERA of 1.19. He was voted to the NL all-star team in 1989 when he saved 28 games and went 9-3 for the season.

When Tim and his wife discovered that they were unable to have children, after much prayer, they decided to adopt four, special-needs children: two from Korea, one from Vietnam, and one from Guatemala.

As a consequence of his growing family, after considerable prayer and soul-searching, Tim made what many considered an unbelievable decision. He decided to walk away from his baseball career. You see, he had discovered that the travel involved in professional baseball significantly hampered his ability to fulfill his roles as husband and father.

When he left the stadium for the last time, reporters asked why he was retiring. “Baseball is going to do just fine without me,” he said. “It’s not going to miss a beat. But I’m the only father my children have. I’m the only husband my wife has. And they need me a lot more than baseball does.”

Tim Burke’s decision had eternal consequences. He chose to honor His God-given responsibilities and forsake a career that offered wealth and fame, but at the expense of his family. Burke is thus a powerful role model for today’s conflicted world.

Needed: A Spiritual Stimulus Package

2009-01-30T08:59:00.000-08:00

For months we have heard the call for a strong economic stimulus package to “get our economy moving again.” A proposal to supposedly do just that is making its way through Congress. Partisan debate is questioning or praising the merits of this legislation, as government efforts so far have clearly been ineffective.

We are being bombarded with reports that the present economic malaise is unprecedented, at least since the Great Depression. Unemployment is worsening every week, it seems, as big-name corporations, and the business down the street, reduce their payrolls to deal with the recession and declining worldwide demand.

These tumultuous economic times should drive individuals, and the nation, to recognize that there are issues in life of greater consequence than the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the Gross National Product.

How serious are we about repenting of our sin before God? Do we regard the worship of God of greater importance than watching the Super Bowl? Do we take seriously God’s directives in Scripture concerning marriage, family, the Sabbath, and preparing for eternity?

The Bible declares, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.” America is in trouble because we serve many gods. The present economic crisis is a symptom of a deeper, spiritual crisis. The ultimate answer will not be found in job creation and tax cuts but in humility and repentance.

Americans’ greatest need is for a paradigm shift produced by spiritual conversion. Rather than serving the god of economic prosperity our chief purpose should be to glorify our Creator. The deficit of greatest consequence these days is not government overspending but the lack of spiritual vitality. With the right God in focus, the economy will take care of itself.

When our churches are full of people seeking the Lord Jesus Christ we will have turned a corner. Until then, we can expect the consequences of the spirituality deficit to compound. Stimulating the soul of America is our greatest need.

A La Carte Faith

2009-01-23T07:19:00.000-08:00

A survey of Americans conducted in August of last year by The Barna Group points to an alarming trend. The survey found that, by an overwhelming margin, 74% to 23%, adults agreed that their faith was becoming more important than it used to be as a source for reliable moral guidance. That’s the good news.

The same survey revealed, more ominously, that feelings, emotions, and self-reflection—rather than an information-based exercise like studying the Bible increasingly determine people’s faith. Americans are thus using an a la carte approach that threatens the integrity of the Christian faith.

Americans have always prided themselves on their independent spirits. This perspective is now influencing the nature of their faith. People are, in effect, becoming their own “theologians-in-residence.” Their likes, dislikes, and personal proclivities are the standards by which the content of their faith is determined.

The effect of this trend is often a hodgepodge of contradictory and inconsistent beliefs, drawn from a variety of religious sources, both from historic Christianity as well as other world religions.

If one were dealing with diet and cooking styles, perhaps there would be merit in such an approach. But with the welfare of one’s eternal soul hanging in the balance, truth must trump personal preference. The authority of God the Creator’s revelation, consistently interpreted and applied, must be the standard by which faith is judged.

Faith alone does not save. It is the content of faith that is critical to its efficacy. If you pray to the moon for forgiveness of sin and eternal life, such faith will only lead to despair. Despite the freewheeling nature of religious life in the 21st century, discerning individuals will look to the authority of Scripture, to the faith tried and tested by the historic Christian church for two millenniums. The Creator who revealed Himself in the Bible has guided His followers to discover and protect the truth that leads to eternal life.

Anxious About 2009?

2009-01-08T09:43:00.000-08:00

My dictionary defines anxiety as “the state of being uneasy, apprehensive, or worried about what may happen; concern about a possible future event.” Perhaps that summarizes your attitude toward 2009.

Numerous Americans have expressed their delight that 2008, with all of its trauma and economic chaos, is now history. The advent of a new year inclines many to hope that things will get better. For some, the election of a new President portends positive change; for others, the Obama victory is cause for alarm.

Politics aside, we all understand that there is the potential for greater chaos. Some observers predict total economic collapse. We have been warned that another terrorist strike is not unlikely, as a means of testing the meddle of the new administration. The looming threat of an EMP attack is considered by strategic experts to be a likely means by which our enemies may try to bring America to her knees. Such a threat involves the relatively low-tech procedure of exploding a nuclear device in the atmosphere, thereby disabling the nation’s electronic grid and the computer-controlled systems that keep the infrastructure functioning. Thereafter, long-term chaos would ensue.

In reality, there is no end of things to worry about. But for one who takes the Bible seriously, there is a better way. At least thirteen times in the New Testament we are instructed to trust the Lord in all circumstances, rather than give in to anxiety or fear. A person is overwhelmed by worry when he distrusts God or is unwilling to be content with His providence. Either response is sinful because it dishonors God and His character.

Prudence certainly demands taking precautions to deal with potential adversities. Meanwhile, our souls should be filled with a peace that comes from an implicit trust in God’s control. The Bible urges us, “Be anxious for nothing.” Instead, “[Cast] all your anxieties on Him, for He cares for you.”

What's in a Name?

2008-12-12T15:38:00.000-08:00

During the Christmas season we become preoccupied with a myriad of details pertaining to celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. American culture has added many dimensions completely unrelated to the actual historical event around which the holiday is based.

There is no better way of explaining the central significance of Christmas than by noting the meaning of the name of the One whose birth we remember and celebrate. It was no accident that Mary’s baby boy was named Jesus. Prior to His birth, an angel appeared to Joseph, instructing him to name the child Jesus.

Along with choosing the name, the angel added the reason for the name selection: “for He will save His people from their sins.” The coming Child was charged with a particular mission: saving His people from their sins. Thus we observe that beyond the quaint details of His birth is the spectacle of the cross.

Adding to the complexity of the event is the fact that the name Jesus is actually the Greek version of the name Joshua, which means literally, “Yahweh is salvation.” Putting these details together adds an element of mystery. If Mary’s child is to save His people from their sins, and His name means “Yahweh is salvation,” how can both be true?

The only logical conclusion is that the one named Jesus was in fact God (Yahweh) born in human form. Indeed, this is a parallel element of the Christmas story. The Gospel of Matthew quotes the ancient prophet Isaiah when he predicted 700 years earlier that a virgin would give birth to one called “Immanuel,” which means “God with us.”

So a proper celebration of Christmas is rejoicing in the reality that God Himself assumed human form to be the Savior of His people. Is He your Savior? If not, all of the peripheral aspects of the Christmas season will quickly fade away into insignificance.

The Highway to Heaven

2008-12-04T09:58:00.000-08:00

Recently I had to take an unexpected trip to an office in downtown Baltimore. Not being familiar with that area, other than knowing that it is difficult to navigate for the uninitiated, I consulted two different Internet mapping sites to plan my way. Thankfully, the directions were flawless, and the trip was accomplished without great difficulty.

Twenty-first century travel has been transformed by computer technology from the days of relying on state roadmaps or simply asking for directions. These days, those with access to a computer, or a GPS system in their vehicle, have little excuse for getting lost.

But there is one destination that cannot be charted by a digitized program. There is no satellite-based technology that can point the way to heaven. Utilizing poetic imagery, the prophet Isaiah declared: “A highway shall be there, and a road. And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.” He describes this highway as free from predatory dangers; even those lacking wisdom will reach their heavenly home when they stick to this road. Travelers on this highway will be filled with great joy as “sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

Who are these blessed pilgrims? How does one get on this “limited access” highway? Isaiah writes, “the unclean shall not pass over it.” “The ransomed of the Lord” are those populating the pathway to heaven.

The reality is that no person gains entrance on his own merits. We are all disqualified by our own spiritual uncleanness. Only those whose hearts God has cleansed are worthy to walk this road. Earlier Isaiah wrote of these travelers, “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”

If guilt is weighing on your conscience, turn to Him for renewal and cleansing. God’s Son has paid the toll for the travelers on this thoroughfare, and there is no other way to get there.

The Object of Thanksgiving

2008-11-20T12:00:00.000-08:00

Historians bent on eliminating the Christian roots of our civilization have been plying their trade in our school textbooks for years. In the mid-1980s, Prof. Paul Vitz of New York University carefully analyzed sixty textbooks utilized in elementary schools across the country. Among his findings was the following: “In grades 1 through 4 these books introduce the child to U.S. society. . . . None of the books . . . contain one word referring to any religious activity in contemporary American life.”

He cites the following example. One social studies book includes thirty pages on the Pilgrims, without a single word referring to their religious beliefs. A boy utilizing this text went home and told his mother, “Thanksgiving was when the Pilgrims gave thanks to the Indians.” When challenged by the boy’s mother that the Pilgrims in fact gave thanks to God, the boy’s principal argued that they could only teach what was in the books!

What were the Pilgrims thinking? We are not left to wonder. Gov. William Bradford declared the following in November of 1623: “All ye Pilgrims with your wives and little ones, do gather at the Meeting House, on the hill . . . there to listen to the pastor, and render Thanksgiving to the Almighty God for all His blessings.”

Doubtless the Pilgrims appreciated the aid rendered by friendly Indians; they recognized divine providence at work. But before their feet first imprinted New England soil, the Mayflower Compact revealed their true motivations. Signed by all 41 men on board, this document declared that their voyage had been “undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith.”

These brave souls were driven to risk their lives to establish a new civilization because of their Christian faith. Any other explanation for their actions is historigraphical malpractice.

This Thanksgiving season, don’t fail to render thanks to the Almighty for His bountiful provision.

Whom Do You Fear?

2008-11-07T07:16:00.000-08:00

One of the great ironies in the life of Jesus Christ is that His enemies, primarily the religious authorities of His day, showed greater fear of the crowds than they did of the Son of God Himself.

It is recorded that the “chief priests, the scribes, and the elders” had devised a plan to do away with Jesus. But out of fear of a public outcry they wanted to avoid doing so during the feast of Passover (Matt. 26:3-5). Simply put, the religious conspirators seemingly weren’t worried about the consequences of doing in the Son of God; they just didn’t want to rile up the masses of their constituents in the process.

How blatantly misguided! Fourth-century Bishop of Constantinople, John Chrysostom, remarks that such leaders “never were afraid of the judgment of God but only the judgment of people.”

Throughout history, one of the characteristics of the truly great is that they feared God rather than men. Jesus Himself warned earlier in Matthew’s Gospel, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (10:28).

Such fundament fear of God caused the Jewish midwives in Egypt to defy Pharaoh’s command to destroy baby boys. Such fear of God in the heart of Martin Luther drove him to risk his life rather than compromise the truth. Standing up to the religious leaders bent on destroying him, he responded with the bold words, “Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God.”

There is still a price to be paid for defending God’s truth. You may be branded a bigot, a narrow-minded fool, or worse. You will not be popular with those more concerned with pleasing the masses than maintaining integrity of conscience. But stand you must, or bear the consequences on the Day of Judgment to which Jesus referred.

A New Moral Code

2008-09-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

Watching TV, browsing the Internet, or simply paying attention as you walk around reveals that our culturally accepted standards of behavior have changed markedly over the past 50 years. Indeed, a recent Barna survey documents what we instinctively already knew: a major shift in moral standards is underway.

Researchers asked over 1000 adults which, if any, of eight behaviors, traditionally viewed as wrong by biblical standards, they had engaged in during the past week. Glaring differences were found between Baby Boomers (ages 44-62) and Mosaics (ages 18-24). Boomers have been guilty of challenging the morality of their parents. But, compared to Mosaics, Boomers would appear to be paragons of virtue. Mosaics were more than twice as likely as all other adults to engage in behavior that violates biblical morality.

The director of the survey concluded, “We are witnessing the development and acceptance of a new moral code in America.” Comparatively little exposure to traditional moral teaching, and limited accountability, have created an environment conducive to moral decay. “The result is that without much fanfare or visible leadership, the U.S. has created a moral system based on convenience, feelings, and selfishness.” Instead of consulting God’s revelation in the Bible, the trend is to decide what’s right based upon personal preference and circumstances.

The bottom line is that we face growing moral chaos. Where will it end? Scripture outlines the devastating price of ignoring God’s laws. In giving the Ten Commandments He warned of the intergenerational consequences of sin.

Apart from a spiritual revival, America faces a dark future. Parents and grandparents must rise to the occasion, recognizing the jeopardy faced by their progeny. A society consumed with the glory of sports and the luxuries of material prosperity faces disintegration. Parents must prioritize the spiritual training of their children. The hectic blur of activities typifying most families tends to reduce exposure to God’s truth to minimal, at best. A culture inevitably reaps the moral consequences of what it sows.

The Death of Chivalry

2008-09-19T12:43:00.000-07:00

One of the worse disasters in the history of public transportation was the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. Over 1500 died that night in the icy waters of the Atlantic. Many of the dead were fathers who said a final good-bye to their beloved wives and children. Lesser-known is the fact that dozens of cabin boys, no older than 16, gave up their lifeboat seats to save women and children they did not even know.

Why would fathers and young men willingly forfeit the only means of being saved, for the sake of women and children? Because they were motivated by a spirit foreign to much of modern society, a spirit of self-sacrifice, of the strong helping the weak, that is rooted in the Bible.

Chivalry is defined as “the noble qualities a knight was supposed to have, such as courage, honor, and readiness to help the weak and protect women.” The gallant men on board the Titanic demonstrated these qualities.

Today such a spirit has been squelched by the effort to bring equality to the relationship of the sexes in every dimension of life. The elements of society that proposed the so-called “Equal Rights Amendment” ultimately undermine the welfare of the weaker members. Thankfully, a sufficiently large minority of state legislatures rejected the ERA, after it was approved by Congress. But the same legislation has been reintroduced every year since 1982.

Scripture requires husbands to honor and protect their wives as the weaker sex. By extension, this principle applies to all of society, as illustrated by the sacrifice of men on the Titanic. Those who refuse to acknowledge the reality of more delicate members likewise destroy the basis for preferential treatment. In a world governed by the spirit of the ERA, it would be every man for himself, trampling the weaker in the struggle for self-preservation. A Christian spirit recognizes and protects the more vulnerable.

A Proverbial Paradox

2008-08-22T08:42:00.000-07:00

The book of Proverbs is one of the most intensely practical parts of Holy Scripture. Its wisdom has guided countless generations of individuals determined to live life God’s way. Addressing wide-ranging topics from child rearing to business ethics to the nature of true friendship, Proverbs provides direction that we all need.

Proverbs 28 contains a statement that is something of a conundrum: “How blessed is the man who fears always.” Now fear is not something most of us view in a positive way. Yes, we teach our children to fear hot stoves and the traffic whizzing by in front of the house. But for the most part, we emphasize courage, optimism, and confidence rather than fear. We suggest that heroes repress their fears and act with boldness and valor.

So how can the Bible extol the blessedness, or happiness, of one who fears all the time? The answer lies in the focus of that fear. The next phrase in Proverbs provides a telling contrast: “But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.” Fear that produces blessings is directed toward one’s own heart.

In contrast to the one who brazenly plunges ahead, ignoring the potential for evil inherent within, the blessed man constantly fears his own proclivity to sin. The Bible expresses this axiom elsewhere in other words: “Let him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall.” The one who is consciously aware of the possibility of falling is the one most likely to remain standing.

History is littered with fallen heroes, including some of the greatest saints of Scripture, who failed to take seriously their own weaknesses. As one observer expresses it, “Fear keeps the heart tender, and the soul safe.” Only those deluded with an overestimation of their own perfection fail to fear their potential to fall. No one is so grounded in saving grace that he is free to let down his guard.

Your Child or Your Dog?

2008-08-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, died as a martyr in the year 258 A.D. Among his writings is a sharp challenge to parents: “Pray, consider, he who minds his child’s body more than his soul is like one who, if his child and his dog were both drowning, was solicitous to save his dog and let his child perish in the water.”

Now even the most ardent animal lover surely understands that given the choice between saving his child versus rescuing his dog, he must preserve the child. Parents can readily grasp the gravity of this choice and the obvious, right conclusion. Cyprian’s point, however, was to emphasize the critical importance of focusing on the welfare of the child’s soul.

Parents these days are bombarded with advice from all directions, urging them to provide a healthy diet for their children, a proper balance of exercise and leisure, intellectual stimulation, systematic immunizations, adequate shielding from the evils lurking in cyberspace, and opportunities to advance in sporting and social activities. Fulfilling such demands typically results in a hectic schedule that ultimately undermines concern for the spiritual welfare of children.

Despite the physical, academic, social, and athletic achievements that rise to such importance in life, the one dimension that will endure eternally is the state of the soul. Yet a survey of family activities demonstrates that frequently the welfare of children’s souls ranks near the bottom of the priority list.

17th-century minister Cotton Mather was equally poignant in his stern advice: “Man, are your children but the children of swine? If you disregard their souls, truly you call them so.”

Faithful parents must resist the din of 21st century distractions and focus upon the one concern that will ultimately count when this life comes to an end, the state of their child’s eternal soul. It is not possible to be truly love your child and neglect his spiritual welfare.

Religious Butterflies

2008-08-08T07:18:00.000-07:00

There are few scenes in nature with the colorful splendor of a monarch butterfly casually floating about a meadow of wildflowers in full bloom. We’re all familiar with the flying patterns of butterflies as they navigate the air, floating and touching down with abandon.

Rev. Tom Reese of Georgetown University compares people to butterflies: “Some people are like butterflies that go from flower to flower, going from religion to religion – and frankly they don’t get that deep into any of them.”

The growing pluralistic tolerance that is sweeping our country would seem to reinforce the butterfly analogy. A recent survey of 35,000 adults revealed some startling results. 70% of Americans with a religious affiliation believe that many religions can led to eternal life. Among this group are 57% of evangelical Christians who agree with this pluralistic assessment despite the clear teachings of their faith to the contrary. Perhaps even more surprising is the finding that 21% of self-identified atheists admit they actually believe in God or a universal spirit.

Such statistics lead Prof. D. Michael Lindsay of Rice University to conclude that “religion in America is, indeed, 3,000 miles wide and only three inches deep.”

Some observes praise these findings as indicating “increased religious security” causing people to be more comfortable with other faith traditions. A more realistic assessment, however, reveals that such open-mindedness grows out of a basic ignorance of the teachings’ of one’s faith.

No Christian who takes the Bible seriously can conclude that there are many ways to find peace with God. Jesus unambiguously declared an exclusive message: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Distorting those words to conclude that Jesus is simply one of many ways to find eternal life does irreparable damage to the integrity of Jesus’ message. Such a perspective is not open-minded Christianity; it is not Christianity at all.

Purifying Your Heart

2008-07-31T11:50:00.000-07:00

In her book, Spirituality for Dummies, Sharon Janis writes that one’s spiritual journey can be summed up in two phrases, “Purify your heart; follow your heart.” She suggests that exercises like prayer, meditation, yoga, contemplation, scriptural study, and various devotional rituals enable one to purify his/her heart and then follow the guidance of that pure heart.

While Janis’ formula may represent the thinking of many of the world’s religions, it runs strongly counter to the Christian view found in the Bible. Numerous biblical texts warn against the pitfall of “following your heart” because it is infected with sin and by nature will rebel against the holy standards of our Creator God. For example, Proverbs 14:12 declares, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”

Psalm 14 presents a rather bleak picture of the human heart: “The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside; they have together become corrupt.” No, the human heart is so filled with pride and selfishness that only God Himself can cleanse it.

To all those who come to God in repentance and humility, seeking forgiveness, He offers these promises: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow”; “For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”; “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Janis suggests we should follow our hearts because “dogma can muddy the waters of a spiritual path.” The truth is, the dogma of the Bible represents the only path to a purified heart and peace with God. You know the innate corruption in your own heart. Self-renovation doesn’t work; the grace of God through Jesus Christ is our only hope.

Is God Blessing America?

2008-06-11T11:12:00.000-07:00

Lovers of freedom are calling for Americans to rise up and declare “Enough!” to those misguided bureaucrats bent on relieving us of our liberties bit-by-bit. The effort on the left coast to ban bonfires on beaches in Washington State in the name of global warming is simply the most recent example.

Now I value my civil freedom as much as anyone, and I share in the disdain leveled at these wrong-headed efforts to “protect” the environment. But there are more ominous signs of trouble ahead for America that transcend merely the loss of civil liberties. I’m referring to evidence that God’s hand of blessing has been removed from our land.

Patriotic Americans love to sing, “God Bless America.” But is God doing so? What factors indicate His treatment of our nation? Tracing the history of God’s dealings with people in Scripture reveal an unmistakable pattern: when He chooses to respond with favor and blessing, nations revel in spiritual and material prosperity on many levels. The synopsis of 1 Kings 4:25 is representative: “And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, each man under his vine and his fig tree.” Ezra expresses a basic spiritual axiom, “The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him” (Ezra 8:22).

Now, I’m not suggesting that God never ordains times of adversity and trial to demonstrate the vitality of those who trust Him. Indeed, Scripture declares such times are to be expected, both as a witness to the world and as a means of steeling our resolve to endure. Job is the classic example of such reality. However, such faith-testing circumstances do not void God’s promises to His people. Over the long haul, God’s hand of blessing will be seen—just as it was earlier in our nation’s history. America’s Providential History chronicles some of these evidences.

Today our nation faces a myriad of troubles that cumulatively threaten our very existence. The daily news is filled with reports on the declining dollar, the housing slump, the return of inflationary pressures, sky-rocketing fuel prices, the abusive tactics of an ever-lengthening arm of government power, and a pervasive secularization that seeks to divorce life from the reality of God and His absolutes.

Such factors seem to be part of a pattern that I have observed for years. Frequently, when I read the latest news, the thought crosses my mind: here is further evidence of God’s judgment upon America. I cannot remember the last time a news story impressed me as evidence of God’s blessing upon our land.

Scripture reveals how God deals with nations that defy Him. He utilizes negative developments as occasions to further pour forth His judgment in greater measure, creating a downward spiral into oblivion. He used Rehoboam’s foolish actions as a means of permanently dividing the kingdom of Israel, in fulfillment of His promise of judgment for Solomon’s apostasy (1 Kings 11-12). He utilized Amaziah’s ill-conceived challenge to Joash as an occasion to punish the nation for her idolatry (2 Chronicles 25). And, more famously, the Lord chose the occasion of David’s decision to number the people as a reason for moving against the sin of the nation (2 Samuel 24).

Today, numerous developments in our land are crying out for God’s judgment: the unchecked abortion holocaust, rampant divorce, the increasing acceptance of homosexuality, and a general disregard for the merits of God’s claims upon human life. Witness the national ignoring of the Sabbath Day, once culturally observed by nearly everyone, even the non-religious; now even many Christians treat the day as little different than the other six.

The bottom line is that God has more than enough bases for pouring forth His unbridled fury upon the American nation. How should Christians respond? The precepts of 2 Chronicles 7 provide the answer. God declared to Solomon that when His blessing is withheld due to the sin of the people (verse 13) they should respond in humble confession, repentance, and seek the face of God (verse 14).

The Christian church in America has been so influenced by the world that she is largely marginalized in the battle for the soul of the nation. We have become so consumed with our own comforts, described by Francis Schaeffer as “personal peace and affluence” to the degree that we have failed to respond in the spirit of 2 Chronicles 7. We are overwhelmed by a spiritual lethargy that cries out for the chastening of the Lord.

May God revive His church in this land, restoring to believers the fiery resolve of our pilgrim forefathers who risked everything for the opportunity to live and worship in freedom. I exhort you to pray to that end.

Hallowing the Name

2008-06-10T08:52:00.000-07:00

On the morning of January 8, 1697, a young Scotsman named Thomas Aikenhead took the long walk from Tolbooth prison to the gallows where he was hanged, having been tried and convicted under two different statues of Scottish Law. His crime? Blasphemy.

Aikenhead was the last man sentenced to death for blasphemy in Scotland. In the U.S. today, his actions would be championed as an exercise in free speech. The ACLU would likely defend his right to express blasphemy publicly and freely. Things do change in 300 years!

Familiar to many readers, the first petition in the Lord’s Prayer is that God’s name would be treated with due reverence: “Hallowed be your name.” The third of the Ten Commandments states, “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.”

God notes those who dishonor and defame His name in a careless, flippant, or vulgar manner. Such will not be left unpunished. The blasphemous use of the names of God and Jesus Christ is commonplace in our society. The speech of too many, even of some professing Christians, is punctuated with euphemisms such as “gosh,” “jeez,” and “gee.” The mindless use of such terminology is an irreverent slap in the face of Almighty God.

Instead of being a verbal means of expressing surprise, irritation, or anger, the name of God should be treated with the highest respect. Psalm 29:2 declares, “Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”

When God’s name and reputation are treated in a demeaning, trivializing way, it is a grave offense. And with that offense come definite consequences. As long as our nation tolerates open blasphemy we can expect to be under the hand of the judgment of God.

Brilliance or Foolishness?

2008-05-14T11:23:00.000-07:00

Named by Time Magazine as “Man of the Century,” one of the most celebrated Americans of the 20th century was in the news again recently. Although he passed from this world in 1955, Albert Einstein left a legacy as one of the greatest scientists of all time.

World famous for developing his theories of special and general relativity, he would go on to win the Nobel Prize. Despite his brilliant advances in science, however, Einstein himself was not happy with the implications of his conclusions.

In 1916 Einstein realized that if his theory of general relativity were true, it would mean that the universe was not eternal; it would have had a beginning—a fact which he later called, “irritating.” His world view called for an eternal universe that existed apart from divine intervention.

In an effort to alleviate this disconcerting problem, he tried to modify his theory to avoid an absolute beginning. His efforts failed, however, when in 1919 another cosmologist performed an experiment that confirmed conclusively that his original theory of general relativity was indeed correct. This second scientist, Arthur Eddington, was no happier than Einstein: “Philosophically, the notion of a beginning of the present order of nature is repugnant to me. . . . I should like to find a genuine loophole.”

This week a letter written by Einstein in 1954 is to be auctioned in London. In the letter he declared, “The word of God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish.”

It is said that there is a fine line between genius and idiocy. The Bible affirms, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” We still benefit from the brilliance of Albert Einstein; it is a sad fact of history that he failed to appreciate the implications of his own research.

Lessons from a Rambunctious Chick

2008-05-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

A new experience for our family is caring for 20 baby chicks, currently about ten days old. Utilizing advice from the experts, we constructed a circular, cardboard wall twelve-inches high to create an environment where the chicks can eat, drink, sleep, and be warmed by the heat lamp. Without the wall, the young birds might wonder off and die, unable to find their way back to the comfort and security of the heat lamp.

Yesterday morning I found that one of the chicks, as a result of rambunctious activity, had managed to get over the wall, finding itself cut off from the life-sustaining heat, water, and food. On the coldest day of its young life, the bird would have perished had I not discovered its predicament.

That experience reminded me of the role of the Law of God in the lives of humans. Knowing how we can best thrive and prosper in this world, God has revealed standards by which we should live. Frequently, however, we regard these laws as too confining, unnecessarily restrictive, and just plain burdensome.

We mistakenly think that bliss is to be found outside the “circle” of God’s Law. The reality is, however, that all who violate God’s standards will perish. In biblical language, “the wages of sin is death.”

The message of the Gospel is that God has extended His hand to save us in the person of His son, Jesus Christ. He bore our guilt when He died on the cross. For all who recognize their peril, turn from their disobedient ways, and trust the Savior, their sins are forgiven.

The chick I rescued didn’t welcome my assistance. It tried to escape my saving hand, oblivious to its perilous situation. Many humans likewise reject God’s offer of salvation, preferring instead their sin-dominated lifestyles. The Apostle Paul’s reply to a terrified prison warden still applies: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household.”

The Birth of a Blog

2008-04-30T12:50:00.000-07:00

Posts to this blog represent the musings of a pastor residing in Pigeon Cove, in the heart of the rural countryside of south central Pennsylvania. The perspective is informed by a Reformed understanding of the Bible that interacts with life in the 21st century. Experiences in caring for a family of six children, and now a flock of chickens, and ministering God’s Word to the spiritual needs of people, provide a crucible in which to test and apply the precepts of Scripture. Life must be lived in light of eternity. God’s laws cannot be disregarded without serious consequences. We who have seen the light are required to reflect it to others. Hence the inception of this blog.