The end of eight long years of secular, godless, humanism would make any righteousness, loving Christian do a happy dance. No one was happier than me to see the Obamas (and then the Clintons) ushered off the civic government stage. There were no tears saying good-bye to the perpetrators of the rainbow tyranny and the slaughter of innocents. One might assume that with that introduction that I am a rabid Trump supporter, however, as many of my friends and readers are aware, I was not convinced that Donald Trump was the answer or the election strategy. I will stipulate and say that since his election he has done some things for which I can cheer, other things for which I am puzzled, and a couple of things which are clearly unscriptural. I will watch him carefully and analyze his presidency according to the Scriptures and not the zeal of party partisanship. You may ask, “Why the hesitancy? When so many evangelicals are giddy with their praises and adoration over the President, why would you be cautious?”
The answer is amazingly simple…
Donald Trump and the GOP have no intention of advancing a biblical (Christian) worldview. They will use us for the advancement of some populist and conservative policies of which some will undoubtedly please us, but their agenda is not God’s agenda and their priorities are not God’s priorities. In fact, while we shed no tears in watching the last eight years end, it does not begin to address the last 100 years of humanist incrementalism which has entrenched itself in every institution and arena of influence. We can sing jubilantly (as we watch Hillary fade into the sunset), “Ding-dong the witch is dead”, but the curse on our land still exists. The pursuit of American greatness that we heard as the campaign mantra is not defined as God defines it in Deuteronomy 28:1-14. The blessing of the Lord is connected to obedience to His commands. This administration, however, defines greatness as “ejecting from bad deals and negotiating good deals” that we might become economically superior once again. Trump’s definition of greatness is rooted in mammon, not obedience. His speech to a joint session of congress (2/28/2017), while checking off many conservative boxes, should be of some concern to Christians as there was no reference to religious liberty in the market place or the national sin of abortion. These things were conspicuously absent. God’s pleasure with a nation always included the tearing down of the “high places” (child sacrifice) and the refusal to facilitate abominations. That declaration needs to be made as well as our economic concerns.
My point actually isn’t to critique Donald Trump. That serves no useful purpose at this moment. In fact, I wrote pointedly on my last blog post that the hyper-analyzing and criticizing of civic government is becoming pointless and futile as we recognize that the kingdoms of this world will inevitably collapse and a Babylonian system will always fall under the weight of it’s sin and error. My point is to suggest that as Christians we need to stop the messianic-like adoration of presidents and parties and immediately develop a plan and a strategy for recovering and rebuilding a Christian nation. Whether you voted for Trump or not; whether you are a card carrying republican or not; if you claim Christ as Savior and Lord of ALL then it’s time to design some plans to advance our concerns and principles forward. It is the time to break out of the current political paradigms and consider a new and biblical way of participating in restoring a nation to God’s design. We cannot assume that the inevitable collapse of humanism automatically signals the return of Jesus. Things may fall apart and the Lord may indeed say to His Church, “You clean it up and rebuild it”. (Isaiah 58:12; 61:4)
In the coming weeks I am posting ten (10) blog articles suggesting where we need to start and what we should be doing to advance the Will of God in our nation and communities. I am not suggesting that these steps are the only ones or an exhaustive list. I refuse to let the impossible goal of utopia deter me from the pursuit of legitimate transformation of the culture. The titles might change slightly as we move along, but the ten foundational concepts for rebuilding a Christian civilization will be:
1. Painting a Vision for the Future
2. Developing Long Term Mentality
3. Finding and Raising Biblical Worldview Leadership
4. Preparing for Pain (Endurance)
5. Courage to Press the Vision Forward (Boldness/Fearless)
6. Standing on Principle not Pragmatism
7. Confronting a Culture with Truth
8. Training the Next Generation
9. The Priority of Revival (And it’s fruit)
10. Uniting Bible-Believing Churches and Christians
I want to remind the reader that there is no such thing as neutral when it comes to the ideology and worldview of a culture or country. There are no “ethical-free” zones where any philosophy can exist. Some worldview will ultimately prevail in a nation. I am advocating that the best one is what has been defined as a Judeo-Christian ethos for both the believer and the non-believer. It provides the greatest opportunities for liberty and prosperity which honors God and blesses the people. My hope is that you will take the time to read the posts and hopefully pass them along. My take is that we, as the Church, are at a providential time where something significant and dramatic can take place with regards to righteous change. Hopefully, you will jump on the wagon and take a journey that will return this nation to its Christian roots.
Michael J. Young Sr.
March 6, 2017 at 4:03 pmI am reading with eager anticipation.
As much as I have read, to this point, I completely agree on this matter. I am encouraged and will share these posts. Thank you for your courage and faithfulness to Him.
It is more than Interesting, to me, when considering: (taken from Wikipedia on Nehemiah)
“In the 20th year of Artaxerxes, king of Persia, (445/444 BC), Nehemiah, cup-bearer to the king, learning that the remnant in Judah were in distress and that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, he asked the king for permission to return and rebuild the city.
“Artaxerxes sent him to Judah as governor of the province with a mission to rebuild, letters explaining his support for the venture, and provision for timber from the king’s forest. Once there, Nehemiah defied the opposition of Judah’s enemies on all sides—Samaritans, Ammonites, Arabs and Philistines—and rebuilt the walls within 52 days, from the Sheep Gate in the North, the Hananeel Tower at the North West corner, the Fish Gate in the West, the Furnaces Tower at the Temple Mount’s South West corner, the Dung Gate in the South, the East Gate and the gate beneath the Golden Gate in the East.
“He then took measures to repopulate the city and purify the Jewish community, enforcing the cancellation of debt, assisting Ezra to promulgate the law of Moses, and enforcing the divorce of Jewish men from their non-Jewish wives. Gustave Doré, Nehemiah Views the Ruins of Jerusalem’s Walls, 1866.
“After 12 years as governor, during which he ruled with justice and righteousness, he returned to the king in Susa. After some time in Susa he returned to Jerusalem, only to find that the people had fallen back into their evil ways. Non-Jews were permitted to conduct business inside Jerusalem on the Sabbath and to keep rooms in the Temple. Greatly angered, he purified the Temple and the priests and Levites and enforced the observance of the law of Moses.”
Generally, the Jewish people had all but forgotten ‘the ways of their Fathers’ and it took Nehemiah, a Prophet of God to advance steps to “recover and rebuild” a Jewish Nation. (Very much like you propose in your post.)
The “ten foundational concepts for rebuilding a Christian civilization” is a big, brave, bold, if not impossible, human undertaking. I am praying for you and I am praying for this effort.
(On a personal level: I am considered ‘retired’. I am also ‘old news’. But, the Call of God is strong on my heart and mind. I want nothing more than an engagement with God in His Cause – in this type of effort. I would pray I might be eligible in some capacity. I will watch for suggestions)
Finally, I think I hear and see an approach different from ones such as Dr. Del Tackett and The Truth Project, or Ken Ham. This seems to be one of direct engagement.
My wife and I are planning to visit your Church sometime mid-May as we travel from SW Florida to our summer home in Boone, NC.
I will continue to follow your posts. And, thank you.
Kevin Baird
March 6, 2017 at 9:24 pmThanks for stopping by and be sure you touch base on the date you stop in to see us so I can be sure to be there and not on the road. God bless!