Phil Cooke

Quote: "What happens to the perception of Christianity in other countries when we tie it to America? They simply assume that Christianity means the same thing as rabid consumerism, wealth, pornography, and all the other negative things they see coming out of this country. How does that help our missions efforts?"

That's an interesting question. And it points out a strange paradox.

On one hand, since I live in America, I am ipso facto despised. Understandably though, for America is associated with Hegemonism, gun-happy military adventurism, global corporationist greed and exploitation, environmental destruction, and a host of other nasty things too many to enumerate here (not to mention Geo. Dubya Bush).

On the other hand, I write the checks that help fund through my church things like a missionary doctor and his family who live on a hospital ship that travels up and down the coast of Africa providing medical care. And then there is an orphanage and school in South Africa, we help to support. And this is just a partial list.

So, on one hand, people overseas hate me but on the other they love the money I send overseas. It's kind of like being a devil and an angel both at the same time.

I don't want to complain too much, but sometimes I feel very ambivalent, being in this predicament. But I guess it's a tad better for me if people overseas would disassociated Xnty from America.

Phil,

This is a very interesting entry to me, as I am one of the higher ranked reviewers at Amazon.com and participate in a Discussion Board with other reviewers in which some of these themes are often discussed, often in the light of the current atheist "resurgance" represented by authors such as Dawkins, Dennet and Harris.  I think much of their rise in popularity can in part be attributed as a reaction to the Christian political activism you note.

As one who was raised as an evangelical Christian in Christian Schools and Universities, I came out as a young man very much in line with the "evangelical party line" the views the US as a Christian Nation and by which much of the predominant political activism of the past few decades has been raised.

It is a very controversial field of study to be sure but after being beat about the head and shoulders for years by those who challenged my learned platitudes and arsenal of quotes to prove the point I was trained to accept, I finally got frustrated enough to do something radical.  I put aside the secondary sources and started reading the original writings of the founders including their correspondence and I came to learn that while as much clouding amd distortion goes on in the other direction, much of what I learned and taught was not wholly accurate.

There's no question that the heritage of this nation is primarily Christian, although that definition of "Chritian" is much broader then simple trinitarian evangelicalism.

That said, I believe today's Christian Political activism is not particularly well examined.  As I look at it, a great deal of it ties into Post-Millenialism where the idea is that the Church will create a golden age that will usher in the return of Christ.  What is ironic to me is that most of the Evangelical Christians who have been drawn into the current activism are pre-millenial and doctrinally are of a mind that the world and its systems are going to decline and it is Christ who by his return will establish his Kingdom on Earth, not the Church.  Yet, there is more emphasis put into obtaining political power rather than evangelism and reaching people's hearts.

I think this is a very important issue and that the Church is entering a time of examination as to the fruits of primary allegience with one political party.   

My opinion lines up with the "founded by primarily Christian views, but not currently a Christian nation."

I might not be able to wax eloquently on this subject (ok, so I ain't all the eloquent ever) but I think that it is a different issue in my mind than what is being tossed around here.  I feel like a broken record, but again, let's talk about balance.  If we are called into the world then we are just that.  We should affect every part of the world that we are part of. 

I believe that NOT being a part of government is wrong.  There are very important issues that are being determined every day (well maybe it happens a lot slower than every day) that increasingly are showing that the heart of this country is losing touch with the heart of God.  Simple "moral" issues that the Bible is quite clear on, are being turned from black and white to grey before our eyes.  We as a church are sitting by and watching it happen.  They are removing Biblical establishments from our government buildings even though it is history… just because these items are found to be "church".

God does judge nations.  He always has.  If the heart of this nation continues in the way it is going, and it will without active participation of the church, then judgement is going to be here sooner than later – especially with the exposure that this nation has had of late.

Certainly I can agree that the heart of the nation will follow the heart of the individuals in the nation, so the Truth must be known to the individuals.

However, in this day and age of media – through internet, electronic communications, and transportation - it is also very easy for a minority to APPEAR to be a majority.  With such power, influence is made in our government.  Extreme liberal adgendas are being pushed, and pushed hard by minority interests.  Without opposing voice and lobbying, our nations leaders are going to grease the squeeky wheels. 

There is definitely a balance between whether to be politically active or to be spiritually active, I think it is our duty as Christians in this nation to be both.

2 Chronicles 7 (King James Version)

 14If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (we lack humilty, prayer and a seeking of God's Face in this country. we would rather seek prosperity and comfort than the face of God…therefore we will lose Prosperity and God's Face will be hidden lest we repent)

Psalm 11 (King James Version)

3If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Answer: Fall. until the foundations of this nation are returned and rebuilt no political revolution – either by Republicans or Democrats will prevail)

Proverbs 14 (King James Version)

34Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. (we have a Government, and even many in the Church that are calling Sin "Right" and right "Sin"…but God has never changed his opinion about Sin or Righteousness)

1 Timothy 2 (King James Version)

1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

 3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

 4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Truth cannot prevail when Lies permeate the land…and the Church therefore – though many have learned about the blessing of God, they know nothing about his character and the truth of his Word!

I love my Country, and I love my people…but unless there is a returning to God and his word we will surely Fall!

Pray for America!

-Minister Mason