Pastor’s Blog, September 2009

Progress digitizing Faith Assembly recorded sermons: through July 1997 complete, as well as January 2000 through February 2001, and October 2003 to the present.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Through Luke 15

3:45 p.m.

I submit the following blog humbly, but in fear and trembling. Please understand, it is not my desire to tear down or undermine anyone’s sincere cry for God to bring revival. But, we do need to open our eyes to see what is going on, and use some discernment.

Praying for Revival for America

Recently I have received a number of emails from Christians urging me to join them in a “movement” or “network” of prayer for revival, specifically for America. Now, I do not question that these people are very sincere in thinking revival is what is needed. I am sure many of you who have email have received similar emails.

I want to begin by saying how grateful I am that God ordained that the nation where I happen to live allows freedom for me to live as a Christian and worship and serve the Lord according to my conscience and convictions. However, I cannot say that this it is a complete freedom. While I am thankful for what I do have, the fact is, part of my belief system is that the Bible promises, and I receive, healing of my body without intervention by medical science in any form. In fact, there is increasing movement from government, in collusion with the medical science establishment, to deny me this right as a religious conviction. Hints of the possibility of being required by law to carry health insurance is, in my view, a violation of this religious freedom.

However, I must also say that, in light of the fact that the U.S. Constitution promises protection of religious freedom, I have never seriously considered this, which is a purely secular promise, to be a God-given right. The only right God has given us is that we can practice what we believe and be prepared to suffer persecution from the world, including the powers that be. Nevertheless, I’m glad for what I have.

And, I do believe that Christians should practice I Timothy 2:1–4.

{I Timothy 2:1–4} I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

This means faithfully to pray for the government and leaders, not only of the country I live in, but also for those of all nations around the world. So, I do believe and practice praying for this country and its leaders, among the powers that be all around the world.

Now, I also want to make it clear, I really don’t want to be harsh. But, there are some very serious issues involved with being asked to “pray for revival for America,” which need to be addressed. For example, the email requests I’ve been receiving do not allude to I Timothy 2:1–4. They are based on the assumption that this nation, as a nation, is fundamentally Christian. So, the appeal to pray for revival actually turns out to be an appeal for a certain direction of prayer, which conceals a political agenda, in hopes that, through prayer, this political agenda, above all, will be fulfilled. I want to examine the idea of prayer for revival in America in light of who is requesting it, what they assume about the nature of this nation, their concept of the nature of revival, and what they hope to achieve as a result of revival, if, indeed, revival should come!

Frankly, in these requests for revival, very little is said about specific things to pray about, other than “revival for America.” There’s an obvious underlying assumption that everyone has the same idea of what is meant by revival, which boils down to the nation “coming back to God,” whatever that means. But, we need to examine whether this is God’s call or man's call; is the revival they are seeking Scriptural, or is this really man hoping to accomplish a human political agenda?

1. First, notice that the call is to pray for revival for America.

Why revival for America? Why not revival for the church? Why not revival all over the world? The call for revival for one nation alone suggests that the nation as a whole is assumed to be Christian — as it were, officially. Thus, the call for prayer for revival for America implies that America is such a Christian nation with a Christian government; so, naturally, a Christian will support his government including praying for revival.

The irony here is that those calling for prayer for the nation are not even in support of the present leadership, but decidedly against it. This reveals the political motivation: it is hoped that, through revival in America, certain partisan political goals will be achieved.

2. Second, notice who is calling for prayer for revival for America.

It is politically right wing, evangelical Christians, who clearly believe in the union of church and state, but who oppose the present regime. Clearly included in this appeal for prayer is the idea that, if there is true revival, it will result in bringing down the Democrat party’s present control of the government (the Democrat party whom God ordained to virtually sweep the elections in the fall of 2008, regardless of any questions of misdoing). Of course, the assumption is that, if there were a revival, more Christians would get out and vote in the next election, and bring the Republican party back into power.

3. Third, notice that there is an obvious, underlying assumption that America is truly a Christian nation at heart.

Evangelical Christians literally rewrite history with their fantasies that this nation was established on Christian principles, by Christian “founding fathers.” In fact, the founding fathers were a mix of deists and humanists, along with a variety of Christian denominations of widely varying doctrines. References to God in the founding documents of this nation are all vague and general, primarily to invoke God and to justify the intention of the colonies to rebel against the mother country. The very rebellion involved in the founding of this nation was itself a compromising conflict of interest for invoking God’s name, because the mother country actually had Scripture on her side, where the rebelling colonies most assuredly did not! I refer to the very clear passage found in Romans 13:1–7.

{Romans 13:1-7} Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

There can be no doubt that the colonists completely disregarded God’s will expressed in this passage in their rebellion against England.

Another example of rewriting — in this case, rewriting Scripture — is the assertion in the Declaration of Independence that man is, “endowed by his creator [a vague appeal to any higher power anyone recognizes] with certain inalienable rights, ...life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Such an endowment, first of all, is not found in Scripture; but, even if it were there, it could not override the prohibition of rebellion of subjects against their God-ordained government, cited in the passage above.

No, this nation was not founded as a Christian nation, but as a secular movement of rebellion, which, as it formed a government, strictly pledged that it would not in any way restrict any practice of any religion, or every religion, or no religion. One thing was made abundantly clear in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution: the government may neither require nor restrict the exercise of any religious belief or practice. Therefore, in order for the government to guarantee freedom OF religion, government must itself be free FROM religion.

The government of the United States is sworn to guarantee exactly the same freedom of religion for atheists and Satanists, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Indian Shamanists, spiritualists, and every cult under the sun, along with every professing Christian group, from Catholics of every stripe, to Universalists and Unitarians, to Methodists, Brethren, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Baptists, Pentecostals and on and on, all alike. Far from being a Christian nation, this nation is a multi-religious mix composed of nearly every religion under the sun, where government maintains a neutral, secular position.

So, to pray for a revival related to the entity of this nation has no basis in Scripture, if only because this country clearly is not a Christian country. In fact, one principle alone should keep a true, Bible believing Christian from participating in such a “network,” or “movement,” based on its connection with such a secular government, which supports and upholds all religions, not just Christianity.

{II Corinthians 6:14–17} Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

If Christians truly want revival, the first thing they should do is carefully disassociate themselves from identification with such a confused mixture. These are mostly false religions, all trying to work together. So, it is inconceivable that their purpose is really for America to experience a revival — certainly not in the spiritual sense. In fact, what they are seeking is for this nation to be restored to a position of leadership in the world which, in the eyes of those asking for prayer for for revival, has been lost, due to the accession to power of their hated enemies, the Democrat party. It certainly has nothing to do with this nation leading the world in any sense of godliness or Christian standards.

Oh, I agree we need to pray for revival. But it is the Christians who live in this world of fantasy who need to be revived, to wake up to reality, to get right with God, and to be involved in winning the lost out of this depraved world into the Kingdom of God. As it is right now, the only direction this nation could lead the world is straight into perdition.

4. What then is hoped to be accomplished by praying for revival?

There is among politically conservative evangelicals the idea that it is critical for the United States to be the most powerful nation in the world. It is perceived as critical that America must run the world, based on the assumption that America is Christian; that is, that America being in charge is tantamount to God Himself running the world. And, as it is perceived by the conservative evangelicals who want us to pray for revival, the recent outcome of the election, resulting in a change of party in control of the government, was the worst thing that could happen to threaten this fantasy.

In fact, the idea of Christian America as God leading the world has never been more than religious fantasy. It is so far removed from reality as to raise serious doubts about the intellectual and spiritual depth of those who cherish it. It’s no wonder that evangelical Christians are desperate about praying for revival. Their fantasies are slipping away!

5. Why praying for revival for America as a nation is a lost cause.

This present, popular call for revival is doomed for several reasons.

• First, the fact that the call is for revival of the nation. Let me say, I’m not against revival. Revival surely is needed! But, it’s the church that needs revival. It’s the church that has failed to fulfill God’s purpose. Let alone the dream of America forever standing as the most powerful nation; the idea of America being Christian at all finds no support from Scripture. America, as I pointed out already, is as multi-religious as any nation could ever be. That alone puts revival of the nation as a whole out of the question.

In truth, the nation is fulfilling God’s purposes, because God deals with nations on an entirely different basis than He deals with His people, that is, the church. In Romans 13, it is clear that the powers that be are ordained by God to keep evil under control by use of the sword to enforce the laws enacted by human governments. The powers that be do not bring good to the nation through revival meetings! Their purpose is to express the wrath of God on evil and evildoers. And, they are doing a fair enough job of that.

• Second, it is clear that the motive and hope is for the revival to result in a change of which party is in power in government. That is the underlying motive and desire for this call for revival, but it just is not in line with the Word of God. Christians are called only to pray FOR their leaders, not to pray against them, nor to oppose them by any means.

• Third, praying for revival of the nation is a cop-out from facing the fact that the conservative, evangelical church as a whole is no longer a moral voice in this decadent multi-religious nation. Even as the prophets of old pointed out that pagan nations around Israel showed more religious consistency than Israel, likewise, a case might be made that other religions show greater consistency in their practices than many Christians do in the Christian faith; in actually living out their Christianity.

What hypocrisy that Christians will mock Moslem women who dress in their modest, fully covered, Moslem costume, while so-called Christian women strut around in tight jeans, gaping tops, string bikinis, and every other kind of revolting, immodest clothing.

Or, when the Russians show more openly their commitment to the church, blessing those whom they launch on their space missions, than the Americans do, simply because our wonderful first amendment essentially forbids any government institution to practice (which is perceived as a form of establishing) any kind of religious activity!

In a ceremony connected with preparations for the recent launch, a Russian Orthodox religious leader even alluded back that time, many years ago, when a Russian cosmonaut said he went into space and did not see God; shortly thereafter, an American on a space mission admitted he didn’t see God, but he sensed His presence. The Russian Orthodox priest told the current group they would not see God in space, but God would be there. I cannot recall the exact words — but, where is America in all this? Which nation is closer to at least appearing to be a Christian nation?

Are Christians looked up to for spiritual and moral direction in this world, or, for that matter, in this country, even that much? In contrast, the church in America jumps in and endorses every new, popular thing that comes along, regardless of its spiritual or moral meaning.

Oh, the outcry against gay rights sounds good. But, then you hear, again and again, where Christian leaders have been caught for the same things, including sodomy and the molestation of children, and they get a slap on the wrist, and carry on in their ministries. How can Christianity expect to be taken seriously as a moral voice any more?

Protesting abortion may be fine. But most Christians practice birth control, which in a significant number of cases involves auto-abortion. Many professing Christian doctors are willing to perform abortions in certain situations, and others perform abortions freely. And, of course, a doctor can lose his license just for refusing to perform an abortion; so, do we really expect a Christian doctor to risk losing his license? It rather blunts the whole evangelical outcry against abortion.

But, the problems of gay rights and abortion are not everything; not even necessarily the worst problems in America, or in the church! Being the strongest military power is certainly not a Christian virtue, nor is use of military power to depose political regimes in other sovereign nations. Certainly, it is a common secular role of government; but it can never be supported from the Christian Bible. Is it any wonder the Arabs hate America?

Nor should Christians talk about moral bankruptcy in this nation as long as they are openly embracing and enjoying all the same things everyone else accepts and practices. Is it a question in any serious Christian’s mind that Hollywood entertainment, is based on moral decadence, without exception? That the music industry is founded on a sensual appeal, both in the music and in the lyrics, from country music, to heavy rock, right on down to classical music, especially involving the sexually explicit, so-called art of ballet?

How can Christians have a moral voice when they embrace and enjoy sports, which every day openly demonstrates greater and greater moral decadence: steroids; gambling; cheating; dirty play; and the open and unapologetic wickedness of the personal lives of the sports figures? Or did I mention the supporters, whose products are advertised in the television commercials, whose signs appear in stadiums, or whose names are painted on the racing cars, just to mention a few examples? But, the church accepts all of these: the Hollywood entertainment, the worldly music, and the sports, and all, without question.

Just recently I read about a kick boxer who was pretty busy, but he found time for his workouts: Sunday afternoons after church! How can I take seriously a call for revival for America, from people that obviously no longer have any moral discernment or voice?

Revival means God granting grace for us to return to Him with our whole hearts when we have grown careless. Revival is something that committed disciples of Jesus should not even need. If we do, it only means that we have seriously fallen away, and the New Testament is not very encouraging at all for those who fall away. Those who fall away generally do not even care enough to seek revival as a need for themselves.

Above all, if revival does come, it is God’s grace and mercy on His people, not the result of His people working something up. Should we pray for revival? As a general principle, I do not see that in Scripture. We should pray for the lost to hear the gospel.

Revival — think in English, to revive — as if someone has stopped breathing — or, someone who was alive, but has grown weak. Revival is the idea of God's people being brought back if they have grown careless — but generally they don’t even see the need.

So, revival must necessarily start with God moving; it doesn't come as a result of man asking God to move — by the time they can ask, God must have already begun to move. This is entirely different from a request to join together with — no one knows who all — to pray for a revival for — no one knows what may be the real, underlying motive or purpose.

America does not need revival. A nation is not a spiritual entity. But, certainly, most of the people in America need to get saved. And, if we are going to pray for that, then we ourselves must show enough moral light that the lost can even see we are different. If the lost cannot distinguish us from the ungodly around us, it may really be that we are the ones who need revival.

Revival... or salvation... in either case, it has to begin with God.

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