|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| The world is pushing back |
|
| |
(Part 2 in a series)
Because we live in a global market with a view toward global issues and ideas we are influenced by the rest of the world whether we realize it or not. The toys we buy are largely all made in China. Once, the “made in Japan” label was a joke and the “made in China” label followed suit. No longer! Many fine products are coming from “over there.” Some are not so fine but if you look closely at the labels on the clothing, electronics and hardware you buy, it’s made somewhere else. We complain about the high price of gasoline and the falling dollar. Both are signs that we are not the dominant power anymore. If all of a sudden there were 30 million more cars on the road, each with a hungry gas tank, fuel would get harder to find and the price would go up as demand goes up. That’s exactly what’s happened in India, China and Middle and Southeast Asia. As Europe and the America have been trying to reduce fuel consumption, prosperity is allowing more people to purchase and operate cars than ever before. It’s simple economics – not some devious plan. We see influences of Asia and Africa culture being imbedded into American society. Part of that is due to immigration and the “E Pluribus Unum” (out of many, one) concept that is America. We tend to assimilate other thought and make them our own. Many of those thoughts are good and it expands our horizons. I like tacos and I’m not Mexican. Orange Chicken is my favorite oriental dish with sushi coming in a close second. Ethiopian pulled meat is about as good barbeque as you can get. But let’s not forget about classical music! The sweet child of Europe is now being spread throughout Venezuela and its’ children faster than pencils at exam time. But the grounded faith and moral standing of these countries is not necessarily Christian. Therefore, we do not see Christian messages in what is coming to us. In many of these places Christianity is tolerated. In some it is revered. In a few it is suppressed. Should we expect the messages to be Christina in nature then when we see the world stage and its players? And if this all seems like a reflection of the way America is beginning to look, is it any wonder? The transition from European power to American power took the same vein. Europe stayed the same and America grew. Well look who’s growing now! When the rules change, what does the Church do?
(to be continued) |
|
| To leave a comment or start your own blog: |
 |
or |
 |
Already a member? Login |
|
|
|
|
Joey |
 |
May 20, 2008 at 10:45am |
|
| Shouldn't we do what Jesus called us to do? |
|
|
Joey |
|
May 20, 2008 at 10:46am |
|
| He never said it would be easy. No |
|
|
That's good analysis. The message never changes...one thing is for sure is that the church is in need of a paradiem shift.
Good to see you back Gene. |
|
|
Throughout history there has usually been one country or two who police the world. America assumed that mantal for the last two centuries. However, as you said, things are changing. Is this signs of future judgment. I believe that it might be. James Robison gave what he believes to be a Wor from the Lord regarding the church in America.
http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=12988&PN=1
Several well known leaders have confirmed their belief regarding the validity of this world.
WHAT LEADERS ARE SAYING: “When one uses the term prophetic, it is a ‘high risk’ word. But what I have read here from James Robison’s pen has all the marks of a prophetic voice. The risk we take is in not heeding it.” — Ravi Zacharias “James, with this wise, sensitive and piercing ‘word,’ you have sounded a trumpet call to repentance without sounding melodramatic. Sobering concern is registered, but hope is still offered. This isn’t an ordinary word: It is without redundancy and packed with pungency. Speak it, print it, spread it.” — Dr. Jack Hayford “Finally, my friend James tells it like it is. When we are in the exalting business, we force God to be in the humbling business. There is still time to return to God in humility, but time is short.” — Dr. Tony Evans “James Robison is sharing a message every Christian in America needs to consider. I believe this message is a prophetic word which can encourage real revival and help to preserve our future as a nation under God. Read it and reap.” — Dr. Jack Graham
|
|
|
| I wonder where this is headed? |
|
|
| Looking forward to Part 3 Gene! |
|
|
Steve |
|
May 20, 2008 at 5:39pm |
|
The message and mission of the church does not change with the political climate. We are to be like our Lord and "seek and save that which is lost". America is no more the moral compass for the world than the Jews are the chosen of God. A Christian's job is: 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. We must be "strong and of good courage" and "obey God rather than men". |
|
|
Grant |
|
May 20, 2008 at 6:50pm |
|
| American Christianity is a two-fold situation, a blessing and a curse. It is the embodiment of religious freedom and religious heresy. European Christianity has for too long been the picture of heavy handed oppression and abuse, so I welcome the freedom. On the other hand, with freedom comes the responsibility of each and every Christian to really know their own Bibles and grow in discernment as to what is truth and what is just plain wacko. Long live free Protestant Christianity! |
|
|
Gene |
|
May 21, 2008 at 5:13am |
|
Joey, you're so right - we shoudl do what Jesus wants us to do. The problem is that over the last 2000 years the church has come up with different answers to that question and each power has pushed that interpretation in their own way.
Thanks for the link, PT. I first heard that message from Derek Prince in 1980. The internal mechanisms of America will strongly affect its behaviour and the church's message.
Steve, I respectfully disagree. While the mission of the church as originally given by Jesus has not changed the message has changed quite a bit over the past 200 years. It's moved from passivity, to violence; from comfort to calamity; and from peace to war. How will we communicate that message in the future?
Grant, always a pleasure to heard your wisdom, my friend. You pose a perfect segue to the next posting. Stay tuned. |
|
|
Orange chicken, woohoo!
Should we expect the messages (from other nations around the world) to be Christian in nature then when we see the world stage and its players? Nope. The world is still the world. There is no Christian world and secular world. Neither are there any Christian nations. Yes, the US was founded by men who were for the most part Christian, but they were very intentional about not establishing a theocracy in America. It is a mistake many believers continue to make when they cry, take back America for God! God isn't interested in turf wars, but hearts. If we faithfully give him ours, that is the way God has chosen to spread the kingdom of heaven on earth. Thought provoking yet again Gene, thanks! |
|
|
Glenn |
|
May 21, 2008 at 6:06am |
|
Gene, you are bringing us some great analysis and I can't wait to see where you go with the next installment. However at this point I must agree with Mike, seems I do that a lot, but we as a nation, are no more Christian than any other nation. I for one am glad that our forefathers set up a nation that gives freedom to determine what the individual believes. I would not want to live under a theocracy, where the ruling party determined what God was saying to every individual. I shutter when I think about the totalitarian rule we see in Iran or Afghanistan and believe the Church needs to move through individuals from heart to heart as we share God's love with our neighbor.
peace |
|
|
Ed |
|
May 21, 2008 at 7:11am |
|
This is a prime example of how America is fast becoming a secular society. And we all know what happened to Rome when they all become into themselves.
At The Bridge, an innovative ministry proposal for our church, we have adapted the goal statement: "Same Message, Different Methods". We must change the way we do things if we are expected to reach this (and future) generations with the Word of Christ. |
|
|
Gene |
|
May 21, 2008 at 10:25am |
|
Mike, Glenn, I agree with you in principle. The point I'm making is that the ideals behind what is being done are based on christian principles. European nations had enforced natinoal religion. Early on in the American experiment, the inclusion of those Christian ideals was overt. There's no other way to get "In God We Trust" as a national motto. In the latter years as the Christian influence has dropped in America so has the ability to openly acknowledge religion and Christian ideals. I doubt we'd ever be able to adopt such language in today's culture.
Edmund Burke (English Statesman) said it clearly in that "the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." If by "good men" we assume Christian values, America has been doing its share of spreading that gospel. The world is still the world - that's true but don't be confusing the scriptural context of "the world" with the political one I'm trying to address. Outside of America, the attitudes toward Christianity vary greatly.
Ed, America was always identified as a secular society. It's only lately that the Christian underpinnings have been pushed back - largely due to the fact that the Christian majority of the past was as much social as religious. And THAT is due in large part to the multi-cultural nature that is America. We are seeing a microcosm of the total global identity. Whereas we were largely European and African in ancestry, America now includes diversifiacation that includes representation from vastly different parts of the globe. America is becoming more global and that is what is changing its dynamic.
. . . time for the next posting. |
|
|
| Enlightening...going on to Part 3. |
|
|
Megan |
|
May 21, 2008 at 2:49pm |
|
| Enlighting like Lara said and going to the 3rd part. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subscribe to this blog
back to top
