No matter the traditional report that Presidents give and its opening remarks about how strong our Union is as a nation, the sad reality is that we are deeply divided, and that division is growing deeper all the time. Our nation is financially strong, but beginning to teeter on the edge of instability and collapse. Our nation is politically weakened by the growing schism between Liberals and Conservatives (and now, thanks to the Harriet Miers nomination, there is a growing schism among conservatives as well). Our nation is morally divided among religious lines - those who hold to a form of Christian faith and those who do not.
It is this last division that most concerns me (of course - I'm a pastor). But it concerns me because faith issues are at the heart of our nation's formation. It is on that point alone that all other things stand or fall. It is the first in the bill of rights (congress shall pass no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion). It is this issue that is at the root of all Liberal attacks - trying to remove any vestige of Christian faith and expression from the public square (in stark opposition to the first item on the bill of rights).
I, for one, love my country. I love our constitution. I love our system of government. I love my protected freedoms (though I'm not so sure they are protected anymore). I love this beautiful countryside, our diversity of racial makeup, and our leadership on the world stage.
Our nation is a strong nation in terms of resources - human, physical, and natural. But we are rotting from within, and that breaks my heart. Like a mighty, two hundred year-old oak tree, standing majestically over a beautifully landscaped yard - but rotten to the core. That rotten tree will come down - and it will be sudden and unexpectedly when it does. Who knows the damage that it will create on the way down. We have within our borders those who have risen to the top of the government systems who neither love my country, my constitution, my system of government, nor my freedoms. They are eating away, bit by bit, at the heart of this lovely Oak Tree called the United States of America. Like the Oak Tree that is rotten at the core, it is not the weak roots (citizens of America) that are most likely to fail and topple our country. The tree will break in the middle, leaving a stump sticking out of the ground. That stump will be unrecognizable to those who saw the once majestic Oak. It will be neither beautiful nor helpful to anyone. It will be in the way, an eyesore. For that reason, our primary prayer for our nation should be that our leaders will remove those who are whittling away at our core foundation: ACLU, godless liberals, and judicial activists who usurp the will of the people and erode the heart of our nation in spite of the root system.
What do you think?
After spending a morning digesting your main thesis here, I appreciate the intent.. presented sincerely and thoughtfully. summation: The Lord is first, and the politics are second. As an example, your post in April describes changing one person at a time by leading them to Jesus. This is your calling and your strength. However, the very next day, you jump right back into the political fray. Stay with your strength, and forget Dobson, judges, bush and especially power motivated, bug-man, Delay. It will present a more cohesive blog thought. In any case, because I agree with your faith, but not your politics, I will return for your faithful entries.
ReplyDeleteI am curious about the "kansas evolutionist" - what does that mean? If you believe in my faith, then you wouldn't take the title "evolutionist" - for I am NO evolutionist.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I respect and thank you for your comments. I'm glad you'll return. Please comment more. It makes for an interesting time blogging.
cre·ation·ism Belief in the literal interpretation of the account of the creation of the universe and of all living things related in Genesis.
ReplyDeleteWhen Jesus brought the Good News of God's salvation, we were freed from the Old Testament thinking. The history of His people remain, but the way in which we worship changed. Jesus did not say the world was created in 6 days. It was a non issue for Him. He knew what was important. The lives of his fellow human; prostitutes, beggars, liars.......well you know the weaklings he built His church on. They believed in Jesus, not creationism, and were transformed and saved. With such a powerful message as what Jesus brought, why would anyone want to confuse the issue with a literal or figurative translation of Genesis?
My use of creationism is tied directly to the State Board of Education's jockeying to inject Old Testament beliefs into a SCIENCE curriculum.. If Kansas public schools would like to create a religious studies tract for all students to bible study and learn Creationism, I would be all in favor of it. But Genesis should not be taught in PUBLIC schools under the banner of science.
To the Ks evolutionist:
ReplyDeleteI was born and raised in Kansas, and educated in Kansas - including my B. S. degree in Biology (Pre-Med) at Emporia St. University. I became a Christian while in College. One thing I learned that you obviously still have need to learn: Science is NOT truth. It attempts to learn it, but too many people (yourself included) have falsely adopted this idea that creation is faith and evolution is fact. Evolution is SCIENTIFICALLY disproved every day.
Also, to counter your claims about Jesus' teaching, I strongly suggest you read your New Testament again - and think as you do it. Your mind is oversimplifying Jesus' teachings while you leave out critical statements. Consider the fact that the New Testament was not written when Jesus walked the earth. Only the Old Testament existed. Now look at what Jesus said about it:
Matthew 5:17-18 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Jesus did not forget about the O.T., and He certainly believed in creationism - and that truth will stand until all the earth passes away. Not even the THEORY of evolution can undo or replace the truth of creation. Evolution is a lie and a religious belief of many godless scientists - who make the same mistake in their own lives - claiming there is no God. And the Bible clearly calls such "fools."
Please do not elevate Science to a higher authority than the Word of God. And Science, to all too many these days, is a religion of their own making.
And as for PUBLIC schools, we would do well to RETURN to the Biblical roots of our education where decency toward our fellow man, accountability to our Maker, and responsibility to our community are taught INSTEAD of this selfish, lawless, and meaningless ideologies presented today because of the unfaithful and unBiblical world-views so many hold today. And Kansas City (where I grew up) and the rest of the state would do well to heed these concepts. You, too. Your faith is not genuine if you deny Christ and His teachings, His Word, and the Truth - for Jesus Himself said "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no man comes to the Father but by me" (John 14:6).