Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Are we clueless?

....tell me what you think...
What's With All These Clueless Christians?

By Chuck Baldwin
February 12, 2008

This column is archived at
http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/c2008/cbarchive_20080212.html

"For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs
and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect." Mark
13:22 (KJV)

"And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they
should believe a lie." II Thessalonians 2:11 (KJV)

What's with all these clueless Christians? How is it that people who
have the benefit of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the warning and
insight of the Sacred Scriptures--not to mention a rich Christian
heritage here in America--can be so ignorant, blind, and naïve? Yes,
the majority of evangelical Christians seem to be all of the above.
The problem has passed being serious: it is catastrophic!

How is it that we have drifted away from being an informed, active,
knowledgeable, and dedicated group of highly motivated Christian
patriots to a group of impotent and anemic sheep? Our Christian
forebears must be turning over in their graves, because we are in the
process of squandering the greatest human sacrifice--save that of the
sacrifice of Jesus Christ--ever made: the sacrifice of America's
Founding Fathers.

The problem is manifold, of course. For the most part, our pastors
have become glorified politicians and business executives. As
attorneys are not schooled in the Constitution, today's ministers are
not schooled in the Scriptures. They are motivational speakers,
salesmen, and business managers. The Bible is only used as a side
reference, if at all. It is not taught or preached literally. Pastors
go through the Bible the way people go through a salad bar: gleaning a
few sweet-tasting morsels and rejecting everything that appears the
least bit distasteful.

Then there is the "fit-in-with-the-brethren" mentality. The politicos
in Washington, D.C., have nothing on many pastors' fellowship groups.
Fitting in with the denomination seems to be a far greater priority
than being an independent man of God. And, of course, let's not forget
the importance of not "making waves" with the deacons, elders, or
church trustees. In a word, today's pastors have been very effectively
neutered.

Another problem is the way our pastors and churches have become
"success" driven. Churches used to focus on truth and discipleship. No
more. The church-growth movement of the last three decades has
produced a generation of Christians much more concerned about crowds,
buildings, and activities than they are fidelity to truth. Church has
become a numbers game where success is measured by attendance and
offerings.

There is yet another problem: today's churches are completely enamored
with power. No, not the power of God. They are completely infatuated
with the power of men. Rich men. Popular men. Influential men.
Celebrities. Politicians. Millionaires. Sports stars, etc.

Yet, listen to what God tells us about rich and powerful men. "Do not
rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?" James
2:6 (KJV)

Historically, it has always been the super-wealthy, super-powerful
elements of society that have brought tyranny and persecution to God's
people. It is the political and business elite who have trampled
people's freedoms and liberties, enslaved their children, and ravaged
their lands and properties.

Nothing has changed: the super-elite in the United States and Europe
are continuing to do what they have always done. Both the Republican
and Democrat parties are controlled by those who desire to create a
globalistic society in which they will control the world's materials
and peoples.

Both George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush have contributed to the
tyrannical goals and ambitions of the super-elite. So has Bill
Clinton. If John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Hillary Clinton or Barack
Obama is elected, they will follow in the globalist footsteps of their
predecessors.

The Christian professions of our political leaders mean nothing.
Absolutely nothing! Putting an "R" behind his or her name also means
nothing. Neither does calling oneself a "conservative" mean anything.
Our political leaders are mostly walking in lockstep with the evil
designs of the super-wealthy. Ditto for the executives who control our
major media.

And our Christians and ministers seem to be absolutely clueless.

James Dobson endorses Mike Huckabee, as does Jerry Falwell, Jr., while
Gary Bauer endorses John McCain. Yet, the truth is, one is as bad as
the other. In fact, Huckabee is posturing himself to be McCain's
running mate after McCain wins the nomination. Does anyone really
believe that Mike Huckabee would turn down an invitation from John
McCain to be his running mate? Get serious! Mike Huckabee would
support the liberal, Big-Government John McCain with all of the
enthusiasm he could muster. Why? Because Huckabee, himself, is a
Big-Government liberal who has joined ideological forces with the
super-elite who run both parties.

And no one within the Religious Right seems to get it. Say you are
"pro-life" and "pro-family" and you are "in." Forget the Constitution.
Forget national sovereignty and independence. Forget the principles of
sound money. Forget the Bill of Rights. Forget "Just War" theory.
Forget non-interventionism. Forget protecting American jobs and
manufacturing. Forget putting America first. It's all about getting
along with the establishment, having a seat at the table, and enjoying
the perks of power.

Christians are supposed to be different. We are supposed to think
differently. We are clearly commanded to "be not conformed to this
world."

In addition, as Americans, our heritage and history is that of being
"non-conformist." We loved liberty, freedom, and independence. We
recognized no sovereign authority, save that of Jesus Christ. We
believed in self-reliance and hard work. We didn't expect government
handouts or charity. We believed in disciplining our children and did
not expect that they would learn their values from government schools.
We viewed human government with deep suspicion and demanded that it be
held in check by powerful Bible preaching and by the constraints and
restrictions of the U.S. Constitution.

Remember, it was the political and business elite who killed the Old
Testament prophets, persecuted the early church, and crucified the
Lord Jesus Christ. It was the political and business elite who
oppressed our Pilgrim forebears. It was the political and business
elite who tried to stamp out liberty and independence from the
American colonies. And it is those same political and business elite
who are forcing globalism, socialism, and fascism upon the American
people today.

And our pastors and churches seem to be absolutely clueless.

Furthermore, when someone appears from outside the elitist mainstream,
someone such as Congressman Ron Paul, he is ostracized, ignored, and
even lampooned by the very people who should embrace and support him
most: evangelical Christians.

The truth is, America is in the doo-doo we are in because of the
cluelessness and cowardice of today's Christians. Or, has the elect
been deceived? Have they succumbed to delusion? The result is the same
either way.

5 comments:

  1. I totally agree. I've seen republicans who say one thing to get elected and then act another way after election.

    Thank God for His sovereignty!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Cheri,

    Sad, but so true. Thanks for posting this!

    I just finished reading two books about George Washington. My, how far our leaders have fallen! And as I look at the church we're currently attending (which I think we're going to leave), I see numerous things Baldwin points out.

    I seem to vacillate between being utterly dismayed and cautiously optimistic. But, ultimately, I fear that we're getting what we deserve.

    On a lighter note, Happy Valentine's Day to you and your boys!

    Deb

    ReplyDelete
  3. [...] too much one way or another. Just look at the modern American church. I love this post over at the TN Farm Girl’s [...]

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yes that about sums it all up, money and power. There is such a lack of leadership, wisdom and courage in America. There are a few other exeptions in Congress. Geoffrey Davis of Kentucky is one. But he is not running for President and I doubt he ever would. It seems the best leadership doesn't want the job or can't get noticed enough to win. Or maybe they just aren't in the rich and powerful elite club.

    ReplyDelete
  5. "Christians are supposed to be different. We are supposed to think
    differently. We are clearly commanded to 'be not conformed to this
    world.' "

    That is exactly why I'm a convinced conservative Quaker and have left the "church" behind.

    ReplyDelete

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