Before our very eyes we are watching the beginning stages of a philosophical collapse in our nation. We are watching the fruit of secularism and humanism bring us to the place of moral and economic ruin as a nation. We have mortgaged our futures financially and weakened the pillars of morality that have kept us protected and ordered. My voice, along with hundreds of voices more famous than mine, have reminded us that a republic like ours has only lasted a couple of hundred years historically and we have just about run out the clock. For me to review the evidence would be redundant. However, the greater question on my mind currently is, "If humanism and secularism are doomed to failure, then what will replace it?"

The fact is that some belief system, some ideology will make up the foundations and structures of every civilization. Civilizations are not neutral. Some philosophical viewpoint will eventually prevail in every nation and whatever that ideology is it will define our culture and the institutions of that culture. If you don't believe me, just look at a nation, any nation, and begin to study its economic system, judicial pronouncements, educational goals, and even tax policy and you will begin to understand what it values and venerates. Look at a nation's music, media, and hobbies and you will begin to see the fruit of what that nation worships. I have said it before and will say it again, "There is no such thing as neutral". Everyone, even nations, serves and worships something. The question is what that "something" is going to be.

I have been told that Islam has a 100 year plan to over-throw the USA by whatever means available. I have no way to prove that statement except to say that whether it is externally by terrorism or internally by politics, you can see the strategy unfolding fairly well. You see, Muslims understand that if secularism and humanism fails in the west, then something will prevail. In their mind that should be Islam. They understand that there is no such thing as neutral. Some ideology will eventually prevail.

I believe that there was a time that America could be called a "Christian Nation". I know that there is a tremendous debate over that statement. By making that statement I am not suggesting that everyone in America was a Christian or that those who professed to be Christian were consistent in their beliefs. I mean to say that a Christian "worldview" prevailed in the colonies, states, and even through half of the 20th century. Even those who held views outside orthodox Christian thought had a deep respect for the philosophical foundations of our nation. However, in the recent historical past we have all seen the erosion of those values. Today our values seem to rest on what is "common sense", but the problem is our common, corporate sense has been twisted by our carnal hearts and now a deep relativism exists that causes us to do the same as Israel did centuries ago when it was said in Scripture, "that everyone did what was right in their own eyes".

I deeply believe that Christians need to awaken to the hour in which they live. If we do not arise and attempt to steer this nation back to its founding roots, we will find ourselves in an America that we will not recognize. The key is no longer selling ourselves to one of the two political parties that uses us for elections and then discards us when they come to power. Many Christians feel, as do I, that they have been used solely for political purposes, and they are right. I remember personally the "Reagan Revolution" of the 1980's where we were told that America could be turned back to God and cultural change could and would happen. I listened to the rhetoric that spoke to my values and convictions as a Christian and thought "this is it". I became incredibly disappointed. The truth is that abortion is still the law of the land, homosexuality is not only tolerated but venerated, and any vestige of Christianity and its symbols or precepts have been pushed out of our nation's view. We have been promised "change" every election cycle, but the change that has occurred is nowhere near the heart of God.

I lay this out again because I have decided to use this blog to try to train Christians to once again "occupy" until He (Jesus) comes. We have to pierce through the political garbage of the republicans and democrats and begin to embrace what God says again about nations and how they are to operate. The Scripture must be our guide and not the party platform of our favorite party. If Jesus is LORD OF ALL, then He has something to say about the character and value of a nation. Nothing is out of the scope of His reign.

Check into this blog frequently because I am going to do my best to write about the Scriptural place of government, what is a Biblical foreign policy, how should poverty be addressed through the Scriptures, national defense issues, private property issues, Biblical economics, financing the state (taxes), justice and law (including the use of prisons), and the most important issue in my mind...education. Christians need to be "Christian" and Scriptural when they look at their nation and the leaders of that nation. If we do not take the time to re-educate ourselves in this regard, the very real possibility of living under Islamic Sharia is on the minds of millions of Muslims.

I understand, it seems impossible to even consider that could ever happen. I am sure there was a day when the Romans were convinced they could never fall either; but it happened. America is not exempt from the laws and commands of God. If Jesus tarries, I want to be sure I do my part to be "salt and light" in this great nation.

PLANTING A CROSS

Pastor