Christian Nationalism #4

Five Principles for Discerning the News - cont'd

(Principles 3 – 5)

In my early blog post, I talked about the first two principles.  Now I will continue with #3,#4, and #5.

3. The enemy is never a monolith.

One of the myths that exist in any situation of conflict is the over-estimation of the opponent.  I remember some years ago when…

If you ask me anything in my

name, I will do it (John 14:14)

My life is wary of a wild world;

I'm a stranger in a crusty clime!

What a drudge to live each day!

Yet the day guards its brightness,

night its darkness; yet to see sun

slow its course, moon its stroll.

The elements in a pact with God,

with God who abides by his Word;

who won't peddle a fake promise.

What grace to flourish in his love:

ask by faith…

Daily devotional - Times Square Church, New York Feb 20, 2021

https://worldchallenge.org/devotion/three-broken-bones?ref=devos

THREE BROKEN BONES

You may be familiar with the I AM statements of Jesus. These are powerful declarations of the divinity of our Lord. Their original source is in the Old Testament with God appearing to Moses at the burning bush.

Exodus 3:13,14 reads,

Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said…

Dave Butts "Prayer Strategy for Ministry" resonated strongly with me, as does Nehemiah's prayer life.

http://praynetwork.ning.com/forum/topics/nppn-prayer-strategy-for-ministry

I also liked Phil Miglioratti's thought…

Rousing rays rise, drill through frowning

clouds. An orb, unused to haste, crawls

like waking sun, haloed with golden glow;

drills through a dark mass, full of blaze

no eye can reach.

It looks right, the sight; smells nice,

the fragrance of spring roses, against

choking stench of blood clots—the stain

of shame,…

Christian Nationalism #4

Five Principles for Discerning the News

(Principles 1 – 2)

I recall a meeting with a community organizer many years ago.  On her wall was a framed Hagar The Horrible cartoon.  The caption said: “Allies come and go, but a good Enemy will last a life-time.”  I remember that because in the world of political organizing you need a good enemy.  However, what is pragmatic for politics is…

We came away from our study with Miriam stunned. For months several of us had been gathering at her home for study. Each week she would talk about something Jesus said. One of us might be puzzling over something Peter or one of the other apostles said about Jesus at the temple where the church was meeting. She explained and helped us see Him like we never had before. We always came away loving Jesus more than we could ever have imagined. We…

David Wilkerson: DOES TOMORROW WORRY YOU?

February 10, 2021

https://worldchallenge.org/devotion/does-tomorrow-worry-you?ref=devos

Daily Promise

https://www.365promises.com/daily-promise/promise-41-wednesday-february-10-2021

Promise #41:

I will give you peace at all times and in every situation.



2 Thessalonians…

THE FREEWILL OF MAN

Some years ago I was fellowshipping with a group of pastors. One of them spoke of a common belief that I did not think could be found in the Bible. As a joke I said, “Do you have a favorite Scripture on that?” He had a great answer. “I think that is in the same place that teaches the freewill of man.” And you can look throughout the Bible and not find a direct statement of the freewill of man.…

The Lie

In my previous post, I said that I would talk about next steps to restore a Christ-centered orthodoxy to Evangelical Christianity and rid us of the scourge of Christian nationalism.  This is the first step – we must confront the loss of truth.  

In Ephesians, Paul admonishes us to speak the truth in love.  This has two parts: 1) a commitment to truth, and 2) a commitment to love.  Following this guide, I want to say that I love Evangelicals.  They are…

The Feast of Booths had begun before Jesus arrived in Jerusalem. He hid in the crowds listening to the people, discerning what His Father was doing in their hearts. Right in the middle of the celebration He went up into the temple and began to teach. His authority was so obvious that no one challenged him. They marveled at His teaching. 

They said, “How has this man come to know so much without studying in…

Christian Nationalism - Part 2

Should we engage society?

In my last blog post I talked about the theological error of Christian nationalism, and its danger to Christianity because it undermines evangelism and attempts social reform through the use of power.  Having stated what I think is wrong, I feel the need to suggest a way forward.  The next couple of blogs will address that.

First, should Christians be concerned with social reform?…

Today, especially in the wake of the events of Jan 6 in our nation’s capital and the aftermath, there have been many thoughtful things written about the dangers of Christian nationalism.  One writer said: “The split we are seeing is not theological or philosophical. It’s a division between those who have become detached from reality and those who, however right wing, are still in the real world.”  I disagree.  I believe that the problem is theological, and the healing can only happen when we…