The Changing Priorities
of Christianity
No, it
wasn't a concept discovered in the laboratory. A scientific theorist didn't
mathematically create it. A teller of fortune didn't consult a crystal ball
regarding a new philosophy. It is simply an inherent part of every person
everywhere. Its the love of freedom and the liberty to choose.
Challenging this, however, is an earth-old issue: How does society deal with a
freedom for one that brings bondage to another. Cain and Able didn't agree on
religious liturgy, what God and family loyalties meant or how to respond to one
another's conflicting expressions. It is sinister when ones values lead to the
harm of another who holds standards at variance with their own. That creates
behavior outside the parameters of healthy competitive rivalry. Oppression,
retaliation or even tarnishing the name of the opposition often comes in the
name of freedom. When it demands annihilation of those who don't believe like
they do, it is tyranny. That is happening all throughout the Islamic world with
their hatred towards Christians. In
In
the political arena there is a growing intensity of hate-filled rhetoric that
prejudices public understanding. Many perceive that equality, liberty and
meaningful democracy is coming to an end.[1]
Freedom of
religious expression
is coming under unexpected opposition. Christian traditions and values are being
undermined by powerful media moguls, the entertainment industry, and political
support of anti-Christian activity (i.e., promotion of gay marriage, explicit
sex education in schools, infanticide through abortion, etc.). A conservative
Christian family can no longer shield children from influences that undermine
standards they wish to preserve. A schism between conservatives (who claim the
Ten Commandment and Bible values) and liberals (who welcome and tolerate
everything except Christian values) is widening and brewing feelings of
retaliation..
During the 2004
presidential campaign, cars with a Bush/Cheney bumper sticker were often
scratched with metal objects if in a liberal neighborhood. A car with a
Kerry/Edward's sticker in a conservative urban area almost never was marred.
When conservative Ann Coulter goes on college campuses, she has to have a
bodyguard, and a police contingency comes out to protect her. If ultra-liberal
Al Franken goes to a university campus, there is no police or body guard
faction.
Liberals consider conservatives as morally inferior for not supporting abortion,
environmental causes and sexual freedom. Thus they are not owed decent respect.
Conservatives tend to view liberals as immature and foolish, those in need of
being defeated because they are traitors to American virtues and strength.[2]
A
predictable outcome is defensiveness and activism. A growing number of Christian
leaders have begun to visibly take sides in this arena. A political foray has
infiltrated both Roman Catholic and Protestant agendas. The
The
Protestants are coming at moral and anti-Christian threats very differently. The
majority lay claim to Reformation zeal and have appropriated the word
evangelical. That has drawn together diverse Protestant persuasions into
activist coalitions (i.e.,
Focus on the Family, Christian Coalition, The Rick Scarborough Report movement,
Reclaiming
There is a persona to this whole movement that is an
intriguing and a sociological phenomenon. It is a resistance movement. The
rhetoric is intensifying and borders on oppression.
That is disturbing.
Evangelicals and Catholics claim theological authority for their activism. But
the imagery of both groups of conservatives is pretentious.
Though support for the inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible is claimed, its
spiritual virtues are only lightly addressed. This has introduced a significant
dilemma into the Christian world. What really are the boundaries to faith? Are
they doctrines,
These tendencies have developed an objectionable spirituality within modern
Christian churches. Faith itself is being promoted as a saving work. It has
become mechanical and a human activity that guarantees salvation. This view of
faith reduces the power of God to merely a human technique.[4]
That in itself mechanizes salvation and becomes another form of a sacrament
which saves.
The search for certainty,
assurance and hope should be found in ones conversion and intensely personal
friendship with Jesus. The Christian world is defining itself more in a power
struggle over behavioral ideals, leaning more and more on civil authority to
power their agendas. The Christian cause has become a quest for verifiable
rights that extend beyond Biblical truth. Its battle cry is the reclamation of
moral community standards.
This is so unique and
tragic. A Christological center, a theology based on fulfillment of Gods great
redemptive covenants is not only displaced but replaced by religious humanism.
Piety is being replaced by activism. Faith based on loyalty is replaced by a
simple believe in. Worship is replaced by fellowship. The power of the Spirit is
being replaced by appeals to civil authority. The natural result of what is now
occurring will inevitably be compulsion to
unify to
resolve the
seemingly unsolvable.
We
are seeing fearful psychological and sociological trends in the Christian world.
This
is the
beginning of the changing personality of the Revelation 13 earth beast. Though a
pretense for commitment to Jesus under girds this movement, it is
Two psychological barriers
have been penetrated. One, the unifying work of Christian churches over social
issues; two, the use of civil power to achieve these goals. This was noted as an
end-time matter long ago.
By
every means at their command they will endeavor to suppress the discussion of
these vital questions. The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and
in this work papists and Protestants unite.... Conscientious obedience to the
Word of God will be treated as rebellion.[6]
BUT:
It is not part of Christ's mission to compel men to receive Him. It is Satan,
and men actuated by his spirit, that seek to compel the conscience. Under a
pretense of zeal for righteousness, men who are confederate with evil angels
bring suffering upon their fellow men, in order to convert them to their ideas
of religion; but Christ is ever showing mercy, ever seeking to win by the
revealing of His love. He can admit no rival in the soul, nor accept of partial
service; but He desires only voluntary service, the willing surrender of the
heart under the constraint of love. There can be no more conclusive evidence
that we possess the spirit of Satan than the disposition to hurt and destroy
those who do not appreciate our work, or who act contrary to our ideas.[7]
A
personality change of Christianity in
References:
1.
Chomsky, Noam; The American system is spelling the
end of its historic values.
2.
Prager, Dennis; Who Hates the Other More Liberals or Conservatives, 040406,
Creator Syndicate Inc.,
www.worldnet
daily.com.
3.
http://www.miracoalition.org/issues/federal/immigration-reform3/religious-letters/letter-from-cardinal-mahoney-to-pres.-bush
4.
Schneichen, Peter M.; The Challenge of Conservative Theology,
www.religion-online.org/listbycategory.asp?Cat=81-6k.
5.
6.
The Review and Herald,
7.
The Desire of Ages, p. 487.
Franklin S. Fowler
Jr., M.D.; EndTime Issues... of Prophecy Research Initiative
EndTime
Issues..., April 2006 -
endtimeissues.com