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The persecution
of Christians is not about human rights, it is a rite of passage.
STEVE
CLEARY
“There are two freedoms: the
false where a man is free to do what he likes; and the true where a man
is free to do as he ought.” – Charles Kingsley
'LIVING IN THE MIDST OF A CULTURAL COLLAPSE'
In
Daniel Quinn's book, 'The Story of B' [1996 novel], Quinn uses the
phrase “cultural collapse” to describe the point of history that we are
living through today. He believes that circumstances have rendered the
cultural mythology of the
takers
(those who rape and pillage our society) meaningless to its people. When
this happens to a culture, Quinn states, things fall apart. "Order and
purpose are replaced by chaos and bewilderment. People lose the will to
live, become listless, become violent, become suicidal, and take to
drink, drugs, and crime... laws, customs and institutions fall into
disuse and disrespect, especially among the young, who see that even
their elders can no longer make sense of them." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Story_of_B
This
acknowledgement of Quinn's writing is not an endorsement of his thought
process.
It is Quinn's
opinion that this cultural collapse does not occur over night, it is
very slow and subtle, liken to his analogy of the proverbial frog slowly
and gradually being boiled to death.
"If you
drop a frog in a pot of boiling water, it will of course frantically try
to clamber out. But if you place it gently in a pot of tepid water and
turn the heat on low, it will float there quite placidly. As the water
gradually heats up, the frog will sink into a tranquil stupor, exactly
like one of us in a hot bath, and before long, with a smile on its face,
it will unresistingly allow itself to be boiled to death"...
Although
Quinn's writings and thoughts have no biblical foundation, one must
agree with his assessment that we are seeing a 'cultural collapse' in
America today. This cultural collapse that we are in the midst of are
the results of a crumbling that began nearly one half century ago. The
cracking and crumbling of a spiritual foundation has left us in an awful
condition today.
When the spiritual foundation of a nation
crumbles, it has far reaching affects... the entire nation, both the
people and the land suffers. The condition is not only a digressive one,
but very subtle and persistent. The blame therefore rest squarely upon
the people of God... the church.
When those that are placed in a spiritual
leadership role (pastors and teachers), do not see that spiritual light
(TRUTH) is disseminated among the populace, the people (church) divert
from the straight and narrow way and began to bask in error and are left
to satisfy nothing more than one's own flesh.
When the people of God (church) have no spiritual
direction
(LIGHT) the nation is left to the influences of
the spirit of darkness, and he that walketh in darkness knoweth
not whither he goeth (cf. John 12:35).
When a nation forgets God and turns their back on
His Word, He withholds His blessing, and a people and a land void of
God’s blessing is a nation most miserable and without hope.
What we are seeing in America
today is a 'wily enemy' that is taking full advantage of this spiritual
vulnerability.
Another Christian Fired for Upholding
Biblical Convictions
Monday, 29 March 2010 16:41
Marcia Walden was an employee counselor
with
the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta.
A lesbian employee approached
Walden for relationship counseling, but Walden
referred the woman to another counselor because she
felt her Christian faith conflicted with the woman’s
sinful lifestyle. Walden’s directors told her not
mention her moral objections to homosexuality when
referring patients, but Walden refused to be
dishonest.
After the lesbian complained that she felt Walden
judged and condemned her, Walden was fired.
So Walden sued the CDC claiming she was the victim
of religious discrimination, the case is now on
appeal.
Walden’s situation is one more example of Christians
being denied the right to live and work according to
their religious convictions because of they refuse
to sanction immoral sexual behavior. We cannot sit
by as Christians lose their jobs for upholding their
Biblical convictions.
Alan Glasow said "temptation
usually comes through a door that has deliberately left open". Church,
it is time to close the door. We are in a spiritual warfare and we must
heed the word of God...
Ephesians
6:10-18...Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power
of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh
and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in
high [places]. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye
may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on
the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the
preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of
faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the
wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer
and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all
perseverance and supplication for all saints...
Pastor Dennis |
