Is it really all that bad?

I just read a post on David Wilkerson' blog that is quite disturbing for a couple of reasons.

Apparently Mr. Wilkerson feels quite compelled by the Spirit to tell all that will listen that we are about to suffer a calamitous event here in the U.S., most likely in New York City and spreading into New Jersey. Raging fires, rioting and looting will spread across the nation. Basically we are talking the collapse of the social order as we know it.

I am unsure how to receive this bit of troubling news. Its easy to imagine this unfolding as a nuclear event carried out on us by any of several nations or groups that would love to see our demise. Its equally easy to see this unfolding as a complete economic collapse, causing widespread unrest in our cities, starting with the largest like New York.

But the check in me reminds me that this is David Wilkerson. Those who have been around for a while know he has made sensational predictions about the demise of the nation before, most notably with his book "The Vision" in the 70s. So far only the foreseeable predictions have actually materialized.

I am not a critic of David Wilkerson. How can I be? First and foremost he is my brother in Christ. Second, who am I to say what God speaks to him? All I can do is wait and see what comes down the pipe. Either it happens or it doesn't. If it doesn't, then I am a little more cautious when listening to the dire warnings. But still, I don't ignore them. After all, how often do I get it right when trying to hear what God is saying?

Now to flip the coin over...

For some time now, I have felt an urgency to prepare for times where acquiring essential might not be so easy. Mostly this has been concern for what might happen if the economy continues to decline and problems with the supply chain might start to appear.

It was not so long ago that the food "supply chain" meant going to the root cellar or the garden and getting veggies for the day, or going to the market and seeing what the local farmers were offering. There was a day when almost everything we needed was somewhat local in its origin. No more. In this day we have celebrated "globalization". Everything comes from somewhere else, and it is usually from a long ways away. This is all fine and good when times are good and everything is working like it should. But these are not those times. The days are perilous now. Al Qaeda, Iran and North Korea are all threatening to nuke us. Massive greed and fraud and mismanagement for short term gain have brought us to our economic knees. Mexican drug cartels are exporting their violence across our borders.

So what's a guy to do? What sense do we make of all this? Two things come to mind. Prepare and listen. Listen to what God is telling you. Listen to what David Wilkerson believes God is telling him. Listen to what God is telling others that you have some level of confidence in. Prepare to go through tough times. Prepare for when you can't feed your family because the supply chain is broken and there has been a panic run on the grocery stores. Prepare for when you can't get to the store because your local station has no gas.

But don't panic. Don't go off the deep end. Don't go running around telling others the end of the world is at hand. This world and this nation has gone through much tougher times than this and come out the other end. Prepare to be used by God during these times. This is when man's pride and his own ways fail him and he is most receptive to the Gospel. This is when the church will have their opportunity to "let their light shine before men in such a way that they see your good works and glorify God".

So Are We, Or Aren't We? Part 1...

The final answer on this is... huh?

I went to the discussion on whether or not this is a Christian nation. To my surprise, there were no real God haters or Christian haters there, or if there were, they did not make their presence known.

A lot of discussion on the intent of the founders, with some taking the stand that the original intent of the founding fathers is basically irrelevant, with others holding fast to it.

Assigning original intent is slippery. It requires seeing into minds and extracting meaning. This is hard enough to do with a live person, much less with those who lived over 2 centuries ago. Their written works apart from the Constitution give us some insight, but are not all-revealing. Whatever was their original intent, only what made it to the legal documents that govern this nation are relevant to us today, not their personal feelings and ambitions.

And yet, recognizing what the founding fathers set out to do is important. They were a spiritually varied lot, ranging from atheists, to deists, to Christians of several denominations. Their goal was to define a nation that recognized a creator God while at the same time establishing the freedom to worship in the way you saw fit, or to not worship at all. And then they threw in a dose of separation to keep government and religion from wielding undue influence over each other.

Personally on this, I see truth in both sides. Although heavily influenced by a Christian based culture and thought system, there is no way they could envision the world we live in now. So much of their thinking would be hard place to find relevance today. If you don't think so, then ask yourself what Thomas Jefferson would say about texting while driving?

So what did they leave us? A framework. One we use as the basis for our legal decisions. A framework not so bound up in the thinking of one generation that it has no relevance to the next. The "founding" fathers gave us a "foundation" on which to build a nation that provides true freedom for all. Sure we have wavered and let the pendulum swing too far at times. I think we are in one of those times now. But the system is self-correcting and, if allowed to work, will adjust back towards the center.

Our founding fathers were wise, and their legacy is the document they left us to govern ourselves by, the Constitution. This Constitution is still just as relevant today as when it was written. Considering their backgrounds, their debates, their own prejudices they wanted for the country, its amazing what we have.

I doubt we could have had it without the intervention of God.

Are We a Christian Nation???

So...

Tomorrow night I have been invited to an informal gathering to discuss "Is America a Christian Nation?". Now, this is not going to be a gathering of those with the typical Dobson, FOF viewpoint. Nor are many, if any, bound to be professing believers. No, I suspect most will be there to unload how they hate Christianity, God, and all the other usual suspects who "try to force their morality on me".

I usually try to stay away from these types of gatherings because they are mostly fruitless. But I am considering going to this one. Jesus was not afraid of engaging doubters and haters. And since He really is the Truth, and really is the only hope for mankind, I think He may have something to say. It might not be through me, since nothing profound comes to mind.

Actually it seems to me to be the wrong question to ask and the wrong conversation to have. America as a matter of law does not endorse a religion, so why ask if we are Christian? What does that mean anyway? Are you asking if we are legally Christian? Is that even possible? I don't think so, even if our Constitution allowed it. Government driven by religion of any kind has never turned out well, Christian or otherwise.

Are you asking (or proclaiming) that Christians should not be allowed to have a say or influence the direction of our government? Good luck with that unless you have a secret plan to disenfranchise everyone with a religious or spiritual aspect to their lives? Oh, good luck with the identification process on that one, because you really can't stop with the Christians. Pagans, take note.

The real question for each of us is "who do you say that Jesus is?". This question lives on the personal level, not the political or national level. Relationship with God is not possible through legislative action. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, my focus is on the individual and their personal salvation. This is only spread by showing others the love of Jesus through our actions.

The goal is not a Christian nation. The goal is hearts and lives turned to Jesus Christ, from whom comes real hope and change. Doing this you will never create a Christian nation, but you may create a nation of people that love Jesus.

Just What Are You Saying?

I read Susan Jacoby's article "Darwin The Disturber" today at the Washington Post site, having gotten there through a link from the blog "Indigenous Stranger".

There really was nothing new that I had not heard before. Just a collection and rehashing of all the old arguments. However, I was left with the impression that Jacoby really didn't have anything to say and has not yet found a place in herself to deal with Darwin.

I do have to give her credit for bringing to light an interesting observation. "Science is not really a way of "knowing" but a method of inquiry seeking knowledge that is never final and always modifiable by new discoveries."

Science is good. It has led to many great discoveries that have benefited all of us immensely. But it has serious limitations. It relies only on what can be physically observed and duplicated in a controlled environment. But not all of life can be explained in that way duplicated in a lab environment. In fact, only a small portion can. Only certain things can be discovered and verified by science.

I often wonder why some try to use science to disprove God or the authenticity of what is presented as historical fact in the Bible. Why is what is presented there not regarded as the observations of those present? Why are they mostly dismissed out of hand as fable and unprovable? To use this standard dismisses all of history. There is nothing of history that is observable, provable or able to be duplicated in a laboratory. There is nothing science can do to prove to us that the American Revolution took place. We have to rely solely on the observations and writings left behind of those who were present. Their observations are hardly scientifically sound or repeatable, yet we accept them, for the most part just quibbling about details.

Yet, if King David, or Moses, or even Adam and Eve themselves leave behind any kind of record, it is dismissed out of hand as fable. I can't prove its not, but is that really the point?

I suspect the obvious. The Bible and faith is dismissed because it contains an element a lot of people don't want to face. Me is not all there is. Me is not the center of life. There is accountability. There is inherent right and wrong that exists in a much larger scope and realm than we are willing to acknowledge. Because to acknowledge it means I must deal with it and let it deal with me.

I doubt we will ever see science explain love and why it exists and why it can be expressed in so many ways. If you think science will eventually unlock this mystery, then think about this. Do you really want to go home to your loved ones, your children, and explain to them that your love and care for them has no more significance than the random alignment of chemicals in your brain? Do you really believe that's all it is?

Life is more than what we can see and touch and feel through our physical senses. To not recognize this is to entirely miss the point of your existence and to relegate yourself and everything there is to meaninglessness.

So how do I deal with Darwin and that whole thing? I think he has interesting observations, some of them valid, but I think that whole thing is beside the point. A distraction. Like the wrong discussion to have in the first place.

Black Holes

They are everywhere. I don't mean the astronomical ones where scientists speculate and postulate and then attempt to tell us what's in them..

I mean the Black Holes people fall into. They are everywhere. You used to have to watch your step because you might fall into one. Not anymore. The Black Holes are everywhere and growing larger every day. People are disappearing into them and not coming out. Its not sci-fi. Its real. Think about those who used to walk with you. How many have fallen into one Black Hole or another? How many have we written off?

Followers of Jesus can't escape dealing with the Black Holes or those caught in them. There are too many holes and too many victims. We have to go into the holes and bring them out.

Why? Because Jesus loves them, that's why.

Where You Headed?

Jesus in America? These days I wonder if Jesus hasn't just packed up and caught the last bus out of town.

I know that is not the way it really is, but it sure feels that way. But Jesus hasn't left America. America has left Jesus is closer to the truth.

Bar Bands

While at Cornerstone Festival, I twice heard about people forming bar bands. The purpose is not to show up and preach, but to just be there and see what Jesus does with it. What a great move!

Having many musician friends who are not believers, I know you can't show up and preach at them and tell them they are going to hell. You need to be willing to have a beer with them and be there no matter what is going on in their lives, even when it conflicts greatly with your values. This is what Jesus will use and He will use it in His time, not mine. And He has.

It will be a cold day in hell before these people show up in church for help on anything. But sometimes they will meet Jesus in the bar.

In my mind, I bounce back and forth between feeling a little guilty for being involved in something looked down on by many Christians and the feeling that God can use me here.

I think I the church needs more bar bands.

Francis Schaeffer Revisited

Back in the 80s and into the 90s I read most of Francis Schaeffer's works. I also read some of his son's, Franky Schaeffer V, as well. His work was foundational for me and what I gained from it has served me well over the years. It has also gotten me into trouble a few times as some in the church had a hard time dealing with it.

It was here I was introduced to the idea that the personal piety movement had actually led the church down the wrong road! Now, I will admit it can be hard to wrap your head around the idea that paying too much attention to your own spiritual condition can actually lead you in the wrong direction. How can this be?

Well, its not a huge leap. Where is it said that we were put here to pay attention to ourselves? Or to separate ourselves from "the world"? Rather, we are here to play a significant role in every aspect of life, not just the "spiritual" parts. Politics, arts, education, social issues, whatever. God has called us to be involved in it all. If Jesus is Lord of all, then is he not Lord of all areas of life and culture? And if He is Lord of all these things, why would He not want us involved in all of it?

Last week while perusing my bookshelf I came across Schaeffer's "A Christian Manifesto", which was basically a response to "A Human Manifesto" editions I and II. If you had told me Schaeffer has written it yesterday I would have believed you. (Yes, I know he died in 1986). To have a work whose truth spans generations speaks to his credit. This is no pop religious work designed to sell books. It strikes to the heart of what being a follower of Jesus means.

I have been too long uninvolved. My prayer is God releases me soon.

Emerging, Emergent, PostModern... Huh?

For some time now the terms Emerging Church, Emergent Village, Postmodern Church, etc. have been showing up on my radar. Sounded interesting, so I decided to check it out. After a fair amount of research I still can't figure out what this really is. It seems to have no real definition other than most of those involved don't like wherever it was they came from.

Now that is nothing new, and in some ways is refreshing. I came in through the Jesus People movement in the early 70s. One of our badges of honor was NOT being the traditional church. We saw it different. We did it different. While the mainline churches scoffed, ridiculed, and preached against us, we reached into a culture that rejected many of the mainstream "values". We also made huge mistakes. What remained constant and unchangeable was the centering in Jesus, salvation through the cross, and the authority of scripture.


I like the emphasis on social justice and action. All evidence I can find in scripture says Jesus is right there with you. But there is a reason for it and improving the general life experience is not in an of itself the goal. Restoration to the Father is.


I like the "conversation" part of this. I think everyone has something to contribute to the collective church consciousness. It is also a great tool for discovering truth. I am a big believer in the concept that those who seek Truth will find it. For creating truth? Not so much. Not everything I think or add to the conversation is right, even if it is popular.

The cross still stands as the entry way to relationship with Christ. Without it you really don't have anything. Adoption of the right life philosophies mean nothing without it. Social action is empty if in the end the beneficiaries are in hell. Spiritual conversation is just blathering unless it helps point me to Jesus as the author of faith. Everything we do and everything we are about should serve to point others to Him.

I thought I would feel good about this movement. I still want to. I am hoping it is this generation's incarnation of what we did. And maybe it is. But after reading and researching, I can't figure out where this movement stands on any of the important absolutes. Can't they just say plainly where they stand? I am left wondering if obfuscation is the point?


And that troubles me.

Political Jesus?

Its not really very hard to have a political position. Not for me, anyway. The dilemna comes in when trying to figure out Jesus on this one. He didn't pay it much attention. He had other matters He came here to deal with, except for a couple of times when He seriously disappointed His followers telling them He wouldn't be setting up that earthly kingdom they were manuevering for.

Most Republicans I talk to believe "God is on their side". Most Democrats just look at me funny.

So just where is He on this one?

Inquiring minds want to know...

Cornerstone Festival

I think I had my world rocked. Not a lot, but enough to get my attention. I wasn't quite prepared for what I encountered there. Now, I have always been kind of an "outside the lines" kind of guy. Conforming to the accepted status quo of the church or the culture never clicked with me. So I was prepared to deal with Christians who fit more into the subculture elements. What I didn't expect was to encounter it to the degree that was there. A certain amount of it has always been fine with me, but there was always a fuzzy line that the other side of seemed to be more seeking after the pleasing the flesh than expressing a commitment to Jesus.

I still think there is a degree of self-seeking that goes on here, but I think it is not significantly different from other expressions of the same thing. I have seen this across the spectrum of society. I also think a certain amount of it is normal with the youth as they seek to find who God created them to be and where they fit.

What rocked me was seeing these same people on their face before God. The opportunity to talk with some musicians in the screamo and metal groups that were genuinely seeking to minister to people they would never otherwise reach. To see that these people genuinely loved Jesus and wanted to serve Him is what rocked me. It left me with no choice but to accept them and their choices, even if I don't make those same choices for myself.

Still, I think there are bounds outside of which we are no longer seeking to serve Jesus and represent Him to the world. These bounds can't be defined in a legalistic sense. Its defined in the heart attitude. Its not necessarily what you are doing or what you look like. Its who you are doing it for and why.

Note to self: It's not WHAT. It's WHO and WHY.

Jesus in America? What's up with that?

Who is Jesus? What does it mean to be a follower of Him in America? Are we fulfilling God's will? How are we affecting the culture? How is it affecting us? Should we even care about the culture and its obvious decline? How do we minister in it?

I have some ideas and questions and opinions on this, but very few answers. Feel free to contribute. What you have will fit somewhere, even if I don't see it your way.