Saturday, June 27, 2020

How Firm Is Our Foundation?

June 24, 2020:  Having slept peacefully for about 7 hours without fear of danger, I awakened with thankfulness to God for His gift of life and the promise of a new day.  Now, I am enjoying a cup of hot tea while reading Psalm 54.  The opening verses of this psalm immediately tell me that David is facing a much different reality than mine this morning.  David cries out,
Save me, O God, by thy name,
And vindicate me by Thy power.
Hear my prayer, O God;
Give ear to the words of my mouth.
For strangers have risen up against me,
And violent men have sought my life:
They have not set God before them
.  Selah.


You and I may be unable to relate to David’s fears as he is pursued by violent men wanting to take his life.  But there are many today who are gripped with this same fear, so much so that the spirit of David’s prayer resonates with their spirits.  They cry out in prayer as if the ancient prayer of David inspires them, giving them the breath they need to cry out:  “Save me, O God, for I trust in Your character, Your purposes, and Your power.”

There are some who have awakened this morning to the sound of gunshots or breaking glass, the shouts of vandals or the stench of smoke and fire.  Where is this happening, we ask?
Port au Prince, Haiti?  Caracas, Venezuela?  In Hong Kong, or Tehran?  Or, could it be Washington, DC where vandals now are promising to destroy memorials of great American presidents and other leaders whom they condemn as racist.  Although history verifies that none of our national heroes were perfect in character.  Yet, God used people like Washington, Jackson, Lincoln, Tubman, Roosevelt, and King to advance progress in forming our “land of the free and the home of the brave?”  

National Unity Is Hijacked by Violence
On May 25, one month ago, what began with a unified national response of grief and disgust by most Americans to the news of the murder of George Floyd has now been hijacked by lawless, violent men and women who seek to divide and destroy the foundations of America and the hard-fought progress of reconciliation among ethnic groups.  What might have been an occasion of solemn national mourning and collective repudiation is being used instead as an occasion to stoke fires of ethnic division and hate.


Many in the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, by their violent, lawless rioting, have actually caused great destruction toward Black lives and under-served minority communities.  This fact exposes the real goal of BLM leaders and their deceived followers.  Rather than choosing to build on the foundations of American progress, their goal is to destroy those foundations.  Beginning with Christopher Columbus and the first explorers of the Western Hemisphere, the radical rioters condemn all who were responsible for the establishment of the United States of America.  They condemn America and reject the God who clearly acted providentially to bring her into being and sustain her for over two centuries.

Meanwhile, here in Wooster, Ohio, aside from the reported congregating of some in the downtown square who are noisy at times, it is basically quiet, for now.  I can greet the day in peace and hope.  I can also choose to ignore the daily news reports and video footage of riots and destruction in our nation’s capital and in other cities.  Never mind that they are breaking the law when they destroy public property and private businesses.  To the vandals, the laws are unjust and the police who enforce them ought to be defunded.  Most disheartening of all, the mayors of these cities and many leaders in Congress and the U.S. Senate who were elected to represent their constituents and to uphold the law have been silent or are actually encouragers of lawless behavior.  Many Americans even wonder if our president is uncertain what to do.

How Did It Come to This?
How did we arrive at this point in American history?  Short answer:  By forgetting our history--or never learning it in the first place.  If history is still offered in school and college curricula, it is generally not taught as “His Story.”  But the divinely inspired Scriptures of God in the Book of Genesis reveal that human history began with God’s creation, including His creation of humankind.  Therefore, omitting God also omits the essential context for understanding His sovereign role in human history—His plan to redeem fallen mankind through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and to bring Christ-followers to maturity as they submit to the following spheres of authority which He has ordained:
1)  HOME: marriage and family for the training up of children,
2)  CHURCH:  the assembling of God’s people for teaching,
       communion, worship, fellowship, equipping for service
3)  GOVERNMENT which protects us through due process of law.

Sadly, the last two centuries have seen a rise of human pride that rejects the objective truth of God and replaces it with faith in human reason alone.  By denying the truth that we can come to know God from His created order and from the objective revelation of inspired Scripture, many have become what Paul predicted—Professing to be wise, they became fools instead (Romans 1: 22) …always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 3: 7).  The result:  many influential people in high places are puffed up with pride in the power of human reason.  Their influence undermines each sphere of authority God has ordained.  During the past two centuries, the rise of public and private educational institutions has led to an assault on the biblical worldview.

Fools Indoctrinate Impressionable Students
Many American colleges and universities were originally founded as centers to teach and pursue truth as objective reality as understood through a biblical worldview.  But instead, most have become bastions that indoctrinate impressionable students that all truth is relative truth.  There is only one absolute truth; namely, “Truth cannot be known.”  Consider the following excerpt (emphasis mine) from the inaugural address of Drew Gilpin Faust, Harvard University president from 2007-2018 as quoted by Chuck Stetson in his essay, “Rethinking What Universities Teach” posted in the blog, Liberty Your Choice:

The “Veritas” in Harvard’s shield was originally intended to invoke the absolutes of divine revelation, the unassailable verities of Puritan religion. We understand it quite differently now. Truth is an aspiration, not a possession. Yet in this we—and all universities defined by the spirit of debate and free inquiry—challenge and even threaten those who would embrace unquestioned certainties. We must commit ourselves to the uncomfortable position of doubt, to the humility of always believing there is more to know, more to teach, more to understand.

In sharp contrast, the website of the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Christian Community explains that the original Harvard shield created in 1692 featured the motto, Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae, “Truth for Christ and the Church.” The website adds that the original shield can still be found “on many buildings around campus including the Widener Library, Memorial Church, and various dorms in Harvard Yard.”  Notice on the shield that the bottom book is by itself and upside down!  This inversion symbolizes the belief in the limits of human reason and the need for God’s objective revelation.  The current Harvard shield contains only the word, Veritas.  Now missing is any reference to the purpose of learning truth and the ultimate source of wisdom and knowledge-- Jesus Christ (Colossians 2: 2-3).

Moral and intellectual relativism manifests itself not only in departments of religion and the natural sciences, but also in the disciplines of psychology, sociology, political science, history and literature.  Denial of biblical absolutes erases the distinctions between humankind and other animal species.  How tragic to see this devolution of higher education at Harvard which had been established by Christians who had a clear “blueprint” for how a God-centered culture should look and a curriculum designed to teach the integration of faith, morality, law, and education as an essential foundation for liberty.  The historic Puritan statue, the Matrix of Liberty Monument, in Plymouth, MA personifies these essentials elements of a free society. 

Denial that God’s providential involvement in the founding and preservation of American constitutional government has led to a denial of American exceptionalism.  If God was not providentially involved in leading the Puritans to risk their lives to establish a colony in which to practice their faith in the New World, then there was no human justification for establishing the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the land occupied by Native Americans.  Many secular historians and progressives condemn the European colonization of Africa and the western hemisphere. In their view, it was unjust to enter native cultures because they brought disease, economic oppression, and enslavement of helpless native cultures.  Hence, the United States is an illegitimate nation with no right to exist.  Nor should we retain the statues and buildings that remind us of American history.  And so, we hear the crash of falling statues and smell the smoke of burning American flags.

Were it only the one percent or fewer of Americans who are responsible for the senseless, violent protests, there might be more reason for hope.  But studies reveal that a large percentage of Americans are disadvantaged due to fractured family structure which contributes to emotional and spiritual problems, poor learning, and lack of hope and motivation to take individual responsibility for their lives.  While the government is responsible for maintaining orderly communities, it is the family and church that is crucial to the training up of young men and women.  Let’s consider families first, then church.

Fractured Families and Fallen Statues
Knowing the nature of fallen man, God wisely included specific provisions to encourage humility and submission to both human and divine authority.  Like sheep that tend to go astray (Isaiah 53: 6), we all need a Shepherd who can guide, discipline, and protect us.  In Psalm 23: 4, David, speaking as a sheep needing the LORD as his Shepherd, says Your rod and your staff, then comfort me, referring to the rod of protection from predators and the staff to gently lead those who stray back into the fold.  God’s plan for protecting and guiding His lambs onto the right path in life begins with the family as perhaps the most important sphere of authority.

Although not all marriages lead to having children, couples with children have an additional important responsibility.  By God’s design, the church and government function to provide moral and civic order and accountability to families and individuals.  God intends that each of these spheres of authority be aimed at training up a child in the way he should go; [so that] even when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22: 6).  When marriages and families are healthy, children are “trained up” to honor their father and mother (Exodus 20: 12).  The New Testament (e.g. Ephesians 6: 2) adds that this Fifth Commandment is the first commandment with a promise: so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.  The Fifth Commandment which centers on the marriage, family, and disciplined home life is clearly foundational to the preparation of individuals who can contribute to society as adults.

Marriage and family have faced a moral and spiritual attack throughout history.  In America, many children, particularly Black Americans, are raised by single parents, and children often grow up without having the love and care of a father.  Tragically, many children are not taught to respect authority by a father who models godly love and thus helps introduce them to God as their loving Heavenly Father.  Without the nurture of the “rod and the staff” of loving parents, children often struggle in their school, do poorly in learning and developing social skills, and are inclined to form unhealthy friendships, often leading to associations with lawless gangs.  Without a healthy respect for authority they naturally learn to disrespect all who are responsible for upholding the law and community order.

The Church in Danger
Moral and intellectual relativism have infiltrated college curricula and influenced multiple generations of students who now occupy influential roles in society.  At the same time, the evangelical church is responding to calls for social justice from both within the church and from social activists outside the church.  The latter are urging Christians to live up to the example of Christ who came to preach good news to the poor…proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed (Luke 4: 18).   However, the Statement on Social Justice & the Gospel, affirmed by more than 7,000 signatories presents a biblical position on social justice and points out aspects of the social justice movement that are unbiblical.

Here, I will be brief for two reasons. First, I am not an evangelical leader equipped with the knowledge, experience, or perspective that is necessary to assess all of the various expressions and ramifications of social justice.  Second, I have already written on the subject of social justice with full awareness of my inadequacy (See “Related articles” below.).  My approach here is to offer the following points which are invitations for readers to elaborate, question, correct, or politely disagree.  Each response will be helpful to me because I want to be both teachable and obedient to my calling as a disciple of Christ:

1.  AUTHORITY – Sola Scriptura: Scripture alone is the final authority in determining what is true (i.e. where we rest our faith and reasoning) and what is right (in defining Christian character and conduct)( 2 Peter 1: 16-21; 1 John 2: 5-6).  Because Scripture requires the hard work of correct interpretation, dedicated Christ-followers must discern who is spiritually competent to teach, reprove, rebuke, and exhort with great patience and instruction (2 Tim 3: 16-4: 5).

2.  PRIORITY -- First things first:  Keeping the two foremost commandments (Matthew 22: 36-40) is humanly impossible.  Therefore, all of us must die to our own righteousness, be born again into God’s righteousness, and then continually yield to the power of God’s Spirit in us.  The evidence of God’s righteousness in us (2 Corinthians 5: 21) is our Spirit-driven passion for doing what is right and pleasing to God (1 John 3: 22), resulting in our bearing the fruit of the Spirit:  love, joy, etc. (John 15: 5; Galatians 3: 22-23). Objectively speaking, the Hebrew word for righteousness may be translated justice.  Justice flows from the wellspring of righteousness that God puts within each of us and which He continually replenishes through His Spirit as we yield our will to His will.

3.  CHARITY -- If I do not have love, then I have no righteousness and justice to offer.  Even if I could speak eloquently, I will sound like an irritating gong.  Any great insight, knowledge, and faith; and, even if I give all my material possessions to the poor—none of these will mean anything if they do not flow from the wellspring of God’s love in my life (1 Corinthians 13: 1-3).  By this shall everyone know if an individual or a group is inspired and empowered by the written Word and the Living Word, Jesus Christ; namely, if they love one another (John 13: 35).

4.  VALUE – All people are of great value because all are created in God’s image.  We are united as one human race, but we are highly diverse with respect to our ethnicity, religious persuasion, vocation, gender, age, wealth; or situation. Yet Jesus ministered physically and spiritually without regard for their status.  The unnamed woman at Jacob’s well (John 4) marveled that Jesus, being a male and being a Jew, would even speak to her, a despised Samaritan who was ashamed of her immoral lifestyle.  In contrast, our hateful, lying, enemy, Satan, will tempt us just as he does social activists to focus on any one of these diverse traits in order to distract and divide the Church, the body of Christ.  But the Apostle John saw a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Revelation 7: 9).  Like the Apostle Paul, can we say we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view (2 Corinthians 5: 16a)?

5.  INDIVIDUAL—Serving the individual, or leading a group:  Unlike leaders whose ministry focuses on large crowds, I seem to be more suited to one-on-one encounters or to small groups.  Whatever the case, I want to be like Jesus who valued, loved, and ministered physically and spiritually to all people whether in a large group (e.g. Zacchaeus), mid-sized group (e.g. His disciples), or to individuals.  God saves sinners as individuals, and we are each individually accountable to God (Hebrews 9: 27).  First Peter 2: 1-10 clearly teaches that God is building His church, person by person as living stones being built up into a spiritual house with Christ as the Chief Cornerstone. We should not be distracted by strategies that attempt to “persuade the masses”  at the expense of our ministry to individuals   Any teaching that incites individuals or groups to view themselves as either privileged oppressors or entitled victims of oppression based on ethnicity or any other trait (See #4) is in violation of Scripture. “While we are to weep with those who weep, we deny that a person’s feelings of offense or oppression necessarily prove that someone else is guilty of sinful behaviors, oppression, or prejudice (From:  Social Justice Statement).”

6.  GRACE -- Looking for the speck in my brother’s eye, or judging a church, or “the Church,” before removing the plank in my own eye is not an act of Grace.  I must remember that in the standard by which I judge, I will be judged (Matthew 7: 1-5).  When Christians act carnally (1 Corinthians 3: 1-9) and squabble over differences rather than resolve them wisely (Matthew 18: 15-20) the Church which is the Bride of Christ is made to look ugly.  Worst of all is public criticism aimed at shaming the Church into action by linking it to a political group or class (e.g. white supremacists). The Church and local churches are not perfect and knowing this full well, God Word gives us clear teaching on individual reproof and church discipline.  Furthermore, it is difficult to know all of the many ways that individuals perform acts of mercy and justice (See #4).  It is especially difficult if I have a big log in my own eye.

7.  GIVING – Their first action was to give themselves to the Lord (2 Corinthians 8: 5).  This final point rests on previous points.   First, “giving” that pleases God, as the Apostle Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 8: 1-5, is giving that begins with personal consecration and recognition that it is only by the grace of God that we have anything to give.  In fact, the Greek word charis translates into both “grace” (v. 1) and “gift” (v. 4).  Godly motivation for giving is underscored when we compare the attitude of the churches in Macedonia with the deceitful motive behind the giving by Ananias and Sapphira, in Acts 5: 1-11.  Giving that honors God and edifies His church is motivated from generous believers within the church, not by coercion or force as in the case of socialistic or communistic systems.

Conclusion
As a tribute to the progress in racial reconciliation in America, the tragic death of George Floyd was becoming an observance of national unity through mourning with the family. However, national reaction to this death was hijacked by hateful, violent people to cause division and destruction.  In order to explain the ensuing disorder and destruction that followed, I listed three spheres of authority, each being an important institution in God’s redemptive plan—the home, church, and government.  When each of these function in submission to instruction from God’s Word, the nation thrives.  But moral and intellectual relativism has invaded many American families and the consequences are now evident in the church and government, too.

As we view the broadcast footage of toppling statues of historic figures in the evening news, it may be helpful for us to return to the significance of the message of the Matrix of Liberty Monument.  The statue invites us to look upward with “Faith” as he points toward the God of Heaven from Whom comes the inspired revelation in the Scriptures.  It is this revelation that eventually gave our Founding  Fathers the basis for our Liberty which is only secure when individuals choose to take responsibility to live by the standards of Rule of Law, Morality, and Education. Let us pray that neither Matrix of Liberty Monument nor its important message will be destroyed by the vandals; but instead, these tragic events may trigger a spiritual awakening in America.  Why not pray for it?

Relates Articles from Oikonomia:
Disintegration of the United States of America, August 17, 2012
Extremist Protests: A Monumental Opportunity, August 23, 2017
Extreme Protests 2: Racism as "Corporate Evil"
August 31, 2017
Martin Luther King Jr. Knew God’s Synthesis of Love & Justice, Jan. 22, 2016
Social Gospel, Version 2.0 - Social Justice, January 14, 2019
Black History 2 Reparations or Reconciliation?, March 16, 2019
Pope Francis, the Christian Life, and Social Justice, February 26, 2016
There’s No Such Thing as Private PropertyMarch 28, 2015


No comments: