Gary discusses a speech given by Pastor Jack Hibbs to the Family Research Council about the state of the culture.
One would be hard pressed to find modern politicians who would claim that the State is divine, but more often than not actions speak louder than words. For modern secularists, the political sphere is no less divine than the city-states of Greece and Rome and the deified nationalism of eighteenth-century France, Stalinist Russia, or Nazi Germany. For numerous modern-day politicians, the State is a saving institution instead of a ministry designed and instituted by God for the maintenance of justice.
In too many cases, today’s State plays the role of benefactor (savior) instead of its biblical role as an administrator of civil justice. The words adorning one of the pediments of the Supreme Court reads: “Justice the Guardian of Liberty.” Rejecting this role for itself, “The idol state uses the language of compassion because its intention is a messianic one. It finds the masses harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd, needing a savior.” The messianic State promises to set up heaven on earth through coercion and the consolidation of power in the hands of a few. The result is a loss of freedom for the many. It does this in the name of its religion. This is an old story:
Now [Herod] was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; and with one accord they came to him, having won over Blastus the king’s chamberlain, they were asking for peace, because their country was fed by the king’s country. And on an appointed day Herod, having put on his royal apparel, took his seat on the rostrum and began delivering an address to them. And the people kept crying out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died (Acts 12:20–23).
As this passage shows, God does not tolerate pluralism. It is impossible to separate religion from politics. Herod fed the people and demanded worship from the people, and the people were quick to respond favorably. Some religion, even if it is atheism or paganism, will always be mixed with politics. To exclude Christianity merely opens the door to some other religion.
Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths
Christianity's failure to show itself practical in the past 150 years has guaranteed the success of secularism and militant Islam, both of which are doing incalculable harm at home and abroad. The rejection of any type of "this-worldly" application of the Bible has resulted in the proliferation of man-centered worldviews that have steadily drained the life out of our world and left behind a spiritual vacuum.
Buy NowGary discusses a speech given by Pastor Jack Hibbs to the Family Research Council about the state of the culture. While much of what Pastor Hibbs says is true and good, his eschatology and “last days” teaching is counterproductive, and even contrary, to his larger message. He wants Christians and the Church to get involved and be salt and light in a tasteless and dark world, yet he also teaches that much of the cultural darkness is an indication that Jesus’ return is near.