Was the 'Religious Right' Wrong?

Last week I was in Orlando for a Bible conference.  After it was over, I hung out for an afternoon with some family members who live in the area.  One of them brought a box of books that were free for the taking.  I sifted through them and found one entitled Is God on America's Side?  It was published during the 2008 election season. The author was Erwin Lutzer (Senior Pastor of Moody Memorial Church in Chicago), with contributions from other evangelical leaders such as Philip Graham Ryken, James MacDonald, Kay Arthur, Jim Cymbala, R.C. Sproul and others.

In answering the question "Is God on America's Side?", Lutzer lays out seven principles from Scripture:

1. God can both bless and curse a nation.
2. God judges nations based on the amount of light and opportunity they are given.
3. God sometimes uses exceedingly evil nations to judge those that are less evil.
4. When God judges a nation, the righteous suffer with the wicked.
5. God's judgments take various forms.
6. In judgment, God's target is often His own people, not just the pagans among them.
7. God sometimes reverses intended judgments.

Any one of these principles would make for a good blog discussion. But something that was said under principle #6 got me to thinking, and I thought it would be good for TruthWalk readers to consider as well.  In presenting his case that the evangelical church is experiencing God's judgment, Lutzer says that one sign of this is that "the church has increased visibility but diminishing influence."  In expounding this point he writes,

The so-called Religious Right had great plans to reverse the moral trends of our nation.  We are told that we have helped elect presidents and have impacted public policy and even the selection of judges.  But by identifying these gains as those won by the "Religious Right," namely, Christians who are in cahoots with a particular party, we have made this nation believe that the church is a political base rather than the dispenser of the Gospel.  Any gains we have made (mixed at best) came about at the price of the loss of the Gospel in the wider culture.  We have cheapened Christ before a watching world.

Unfortunately, Christianity, in the minds of millions of Americans, is right-wing politics.  I believe we are under judgment because we have cast about for a solution to our nation's problems and thought that it lay with political muscle and even with a specific political party.  By becoming publicly partisan and implying that one party is more "Christian," we have clouded the issues of what Christianity really is.  Religion is being redefined as politics; the flag has replaced the cross.  And we are feeling the negative repercussions.

Today evangelicals are in the news not because of the Gospel but because of their political support or endorsements.  The scenario of various religious leaders endorsing one political candidate or another is truly deserving of tears.  Some Christian leaders have formed coalitions to "take America back."  They want to "put God back" into our political, legal, and educational institutions....  In identifying ourselves with a political party and battling for civil religion, we have lost our identification with Jesus Christ.

Some pastors share Lutzer's concern and have taken practical measures to buck against this evangelical trend.  Mark Dever, the Senior Pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in D.C., had the American flag removed from the sanctuary - not because he is anti-American but because he knows that the kingdom of God is bigger than America.  It includes people of every ethnicity.

Ligon Duncan, another prominent evangelical leader who serves as Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Mississippi, takes a similar stance in a very personal way.  On his facebook profile, where it says "Political Views," Ligon writes: "I have them, but prefer to keep them to myself for the sake of the Gospel."  

Does this suggest that these pastors do not care about America's moral condition?  No, certainly not.  They as much as anybody support a biblical morality.  They long for righteousness to prevail here in America (and throughout the world).  But they rightly believe that the solution is not to be found in political pressure or intimidation but rather through Gospel witness.  

Our goal as believers should not be to moralize America but rather to see individual people transformed by the power of the Gospel.  Morality in and of itself does nothing to procure God's favor.  The Pharisees of Jesus' day proved that.  Morality does nothing to save a person; it does nothing to save a nation.  In a sermon entitled The Deadly Dangers of Moralism, John MacArthur reminds us as Christians, "We are not a kingdom of politicians.  We are a kingdom of priests.  And what is a priest?  He's a reconciler.  We bring people to God through Christ."

The Christian influence in America is eroding.  The only way to regain it in a manner that is truly effective and God-honoring is through the faithful proclamation of the Gospel.  That is where our time, energy, and other resources ought to be invested.  Political activism can never accomplish what the preaching of the cross alone can do, which is to bring people to repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  

"Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things" (2 Tim. 2:7).

Looking Back on Ligonier and "The Holiness of God"

Yesterday the pastoral staff, along with one other gentleman from our church, got back from the national conference of Ligonier Ministries. The theme was The Holiness of God.  We are so thankful for a church body and elder leadership that allows us to attend such conferences so that we can be fed and, as a result, better feed the the souls of those under our care.

I asked each of these men to summarize their thoughts on the conference. Here's what they had to say . . .

Mr. Joe Capozzi:

Prior to attending the Ligonier Conference, I always considered that I had a high view of God. Well, hearing from these men and their description of God through The Word, has elevated my present understanding to an even higher level. Oh, how I now revere God and His Holiness! The Friday morning sessions were the most special, as Sinclair Ferguson, Steve Lawson and Alistair Begg, proclaimed Hallowed Be Your Name: The Holiness of the Father; The Holy One of God: The Holiness of Jesus; and The Breath of the Almighty: The Holy Spirit; all in rapid succession. Magnificent!

I don't want to leave out RC Sproul's "I Am The Lord, There is No Other". Even the Q&A sessions were inspiring. I'm so glad that I attended the conference - The Lord knows that I needed to hear about Him in this way, especially during such a trying time, now that I'm unemployed for the past four months.

Pastor Nick Jones:

Conferences are always hard to describe afterward. You get to travel to another city, meet many new people, and take a break from your daily routine. In this sense, it seems like a vacation. But then you have the other side. At this year's Ligonier Conference, we had seventeen sessions spread out over three days. You start out early and end late; when you're not sitting in a session, you're waiting in line for the bathroom or food, and there is very little "free time." In this sense, while it's not work, you're often more tired after the conference than before! Nevertheless, it was well worth it, mainly because of what happened during those seventeen meeting times. The speakers were not just salesmen or businessmen giving the latest updates or news on gadgets, but they were instead pastors and teachers who care very much for the Church and for us. Most of them didn't just teach, they preached, and with that God moved in great and many ways. Again and again we were taught, hammered, and massaged with the theme of this year's conference: the holiness of God. It was so devastating and encouraging to be shown anew the greatness of our God. His holiness calls for, inspires, demands, and even enables our complete love and affection throughout every facet of our lives. In this sense, the conference was a magnificent grace of our Redeemer, and I thank you so much for letting us take part.

Pastor Paul Tessari:

The Ligonier’s Conference was outstanding on many levels. From a biblical prospective I learned much about the Holiness of God. R.C. Sproul’s sermon entitled “I am the Lord, There is No Other” was a reminder to me of the transcendent Holiness of God and that He is worthy to be worshiped. In an evangelical culture where God is often painted as a "buddy," this conference exalted the Lord to His rightful place as Creator, Redeemer, exalted Father, Son, and Spirit. It increased my reverence for a Holy God and caused me to wonder again at the words, “I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple…Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory” (Isa. 6:1-3).

From a ministry perspective I was challenged to spend more time in the Word learning about this wonderful God in order that I might paint this picture to all who will listen. The preaching was so outstanding that I was also challenged to be a better communicator of the Word—to preach with powerful simplicity.

From a fellowship perspective I had the joy of getting to know Pastor Nick’s humility as he kindly put others before himself ... Joe Capozzi's ministering to us daily in renting a car and driving us wherever we needed to go ... and Pastor Matt’s leadership as he organized much of what we did. It was wonderful to see the same Spirit of God moving in believers in such a way that you could sit down next to perfect strangers and feel as though you’ve known them all your life.

Finally, while sitting in a Wendy’s eating lunch after the conference and pondering the awesomeness of our God, engaged in biblical discussion, we had the joy and privilege to meet Jeff. Jeff (who was in a wheel chair), was sitting next to us as we began to eat. We noticed that he lingered much longer than those around us as we continued in our discussions. Upon finishing eating and getting up from the table Jeff said to us, “Thank you guys…” to which we replied, “For what??” and he said, “For your conversation, it really spoke to my heart.” We quickly discovered that Jeff had received formal theological education at Word of Life Bible Institute and Appalachian Bible College.  But soon after entering the ministry as a youth pastor, he went through a series of trials which culminated in domestic crisis and heartache.  Jeff was forced to leave the ministry, saddened and dejected.  Yet in God's providence, he had overheard everything we said and, unbeknownst to us, was encouraged by our talk of the Lord. At that point we all gathered around Jeff and prayed for him. This proved to be one of the greatest blessings of the conference.

What more can I add to these three wonderful testimonies except, "Amen, amen, and amen!"  The Lord granted us a wonderful week, even as far as the weather was concerned.  We know that many were praying and want to assure you that those prayers were answered.  What more could servants of Christ hope to glean from such a conference than to have a higher view and greater love for God, sweet fellowship with one another, and an earnest desire to get back and serve our precious congregation!  God is good, abundantly gracious, and we give Him all the glory.  May His name be praised!

Distributing with Discernment

This month World magazine put out a special issue on Wealth and Poverty in America's Cities.  Interestingly, the first city referenced is Boston.  Here's how the article begins (you'll have to work through some of the Old English in the second paragraph):

Christians want to be generous, and that's as it should be.  But we can learn from our predecessors who emphasized that generosity is only the first step.  If we act without discernment, our generosity may actually be selfishness that give ourselves a warm glow but hurts others.  

We can learn from the oldest charity still existing in the United States, the Scots' Charitable Society of Boston, founded in 1657.  The Society from its start resolved to "open the bowells of our compassion" but to make sure that "no prophane or diselut person, or openly scandalous shall have any part or portione herein."  They viewed poor people not as standing at the bottom of a ladder but halfway up, capable of ascending to independence and even wealth if they saw themselves as created in God's image and were willing to work and live accordingly, but likely to descend into abject dependence and despair if they started to see themselves as animals.

Boston pastor Cotton Mather three centuries ago asked his church members to be charitable but also careful not to "abuse your charity by misapplying it."  A half-century later prominent pastor Charles Chauncey instructed leaders of the Society for Encouraging Industry and Employing the Poor to be careful in "the Distribution of Charity" so they would not "dispense in promiscuously" and "bestow upon those the Bread of Charity, who might earn and and eat their own Bread, if they did not shamefully idle away their Time."

Let me stop there for a minute, because we certainly see this particular principle taught in Scripture within the life of the church.  The apostle Paul wrote, "For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat" (1 Thes. 3:10).  Just so we're clear, Paul was not referring to those who were without work (i.e. the unemployed) but rather those who will not work (i.e. the idle and disorderly).  It's amazing to think that our government used to take roughly the same approach.  Marvin Olasky, the writer of this article, goes on to note,

Two centuries ago Americans did not subsidize others in self-destruction.  Some 23 Boston charity societies declared in 1835 that recipients should believe it "disgraceful to depend upon alms-giving, as long as a capacity for self-support is retained . . . [To] give to one who begs . . . or in any way to supersede the necessity of industry, of forethought, and of proper self-restraint and self-denial is at once to do wrong, and to encourage the receivers of our alms to wrong doing."  The groups declared that relief should be given only after a "personal examination of each case," and "not in money, but in the necessaries required in the case."

Similarly, the Boston Provident Association (established in 1851) gave food, clothes, and coal to those willing to work but in temporary need.  The association refused requests from drunkards and asked supporters to give beggars not money but cards proposing a visit to the Association's offices, where volunteers would examine needs, make job referrals, and provide food and temporary shelter.  It also developed a list of "impostors" -- able-bodied persons who refused to work!

Imagine if our government as a whole - or even our beloved city of Boston - practiced such protocol today!  I am thankful for how these Bible-based principles are applied so lovingly and carefully by the Deacons of our church.  They distribute to the needs of others, but not without discernment - and always with the Gospel.  And after looking into a situation, if there is still a question as to what would be best, I have found them to "err" on the side of grace.  

When Christ comes to set up His kingdom, what a difference it will make in our welfare system!  In the meantime, may we the church operate by kingdom principles and serve as a prototype of what one day will be operating on a global scale, when "the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea" (Isa. 11:2). 

Modern-Day Martyr

Before heading off to prayer meeting last evening, I checked my e-mail and logged on to the Internet.  My home page is Fox News, and the cover story was about Fred Winters, a pastor in Illinois who was gunned down in the pulpit while preaching in morning service.  You can read all about it here.

I checked out the church website, and from everything I've seen, this pastor was a godly man who was utterly committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ and to the authority of God's Word.  He had a great love for the Lord and for people.  Supposedly, as the gunman walked down the aisle toward the pastor in the middle of the service, the pastor said to him, "Can I help you?" - something that another pastor on staff did not find surprising at all.  Here's the video clip this morning from Fox News:

Yesterday morning started out like just any other Sunday morning for this preacher.  He simply got up behind his pulpit and started preaching God's Word to his flock.  As a pastor, I am reminded of how important it is for me to "to preach ... as a dying man to dying men" (Richard Baxter).  And certainly all of us should pray, as Moses did, 

Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.

- Psalm 90:12

What are the practical implications of this verse for us as believers?  Perhaps they are best stated in the following two resolutions of Jonathan Edwards:

1. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
2. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

By all accounts, Pastor Fred Winters finished well.  God help us to do the same.

Advice to High School Christians

Recently I asked our new associate pastor, Paul Tessari, to write an article for the TruthWalk blog.  Here's what Paul had to say:

I was recently invited to speak at a Bible study given on the campus of a local public high school. To be honest I was amazed that anyone from a public high school would even want to attend a Bible study. Let’s face it, even when I was in high school (over 20 years ago), there were few who would dare attend such an event, even if you were a Christian.

I admit, I was a bit nervous. After all, just prior to my visit I received a call from the principal emphasizing the separation of church and state. He was both kind and courteous and confessed to me that he too was a Christian. Yet there was a tension there and I knew it.

“What can I share from the Word that might help these youngsters?” I thought. How can I encourage them when they are faced daily with temptation, scorn, and ridicule?

I thought of Matthew 5:13-16,

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become taste-less, how can it be made salty again; It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the World. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

When I entered the class room I was surprised to see several students and a teacher. “These,” I thought, “are the soldiers of Christ in this school.” They are the “light” amidst the darkness. In a day where high schools hold Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Transgender Appreciation Days (Newton North High, Dec. 17th, 2008)—How are these young warriors to respond? Again, I thought of Matthew 5:13-16.

This text calls us to be an influence for the Lord in whatever circumstances we find ourselves; and this is what I shared with them that day.

We are not to shrink back from the opposition but told to be salt and light.

Salt was an immensely valuable commodity in the ancient world. The Romans considered its importance second only that of the sun. In fact, at times, Roman soldiers were paid their wages in salt. That is where the phrase “worth his weight in salt” comes from. The primary thing the Lord had in mind when speaking of salt in this text was its ability to act as a preservative and to prevent decay. It is our call to stop the spiritual and moral spoilage of our time and to keep ourselves unspotted from the world. This however, is not a call to protest in the conventional sense. It is through our love for Christ that we impact our community and affect the culture we live in. By this we are the salt of the earth.

Yet, we are also described by our Lord as the “light of the world,” The properties of light do many wonderful things. Primarily though, light dispels the darkness and reveals the truth of our surroundings. Without light we cannot see. We are blind. As children of the Light (Eph. 5:8) we reveal the truths of Scripture and we proclaim Christ until He comes. This is our blessed responsibility, no matter what our surrounding. We are His witnesses on earth, His ambassadors. We proclaim the culminating truth of Scripture that Jesus Christ is Lord.

How then did I attempt to encourage these high schoolers? Do not hide your Christianity. Influence the world around you and be dif-ferent than the world. Be yourself! Be a Christian! Let every action point people to Christ. Live what you believe and God will be glorified by it. Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:21).

Practically this works itself out in not yielding to the peer pressure of those around you; resisting the appeal to be involved in sex, drugs or any other worldly enticement. Don't be a hypocrite, live what you believe. You may not be able to stop the actions of others but, by your witness, you can reveal them for what they are—darkness. Remember, that God has not left us as orphans but promises to be with us during times of temptation and trial (Matt. 28:20). In these circumstances Scripture tells us to cast all our fears on Him for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). We need only be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (not ours).

In the same way that one little candle can illuminate the darkness of an entire room so should our witness be for Christ. Ever burning until He comes.