How Bad Must Things Get...?

Occasional Editorial:

First Posted July 13, 2008

How Bad Do Things Have to Get... ...before Americans realize how much we need to return to faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ? On Sunday July 6, 2008 this Associated Press article in my local newspaper caught my attention: "There's 'Too Much Wrong'" 2011 update: The_One_Percent documentary by Jamie Johnson available streaming from netflix (2006). http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/10/17/disturbing-statistics-on-the-decline-of-americas-middle-class/ http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/09/census-finds-widest-gap-ever-between-rich-and-poor-americans/1 http://money.cnn.com/2011/02/16/news/economy/middle_class/index.htm I am a "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) Christian and love to study the Bible. In 1977, Peter Marshall, Jr, the son of Peter Marshall (the well-known preacher and Chaplin of the U.S Senate; The Man Called Peter of the book and movie by that name. The book was written by his wife, Catherine, the well-known Christian author) Their son, Peter, published a book in collaboration with David Manuel, The Light and the Glory* based on the premise that God had a plan for America. They assert that Christopher Columbus (his name means Christ-bearer) knew that he had been called by God to discover and found a "New Israel," a nation under God.** The Bible is the inspired Word of God which has recorded the dealings of God with his people, Israel, as a warning to us, New Promised Land, the New Israel, the new people of God, not to make the same mistakes ( 1 Corinthians 10:6, 11). History recorded in the Old Testament of the Bible reveals, over and over, that Israel continually went through a cycle of obedience to God's Word, then, in their prosperity, falling away from obedience to rebellion and idolatry. The Lord would lift his providence and protection from them, and they would experience trouble and want and then they would turn again to the Lord for help. Through repentance and obedience they would be restored to God's providence. God is eternal and unchanging. What was true for Israel is true for us today. America has experienced that cycle of prosperity, spiritual decline, travail, repentance, and restoration. The first colonists were dependent upon God for survival, but as they became successful they fell away, attributing their success to their own ability. As settlers set out for the western frontier, they again realized their vulnerability and need for God's providence and protection, which led to a spiritual revival. America has experienced several spiritual "Great Awakenings," periods of repentance and return to faith (obedient trust) in God,. In 1745, the First Great Awakening in Northampton, Mass. began through the preaching of Jonathan Edwards. The Second Great Awakening occurred between 1790 and 1840. Charles Grandison Finney (August 29, 1792 – August 16, 1875) was a major preacher. In the 1970's there was youthful revival of the Jesus Movement, considered by some as the Fourth Great Awakening, trying to counteract the allure of sex and drugs of the “Flower Children.” One of the best programs to come out of the Jesus Movement was the Calvary Chapel fellowship, begun in Costa Mesa by Chuck Smith. Although I was not of the Hippie generation, I came under the teaching and influence of Chuck Smith myself through his radio and tape ministries. Until recently I attended the local congregation Saturday evening worship for my young adult daughters when they had to work Sundays. Our society hasn't improved since the seventies when The Light and the Glory was written. Sex, and drugs are still leading our children astray. Sexually Transmitted Diseases are ever more prevalent and dangerous. Television is more and more sexual in content. “Swingtown” is an example, a new series this season which glamorizes indiscriminate adultery and group sex. If they do it on TV it must be ok, right? This era is the New Seventies. Iraq is our New Vietnam War. One of the most alarming problems is the lack of moral values in our children, who are virtually raising themselves without parental guidance. Gang violence is more and more prevalent. Gang members have no appreciation for the value of life. High School youths plot to bomb and shoot their classmates and teachers. California's legislature just legalized Homosexual marriage, avoiding the vote of the people in the November election. If the people vote it out in November, the “gay rights” activists have already accomplished their goal. That act is inviting God's judgment. Consider all the devastating weather and natural disasters: fires in California, floods and hurricanes in the midwest, our economic woes. Do we find ourselves working harder and harder for less and less? Does it seem likely that God has begun to lift his favor and protection from our Nation? david -shepherdboy * Marshall, Peter, J., Jr. and Manuel, David, "The Light and the Glory" (underline), Fleming H. Revell, Baker Books, P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, Mich. 41956-6287. ISBN 0-8007-5054-3 (paper) **ibid, Columbus' 'Book of Prophecies, private translation from Spanish by August J. Kling, quoted in "The Presbyterian Layman" October, 1971.