USA POLITICS, RICK PERRY & the N.A.R.-by Andrew Strom.I had a couple from the USA write to me today with a rather hair-raising question on US politics. But before we get to their email,let me make a couple of points. As many of you know, I am astrongly conservative evangelical Christian. And yet, I havequestioned for a long time whether conservative Christians(particularly in the USA) are trying to solve "SPIRITUAL" problemswith Politics - which will never work. The sheer amount of moneyand energy and passion that Christians in the US are devoting to"electing the right guy" seems to even dwarf what they are willingto do SPIRITUALLY. There is something wrong. We are trying touse Politics to solve problems that only God Himself can solve!We need an actual Awakening - not just a "new guy" for President!A lot of this massive devotion and activism is a "distraction" andis also leading to enraged and "hateful" behaviour from Christians.Slander, gossip, anger, malicious talk, circulating hateful rumors,etc, etc. Real ugly behaviour that is not Christ-like at all. In fact,it is the very opposite of the way Jesus told us to be.But now - let us get to the email. Here is what Carolyn and Wendellwrote to me-"Concerning America and patriotism. I have participated in thisalso... I have a question that I would greatly appreciate your inputconcerning."My husband and I have become increasingly troubled by theemphasis on politics as an answer to our country's problems. Atthe birth of the Christian Right, which I date from Pat Robertson'scall for Christians to register as Republicans and vote accordinglybecause of the issues of abortion and gay rights. At first thisseemed right to my husband and me, but as time went by webecame troubled in our spirits and began to seek the Lord aboutit. We should have done that before, but there was so much peerpressure that we never even questioned that it was the right path."The 'voice' was so strident and so angry that we SHOULD havequestioned it at the onset. The strident voice grew louder andlouder and more and more angry until it became actually hate filledand discernment became hard to find within the movement - toproclaim the Republican Party as the party God had chosen. Toeven question that God might NOT have blessed a specific partyas a holy vessel and the other as evil was met with outrage."Christians began to send hate filled email forwards about PresidentObama that were clearly bald-faced lies, but were received withgladness. The intensity only increased. When we warned othersthat Romans 13 was still in the Bible we were met with derision,so great was the hatred for this man who was elected as President."Now, another Christian voice has risen, and as 'the savior of ourcountry', Rick Perry, the Governor of Texas. We have heard frommedia reports that he has aligned himself with a group known asthe "New Apostolic Reformation" which has been compared to the"Kingdom Now"... the "Reconstruction/Kingdom Dominionists"movements. In trying to ascertain the validity of this movement(actually a "doctrine", I believe), we have found an extremelytroubling trend toward acceptance of the belief that God will restoreAmerica THROUGH a Christian political movement--ie. man's efforts."This sounds like to us exactly what Satan has devised and notin any way resembling our Holy Father's plan for redemption of Hispeople in HIS KINGDOM IN HEAVEN. This human ordained planfor redemption of our country smacks of pride, arrogance and greedwithout even a hint of godliness. It sounds like a plan to establisha theocracy though it will not be called a theocracy... I ran acrossan internet article/blog authored by Dr. Orrel Steincamp (and anotherby Ken Silva) called "The Coalescing of the Christian Right withApostolic Dominionism". This sounds like just what my husbandand I had feared would transpire, but we aren't acquainted withthese authors. We would greatly appreciate your prayerfulconsideration of this movement in order to give us more light andclarity on the subject."ANDREW REPLIES: I will only be brief, because I'm sure otherswill have insights to share. But let me start by saying I am totallyopposed to the so-called New Apostolic Reformation since Ibelieve it is neither apostolic nor any kind of real reformationat all. It is essentially just another type of hierarchy trying toimpose itself over the church made up (mostly) of presumptuousmen with business cards displaying the word apostle. Theseare the same guys who got up on stage to endorse Todd Bentleyat the Lakeland revival just before the whole thing collapsed. Godgave them a public spanking then for their "apostolic" proclamations,but it looks like they are coming back for more. Once was notenough. This "2nd spanking" is now underway and is all over themedia. God is yet again showing that these are no "apostles" ofHis. Rick Perry - if he knows what is good for him - will distancehimself from these guys at the speed of light. But already theymay have cost him the Presidency.Regarding the "hatefulness" of Politics - yes it is totally unChristianto behave that way - yet so many Christians are getting caught upin it. That is because they are putting Politics ahead of God. HEis the only one that can save America. Not an "election"!! If youthink that the Tea Party and Fox News can save America withtheir Political activism, you are totally out to lunch. JESUS is theonly one who can save the country. No-one else. We need aREVIVAL - not just a political party!!But it is even worse - because it is now starting to get so extremethat I believe civil strife can be expected on the streets if it keepsgoing this way. You know, when God judges a country He oftengives them over to division and infighting and internal strife. I believethis is on the cards for America in the next few years. My friends,I urge you not to be part of it. Don't be part of the "mob hysteria"that is starting to get whipped up on both the Left and the Right.This is not what Jesus calls us to at all. The dangers are becomingmore and more evident. U.S Christians - you have been warned.It would be great to hear people's opinions on this topic. Pleasego to the following website to make your comment-http://www.johnthebaptisttv.com/God bless you all.Andrew Strom.
I totally agree, Appolus. I have been warning people for over 25 years to stay away from politics in America. You cannot extend the Kingdom of God using the arm of the flesh. God will have nothing of man's methods. But, over time the Church's involvement has become more aggressive and ugly. My observation is that most of their activity and involvement in politics in fear based. They are afraid of all that they perceive they lose so they turn to the arm of the flesh (politics) instead of turning to the Lord.Many that have turned to politics think that they have "turned to the Lord", too and this just salves and justifies their conscience that they are doing the "Lord's work". They have built an entire theology around the melding of politics and Christianity. Many of these same Christians are ready to pick up arms and fulfill their "patriotic" duty, also. They won't realize how far off the narrow path they have strayed until they are rudely awakened by bloodshed. For others, even bloodshed will not awaken them. Julius
I agree Julius, I believe that this had hindered revival. When Gods people turn to Him with their whole-hearts, then I believe that we will have the right conditions for revival. Many things are, in and of themselves, not wrong, including voting and governmet and so on, but when men put their trust in institutions, and when it is based on fear, then we have idolotry. The good news is that men can still turn their hearts to God and trust in Him alone.......brother Frank
Understood, Appolus. When you place your trust in your own strength then you do all you can to make yourself (your nation) stronger and stronger so as to fend off your perceived enemies. Julius
Jesus told Pilot my kingdom is not of this world. Paul wrote to the Philippians that our citizenship was above. The writer of Hebrews mentions that the people of faith are looking for heavenly country. I think that pretty well sums up where our identy ultimately lies.Blaine
I do not like O'Bama as our President, I do not like the alleged Christian Church he attended for many years, the church with that crazy Pastor, I do not like the people he appointed to high Offices in Washington DC - I deem some of them as criminals, I do not like President O'Bama's anti-Israeli and pro-Islam politics, I believe that President O'Bama was handpick by an oligarchy of wealthy influential power brokers, the gods of this world so to speak, to be groomed for the presidency, someone whom they may completely control. And I believe this was ordained by God for this moment in history for the great troubles that are coming on this earth. But, despite these personal beliefs of mine, I will not mix these views with my Christian witness and views. The extent of my politics is my own personal vote. I may share my political views with close friends and family,
_________________Arthur Biele
But, despite these personal beliefs of mine, I will not mix these views with my Christian witness and views. The extent of my politics is my own personal vote. I may share my political views with close friends and family,