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 (revival] USA POLITICS, RICK PERRY & the N.A.R.

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 a
strongly conservative evangelical Christian. And yet, I have
questioned for a long time whether conservative Christians
(particularly in the USA) are trying to solve "SPIRITUAL" problems
with Politics - which will never work. The sheer amount of money
and energy and passion that Christians in the US are devoting to
"electing the right guy" seems to even dwarf what they are willing
to do SPIRITUALLY. There is something wrong. We are trying to
use 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" and
is 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 Wendell
wrote to me-
"Concerning America and patriotism. I have participated in this
also... I have a question that I would greatly appreciate your input
concerning.

"My husband and I have become increasingly troubled by the
emphasis on politics as an answer to our country's problems. At
the birth of the Christian Right, which I date from Pat Robertson's
call for Christians to register as Republicans and vote accordingly
because of the issues of abortion and gay rights. At first this
seemed right to my husband and me, but as time went by we
became troubled in our spirits and began to seek the Lord about
it. We should have done that before, but there was so much peer
pressure that we never even questioned that it was the right path.

"The 'voice' was so strident and so angry that we SHOULD have
questioned it at the onset. The strident voice grew louder and
louder and more and more angry until it became actually hate filled
and discernment became hard to find within the movement - to
proclaim the Republican Party as the party God had chosen. To
even question that God might NOT have blessed a specific party
as a holy vessel and the other as evil was met with outrage.

"Christians began to send hate filled email forwards about President
Obama that were clearly bald-faced lies, but were received with
gladness. The intensity only increased. When we warned others
that 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 our
country', Rick Perry, the Governor of Texas. We have heard from
media reports that he has aligned himself with a group known as
the "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 extremely
troubling trend toward acceptance of the belief that God will restore
America THROUGH a Christian political movement--ie. man's efforts.

"This sounds like to us exactly what Satan has devised and not
in any way resembling our Holy Father's plan for redemption of His
people in HIS KINGDOM IN HEAVEN. This human ordained plan
for redemption of our country smacks of pride, arrogance and greed
without even a hint of godliness. It sounds like a plan to establish
a theocracy though it will not be called a theocracy... I ran across
an internet article/blog authored by Dr. Orrel Steincamp (and another
by Ken Silva) called "The Coalescing of the Christian Right with
Apostolic Dominionism". This sounds like just what my husband
and I had feared would transpire, but we aren't acquainted with
these authors. We would greatly appreciate your prayerful
consideration of this movement in order to give us more light and
clarity on the subject."

ANDREW REPLIES: I will only be brief, because I'm sure others
will have insights to share. But let me start by saying I am totally
opposed to the so-called “New Apostolic Reformation” – since I
believe it is neither “apostolic” nor any kind of real ‘reformation’
at all. It is essentially just another type of “hierarchy” trying to
impose itself over the church – made up (mostly) of presumptuous
men with business cards displaying the word “apostle”. These
are the same guys who got up on stage to endorse Todd Bentley
at the Lakeland revival just before the whole thing collapsed. God
gave them a public spanking then for their "apostolic" proclamations,
but it looks like they are coming back for more. Once was not
enough. This "2nd spanking" is now underway and is all over the
media. God is yet again showing that these are no "apostles" of
His. Rick Perry - if he knows what is good for him - will distance
himself from these guys at the speed of light. But already they
may have cost him the Presidency.

Regarding the "hatefulness" of Politics - yes it is totally unChristian
to behave that way - yet so many Christians are getting caught up
in it. That is because they are putting Politics ahead of God. HE
is the only one that can save America. Not an "election"!! If you
think that the Tea Party and Fox News can save America with
their Political activism, you are totally out to lunch. JESUS is the
only one who can save the country. No-one else. We need a
REVIVAL - not just a political party!!

But it is even worse - because it is now starting to get so extreme
that I believe civil strife can be expected on the streets if it keeps
going this way. You know, when God judges a country He often
gives them over to division and infighting and internal strife. I believe
this 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 becoming
more and more evident. U.S Christians - you have been warned.

It would be great to hear people's opinions on this topic. Please
go to the following website to make your comment-

http://www.johnthebaptisttv.com/

God bless you all.

Andrew Strom.

 2011/8/26 9:19









 Re: (revival] USA POLITICS, RICK PERRY & the N.A.R.

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


 2011/8/26 13:07









 Re:

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

 2011/8/26 13:13









 Re:

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

 2011/8/26 13:20









 Re:

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

 2011/8/26 13:53
ArtB
Member



Joined: 2004/4/27
Posts: 431
New York

 Re: (revival] USA POLITICS, RICK PERRY & the N.A.R.

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

 2011/8/26 15:18Profile









 Re:

Quote:
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,



Very wise of you, indeed.

My political view is very simple. I vote for Jesus Christ. I don't care for any other king, however, I will obey the laws of the land unless they interfere with the preaching of the Gospel and I will show respect and mercy to all men. The same mercy I have been shown, I will endeavor to show to others.

Julius

 2011/8/26 15:23





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