The Independent Baptist:

"Plains Baptist Challenger"

September 2002

News & Views, September 2002 - Edited By E. L. Bynum

The Unchangeable Word of God - By E. L. Bynum

The Giant Still Sleeps - By Russ Brown

HELENA, Mont. - In the Rev. Eugene H. Peter son's retelling of the Bible, when Jesus raises a young girl from the dead, he first has to work his way through neighbors bringing casseroles to the grieving family's home.

The poetic "valley of the shadow of death" from Psalm 23 becomes simply "Death Valley." And when God prepares to flood the earth, he decides to spare Noah because "Noah was different. God liked what he saw in Noah."

Those folksy touches are part of the appeal of Peterson's "The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language," published by NavPress of Colorado Springs, Colo. The 2,265-page volume is a compilation of biblical paraphrases that Peterson has written for 20 years.

Released in July, NavPress sold 320,000 copies in advance and ordered an initial print run of 500,000, the largest it has ever had for a Bible, NavPress spokeswoman Kathleen Campbell said.

Peterson's New Testament, published in 1993, sold 2.5 million copies, and his other "Message sage products" - more than 20 in all - have sold 4.5 million. In addition to good sales, Peterson's work has enjoyed gentle treatment from other biblical scholars.

Vern Poythress, a New Testament professor at Westminister Theological Seminary in Glenside, Pa., says he and fellow conservatives may quibble with many of Peterson's renderings but have leveled few attacks because "The Message" isn't a Bible and isn't presented as such.

He sees it as useful for evangelism among people who know nothing about the Bible, so long as they realize it's merely one writer's interpretation of the biblical message. He says Peterson's work "is at the far end of the spectrum, not only in paraphrasing but cultural updating."

Peterson translated the Bible directly from the Greek and Hebrew and avoided earlier English translations. His purpose was to capture the earthy, vigorous tone of the originals.

"My intent was to provide something for people who had never read the Bible before, or didn't think they could read it," he said.

In "The Message," Paul the Apostle is that "jailbird preacher." In the Psalm 23, `The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want," becomes "God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing."

Nobody "begets" anybody in "The Message." They have babies.

"I've been reading the Bible since I was a little kid, but I found myself, when I first cracked it open - I was on an airplane - and I found myself laughing out loud or crying," recalled Brad Rauch, a friend of Peterson's and general manager of Christian radio station KALS in Kalispell.

Rauch is just one of many admirers. Peterson, who grew up in Kalispell and now lives nearby on the shore of western Montana's Flathead Lake, has fans all over.

Bono, lead singer for the Irish rock band U2, cited "this guy Eugene Peterson" in a Rolling Stone interview last December.

"He's a poet and a scholar, and he's brought the text back to the tone in which the books were written," Bono said. "A lot of the Gospels were written in common kind of market speak. They were not at all highfalutin like the King James version of the Bible."

Peterson's mother was a Pentecostal preacher, and her son started out his career as a scholar of Greek and Hebrew at New York Theological Seminary and an associate pastor at a Presbyterian church in White Plains, N.Y.

In 1962 he went to Bel Air, Md., to organize a new Presbyterian church and stayed 29 years. He still regards himself primarily as a pastor.

"The Message" began because Peterson's adult Sunday school class didn't grasp how exciting Paul's Letter to the Galatians really is. He decided to translate it for them.

The resulting pamphlet found its way to an editor at NavPress, the publishing arm of The Navigators, a nondenominational, international evangelistic organization. Editor John Stein offered to publish a New Testament paraphrase by Peterson.

These days, Peterson rarely preaches anymore, and turns down most of the scores of speaking invitations that come from around the world.

"I'm nearly 70 years old, and I just don't have the energy to do that," he said. "And I just can't handle much exposure anymore. I get people projecting something on me that's not true, and I find it's diminishing." That something is adulation.

He is working on a five-book series on spiritual theology, but has no deadline.

Note by E. L. Bynum:

In another article on the same page about this work of Peterson reveals how he translates John 1:1. "The Word was first, The Word present to God, God present to the Word, The Word was God, in readiness for God from day one."

ELB comments: What a crude and unscriptural way to pretend to translate the Word of God.

My Answer to: "The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language." This new "Contemporary Language Bible" is currently available in almost all bookstores across America. It is a mutilation of the Bible, the Holy Word of God. It needs to be exposed for the corrupt mess that it is. It was translated by Eugene H. Peterson, and is a crude and vulgar attempt to twist the Word of God.

In another column you will read the article that appeared in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, August 15, 2002. It upsets me when people start tampering with the Word of God. I decided almost immediately to preach a sermon on "The Unchangeable Word of God." I preached this sermon Sunday Morning 8-18-02, at the Tabernacle Baptist Church, Lubbock, TX. The notes for that sermon are included below, along with a few additional comments.

In addition I wrote a short letter to the Editor of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, which they printed on 8-22-02. Here is what I said:

Re: The article "Story of Bible receives gentle treatment from scholars" (A-J, 8-15).

"The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language" is just another attack upon the Holy Word of God. It descends to the level of the "Cotton Patch Version." We can be thankful that Rev. Eugene H. Peterson has just about given up preaching. If he could just be persuaded to stop writing this childish drivel he calls a Bible, we would be gratified.

E. L. BYNUM/Lubbock

Via e-mail

I am convinced when God's people are silent in the face of such blasphemy, we are giving consent. I would urge people to write short letters to their local newspaper, and to stand up for truth in these days.

Below you will see my sermon notes for the sermon I preached.

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (II Tim. 3:12-17)

The relentless and vicious attacks upon the word of God continue at an accelerated pace. It is therefore necessary to continue to defend the Holy and Undefiled Word of God.

The latest attack was featured in the LAJ, 8-15-02. I for one will not remain silent while God's Word is mutilated.

I. IT IS UNCHANGEABLE IN ITS INSPIRATION.

There is no need to add any thing to the Bible. It is complete. It is dangerous to add to or take from this book. Rev. 22:18-19, "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." Deut. 12:32, "What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it." Psa. 119:89, "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven."

It reveals all we need to know about God, man, creation, heaven, hell, about salvation and other truths. Everything we will ever know about these things while we are on earth is in the Bible. Those who ad to it are false prophets and should be scorned.

People who are having visions probably ate too many beans before going to bed. A Woman from Oregon called me last week about visions, dreams, new revelations and being caught up to heaven. She had been attending services where such things were being taught, and had been deceived. Isa. 8:20, "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

Nothing has been left out, because it came from God. II Pet. 1:19-21, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

The unsaved man cannot understand it. 1 Cor. 2:14, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." Lost people start false religions, because they do not understand the Bible. Only saved people can rightly divide the word of truth.

God must open our eyes and our minds to receive the Bible. Psa. 119:18, "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."

It is the Spirit of God that leads into all truth. John 16:13, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."

II. IT IS UNCHANGEABLE IN ITS PRESERVATION.

The Roman Emperor Diocletian issued a decree in 315 A.D. that every copy of the Bible was to be destroyed by fire. Tyndale was persecuted for producing the first printed English Bible in 1525 A.D. He was hanged and his body burned for this. As he was being hanged, he prayed, "Lord, open the king of England's eyes."

John Rogers was burned at the stake in Smithfield. What was his crime? He was guilty of publishing and distributing the Tyndale Bible, which was the forerunner of the King James Bible.

Satan denied what God said in the Garden of Eden, by saying, "Yea, hath God said...?" and his helpers have been denying it ever since.

Only a very few books survive for an 100 years. Only a small number last for a thousand years. The tooth of time takes its toll as one by one, books once valued pass into the graveyard of written material.

Our Bible is made up of 66 books, written by a number of men, over a period of over 1,500 years, and yet it survives after 3,500 years. How could that be? It is because the Bible is inspired by God, and has been preserved by the same God.

In 1952 we witnessed the introduction of the Revised Standard Bible (RSV). This corrupt version was sponsored by the liberal National Council of Churches. In the King James Bible we read in Isa. 7:14, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." The RSV changed "virgin" to "young woman," and thus striking a blow at the Virgin Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was followed by the NEB, NIV, TLB, the Amplified Bible, and a large number of other versions. All of these were based upon corrupt faulty texts, and were translated by people who departed from the best text upon which our KJV was translated. The last half of the 20th Century witnessed a host of these new translations, which amount to an all out assault on the Word of God.

Now NavPress has published Peterson's new paraphrased Bible known as "The Message." They claim it is not a Bible, but it plainly is a crude attempt to explain away the Word of God. I have seen it in a number of Bookstores around town, and it is sold as a Bible. I will not quote from it here, but you can read about in the article taken from the newspaper published in this issue of the PBC.

When will it all stop?Not until He Returns. Men will continue to produce and sell these corrupt new versions. It is one of the money making schemes of this generation, and Satan is highly pleased with this work.

God will preserve His pure Bible, and Jesus declared this truth. Matt. 5:18, "For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." The law was at that time at least 1500 years old, when Jesus said, John 10:35, "... the scripture cannot be broken."

There are many Scriptures that promise preservation. Isa. 40:8, "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever." 1 Pet. 1:23-25, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." Prov. 30:5-6, "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar."

There is no such thing as double inspiration. The Scriptures were inspired of God. The men he gave it to simply wrote it down. God has delivered it to us through translators, who faithfully translated it for us. The KJV translators were the best Greek and Hebrew scholars of their day, and of any day. They used the best and purest manuscripts in existence. 85% to 95% of the thousands of existing manuscripts in existence today essentially agree with it. Only 5% to 15% disagree with it, and they are the manuscripts that the corrupt bibles are based on. They carefully translated it, so that no modern translation even comes near it in accuracy.

Money and a desire to destroy God's Word is what's behind the new bibles.

III. IT IS UNCHANGEABLE IN ITS SALVATION.

Peter preached God's Word at Pentecost and we see the wonderful results. Acts 2:37, "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Like a log tossed on a frozen lake, God's word may appear to be rejected and ignored, but when the cold, hard heart thaws, the "log" of truth sinks in and becomes a part of that life.

We see the power of its conviction, when Paul delivered it to Lydia the seller of purple. Acts 16:14, "And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul."

Conviction came upon the Philippian jailer as Paul and Silas gave him the truth. Acts 16:30-32, "And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house."

Paul boldly tells us of his confidence in the gospel. Rom. 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

We are told why lost people are not eager to be saved. It is because they are blinded. II Cor. 4:4, "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."

The Word of God has the power to save the lost who are spiritually dead in sin. Rom. 10:17, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Heb. 4:12, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (See I Cor. 15:1-4.)

The Bible contains the message that will cleanse and sanctify believers. Eph. 4:25-26, "He will ... cleanse his Church by the washing of the water by the word." John 17:17, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."

It has all that is needed to satisfy our need wisdom and truth. Psa. 119:130, "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple."

It gives peace to our hearts. Psa. 85:8, "I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly."

It is the source of our abiding joy. John 15:11, "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."

It gives patience, comfort, and hope, to the believer in the midst of a troubled world. Rom. 15:4, "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

We don't need Peterson's perverted paraphrase, or any of the other host of new Bibles. Let us stick with the old book that has been so greatly used of God for the last 300 years. The King James Bible will do until Jesus comes, and that may be very soon. Stick with it. You will be glad you did.

The Anvil of God's Word

Last eve I paused beside a blacksmith's door,
And heard the anvil ring, the vesper chime.
And looking in, I saw upon the floor,
Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.
"How many anvils have you had?" said I,
"To wear and batter out those hammers so?"
"Just one," said he, and then with twinkling eye,
"The anvil wears the hammers out, you know."
And so I thought, the Anvil of God's Word,
For ages, skeptics blows have beat upon.
But tho the sound of falling blows is heard,
The Anvil still remains - the hammers. gone!

A Year Later:

"We have awakened a sleeping giant and have instilled in him a terrible resolve." Those were the unforgettable words of then Imperial Admiral Yamamoto after that infamous invasion of our country at Pearl Harbor in 1941. With the death of over two thousand Americans and the decimation of our Pacific fleet, the Japanese were ecstatic at apparent victory. But the mind of the seasoned admiral was haunted by what he knew would surely be perilous times for Japan as they faced the grave consequences of challenging the fortitude of a free people. His concerns would prove prophetic as our great country rose to defend herself and fought to ultimate victory, securing freedom for another age.

Some have referred to that generation of Americans as our greatest. Perhaps they are correct as history recalls the steel and undying patriotism that seemed to drive the men and women who were all too willing to fight and die to preserve the liberty they held so dear.

On September 11, 2001, America again found herself the victim of attack. The targets this time were civilians. We watched in horror as terrorists snuffed out the life of thousands of our people. Our nation stopped, and for a while there were no northerners, no southerners, no New Yorkers, no city- folk, no country-folk, no African-Americans, no Hispanic-Americans. We were all just Americans, and we were united. Immediately that "terrible resolve" was again instilled. Heroic feats were hailed as attention turned to the firemen, police officers, and rescue workers and their undying efforts to save some. One attempted hijacking was even thwarted by some brave passengers, saving perhaps the lives of hundreds more Americans. Political enemies laid down their swords and stood together as countrymen. God was popular again. Churches were filled. Prayer was enjoined. Political Correctness was forsaken as terms such as "Jesus," "heaven," and "faith" permeated the airways of television and radio. Except for the most left-leaning of our number, we all donned our American flag lapel pins and bumper stickers.

President Bush quickly sought to console and to reassure a stunned and reeling people. War was declared on terror. The Bush Doctrine was put forth with promises to hunt down, capture and punish the perpetrators of this dastardly act and their harborers. It seemed that America would never be the same. It seemed we were forever changed.

But in a rich society, fat with prosperity, increased with goods, in need of nothing, the life of ease is a precious commodity. The giant has been stirred, disturbed on his bed of luxury. He swipes with crushing force at the intruder who dares threaten his comfort. But when the clamor subsides, he slips back into his life of dreams and slumber, preferring to ignore the possibility of further harassment, hoping his assailant will simply go away. Soon the sleeping giant has forgotten his temporary interruption entirely.

Today's generation of Americans, as a whole, has enjoyed many years of economic fortune. Unemployment has been virtually non-existent. And while a few will always whine, our economy has afforded opportunity for success to anyone willing to work. The poor are still among us just as Jesus has said, but in large part the post-baby boom American knows little or nothing of soup lines and poverty.

Such bountiful times should not be condemned. There is no merit in a society which seeks less. Socialism desires economic equality for all. Take from the rich, and give to the poor is the socialist's motto. Social classes are unfair, and he that has much has a natural debt to him that has little. Of course such liberal rubbish is impractical as well as fatally flawed. No, we are a capitalist economy. Free enterprise drives this great nation. We seek better things, faster ways, cheaper methods, and an enhanced happiness.

Our economy is cyclical. We ride the high tide of boon; we loathe the ebb of recession and depression. But while we enjoy the pleasures of prosperity, we find ease and sleep too lovely. Then our judgment is clouded at best. We re-elected a man to the presidency whose utter infection of the office perhaps caused more irreparable harm than we will ever know. And we did it because life was good, because "it's the economy, stupid!"

The giant has been stirred, but not awakened. Life is still good. The loss of freedom is so abstract most Americans don't know that it is truly threatened. The preaching of defense and readiness are regarded as political rhetoric. After all, our military is unstoppable, our way of life forever secured. No need to awaken, we will just drop a few smart bombs and go on with life as usual.

Our stirred society allows God's name to be mentioned. In fact, we get down right nasty when some wayward judge attempts to remove His name from our Pledge. It is popular, even fashionable to talk of "spiritual" things. But the safe ground of generality becomes treacherous waters when one dare suggest repentance as our greatest want. To repent would mean acknowledgment of sin, and that requires subjection to God and desire to change. Such talk is too narrow in this "tolerant," "free" twenty-first century.

But if America is to survive, she must indeed repent. To the penitent, the name of God carries with it much more than a fashion statement. Jesus Christ is no longer a bye word. His holiness demands allegiance. His power and authority return man's abilities to their proper place. His mercy is the sorrowful's only hope.

We must awaken with new resolve. Freedom is not cheap; it must be won and preserved. And just as that greatest generation of World War II were willing to fight and die, our generation must fight or die. For without liberty, there is no America. Without God's blessing, there is no future. Without revival, the giant sleeps on.

" If my people , which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." II Chronicles 7:14

Although there has been a surge in religion since the 9/11 bombing of the World Trade Center, the swell is not nearly so great in true Christianity. The impact of that horrible act of terrorism indeed did drive true believers in Christ to their knees in prayer. Not only for themselves but in behalf of the suffering, sorrow, and sadness that filled hearts that day. Hearts remain broken and lives forever changed as a result of the action of a nation without the true God. It also stirred the "religious" to turn to what ever god they served. Still America is far from being resolved to trust and serve the one and only true God. However, enough trust in God has been voiced in high places to stir the indignation of Satan. In turn, the devil has called his forces to battle more energetically than ever.

Marches on our nation's capital are common place in recent years. Promise Keepers, Black Caucus, Million Man March, Women's March, Homosexuals, etc. have all had their hearing. Some made more impact on the status quo than others. If you think the devil had all of his forces mustered in any of these marches, read this headline: "`Godless Americans' Plan March on Nation's Capital." Correspondent Rick Docksai gives an extensive re-port of this movement on CNSNews.com, 7/15/02. He reports that "Atheists, secularists and humanists from across the United States are planning a `Godless Americans March on Washington' this fall to protest what they see as the growth of religion in U.S. culture and government, especially since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks." Katherine Bourdonnay, speaking for the Council for Secular Humanism said, "We are participating in this march to reclaim the American nation as a secular nation because we feel it's being moved more and more to a religious nation." "Katy" may be highly educated in her field, but she knows nothing of the Christian beginning of our nation. Nor is she aware that since WWII faithful dependence on God through prayer in the name of Jesus Christ has diminished. This is without the aid of the participants in this march. America may be steeped in religion, but she certainly has not moved more and more toward the true God.

The Council for Secular Humanism is only one of 71 like-minded organizations that plan to participate in the "Godless Americans March." Others who plan on joining this Nov. 2nd event are African Americans for Humanism, American Atheists, Mind Over Madness, and the Atheist Alliance International. The purpose of this "Godless Americans" march will be to provide "atheists and agnostics" the opportunity to talk about many of the social issues important to them, "Such as the civil rights of nonbelievers, this is the number one thing." They want to explain what it is personally like to be a nonbeliever in America.

What an eye-opener it would be if God removed His hand of blessing and preservation off America. It would also be the greatest catastrophe any nation could experience. The equivalent of this march or even the planning of such will never be heard of in many countries. Godless Russia would have the military waiting for them when they reached Moscow, if not before. Godless China would have them shot on the town square. Godless Cuba would have them imprisoned for life if they dared to challenge the government. Let them try marching on Saddam's regime. Let them charge the capital cities of Muslim countries exposing Allah as a fraud or Mohammed as a fake. Charge them that their nation has moved too far toward religion. An article by Franklin Graham published in The Wall Street Journal, 12/9/01 is true, and these Godless Americans should take note. "The persecution or elimination of non Muslims has been a cornerstone of Islamic conquests and rule for centuries. The Koran provides ample evidence that Islam encourages violence in order to win converts and to reach the ultimate goal of an Islamic world. Conversions from Islam to any other faith are often punishable by death. I feel sure they would be happy to see any nation that served the true God." The fate of these marchers would be settled in a Muslim state. Should America ever become dominated by Islam the participants in this march will convert or die. The message of Christ to any lost and dying citizen of all nations is repent of sin and be saved or forever spend eternity in hell. Yet if the godless refuse to repent, in America they can pursue worldly happiness without fear of reprisal or persecution from Christianity or the government.

It is likely this organization will have little trouble getting a following. Hollywood will surely fill their buses and attend. The news media will certainly have their crews there to greet them. If there is any opposition to this movement, the media will have their cameras focused and ready. Especially if some religious(?) group physically opposes them.

The Promise Keepers held conference at Meadowlands, Continental Airlines Arena 10/2/99. About 18 picketers from the American Atheist Center met them in protest. The office manager of the AAC reported the success he felt their picketers had. "Every one of our people had their own group of PKs huddled around them, soaking up our message." He didn't elaborate on the content of their "message." In spite of PKs being a church robbing, church doctrine bashing, Catholic led organization, the office manager's view is very likely more than slanted. I can't imagine even the PKs soaking up the dogma of godless government advocates.

Who made up this "loose coalition" standing against this religious group? "Among the groups represented were the National Organization for Women, Witches of the American Revolution,...and the Interfaith Coalition" and others. Each advertising their position by the poster they carried: "These heads don't bow, these knees don't bend"... "Atheist and Proud," and others. Every knee will bow and every unbeliever will one day be cast into the lake of fire. (Rom. 14:11; Rev. 20:12-15) The planned fall march of "Godless Americans" will reveal the same characteristics. You can depend on the devil's crowd to flaunt their cause and rights. Having no cause or right to stand against a Holy God, and the nation He has established, exposes their ignorance. If they will wait, churches forsaking biblical separation and lackadaisical pastors and Christians will one day hand them this nation on a platter. And the devil is sitting the table for the feast. I pray that Bible believing Christians will seek God with a repentant heart and ask for deliverance from this sore in America of godless tyranny.

True Christianity does not have to mobilize a march on Washington D.C. Believers only have to come boldly, unashamedly, to the throne of God to find help in time of need. (Heb. 4:16) God's horses and chariots of fire still surround any Elisha who dares to forsake all and serve Him. (2 Kgs. 6:16-20) If America is to escape such tirades as this, believers must turn from sin and charge heaven with prayers from broken hearts. This scripture remains true: (Psa. 34:18) "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Although the following verse was written primarily to Israel, it is appropriate for believers of all time. (2 Chron. 7:14) "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." If you doubt this is applicable to America today you must not be one of God's people. Or maybe you are unwilling to meet the requirements or do not feel the need of the end results.

Since God has not changed, He is certain to deal with a Godless America as He has all godless nations of the past. Of course, this crowd will never concede that the Bible is God's Word inspired by the Holy Spirit. At least at this point in time they won't. The consolidation of such a group is well identified in Psalm 14:1: "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." This describes their condition as well as their involvement. God said through Solomon that "the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness." (Prov. 15:14)

When Nehemiah was reestablishing the walls and worship of Jerusalem, the Levites prayed and confessed their sins and the sins of their father. They confessed that their kings, princes, priest and their fathers had not kept God's law nor listened to His commandments and testimonies. This climactical statement would fit America well if these godless marchers have their way. (Neh. 9:35) "For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works." God's grace has indeed been showered on America and relatively few are appreciative or even care.

In Daniel's prayer he gave a clear reason why the anger and fury of God was on the city of Jerusalem in his day. He also reveals the end result of their distancing themselves from God. "...because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us." (Dan. 9:16) America is not the Israel of today, but the same God is in charge. He exalts nations and brings nations down. We would do well to listen to what Nebuchadnezzar of old said concerning the existence of nations and kingdoms. God will make sure "that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men." (Dan. 4:17)

Every citizen must consider the outcome of not having God's supervision and provision. He sends the rain and gives the increase. Alliances abound seeking reparation for past mistreatment. Many are ignoring present abundance and recalling past abuse. Greed dims the graciousness of God and engineers plans for further gain. Israel rejoiced over the gracious deliverance from bondage by the hand of God, but they tired of His provisions and desired bondage again. Angel's food and meat to the full became tasteless to them in their freedom from bondage as they remembered only the melons of Egypt. Bondage awaits all who forget God and His ample provision. Both in life and life eternal.

The civil rights of nonbelievers is going to be "the number one thing," according to a statement by the office manager of the AAC. What "right" is this man referring to? Is it the right to drive down any street in America with boom boxes blaring out of open windowed vehicles? Is it the right to walk the streets scantily dressed without reprisal? To my knowledge there is no law that prohibits either. That is except the law of God. "Love not the world" is a forever settled law of God. (1 John 2:15) "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." There are also other laws of God that address proper attire. (Deut. 22:5) "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God." Modesty is also addressed in the Book of God. Particularly for the priest that served at the altar. (Exo. 20:26) "Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon." If modesty was essential to please God under the law, how much more in this dispensation of the Lord's church. Paul wrote I Timothy that Timothy might be instructed in proper spiritual behavior in the Lord's church. (1 Tim. 3:15) "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." This behavior included, not to exclude other matters, modest clothing for women. (1 Tim. 2:9)

It may be difficult for these godless Americans to make a distinction between nonbeliever and so-called believers. What rights are they deprived of, and what rights do they seek? On the morning of this writing my neighbor spoke to me from their yard. Among the first things said, "I'm attending church now." A few months before, this person had told me of their conversion. Yet later this morning this person came back from a trip down town, windows down and rock music blaring that could have been heard for blocks. It blasts from their home for hours at night. I assume it also does throughout the day. I assure you this is not an isolated case in America, even among those who are "attending church now." The church attended by this person is an Assembly of God congregation. I can remember when even this church would have condemned this kind of music as well as those who used it. Yet today CCM, which has the same beat, has found a pew in many churches, some adorning the name Baptist. The reason given for this move? "That we may attract nonbelievers. Once they are here, then we will preach the Gospel to them." Maybe one of the rights these "Godless Americans" want back is the ability to tell the difference between true Christianity and false religion that entertains. God grant that we will never surrender biblical doctrine to the point that the godless cannot tell the difference between our worship, appearance, demeanor, and conduct and their own lifestyle.

(Eph. 6:13-14a) "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore...."