When we hear the word “Crusader” or “crusade” we think of any of the expeditions in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries undertaken by Christian countries to take the Holy Land from the Muslims. It is often thought of as a reforming enterprise undertaken with zeal.
The church speaks of “revival.” When the church grows stagnant and memberships fall, the call for “revival” goes out, hence an evangelistic meeting or meetings. When I once belonged to a Pentecostal church (5 years) we had revivals often – some lasting 6 or more weeks. During this time we were asked to pass out tracks, knock on doors and invite folks to our meetings. Once we had one of our revivals (the 6 week kind), I worked in concrete work, 5 days a week – hard work, I was dog tired at the end of the day but I had to attend their nightly meetings (since my wife and I were in training). Some nights were filled with extreme “Pentecostalism,” e.g. shouting, dancing, healing etc. we usually got to bed after midnight, only to start another day of hard work and church at night (Monday – Sunday never missing a night.)
I was reading a Christian pub the other day in which the issue of culture and church was discussed (Southern Baptist Conversation). The article stated that American’s longest Protestant denomination is a house divided on issues of race, gender, and politics. Most denominations are the same.
One issue brought up was that of the politically correct CRT, aka “critical race theory,” pushed by the democratic party and the liberal/left of that party. It is being pushed off onto preschoolers thru college and university. Where the color of one’s skin is the flash-point. Whites are now the bad people! Blacks/ Browns/ Reds/ Yellows are the good people. The “whites” are the cause of all the world’s ills, hence, they are devils. This is kinda the thinking behind CRT.
When SBC members met at their 2021 annual summit, 2 specific issues were addressed: a contradiction of a 2019 resolution that tepidly approved CRT as an analytical tool, was the first; the second was the election of a new SBC prez.
Ultimately CRT was not denounced entirely.
All this CRT BS is causing factions, warring factions. SBC since its founding has united around a commitment to the Bible’s authority and denouncing secular culture.
But secular CULTURE is a force to be realized in real time. The DP is pushing Marxism, albeit a kind of American Marxism, still antithesis to our constitutional Republic where God of Scripture is Supreme. Marxism has set up its anti-Christ apparatus in every sphere in our Republic. It is no longer an “underground” movement under the Biden Regime. It is in our face.
Every year this “force” has gained ground, hence more CULTURE changes, hence harder and harder to resist.
The LGBTQ plus revolution has also changed our Republic drastically – for the WORSE (see my “Gay Way” series where I refute every one of their arguments with Scripture). The latest revolutionary force to appear is Black Lives Matter (started by 3 female lesbians who are avowed Marxists; see my articles on BLM and Antifa). The LGBTQ revolution came in the late 60’s; gained ground in the 70’s 80’s and 90’s with same-sex marriages, and now in the 2000’s the trans revolution is being pushed hot and heavy into k-12 and in just about every aspect of American life. The military is now infected with the trans-virus; sex changes have become more important than warfare training!
All their forces have made it harder to keep UNITED as a nation and as a Church. The Bible deals with race, gender, sex etc. We may not like what it says, but as for me, I’ll keep to Scripture (which tells us to preach and teach with all authority, to love the loveless and the lost).
Sadly, some calling themselves “Christian” are in reality “Christ-less.” This goes for those in politics and in the Church. Being Christian or conservative does not mean we’re to be passive wimps. NO! We are to be Christian soldiers under the command of God (see all my “Spiritual Warfare” articles.) To be clear, we are not to “kill” in His name but to “heal” in His name.
All this cultural stuff has caused an identity crisis movement (ICM). The Scriptures are CLEAR: we’re in the world but not of the world. And to be perfectly clear, “For the weapons of our warfare are not physical but mighty in God…” (2 Corinthians 10:4). We do not go about hating or killing those of a different color, sex, political view etc.
It is fine to be an activist. Activism on issues like opposing abortion (murder!) same-sex union/ marriages/ trangenderism, GOP v. democrats, CRT, climate change blah, blah, blah.
The question is, “What side should I be on?” This question is settled for me: “on God’s side. On the Bible’s side.” Actually the Bible deals with all these cultural problems. The “cultural war” is here to stay. The lines have been drawn. The national debates trickle down into the church, hence, the church has to deal with these problems. Avoiding them will not make them go away. There was the battle cry from the LGBTQ camp back in the 80’s that said: “We’re Here and We’re Queer,” meaning they were here to stay, like it or lump it. This should be our BC as well. We’re to CONTEND for our faith (Jude 3), not compromise it. We’re to stand our ground.
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (Chap.6) he wrote about the Christian warfare (as he did in first and second Timothy/ 2 Corinthians 10 etc.) He used the word STAND in verses 11, 12, 13 and 14 in chapter 6. The Greek word is histemi meaning (lit. or fig.) abide, continue, covenant, hold up.” There is a related Greek word, tithemi, meaning to place (lit. or fig.) in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different form histemi, which denotes an upright and active position, while this stand is utterly prostate. We call these “stand” (Gk.) words, passive/ aggressive. There are times we stand upright in spirit, i.e. aggressively; other times we stand down, in humility, in passivity, Jesus used them both. The New Testament teaches both.
There were times when Jesus rebuked the “religious” (Matthew 23) and did not open His mouth (Matthew 27:14; see Isaiah 53:7): “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearer is silent, so He opened not His mouth.” Isaiah painted this perfect picture of Jesus the Christ who was silent/ passive, yet aggressive in spirit to finish His course.
So, my dear readers, have you experienced these two STANDS? I know we have – many times!
But what of these churchites who play the “nice Christian” afraid to challenge, afraid to contend for the faith, afraid to “wage the good warfare” (1 Timothy 1:18), afraid to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12), afraid to “endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3), too afraid to “hold fast the faithful Word” (Titus 1:9). Paul writes to Titus telling him “there are many insubordinate, idle talkers and deceivers… whose mouths MUST BE STOPPED, who SUBVERT whole households… one of them, a ‘prophet’ of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always LIARS, evil beasts, Lazy Gluttons” (some versions use “slow bellies”). These, my friends, occupy many high Church positions and pews. They are more aligned with the liberals/ lefties than with Christ and His genuine Christian soldiers.
Unfortunately churches are full of unconcerned, selfish “slow bellies,” who stuff their faces with natural food while neglecting the much needed spiritual food… that energizes, revitalizes, revolutionizes the “spirit man.” Eating too much, especially junk foods, makes one dull and slow. Is anyone listening?
I realize what I just wrote isn’t popular. Oh, no! Most church folks would rather munch on “sweet deceit” rather than “soldier up” and allow the “Sword that cuts and the Fire that burns” have their way in their lives. Paul’s euphemistic description of “slow bellies” is cutting but true. Euphemistically speaking, many churches and denominations of today are nothing better than “glorified smorgasbords” – tasty foods of sin!
The modern politically correct/ woke church lacks backbone. Was Jesus spineless? Was John the Baptist spineless? How about all the New Testament authors? They didn’t have to hide from the TRUTH, for TRUTH BURNED in their bones. What about the Old Testament authors and prophets? Were they spineless? Jeremiah the prophet said, “His Word was in my heart like a BURNING FIRE shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not!” (Jeremiah 20:9).
David wrote, “I was mute with silence, I hold my peace even from good; And my sorrow was stirred up, my heart was HOT within me; while I was musing (meditating), the FIRE BURNED!” (Psalms 39: 2, 3). Job 32:18 says, “For I am full of words; the spirit within me compels me.” Job 32 continues with, “I will speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer…” v.20.
There is, as Ecclesiastes 3:7, “A time to keep silence, a time to speak.” Today is the time to speak out against this liberal/left/politically correct, woke BS!!! It is the time to STAND your ground; don’t back up or down, throw the enemy down, putting your foot on their neck (in Spirit). This is called DOMINION.
How long are we gonna allow the enemies of Christ and His people to persecute, prosecute, convict and imprison us? I’ve done my share- I’ve spent over 5 years in jail/prison at this writing for standing in Christ. No one can point the finger at me or my wife (released after 4 ½ years).
Some ministers in the SBC complained that the denomination wanted the to be loyal to the GOP, aka Republican Party, above their loyalty to Christ. This is backwards. Christ is always first.
We as soldiers under command, cannot just deal in peripheral issues.
Let’s be honest: much of what is secular/cultural contradicts Scripture. How can we by loyal to such things – but part of the church does nevertheless. How is it that the church has allowed the whole LGBTQ +/ abortion (esp. these 2) package come into her and become part of her – knowing that both Old and New Testaments denounce these abominations. Yes, we’re to allow such sinners into our midst – to find salvation by confessing their sins and repenting of them and forsaking them forever. But to allow sin and sinners to be part of us is condemned by Scripture. If you can find one – ONE – scripture where God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit condones/ honors such sins let me know.
For the record, in closing, I quote from Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek… slave or free…. Male nor female; for you are all ONE in Christ Jesus.” Paul covers the racial, social – economic, and sexual equality issue here.
All denominations are shrinking. Mainly because of political stances – left/liberal or right-wing. The CRT itself has caused many Blacks to pull out. Young people do not like the Bible’s strictness. Well, Hell awaits us all if we are not found IN Christ at His coming or at death. There are liberal Churches one can find a home. One can find a “trench church” (warfare) or a “pie – in – the – sky – delusion.”