In a recent post I mentioned how one especially foul-mouthed misotheist was sacked from her own newspaper. Given how atrocious she has been over the years, this decision was long overdue. But sadly, there would be plenty more such anti-Christian bigots working for the mainstream media.
The MSM is largely made up of those who are hostile to religion and who are far left of centre. Numerous studies have documented this. Some recent book-length studies on this include, The Media Elite by Lichter, Rothman and Lichter (1986), and Bias by Bernard Goldberg (2001).
Many media insiders even admit to this blatant secular-left bias. For example, David Salter, a former executive producer of the ABC’s Media Watch, said this several years ago: “The long march of young liberal-humanist progressives through the ABC’s many portals is as much a self-perpetuating cycle as the daughters of doctors choosing a medical career or the sons of great football players striving to match the sporting deeds of their fathers.”
While even those on the other side admit to this bias, it seems that plenty of Christians are unaware of this or not bothered in the least by it. Indeed, I have written before about how Western Christians are sleeping through their own execution. They either do not know or do not care that the Christian faith is slowly but surely being buried all around the Western world.
They seem oblivious to the steady assault on their very faith, and seem unconcerned about how the media is regularly trashing their belief system. The surrounding culture has declared war on the Christian faith, and many believers are sleeping through the whole thing.
Thus if religious freedom is totally snuffed out one day soon, we will have only ourselves to blame. We can’t say we haven’t been warned. Not only have certain Christian watchmen ministries sought to sound the alarm, but even non-believers have pointed this out.
Indeed, there is a new book out which is quite incredible in this regard. It quite clearly sounds the alarm about the war against Christianity. It very carefully documents the relentless MSM bias against Christianity. It nicely makes the case for the media’s anti-Christian bias. Yet it is written by an atheist!
I refer to the new book by American social commentator, S.E. Cupp. Her brand new book, Losing Our Religion: The Liberal Media’s Attack on Christianity (Threshold Editions, 2010) is a damning indictment of the secular left’s war against Christianity. And as I say, it is penned by a non-Christian – an atheist no less.
Here is how one book blurb describes the volume: “From her galvanizing introduction, you know where S. E. Cupp stands: She’s an atheist. A non-believer. Which makes her the perfect impartial reporter from the trenches of a culture war dividing America and eroding the Judeo-Christian values on which this country was founded.
“Starting at the top, she exposes the unwitting courtship of President Obama and the liberal press, which consistently misreports or downplays Obama’s clear discomfort with, or blatant disregard for, religious America – from covering up religious imagery in the backdrop of his Georgetown University speech to his absence from events surrounding the National Day of Prayer, to identifying America in his inaugural address as, among other things, ‘a nation of non-believers.’
“She likens the calculated attacks of the liberal media to a class war, a revolution with a singular purpose: to overthrow God and silence Christian America for good. And she sends out an urgent call for all Americans to push back the leftist propaganda blitz striking on the Internet, radio, television, in films, publishing, and print journalism – or invite the tyrannies of a ‘mainstream’ media set on mocking our beliefs, controlling our decisions, and extinguishing our freedoms.”
In a recent interview she explains why she wrote the book and why this topic is so important. She explains why Christians are especially being targeted by the MSM, and why they are such an easy target:
“Hollywood started treating Christianity like it was some kind of social disease decades ago. These days, it’s practically company policy in Hollywood to mock Christianity as hopelessly uncool and unsophisticated. The liberal media has, in the past 10 years or so, joined in the action. I think they’ve both been so successful in promoting that message in the popular culture, because Christians represent a vast majority – and majorities get complacent. But, if Christian America doesn’t stand up to the liberal media and demand more respect, they might not be a majority in the future.”
She explains why it is such a target: “Two reasons: One, it’s a way of getting at conservatism. If they can effectively paint Christians as dangerous fanatics, it’s just a skip away from painting conservatives as dangerous fanatics. They conflate politics and religion here because, well, it works. Two, the moral relativism of liberalism is threatened by the fixed value system of Christianity, which holds people accountable for their actions. Liberalism can dismiss a lot of bad behavior, and that’s just the way they like it. Liberals in the media are deeply mistrusting of, and uncomfortable with, judgmental morality.”
She explains how the MSM has lost all accountability, and focused its attacks on Christianity, instead of keeping government honest: “That’s right, the Fourth Estate used to be the watchdogs of the state, and now the media is targeting YOU, the private citizen. It’s targeting your values, your beliefs, your freedoms, your politics, your way of life, all to advance a secular, liberal agenda of its own. Well that’s not what the press is there for; that’s not its responsibility. The mainstream media has lost its way – it can either rediscover responsible journalism, or it should repackage itself as an alternative press, which in many ways, it is.”
And she shows believers how to get involved in standing up for religious freedom: “Peaceful protest. I’m shocked that there aren’t protesters outside of The New York Times, MSNBC, CNN, etc. on a daily basis protesting the way Christians are talked about. The liberal media calls Christians terrorists, extremists, simpletons and much, much worse. They treat them like they are pariahs. Well, I’d like Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow and Lisa Miller and Glenn Greenwald and the rest of them to feel like pariahs. Instead, they’re protected within a tiny, liberal, secular bubble, and they have no idea that the majority of the country shudders in disgust when they attack the values upon which America was founded. I think it’s time Christian America woke from their slumber and saw just how bad it’s gotten.”
Once again, we have a non-believer rolling up her sleeves and getting her hands dirty, defending Christians. The obvious question that arises here is this: where in the world are the Christians? Why aren’t they speaking up? Why are they remaining silent on such a vitally important issue?
Indeed, why do atheists have to come to the defence of Christians? Why are not Christians standing up for what is important? Why do they sit by passively and lazily, forcing non-believers to pick up the slack and fight their fights for them?
I am very grateful for the likes of S.E. Cupp. We need many more of them. But we really need many more Christians who will wake from their slumber, repent of their gross apathy and indifference, and start getting involved in the battles of the day.
25 Replies to “Remaining Silent at Our Own Execution”
Wonder what she would say to Deveny, Dawkins and of course the debauchee Hitchens?
Wayne Pelling
I thank God, too, for those such as Melanie Phillips and S.E. Cupp. But even more so, I also thank God for our Christian prophets such as you and other outspoken “Bill Muehlenbergs”. If Australian Christians are digging their own graves, there are those such as you, working tirelessly to fill them in again.
I will be praying for you for your upcoming debates too.
Kerry Letheby
Many thanks Kerry
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Many Christians feel helpless against what they see as trying to turn back the tide that will inevitably come in anyway. Life is so busy and so demanding that when speaking out puts them in the firing line it seems too hard. I think some of the answer is in empowering individual Christians to take responsibility in their churches and communities and this means breaking down the divisions or distance between church leaders and “pew sitters”. Christians need to understand their voice is as valid and powerful as their “leader”. Also when one understands that our citizenship is in heaven I think that this understanding can backfire with apathy about life here because we think it is all temporary anyway. I think there needs to be much more teaching on our roll as Christians in our community which is biblically based. Christians will continue to go about their daily lives keeping their heads down believing that God will do the fighting for them.
Kathryn Fisher
Greetings Bill.
I find it ironic that Agnostic Andrew Bolt ends up defending the Christian faith and what is right and yet we hardly hear a peep out of those who are supposed to be the leaders in the church.
Trouble is far to many of them are playing with programs etc that have there origination in the world instead of things of a heavenly nature.
I would have thought the way things are every minister would be at least chewing the ears of their local pollies over the betrayal by the MSM and the governments of acceptable standards of honesty and decency.
I find their silence deafening.
Rob Withall
Amen Kathryn and Rob.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
I’m really grateful for this essay Bill thank you.
Martin Snigg
Thanks Bill. As I started reading the article, SE’s book immediately jumped to mind and I was about to post a link down here to her website promoting the book, then I saw that it is actually the very topic being discussed. It is strange though how these atheists (although I believe they are more than mere atheists) take such a stand for Christianity. I think it is a case of not letting their belief system interfere with their logic and they remain honest about life and what builds society compared to what is destroying it. And yes, it is shocking that they’ve reached the point of saying: “Well, if the Christians aren’t going to consider God’s ways higher than man’s, we’ll probably have to do it.” Here is her site link anyway: http://www.redsecupp.com
Servaas Hofmeyr, South Africa
This the reason I don’t watch their news or buy their newspapers.
Carl Strehlow
I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him until that day.
Are we really persuaded!!! Do we know what we believe!!! Lets get started on defending the faith!!!
Thanks Bill I appreciate all your comments and continue to pray God will keep you in good stead for the fight.
Kerry Etherington
Many thanks Kerry
Blessings,
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
The church is so asleep these days. A famous preacher (it may have been William Booth) said something along the lines of ”How effective a christian would be if they were dangled over hell for 24 hours”. I read this many years ago – maybe 48 hours is needed now!! – as the world has degenerated and sadly the church is more asleep than it was 20 yrs ago.
Jeremy Woods
Why is the church asleep? Could it be that we are losing sight of who God is, His majesty, holiness and awe-fullness, and have instead fallen into the trap of merely “defending our faith”. Are we totally devoted to the pursuit of God in our own lives? Are we seeing the change inside of us that happens as a result of being in God’s presence?
Peter Baade
It is ironic that those who confess no faith would defend those who profess faith. But thank God for them and may He have mercy on them to reveal the eternal seriousness of the issue. And thank God for you Bill, and others of your tribe who have eyes to see, hearts to care and courage to speak.
Glenn Christopherson
It is a scandal that in so many churches in the West Christians choose to turn their heads the other way, rather than look at the suffering church, in other parts of the world. How many churches have Open Doors, CSW or Barnabas Fund type meetings? And if they do, how frequently do they meet and how many attend?
Maybe if we identified and somehow shared in that suffering, we would value the freedoms won for us by those who went before us. Sadly, and I speak for myself, we have perverted Philippians 4:8-9 into “Finally, brothers, whatever is good, lovely, healthy, – if anything is seemly, untroubling and respectable — think about such things. And you will have a quiet and undisturbed life.
David Skinner, UK
I have often seen the Desiderata Poem hanging on people’s walls, even on Christians. It is headed:
Desiderata
The Old St Paul’s Church, Baltimore, AD 1692
“Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit….”
Maybe its me. Maybe I have just become a cantankerous old codger, but it has always seemed like a Buddhist poem.
David Skinner, UK
Just a thought but rather than protesting our innocence should we not pray for those who persecute us? Should we not turn the other cheek? Should this not drive us back to the word of God and the mission field where we live to witness to people? I have heard of people being saved in spite of the bile and gall towards the Bible. It seems to be the case today that when someone turns from Idols to trust the living and true God that they thumb their nose at the world, which we are reminded in Psalm 50 the kings of this world and their rulers have conspired together against the Lord and His Christ. We don’t need to see people become complacent. We want to see them have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through His shed blood (just as He does). Their sins washed away.
Andrew Lace
Thanks Andrew
Religious freedom is not something to be sneezed at. It is largely the product of the Judeo-Christian worldview in the West, and has come at great price. Why can we not work to protect these wonderful blessings of God, instead of just throwing them all away? I don’t see why we can’t fight for religious freedom while also proclaiming the gospel. No need to force us to choose between the two.
We are nowhere in Scripture told to seek persecution, but we are to pray for our rulers so that we might live a quiet and peaceful life. Turning the state into a militant anti-Christian tyranny is not something we should seek, but fight against.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
What desperately needs to happen is for 1Cor 12:28 to come back into affect within every individual Church. Then for those apostles to rise up and bring the balance of Christianity and its many aspects back into the Church. Churches must not be dominated by ‘pastors and teachers’, such are listed as ‘last’ in the ascension anointing list. They are preceeded by the apostle, the prophet and the evangelist, these are needed to bring the balance, backbone and actions back into the people of God. They should be allowing ministry anointings such as yourself to come and speak to their congregations and sound the alarm, then they should be facilitating ACTIONS to appropriate change and not declining from it. Rather what many denominations teach over and over again as i was earbashed with the unscriptural rhetoric is ‘numbers, numbers numbers, who are nothing more than financiers and bums that turn up on Sunday and make the Minister seem like he has been successful. My soul isnt lonely for a crowd i can tell ya and id rather sit with 5 people who were sold out as is right, than 50 liars. Yet where is the fruit of discipleship, where is holiness, I veribly can testify to clubs labelling themselves as ‘christian churches’ who’s percentage of ‘attendees know nothing of the Christian faith, do nothing apart from sin and hate God fearing champions who stick their neck out for Christ, and our Ministry can prove this! As always we seem to need a leader to show us the way, it was before and unfortunately it will be today, may God raise up more and more leaders and may God rebuke or remove those in charge of churches to ‘let the Prophet speak!’
Dorian Ballard
Let the Bible speak:
Psalm 82:3-4. “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.
Isaiah 1:17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
Romans 13:3-5 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
David Skinner, UK
David Skinners references [Psalms,James,and Isaiah] may well refer to todays plethora of welfare organizations that are undergirded by the churches. The church appears to be relatively successful if not leaders in being welfare providers.
The reference to Romans 13: 3 – 5 is very pertinent and different for a number of reasons. First, Paul was ‘fighting’ in the political arena in the boldness of the Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus and under the protection of Roman citizenship. Second, Paul took the ‘fight’ to national leadership, both political and religious, and to the idolator artisans.
However, Paul was jailed and executed by “God’s servant [Ruler] who wants to do you good”. [sic].
Where are our Paul’s today that are prepared to go to jail in Australia for being aggressive activists towards the political and religious elite in the authority and love of Christ Jesus?
Ray Robinson
Dear Bill, Your article is spot on as always. Almost everything which emanates from the MSM and Hollywood now is anti Christian. They make the most of every opportunity they get to give the Church a bashing. They did it with Elizabeth and I am wondering if they will do it again with the much promoted film Robin Hood starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett. As we all know from our school days Richard the Lionhearted went off to the Crusades leaving his wicked brother John in charge of England.He was so unjust that Robin Hood and his merry men helped the poor and downtrodden and were consequently outlawed. Going by the promotion I have seen of the film they may have captured that myth but I am curious to know what will be given as the reason Richard had gone off to the Crusades? Will the reason be historically accurate and given as defensive or will it be implied that the Crusades were an early example of Western imperialism conducted to convert poor Muslims to Christianity by force – a popular myth propounded today by the secularists for their own evil purposes to destroy the Church. If any of your readers are interested in the Crusades I would recommend Robert Spencer’s brilliant and easily readable book ‘The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam and the Crusades’. He says if ‘Richard the Lionhearted, and countless others hadn’t risked their lives to uphold the honor of Christ and his Church thousands of miles from home, the jihadists would almost certainly have swept across Europe much sooner’ and that would have meant that Christian Europe would not have had the freedom to advance philosophically, scientifically and technologically as it did. This is because the Muslim idea of a rigid, absolutist God precludes the idea of a benevolent, coherent, consistent God whom Christians believe in. Hope these comments are useful.
Patricia Halligan
Spot-on Bill: thank God for people like you. Christians need to get active and fight tooth and nail for their beliefs in the Western World today. Taking things for granted has led to the present situation.
Jerry Gonzalez, Perth
Wonder what she would say to Deveny, Dawkins and of course the debauchee Hitchens?
Wayne Pelling
I thank God, too, for those such as Melanie Phillips and S.E. Cupp. But even more so, I also thank God for our Christian prophets such as you and other outspoken “Bill Muehlenbergs”. If Australian Christians are digging their own graves, there are those such as you, working tirelessly to fill them in again.
I will be praying for you for your upcoming debates too.
Kerry Letheby
Many thanks Kerry
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Many Christians feel helpless against what they see as trying to turn back the tide that will inevitably come in anyway. Life is so busy and so demanding that when speaking out puts them in the firing line it seems too hard. I think some of the answer is in empowering individual Christians to take responsibility in their churches and communities and this means breaking down the divisions or distance between church leaders and “pew sitters”. Christians need to understand their voice is as valid and powerful as their “leader”. Also when one understands that our citizenship is in heaven I think that this understanding can backfire with apathy about life here because we think it is all temporary anyway. I think there needs to be much more teaching on our roll as Christians in our community which is biblically based. Christians will continue to go about their daily lives keeping their heads down believing that God will do the fighting for them.
Kathryn Fisher
Greetings Bill.
I find it ironic that Agnostic Andrew Bolt ends up defending the Christian faith and what is right and yet we hardly hear a peep out of those who are supposed to be the leaders in the church.
Trouble is far to many of them are playing with programs etc that have there origination in the world instead of things of a heavenly nature.
I would have thought the way things are every minister would be at least chewing the ears of their local pollies over the betrayal by the MSM and the governments of acceptable standards of honesty and decency.
I find their silence deafening.
Rob Withall
Amen Kathryn and Rob.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
I’m really grateful for this essay Bill thank you.
Martin Snigg
Many thanks Martin
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Thanks guys
Rev Franklin Graham thinks Christian persecution is occurring in America as well. See this video clip: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid14599856001?bctid=82734462001
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Thanks Bill. As I started reading the article, SE’s book immediately jumped to mind and I was about to post a link down here to her website promoting the book, then I saw that it is actually the very topic being discussed. It is strange though how these atheists (although I believe they are more than mere atheists) take such a stand for Christianity. I think it is a case of not letting their belief system interfere with their logic and they remain honest about life and what builds society compared to what is destroying it. And yes, it is shocking that they’ve reached the point of saying: “Well, if the Christians aren’t going to consider God’s ways higher than man’s, we’ll probably have to do it.” Here is her site link anyway: http://www.redsecupp.com
Servaas Hofmeyr, South Africa
This the reason I don’t watch their news or buy their newspapers.
Carl Strehlow
I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him until that day.
Are we really persuaded!!! Do we know what we believe!!! Lets get started on defending the faith!!!
Thanks Bill I appreciate all your comments and continue to pray God will keep you in good stead for the fight.
Kerry Etherington
Many thanks Kerry
Blessings,
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
The church is so asleep these days. A famous preacher (it may have been William Booth) said something along the lines of ”How effective a christian would be if they were dangled over hell for 24 hours”. I read this many years ago – maybe 48 hours is needed now!! – as the world has degenerated and sadly the church is more asleep than it was 20 yrs ago.
Jeremy Woods
Why is the church asleep? Could it be that we are losing sight of who God is, His majesty, holiness and awe-fullness, and have instead fallen into the trap of merely “defending our faith”. Are we totally devoted to the pursuit of God in our own lives? Are we seeing the change inside of us that happens as a result of being in God’s presence?
Peter Baade
It is ironic that those who confess no faith would defend those who profess faith. But thank God for them and may He have mercy on them to reveal the eternal seriousness of the issue. And thank God for you Bill, and others of your tribe who have eyes to see, hearts to care and courage to speak.
Glenn Christopherson
It is a scandal that in so many churches in the West Christians choose to turn their heads the other way, rather than look at the suffering church, in other parts of the world. How many churches have Open Doors, CSW or Barnabas Fund type meetings? And if they do, how frequently do they meet and how many attend?
http://www.csw.org.uk/portal.htm
http://www.opendoorsuk.org/
http://barnabasfund.org/
Maybe if we identified and somehow shared in that suffering, we would value the freedoms won for us by those who went before us. Sadly, and I speak for myself, we have perverted Philippians 4:8-9 into “Finally, brothers, whatever is good, lovely, healthy, – if anything is seemly, untroubling and respectable — think about such things. And you will have a quiet and undisturbed life.
David Skinner, UK
I have often seen the Desiderata Poem hanging on people’s walls, even on Christians. It is headed:
Desiderata
The Old St Paul’s Church, Baltimore, AD 1692
“Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit….”
Maybe its me. Maybe I have just become a cantankerous old codger, but it has always seemed like a Buddhist poem.
David Skinner, UK
Just a thought but rather than protesting our innocence should we not pray for those who persecute us? Should we not turn the other cheek? Should this not drive us back to the word of God and the mission field where we live to witness to people? I have heard of people being saved in spite of the bile and gall towards the Bible. It seems to be the case today that when someone turns from Idols to trust the living and true God that they thumb their nose at the world, which we are reminded in Psalm 50 the kings of this world and their rulers have conspired together against the Lord and His Christ. We don’t need to see people become complacent. We want to see them have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through His shed blood (just as He does). Their sins washed away.
Andrew Lace
Thanks Andrew
Religious freedom is not something to be sneezed at. It is largely the product of the Judeo-Christian worldview in the West, and has come at great price. Why can we not work to protect these wonderful blessings of God, instead of just throwing them all away? I don’t see why we can’t fight for religious freedom while also proclaiming the gospel. No need to force us to choose between the two.
We are nowhere in Scripture told to seek persecution, but we are to pray for our rulers so that we might live a quiet and peaceful life. Turning the state into a militant anti-Christian tyranny is not something we should seek, but fight against.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
What desperately needs to happen is for 1Cor 12:28 to come back into affect within every individual Church. Then for those apostles to rise up and bring the balance of Christianity and its many aspects back into the Church. Churches must not be dominated by ‘pastors and teachers’, such are listed as ‘last’ in the ascension anointing list. They are preceeded by the apostle, the prophet and the evangelist, these are needed to bring the balance, backbone and actions back into the people of God. They should be allowing ministry anointings such as yourself to come and speak to their congregations and sound the alarm, then they should be facilitating ACTIONS to appropriate change and not declining from it. Rather what many denominations teach over and over again as i was earbashed with the unscriptural rhetoric is ‘numbers, numbers numbers, who are nothing more than financiers and bums that turn up on Sunday and make the Minister seem like he has been successful. My soul isnt lonely for a crowd i can tell ya and id rather sit with 5 people who were sold out as is right, than 50 liars. Yet where is the fruit of discipleship, where is holiness, I veribly can testify to clubs labelling themselves as ‘christian churches’ who’s percentage of ‘attendees know nothing of the Christian faith, do nothing apart from sin and hate God fearing champions who stick their neck out for Christ, and our Ministry can prove this! As always we seem to need a leader to show us the way, it was before and unfortunately it will be today, may God raise up more and more leaders and may God rebuke or remove those in charge of churches to ‘let the Prophet speak!’
Dorian Ballard
Let the Bible speak:
Psalm 82:3-4. “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.
Isaiah 1:17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
Romans 13:3-5 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
David Skinner, UK
David Skinners references [Psalms,James,and Isaiah] may well refer to todays plethora of welfare organizations that are undergirded by the churches. The church appears to be relatively successful if not leaders in being welfare providers.
The reference to Romans 13: 3 – 5 is very pertinent and different for a number of reasons. First, Paul was ‘fighting’ in the political arena in the boldness of the Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus and under the protection of Roman citizenship. Second, Paul took the ‘fight’ to national leadership, both political and religious, and to the idolator artisans.
However, Paul was jailed and executed by “God’s servant [Ruler] who wants to do you good”. [sic].
Where are our Paul’s today that are prepared to go to jail in Australia for being aggressive activists towards the political and religious elite in the authority and love of Christ Jesus?
Ray Robinson
Dear Bill, Your article is spot on as always. Almost everything which emanates from the MSM and Hollywood now is anti Christian. They make the most of every opportunity they get to give the Church a bashing. They did it with Elizabeth and I am wondering if they will do it again with the much promoted film Robin Hood starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett. As we all know from our school days Richard the Lionhearted went off to the Crusades leaving his wicked brother John in charge of England.He was so unjust that Robin Hood and his merry men helped the poor and downtrodden and were consequently outlawed. Going by the promotion I have seen of the film they may have captured that myth but I am curious to know what will be given as the reason Richard had gone off to the Crusades? Will the reason be historically accurate and given as defensive or will it be implied that the Crusades were an early example of Western imperialism conducted to convert poor Muslims to Christianity by force – a popular myth propounded today by the secularists for their own evil purposes to destroy the Church. If any of your readers are interested in the Crusades I would recommend Robert Spencer’s brilliant and easily readable book ‘The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam and the Crusades’. He says if ‘Richard the Lionhearted, and countless others hadn’t risked their lives to uphold the honor of Christ and his Church thousands of miles from home, the jihadists would almost certainly have swept across Europe much sooner’ and that would have meant that Christian Europe would not have had the freedom to advance philosophically, scientifically and technologically as it did. This is because the Muslim idea of a rigid, absolutist God precludes the idea of a benevolent, coherent, consistent God whom Christians believe in. Hope these comments are useful.
Patricia Halligan
Spot-on Bill: thank God for people like you. Christians need to get active and fight tooth and nail for their beliefs in the Western World today. Taking things for granted has led to the present situation.
Jerry Gonzalez, Perth