CONTENTS: (1) Defeatist Theology Alive And Well in The U.S.A. (2) "A Christian Boom" by Daniel Pipes ==================== ==================== (1) Defeatist Theology Alive And Well in The U.S.A. Note: All scripture used in this edition is from the American Standard Version of the Bible. Please feel free to look up any verse, in any version, all of which are provided at The Bible Gateway: http://bible.gospelcom.net/ Dear Friend, My recent personal experience defending freedom of religion and speech rights has been quite an eye-opener. As you know from last week's IQ* edition, I, along with other Pro-Family Pro-Constitution groups, went to the Pennsylvania State Capitol to speak with Governor Schweiker's Senior Policy Analysts, as well as with Pa. House leaders, to show them the unconstitutionality of the Pa. Hate Crime bill. After I returned, I communicated with many people. The response was a bit disheartening. Several people replied to me with, what Randall Terry calls, the "Defeatist Theology." Before I explain this theology, look here at the fruit of this theology in the USA, which has been taught to most of us (yes, even those of us who've gone through the seminary), through the following two examples. +++++++ Example #1 11/27/2002 Pennsylvania Expands 'Hate Crimes' Law (CNSNews.com) - A bill passed by the Pennsylvania legislature may make it illegal for preachers to quote Bible passages condemning homosexuality, according to a group that opposes the measure. The bill, passed by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Tuesday night, is now on its way to Gov. Mark Schweiker, who says he will sign it. The measure amends the state's Ethnic Intimidation Act to include "sexual orientation, gender or gender identity." The pro-family Urban Family Council worries that the bill will be enforced too liberally. William Devlin, the group's president, is advising pastors and churches across Pennsylvania to "obtain some very good liability insurance and contact an attorney if the pastor intends to continue faithfully preaching the Word." According to Devlin, "This bill is so broad that if you have an attender at your church who feels offended or intimidated by what is said from the pulpit, you and your church leadership will be receiving certified letters inviting you to either a deposition or a court appearance." Related Story: http://www.cnsnews.com/Culture/Archive/200211/CUL20021122a.html +++++++ Example #2 11/27/02 BUSH HOSTS RAMADAN IFTAR AT WHITE HOUSE: (FAMILY NEWS IN FOCUS) - Joe Glover, from the Family Policy Network, is disappointed with the president for putting Christianity on the back burner. "His remarks are consistent with his behavior," Glover said. "He's holding and hosting Ramadan Iftar services in the White House to celebrate Islam, and yet the best we can get having to do with Christianity is a tree on the White House lawn." ... Glover thinks Bush is running the risk of alienating the Evangelical community. "A lot of people I've spoken to are scratching their heads and wondering what the born-again Evangelical nature of Bush's life [is, and when it's] going to come out?" Glover said. Listen to the FAMILY NEWS IN FOCUS news story at: http://www.familypolicy.net/audio/FNIF-11-25-02.asf Read the FAMILY NEWS IN FOCUS article at: http://www.family.org/cforum/fnif/news/a0023414.html Read the WHITE HOUSE news release re: Bush Iftar Dinner: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/11/20011119-14.html Read the related AGAPE PRESS news story at: http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/11/262002a.asp +++++++ As you know from previous editions of IQ*, God commands us to "take the gates" of His enemies, which is the political, judicial, and commerce positions of society. See http://users.netreach.net/InfoQuest/Activism.htm for the scripture. So, your question is, "what is the defeatist theology?" Many Christians believe in "defeatist theology," in that, things will just get worse until the second coming of Christ and that we have no chance of "taking the gates" of the enemies of God. This is just what Satan wants us to think! That way, people don't get involved in anything but the minimal; hence, present day USA! Some people believe that, when Satan brought Jesus to the temple roof to tempt Jesus in the desert, that, when Satan offered Jesus power over all of the kingdoms in the world, it meant that Satan was telling the truth! Satan telling the truth? Um. Yeah, right. Satan (a fallen angel) telling Jesus (God) that Satan could give Jesus power over all of the kingdoms in the world if Jesus worshiped Satan, is like my chocolate Lab, Charlie Brown, telling me that Charlie would give me access to all of the dog food in the house if I bow down and worship Charlie! DUH, WHAT?? All scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit and is historically correct. However, not all scripture is didactic (morally instructive; ex., the Ten Commandments). Most of Satan's claims are historical but NOT didactic. When Satan was not quoting scripture word-for-word, he was speaking in his own language (lies). Many Christians have been taught that there will be a specific time of concentrated attack on Christians in "the end times," where Satan, though a one-person Antichrist, will take all power that was given to Christians, by Jesus, in places of leadership, etc.; this is the foundation for the defeatist theology. This digs a little into pre- and post-tribulation theology; however, since Christ is in us, I go for pan-tribulation, in that, in the end, it all pans out for the best, since we know who's in control, wait, do we? Before we see, scripturally, how this defeatist theology is dead wrong, lets take a short look at how this theology is an insult to God. First, it is an insult to God's power, as though God is not all-powerful, and as though Satan runs the earth. Jesus said that all power on Heaven and Earth is God's; NOT a little on earth, and in the end, Satan will get it all for a certain amount of time. Some then say, "but, but, it's the plan of God, and God is going let His children suffer greatly, to pull His children out at the last and worst moment." If that's true, then we move on to... Second, then, it is an insult to God's integrity. God has the Power to bring the world to Him and answer the prayer of Psalm 2 (explained below), but, according to some, He's just decided to "throw the game" by putting in mentally and spiritually devoid Christian leaders who can't get the job done? That is absurd! An example of this absurdity: Satan tries to take over Heaven and God says, "NO - I will throw you out, but I will make you rule the earth!" How Absurd! It is a blatant insult to the integrity of God! Third, it is an insult to God's Love, Mercy, and Hope. Defeatist theologians say that now, and in the end times, God subjects His Love, Mercy, and Hope of redemption to Satan and to an Antichrist? This is absurd! God does NOT need Satan's permission. Satan is NOT the ruler of the nations. Christ is King NOW, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and Psalm 110 tells us that (explained below). Other than the knowledge that Jesus will return to take us with Him, is there mentioned a *specific* one-time all-out great tribulation attack against us in the Bible? Answer the following questions. How many times in the Bible are the following words/phrases stated? Note: You can do a word search through any version of the Bible at: http://bible.gospelcom.net/ * "the Antichrist" in Revelation? Answer: ZERO! 2 John 1:7 "For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, even they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist." Here we see that "the antichrist" is ALL people (more than one!) who deceive and say that Jesus did not come to us in the flesh. * reference to a 7-year tribulation period in the Bible? Answer: ZERO! We are told, throughout the Bible, that we will ALWAYS face tribulation of different types, just by being Christian. Great tribulation (abortion, mass murder, non-Judeo slavery, etc.) has been going on for thousands of years. Matt. 24:6 "And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled: for these things must needs come to pass; but the end is not yet." EVEN after great wars, the end is still coming ("but the end is not yet")! These words and phrases are the foundation of dogma for millions of Christians! How can you have dogma based on something that does not exist in the Bible??? "Eschatology" is the understanding of the end times. "Christology" is the understanding of Jesus Christ. Christ is the beginning AND the end. A defeatist eschatology is a defeatist Christology! Psalm 2 and Psalm 110 create the foundation for true Christology: +++++++ Psalm 2 1 Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against Jehovah, and against his anointed, saying, 3 Let us break their bonds asunder, And cast away their cords from us. 4 He that sitteth in the heavens will laugh: The Lord will have them in derision. 5 Then will he speak unto them in his wrath, And vex them in his sore displeasure: 6 Yet I have set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion. 7 I will tell of the decree: Jehovah said unto me, Thou art my son; This day have I begotten thee. 8 Ask of me, and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. 10 Now therefore be wise, O ye kings: Be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 11 Serve Jehovah with fear, And rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, For his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all they that take refuge in him. +++++++ Psalm 110 1 A Psalm of David. Jehovah saith unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 2 Jehovah will send forth the rod of thy strength out of Zion: Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. 3 Thy people offer themselves willingly In the day of thy power, in holy array: Out of the womb of the morning Thou hast the dew of thy youth. 4 Jehovah hath sworn, and will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek. 5 The Lord at thy right hand Will strike through kings in the day of his wrath. 6 He will judge among the nations, He will fill the places with dead bodies; He will strike through the head in many countries. 7 He will drink of the brook in the way: Therefore will he lift up the head. +++++++ Look again at Psalm 110:1 "Jehovah saith unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, UNTIL I make thine enemies thy footstool." This is one of the most-quoted Psalms in the New Testament because of its clear reference to the Messiah! In Matthew 22:41-45, Jesus recited the words to this verse and applied them to himself. 41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, 42 saying, What think ye of the Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. 43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying, 44 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I put thine enemies underneath thy feet? 45 If David then calleth him Lord, how is he his son? Jesus, in present time, spoke of himself - God telling Jesus to sit at God's right hand UNTIL God makes Jesus' enemies Jesus' footstool. So, let's get this straight, which the majority of Christians in the USA has dead wrong. (Even I had it wrong until I studied the Bible using "Taking Back the Gates," and Nave's Topical Index.) After Jesus is resurrected from the dead, He is lifted into Heaven to sit at the right hand of God. Right? Right. God tells Jesus to stay seated at God's right hand UNTIL the enemies of Jesus are made to be Jesus' footstool. Once that is done, Jesus will get up off the throne and bring us (His faithful kids) home! So, do things get better for us (or Christians of the future) by the time Jesus comes, or worse? BETTER! God MANDATES us to be involved in politics, the judiciary, and commerce. See: http://users.netreach.net/infoquest/activism.htm If we study the Bible cover to cover, we see that God's children are to become the political, judicial, and commerce leaders BEFORE Jesus' return! It's quite simple; written and easy to read! Randall Terry, in "Taking Back The Gates," http://users.netreach.net/infoquest/government.htm#Randall goes on to explain more; for instance, the return of Christ is NOT brought on through fleshly people in politics; the Holy Spirit will work in us to "take His enemy's gate." No one knows the time of the return of Christ (Matt. 24:36), but the Bible does let us know what is to happen before He returns (a footstool of victory)! Christians in the USA may go through great tribulation, in the near future, if we don't get back on track! It may be "southern Christians," as described in the next section, "A Christian Boom," who renew the "taking back the gates" of the USA Founding Fathers, while we USA Christians allow ourselves to be attacked (remember the two examples in the beginning of this edition) as a product of defeatist theology! We must alert our pastors to this fact! The USA was created through the church (see "Political Sermons of The American Founding Era (1730-1805)" at http://users.netreach.net/infoquest/government.htm#Political_Sermons ), and will only get back on track through the pulpit and from those of us who know the truth! When was the last time your pastor made an alter call for Christians to serve in politics or the judiciary? How much more tribulation will we allow (remember the beginning examples!) before such alter calls are made?! Let us PRAY and ACT NOW! Most sincerely and in Christ, Erich <>< P.S. I implore you all to invest in a fantastic Christmas gift for yourselves: http://users.netreach.net/infoquest/government.htm#American_Students_Package It's worth well over $350, and it's only $49.95! It is an invaluable resource for us to use in "Taking Back The Gate!" ==================== ==================== (2) "A Christian Boom" by Daniel Pipes http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/62885.htm A CHRISTIAN BOOM By DANIEL PIPES November 26, 2002 -- WHICH of the world's largest faiths, Christianity or Islam, is experiencing the greater ideological reassertion and demographic surge? "Islam" is surely nearly everyone's answer. As American Christians experiment with ever-milder versions of their faith, Muslims display a fervor for extreme interpretations of Islam. As Europe suffers the lowest population growth rates ever recorded, Muslim countries have some of the highest. But, argues Philip Jenkins recently in the Atlantic Monthly, Islam is the wrong answer. He shows how Christianity is the religion currently undergoing the most basic rethinking and the largest increase in adherents. He makes a good case for its militancy most affecting the next century. "For obvious reasons," notes this professor of history and religious studies at Pennsylvania State University, "news reports today are filled with material about the influence of a resurgent and sometimes angry Islam. But in its variety and vitality, in its global reach, in its association with the world's fastest-growing societies, in its shifting centers of gravity, in the way its values and practices vary from place to place . . . it is Christianity that will leave the deepest mark on the 21st century." What Jenkins dubs the "Christian revolution" is so little noted because Christians divide into two very different regions North (Europe, North America, Australia) and South (South America, Africa, Asia) and we who live in the North only dimly perceive the momentous developments under way in the South. Fortunately, Jenkins is there to guide us. Faith: The changes in the South "run utterly contrary" to those in the liberalizing North, where religious beliefs and practices are ever more removed from traditional Christianity. In the South, Protestant movements are mainly Evangelical or Pentecostal, while Roman Catholicism takes an orthodox cast. By Northern lights, the South's theology and moral teaching are "stalwartly traditional or even reactionary," what with their respect for the power of priests, their notions of spiritual charisma, their aspiration to direct spiritual revelation, their efforts to exorcise demonic forces and their goal of re-creating a version of early Christianity. As "Southern Christians are reading the New Testament and taking it very seriously," increasing tensions develop with the liberal Northerners. Demographics: "Christians are facing a shrinking population in the liberal West and a growing majority of the traditional Rest. During the past half century the critical centers of the Christian world have moved decisively to Africa, to Latin America, and to Asia. The balance will never shift back." The numbers are jaw-dropping: Nigeria already has more practicing Anglicans than any other country, with Uganda not far behind. The Philippines has more baptisms per year than France, Spain, Italy and Poland together. By 2025, two-thirds of all Christians (and three-quarters of all Catholics) are expected to live in the South. (This actually understates the contrast in growth rates: Many Southern Christians are relocating to the North. In London today, half of all churchgoers are blacks.) Under present trends, by 2050 non-Latino whites will make up just one in five of the world's Christians. Of course, the chasm between North and South is not complete (a fact that Jenkins hardly touches on); the United States, for example, contains substantial numbers of Christians with a "Southern" outlook. That said, the trends are clear: * Although Islam may appear to be the faith of choice for the world's poor, Christianity is faring at least as well among them. * Christianity is no longer predominantly a European and North American faith. * The experimentation and decline that pervades Northern Christianity is less important than it appears. * The concept of Christendom may re-emerge in the South, where political, social and personal identities are being primarily defined by religious loyalties. * "An enormous rift seems inevitable" between North and South, possibly leading to a split in the Christian church, similar to what happened centuries ago between the Catholic Church and the Protestant movements. * Christianity and Islam are on a collision course, competing for converts and influence. Some countries "might be brought to ruin by the clash of jihad and crusade." To understand the future of Christianity, then, keep your eye on those Southern believers who reject the North's liberal outlook and who increasingly dominate the faith. Daniel Pipes (www.DanielPipes.org) is director of the Middle East Forum and author of Militant Islam Reaches America (W.W. Norton).