Winning the Culture War

Much proof has been offered in this book that true Christianity is a superior Worldview to all others and that America was founded on Christian principles. Unfortunately, not all Americans agree with these beliefs. Some are even determined to undermine and secularize America. Secularists have benefitted greatly from the climate of tolerance and freedom engendered by true Christianity and are now using that freedom to restrict, if not prohibit, tolerance for
Christianity. Hungry for power at the expense of principle, they are blind to what their intolerance will eventually accomplish - a backlash of intolerance for their own beliefs if and when they lose their political power. Of course, they don’t intend to lose that power.

Also as noted previously, Secularists have grabbed the levers of power in public school education on all levels and have perverted the judicial system to promote their evolution-based, anti-God agenda. Not discussed above, but documented in many best-selling books, is the liberal dominance of the media, including Hollywood. These key positions in our free society wield considerable influence in the current battle between competing Worldviews. Secularists created this cultural war - even though they blame Christians for it - to seduce the minds of Americans into the delusions of anti-God socialism where man meets all of man’s needs. This impossible dream of a utopian world apart from God is their worldview - their religion.

Out With the Obsolete Model

Indeed, Secularists have helped to radically change our political and cultural landscape over the last sixty years by promoting an influx and acceptance of contradictory Worldviews.  But regrettably, the typical way of characterizing these very different political/religious perspectives is still a simplistic, single line spectrum as follows:

 

Far Left                        Left                     Moderate                      Right                       Far Right

___^_______________^______________^_______________^_______________^___

 

Given the increasing complexity of so many diverse and necessarily contradictory belief systems in our society, this elemental view is now inexact and even misleading and, in effect, obsolete.  The mainstream media uses this antiquated model to cram such opposites as Christian evangelicals and the Taliban into the same corner.  The model ignores the fundamental differences between secular and religious based systems not to mention between religions themselves.  It also does not account for America’s historical Christian foundation and corresponding development as its true starting point. 

When we lose sight of our past, we are at the mercy on anyone who redefines our present and seeks to control our future. Secularists routinely rewrite America’s history to blot out our true roots. To undo their deception, we need a revised model that captures the dynamics of our Christian heritage which will serve to redeem the present and shape our future. History testifies that without a God-centered vision, the Total Truth, whole cultures perish.

Unlike previous republics, our Founders made God, not man, the main focal point.  Our Founders simultaneously declared independence from England and dependence on the God of the Bible, Who alone, they acknowledged publicly, gave man the right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”   If we allow Secularists to replace our Christian heritage with man-centered Humanism, we will inevitably surrender our God-given rights to the whims of evil dictators like Hitler and Stalin.  History has already confirmed the destructive and diabolical results that have cost well over 100 million human lives in peacetime alone.   

In With the New Model

The following model is offered as a graphic attempt to affirm both the fact of America's Christian roots and the current belief in God by the majority of Americans (the fuselage) while at the same time to acknowledge a plethora of conflicting religious and secular ideologies (the wings) in today’s world. While the wings aid a plane, they would be a great handicap to a rocket which is a truer picture of early America with its 98% Christian population.

Please note that the secular ideologies listed on the main wings of the plane are organized from the most authoritarian (at the top of the page) to the most populist. The same progression is used for the religious belief systems on the tail wings.  For your convenience, a Glossary of Definitions follows this chapter. Even to the casual reader, the definitions make it clear just how contradictory these belief systems are to each other.

 

This illustration is titled The Plain Truth in Plane Terms for obvious reasons. The jet plane conveniently provides a three axis model to account for the three main belief groupings: Biblical Christianity, Secularist and Religious.  Christianity deserves its central place in the diagram for at least two reasons.  First, it is the historic and basic Worldview of America.  Second, properly understood, Christianity is not technically a “religion” - when defined as a system of works to reach God - but is, instead, God’s way to reconnect personally with man.  Many of our nation's political leaders, such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan, acknowledged that truth which has made and kept America great.  It is that reality that Secularists deny.  If they have their way, they will destroy the most free and prosperous country the world has ever known.  May this diagram help chart a course of clearer thinking and determined action by all who love America, as originally envisioned, in order to reclaim what is rightfully ours: “... One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

A Holy War

This armed jet plane reminds us to fight the good fight of and for our faith in the internal Culture War that besets us on three main fronts: 1) the battle with the lie of evolution that is being used to justify Atheism and condemn Christianity, 2) the battle to replace America’s true Christian heritage with the lies against the character, beliefs and purposes of our predominantly Christian Forefathers and 3) the battle to secularize America by judicial activists who lie about the true meaning of the “separation clause” and pervert it to stamp out Christianity.  In addition, of course, is the external war against America from world-wide terrorism generated by Muslim extremists, another battle over Worldviews.

May we all rally around our faithful God, who is the Total Truth, and our country for the sake of our families and the future of the world.  Hopefully the truth in this series of articles and sources cited therein is more than enough ammunition to inspire and equip you and others to win the most important of all battles, the battle for the souls and minds of mankind for God.  “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you.”  No other Worldview can be that for you - for now and forever.

PLAIN TRUTH IN PLANE TERMS - DEFINITIONS

Anarchy: a society without a government or laws. (Fortunately it does not last long but some have used it as a means of political takeover.)

Cult: 1) Christian context: any group (such as Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses and Unitarians) popularly considered to be within the Christian religion, but which deviates from Biblical, orthodox, historical Christianity by denying such essentials as: the Fall of man/original sin; Christ's deity, physical resurrection, and/or personal return to earth; or Salvation by faith in Christ alone. This distinction is based on doctrine. 2) General context: any group which has a pyramid type authoritarian leadership structure with all teaching and guidance coming from the person or persons at the top; may claim to be the only way to God; Nirvana; Paradise; Ultimate Reality; Full Potential, Way to Happiness etc, and will use thought reform or mind control techniques to gain control and keep their members.  This distinction is based not on doctrine but on behavior and covers cults within all major world religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism, along those which have no obvious religious base.  Deism: a belief that God exists and that he created the world but now stands completely removed from it.

Democracy: a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly; government by the people-majority rule.  When an issue is to be decided, the entire population votes on it.  Rule by the will of the majority.

Eastern Religions: most have Hindu origins, existed B.C.; have undergone many transformations; whether God exists is not important since man himself is divine; believe in reincarnation-all suffering is deserved; followers consider themselves "enlightened" above others; "mind over matter".

Fascism: a regime that exalts the nation or race above the individual; an autocratic government (dictatorship) with the power to suppress opposition by force.

Islam: Muslim religious doctrine based on the belief that Allah is the sole deity, Mohammed is his prophet and the Quran is his written word.  Jesus is recognized as a prophet but not God who came in the flesh.

Liberalism: 1) Classic: a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of man, individual freedom and   protection of political and civil liberties. 2) Modern (Progressivism): a political philosophy that advocates political change and social improvement by government action; not bound by authoritarianism, tradition or orthodoxy - such as a Constitution. Libertarianism: a political philosophy that upholds unrestricted liberty of thought and action.  The people have complete freedom with minimal interference by the government.

Marxism/Leninism: a political philosophy advocating the overthrow of the elite privileged class (Bourgeoisie) by the oppressed working class (Proletariat) to create a classless society ruled by socialist labor principles; "matter over mind".  (Marx treated religion with contempt - Lenin treated it with hatred.)

Materialism: a philosophy based on the belief that scientific laws are adequate to account for all phenomena; it denies any supernatural significance.

Monarchy: a nation ruled by a single person who reigns as king, queen or emperor; power is usually inherited for life. 

Naturalism: a system of thought holding that all phenomena can be explained in terms of natural causes and laws (philosophy); the doctrine that all religious truths are derived from nature and natural causes and not from revelation (theology); conduct or thought prompted by natural desires or instincts.

Nihilism: a philosophy that denies the existence of any basis for knowledge or moral truth; traditional values are unfounded; results in the notion that existence is senseless and useless. 

Occult: religious expression containing but not limited to the worship of self as the supreme will, the conjuring and manipulation of supernatural influences, agencies, or phenomena or some secret knowledge of them for one’s own purposes and gain.

Oligarchy: government by the few.  A small group exercises control often for corrupt and/or selfish purposes.

Pantheism: the worship of all gods of all creeds, cults and people in equal fashion. 

Republic: a government in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and to elect officers and representatives responsible to them.  The elected representatives govern with the consent of the people.  Rule by law.

Secular Humanism: a philosophy of life centered on human interests and values; stresses an individual's dignity and worth through reason; indifferent to, rejects or excludes religion or religious considerations.

Secularism: religious skepticism or indifference; the view that religious considerations should be excluded from civil affairs or public education.  Secularism was the word adopted by George Jacob Holyoake in the early 1850s to describe a system of morals and social action shaped exclusively by this-worldly considerations, irrespective of religious beliefs.  The word was derived from the secular education movement for the complete separation of religious teaching from other forms of education.

Totalitarianism: a government in which the citizen is totally subject to the state's authority.  All aspects of life are under strict control and opposition is forcefully suppressed. 

Total Truth: The All-knowing God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob and His Son, Christ Jesus, who is the Way and the Truth and the Life and the Holy Spirit who Jesus sent to teach and lead every Christian into all Truth.  They are the Total Truth!

Sources for definitions: Answers.com, Dictionary.com, Jan Groenveld " Identifying a Cult", Meriam-Webster Online, Summit Minsitries, Wikipedia.

Getting on Board

Are you willing to get on board the Jet Plane rather than stay grounded by the status quo?  A revolution can mean "one complete turn to the original position or vision."  The Revolutionary War was our Founder's successful attempt to return to and live out the original purpose of Christ's first coming: "It was for freedom that Christ has set us free."  He came to set mankind free from all levels of bondage that prevent mankind from hearing, believing and accepting Him as the Total Truth and the only Way to God who alone gives Life forever.  The English king was suppressing the freedom to believe and live according to one's own conscience under God; so it is with today's Secularists who want to eliminate our God-given right to religious liberty in public and private life. 

They revel in Nietzsche’s ludicrous declaration that “God is dead.”For too long, modern Christians - clergy and laity - remained passive to the growing menace now called the Culture War. They wrongly believed that Jesus shunned the realm of politics, now a main battleground, and so should all of His followers.  Consequently, secularist politicians are now usurping and redefining the moral realm to establish their godless Worldview in the name of "tolerance."

Where would we be today if our Christian forefathers had remained silent in the face of religious and political tyranny?  This "Holy Experiment" would never have been born and God's use of America to spread great spiritual and material blessings across the world would not have happened.  But, fortunately for us, they responded with "their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor" to God's revelation that He is Lord over every realm, including politics. And fortunately for us today, many Christians have again joined in the battle for the hearts and minds of fellow Americans.  Thanks to their valiant efforts, there are now many different "special forces" equipped to fight the Culture War on its many fronts. 

Below are some practical ways, in addition to prayer for God's will to be done in America, to join in to help bring about his will here on earth to occupy until He returns in triumph.  Will He find you doing what He has called you to do?

1  Educate yourself and others.  Start by renewing your mind with the above articles that serve as a basic outline to the competing beliefs and issues in this war and use this truth in love to bring others into an abiding relationship with the King of kings and Lord of all lords.  Let him show you in what part of the battle He wants you to serve Him.

2.  Link with other Christian "special forces" and conservative news outlets.  To name a few: American Family Association, Concerned Women for America, Coral Ridge Ministries, Eagle Forum, Family Research Council, Focus on the Family, Human Events, Institute for Creation Research, Lee Strobel.com, Summit Ministries, Townhall.com, Wallbuilders (which includes a great links page), Washington Times Weekly, WorldNetDaily, World Magazine, Worldview Weekend.

3. Become an informed voter: “Without a vision the people perish.” God has provided a government "of, by and for the people" whose continued freedom depends on choosing responsible and wise leaders who understand, appreciate and promote the vision our Forefathers founded.  Learn about the positions of candidates and elected officials; review voting records; review voters guides distributed by conservative organizations; and read and listen to what others who also understand the vision are saying.

4.  Be open to the possibility that God is calling you to run for an elected office.

5.  Support Christian candidates and officials whom God has called to serve by volunteering to help in their campaigns and through financial donations and words of encouragement. 

May all who desire to understand and apply the Big Picture, the Total Truth, rally around our faithful God and country for the sake of our families and the future of this world. Hopefully the truth in this on-line book and the sources cited therein are more than enough ammunition to inspire and equip you and others to win the most important of all battles, the battle for the souls and minds of mankind for God. “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” No other Worldview can be that for you - for now and forever.

Without a doubt, the elephant in the room is Christianity! Jesus proved beyond any reasonable doubt that He is the Way to God, the Total Truth that sets mankind free by receiving and abiding in Him and Life Himself. Most of our Founding Fathers believed this and were willing to commit their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to the God of the Bible. In His Providence, He inspired and protected them to birth and defend what has become the most powerful and prosperous country that has ever existed on earth. If we are to continue to enjoy God's providential protection and blessing as a nation, nothing less is required of us. May God's best plan for America outwit and outlast the plans of men. And may America Bless God once again!