Jesus, The Name Above All Names

 It is common for people in our modern culture to throw around the name of Jesus and to use it as a curse word.  But misusing the name of the Lord Jesus Christ is the height of foolishness and stupidity.  These people do not honor or respect the Lord.  They are actually expressing their hatred for him.  

Why is there all this hatred for Jesus?  It is because people love the darkness rather than the light.  Jesus exposes them as sinners who stand guilty before a holy God(see John 3:19-21).  As guilty sinners they face the wrath of God and eternity in hell.  Yet these people express hatred for the only hope of salvation they have, namely Christ Jesus himself.  

Jesus is the name above all names, deserving the utmost respect and honor(see Philippians 2:5-11).  Jesus is the Christ (or Messiah), the only, unique Son of God.  He came to save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).  Christ died on the cross to pay for the sins of his people, to turn away the wrath of God from them.  He was raised from the dead victorious over sin, death, and the devil.  Jesus lived a perfect life without sin enabling him to be our perfect substitute.  Christ took the sins of his people on himself and his righteousness is credited to us (2 Corinthians 5:21).  

We must repent of our sin and place our faith in Christ alone for salvation.  Jesus is the only way to heaven (John 14:6, Acts 4:12).  

(John 20:31)"but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (ESV)

Is Profanity Okay?

 In our modern culture profanity is common and considered normal.  Even some professing Christians regularly use bad language and act as if it is okay.  So is it all right to cuss?  For the truth about profanity we must turn to the Bible. 

(Ephesians 5:4)"Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving." (ESV)

Filthy talk, foolish talk, and crude joking are wrong and should be replaced with expressions of thanks to God.  

(Colossians 3:8)"But now you must put them all away:  anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth."  (ESV)

Here we see that obscene talk among other vices should be put away from your mouth. 

(Exodus 20:7)"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain." (ESV) 

The worst form of profanity is taking the name of the Lord in vain.  The commandment forbids using God's name as a cuss word as well as using it in a careless or empty way.  

(Matthew 12:36)"I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak," (ESV)

People will be judged even for every careless word they speak.  The words spoken by a person show what is in the heart of that person (see also Luke 6:45).  

Profanity or being profane is the very opposite of being holy.  God is holy (see Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 4:8).  Therefore when someone is using profanity he is opposing God. Profanity is simply rebellion against God with your speech.  

(1 Peter 1:15-16)"but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy." (ESV) 

Tear Down Statues Of Jesus?

Some protestors have recently advocated tearing down statues of Jesus.  While the phrase "black lives matter" is true, the Black Lives Matter organization is based on Marxism and postmodernism.  In this way of thinking Christianity is seen as the oppressor and some have even referred to it as "the white man's religion." Of course neither of these things is true.  The Black Lives Matter movement is founded on a false worldview.  

So, what if I told you that these protestors were actually right about removing statues of Jesus (though for the wrong reasons)?  You see statues of Jesus are actually a violation of the second commandment.  

(Exodus 20:4) "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth." (ESV) 

I believe a statue of Jesus is definitely a carved image.  The prohibition of images would apply to all three members of the Trinity.  Any kind of image or representation of God tends to become a false idol.  God is the Creator and he cannot be confined to any representation by the creation.  The first commandment deals with who is to be worshiped and the second commandment deals with how God is to be worshiped. 

A Biblical/Theological View Of the COVID -19 Pandemic

We have basically been presented with a naturalistic view of the coronavirus pandemic.  Naturalism denies the supernatural and believes this world is all that exists.  Many people (including many professing Christians) are practical atheists.  They do not call themselves atheists but they live as if God does not exist.  In reality God is there and he is in control of all things.  

While we have tended to look at the COVID-19 pandemic as a purely naturalistic phenomena, it is not.  Things do not just happen.  Nothing comes to pass that is not ordained by God.  If things just happen then God would be less than God.  God is not the author of evil but he ordains all things that happen including the coronavirus.  God is the primary or ultimate cause of COVID-19 but he is not the secondary or proximate cause of it.  

The virus exists as part of God's plan and purpose.  Through the evil of the coronavirus God is bringing about a greater good.  We may not be able to understand it because finite humans cannot fully comprehend the infinite God.  We live in a fallen world that is under the sin curse and things like the coronavirus occur.  It is also something God is using to conform his people to the image of Christ.  

The ultimate purpose of all things including the coronavirus is to glorify God.  Christians need not fear death because heaven awaits all those who trust in Christ alone for salvation.  

American Secularism, LGBTQ, And Christianity

Secularism is the non-religion, religion.  Secularists believe either that God does not exist or that a god exists but is basically irrelevant.  Recent polls show that 25% of Americans now identify as "nones" having no religious affiliation.  While 65% of Americans still identify themselves as Christians.  It should be obvious that 65% of Americans are not really Christians.  Many of those who profess to be Christians think and live as though God does not exist.  Secularism is especially prevalent among Millennials and Generation Z. Secularists think they are advancing the cause of humanity but are actually leading to the destruction of the nation.

We can see the advance of secularism particularly in the area of marriage and sexuality.  Homosexuality, transgenderism, and living together are now seen as normal.  A Biblical view of marriage and sexuality is now seen as abnormal and out of touch.  Secularists think they are advancing sexual liberty but are really leading people into the bondage of sin.  

The LGBTQ agenda is promoted in areas such as government, business, and the entertainment industry.  Of course the government redefined marriage to include people of the same sex.  The Democrat Party fully embraces the LGBTQ agenda while many in the Republican Party also give their approval.  Many businesses now promote LGBTQ in the name of diversity and inclusion but ironically never promote Christian beliefs.  Of course the entertainment industry is thoroughly secular, leading the way in promoting the LGBTQ agenda and other sinful lifestyles.  

Of course Christianity stands in the way of the advance of secularism with it's claims of absolute truth and moral absolutes.  God is the ultimate authority so right and wrong are determined by him.  This is why secularists have sought to undermine the authority of the Bible, the church, and the family.  Secularism denies the existence of absolute truth.  Of course this is contradictory because when you say there is no absolute truth you make a statement of absolute truth. So secularism actually ends up refuting itself.  

The great virtue in secularism is tolerance and secularists are tolerant until you disagree with them.  One only needs to oppose the LGBTQ agenda to see great intolerance by secularists.  Many secularists are totalitarians who will gladly enforce their agenda on you.  

Christians need to look at America more as a mission field than a battlefield.  The ultimate issues are spiritual and not political.  The problems go much deeper than the political level.  They go to the level of the worldview held by a person.  The foundational beliefs a person holds determine the way he views everything else.  Christians need not fear because truth and reality are on their side.  Secularists cannot escape the fact that they are made in the image of God and must live in God's world.   

The Disappearance Of Cultural Christianity

It is helpful to distinguish between cultural Christianity and convictional Christianity.  Cultural Christians are those who are nominal (in name only) Christians.  They identify with Christianity because of the social benefit, social status, or because it is the tradition.  On the other hand convictional Christians are those who are true Christians.  They follow Christ and hold orthodox beliefs.   

Most of American history has been marked by a Christian consensus.  Even those who where not true Christians still went along with basic Christian teaching and morality.  But the Christian consensus has disappeared in recent times as society has been overtaken by secularism.  Christian beliefs no longer dominate our culture after the rise of secularism.  

In the secular city things such as homosexuality and transgenderism have become normal.  The media, education, and entertainment industry no longer honor Christianity and are actually hostile to it. Since there is no longer a social benefit for identifying as a Christian, we are seeing the disappearance of cultural Christianity.  For some millennials there is now no tradition of Christianity.  

The disappearance of cultural Christianity means that fewer of those around us will hold the same values as us.  But the disappearance of cultural Christianity is not all bad.  We will begin to see who the real Christians are and who the nominal Christians are.  When the culture turns against or becomes hostile to Christianity, those who are not the real deal will not stick around.  We will see a purifying of the church and it will become stronger.  

In reality America never was as Christian as some of us would like to believe.  It never really was a Christian nation because there is no such thing.  God's people is the church which is comprised of people from all nations.    

Transgenderism And Modern Society

The secular left is now pushing the acceptance of transgenderism after having succeeded with normalizing homosexuality.  President Barack Obama has issued an order for public schools to allow transgenders to use which ever restroom or locker room they choose.  Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have both expressed their support for transgenderism.  There has been great outrage over a North Carolina law mandating that men use the men's restroom and that women use the women's restroom.  ESPN, the liberal politically correct sports network even fired Curt Schilling for speaking out against transgenderism.  

Transgenderism has been framed as a civil rights issue.  And of course anyone who opposes civil rights is a bigot.  Transgenderism was once condemned but is now accepted.  And if you oppose it you will be condemned.  It seems that the whole world is upside down.  Woe to those who call evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20).  

Transgenderism is an abomination to God (Deuteronomy 22:5).  God created them male and female (Genesis 1:27).  The issue is who determines who you are.  Is your identity determined by you or by God?  The reality is that God creates you as a man or a woman and that is who you are.  Transgenderism is a sin, it is simply rebellion against God.  

Star Wars, The Force, And Christianity

With the release of a new film Star Wars has reemerged with great popularity.  The Star Wars films have generally been family-friendly containing little profanity and immorality.  Some Christians have even compared "the force" in Star Wars to the Holy Spirit.  But is this an accurate or wise comparison?

Actually the concept of "the force" has much more in common with Eastern or New Age religion than it does with Christianity.  The "force" in Star Wars is an impersonal force that can be tapped into to be used for good or evil.  Power is achieved by a blend of discipline and mysticism.  

On the other hand the Holy Spirit is a person with intellect, will, and emotions.  The Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).  The Trinity is one God in three distinct persons.  The Holy Spirit is equally God with the Father and Son, he has all the attributes of God.  The Holy Spirit is only good and not evil.  The Holy Spirit is sovereign, leads people to the truth, and convicts them of sin.   All true Christians have the Holy Spirit, he is our teacher and the Bible is his textbook.  

So comparing the Holy Spirit to "the force" is just plain wrong.  They are not the same and are in fact very different.  Star Wars does depict good and evil and good is portrayed favorably while evil is portrayed unfavorably.  In modern Hollywood this is often not the case.  Christians need to be discerning when they watch a film like Star Wars.  They need to develop a Christian worldview so they will be able to tell if something is in line with Biblical teaching or not.  

Your Own Personal Jesus

In modern America there are many different views of Jesus and most of them are wrong.  People have a tendency to make him like themselves.  In effect they create their own personal Jesus.  We will look at some of the different views on the modern American landscape.  

The Jesus Of The False Religions
False religions usually view Jesus as a prophet or good teacher, someone who offers good advice or provides a good example to follow.  He is seen as just a man and is not the Messiah or the Son of God.  The false religions deny that Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of his people.  They also deny his resurrection from the dead.  Jesus is not seen as Savior because people must earn their own way to heaven or something like heaven.  The Jesus of the false religions is of course a false Jesus.  

The Jesus Of Liberalism
Liberalism denies the supernatural, seeking to reconcile Christianity with modern secularism.  It denies miracles such as the virgin birth and the resurrection.  Jesus is no longer God or the Messiah.  He is just a good teacher who is a good example to follow. Liberals do not emphasize the need for personal salvation but instead focus on the social gospel.  They often speak of social justice which tends to mean socialism.  Liberals see man as basically good and deny the doctrine of total depravity.  In Liberalism there is no hell, wrath, or judgment.  Liberals tell us that Christianity is life and not doctrine.  They have denied the authority of Scripture and created a false Jesus.  

The Jesus Of Traditional America
Traditional America tends to wrap Jesus in the American flag, making it seem as if being an American patriot and a Christian are one and the same.  The Christian life becomes nothing more than living the American dream. It is about nice houses, nice families, and a life of comfort and ease.  This view has tended to emphasize morality over theology.  But without the Christian theology the Christian morality falls.  Traditionalists tend to make the family the ultimate priority.  But Jesus said he came not to bring peace but a sword and members of families will be turned against one another. This view tends not to emphasize Jesus' call for radical, costly discipleship.  This view is a distortion of the real Jesus.   

The Jesus Of The Prosperity Gospel
The prosperity gospel is popular among charismatics.  You find prosperity preachers all over television talking about sowing the seed.  Of course you must send your money to the prosperity preacher in order to activate the blessing that God is obligated to give you.  If you just have enough faith health and wealth will be yours.  In the prosperity gospel Jesus exists in order to give you things.  It is not about holiness but instead it is about your happiness.  The focus is on this world and accumulating the things of this world.  It is about living your best life now.  The Jesus of the prosperity gospel is also a false Jesus.  

The Jesus Of Postmodern America
This group tends to be primarily composed of the millennials (those born from 1980-2000) but also includes many from other age groups. In this view Jesus is basically just a counselor or coach.  You do not exist for him instead he exists for you.  He is not God who makes demands and is not the Lord to whom you must submit.  He is just there to help you through your problems.  This Jesus just emphasizes being nice and tolerant.  He will not confront people with their sin and there is no judgment, wrath, or hell to worry about.   The Jesus of postmodern America is also a false Jesus.  

People tend to make Jesus into their own image.  They end up creating their own personal Jesus.  Those looking for the real Jesus need to turn to the Bible because our view of him has eternal consequences.       

Bruce Jenner, ESPN, And The Secular Agenda

ESPN recently honored Bruce Jenner (Yeah, Bruce not Caitlyn) with a courage award at the ESPY'S.  In actuality they honored a man for pretending to be a woman.  This is an abomination to God (Deuteronomy 22:5).  Jenner is a very confused person who is in rebellion against God.  Bruce Jenner was created as a man and not as a woman.  Jenner does not need to be applauded and celebrated, instead he needs to be helped and confronted with the reality of his sin.  He needs the truth of God's Word. 

Previously ESPN had pushed Michael Sam, the first openly homosexual football player to be drafted by the NFL, as part of their secular agenda.  They even had to show Sam and his partner kissing.  In reality Michael Sam was not that good of a football player.  He was probably only drafted because he was a homosexual.  ESPN and other sports media were over the top in their support for Michael Sam.  Again ESPN was celebrating someone who was living a sinful lifestyle.  Homosexuality is also an abomination to God (Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:18-32).  

ESPN basketball analyst, Chris Broussard once spoke out against homosexuality on the network.  An apology from ESPN soon followed. I wonder how Broussard managed to keep his job at ESPN.  In a recent telecast of ESPN's NFL pregame show, analyst Keyshawn Johnson took the Lord's name in vain.   None of the panel seemed the least bit bothered by it, not even those who profess to be Christians. 

Not surprisingly ESPN did not issue an apology for Johnson's remark. 

ESPN is owned by Disney a very secular and liberal company.  It will continue to push the secular liberal agenda.  There is a distinctly anti-Christian worldview at ESPN. The ESPY'S award show has become an embarrassment.  ESPN has become a promoter of sinful lifestyles, setting itself against God.     

Percentage Of Christians In America Drops

A recent Pew Research Center Poll shows that the percentage of Americans identifying themselves as Christians has dropped from 79% to 71% over seven years.  Evangelical Protestants have dropped 1% while those with no religious affiliation has increased.  Should this be a cause for concern?  

Does anyone really believe that 71% of Americans are Christians?  It is simply the number of people who profess to be Christians.  I would say the real percentage of Christians in America is less than 10%.  Most professing Christians do not think or live Biblically.  The name Christian has almost lost it's meaning.  It is important to define the term when dealing with people in order to understand what they mean when they use the label Christian.  

The United States is most definitely not a Christian nation.  You would not have television, movies, internet, and music full of immorality, profanity, and blasphemy.  A 71% Christian nation would not approve of homosexuality, abortion, or living together outside of marriage.  A 71% Christian nation would honor God and his design for things.  

So why are there so many false Christians?  Much of the blame belongs to the leadership of the modern church.  They have taught cheap grace as Dietrich Bonhoeffer called it or easy believism as John MacArthur has referred to it.  A person simply makes the decision and then there is nothing to worry about.  Salvation is presented as the work of man instead of the work of God.  

In this pseudo-Christianity you have Christianity without the cross.  There is no sacrifice, no self denial, and there is no cost of discipleship.  There is no repentance, no required obedience, no church discipline, and no hell.  You are presented a God with no wrath or judgment.  There is no sense of the holiness of God and his sovereignty is denied.  

So the decline of people identifying as Christians may actually be a good thing.  The decline is occurring mainly because of the disappearance of the cultural expectation to identify as Christian.  As the culture becomes more secular and hostile to Biblical Christianity the numbers will continue to decline.  

Many professing Christians have a false assurance and are on the road to hell.  The church needs to stop leading people astray and proclaim the truth.  The modern American church is in bad need of reform.  Unfortunately I think the only way we may see reform is if persecution comes to the American church.  Then identifying as a Christian will be taken much more seriously.  

What's Wrong With America?

What has gone wrong with America?  What has happened to the country?  It has shifted from a Biblical worldview to a secular worldview.  The results of this shift are huge.  The thought and lifestyles of Americans have changed dramatically.  There has been a shift from God to the self.  

Many think the change started in the 1960's with the ban on prayer and Bible reading in the public schools.  But this was just the result of change that had already taken place.  The change really seems to have started in the late 1800's.  Men such as Marx, Darwin, and Freud had a negative effect on our country and world with their ideas.  Also the tide of theological liberalism swept into the United States in the late 1800's and early 1900's.  This cast doubt on the authority and reliability of the Bible.  Many denominations took liberal turns denying the inerrancy of Scripture and denying foundational doctrines of historic Christianity.  

With the shift from a Biblical worldview to a secular worldview the focus shifted from the God who is outside of us to our inner self, becoming our own god.  Our ultimate problem is no longer that we are sinners who are morally guilty before a holy God.  Instead we just have psychological problems that require a counselor.  We hear much talk about tolerance in our modern society.  In fact tolerance is the only virtue in modern America.  We have embraced moral relativism and there is no right and wrong.  There is no absolute truth that applies to everyone. Anyone making a truth claim will be labeled as being judgmental immediately.    

We can see the seismic shift in our society with the issue of homosexuality.  It has become widely accepted in modern America.  This would have been unheard of just a short time ago.  We have rejected the truth and become morally insane.  Even some "Christian" denominations now approve of homosexuality.  The reason for this can be traced back to their rejection of the authority of the Bible.  

The decline of America goes back to it's rejection of Biblical authority.  It must be said that the church itself has much responsibility for this.  The modern church is weak and fails to confront the culture with Biblical truth.  Rejection of Biblical authority leads to doctrinal confusion which leads to ungodly lifestyles.  America has rejected the God who is there.  We are in rebellion against him and face his judgment. Is it too late for our country?  I do not know, maybe it is too late.  Christians must pray and read, proclaim, teach and live the Bible because this is our only hope.  

What's Right With America?

We hear much today about the evils of America.  Liberals in Hollywood, academia, the news media, and government portray it as a terrible country.  They present it as historically evil and the problem of the modern world.  Even President Obama seems to have a negative view of America, seeing it as an oppressor.  First lady, Michelle Obama said she was proud of her country for the first time when her husband, Barack Obama was elected.  

On the other hand conservatives talk of American exceptionalism.  So is America exceptional?  Yes, if it is understood correctly.  America is indeed the exception and not the norm historically.  The freedom, prosperity, and high living standards in the United States are unprecedented.  In America the average person is well off.  Even the poor in the United States are much better off than the those in other countries.  Most nations throughout history have been ruled by tyrants or monarchs.  This is not so in the United States where there is a Constitutional Republic.  

But why is America an exceptional country?  Are Americans better than the people of other countries?  No, not at all.  It comes from the ideas and beliefs that form the foundation of the country.  America has had at least somewhat of a Biblical worldview as a foundation.  This has shaped the greatness of America.  The Biblical worldview has provided the form needed for the freedom we have in this country.  The problem with most countries is the foundation they are built upon.  

America's economic system has been capitalism.  It has provided unprecedented prosperity.  The free market system has done more to help the poor than socialism has ever thought about doing.  The free market system is the most beneficial to all people.  It has been said that capitalism is the unequal distribution of wealth while socialism is the equal distribution of poverty.  

It must be said that America is not a perfect country.  Things like slavery and segregation are terrible blots on the history of America and the West.  It must be pointed out that slavery did not begin with Western civilization but abolition did.  American foreign policy has not been perfect either.  But it has not been an aggressor taking over other countries even though it is a super power.  

Our founders who though not perfect were brilliant men who provided us with the best form of government, laid out for us in the U.S. Constitution.  A Republic based on a Biblical worldview has made America probably the greatest country in world history.  The nation has been greatly blessed by God.  

Beware Of Bad Theology In Family Friendly TV Shows

Family friendly television shows are viewed as being safe.  It is considered good wholesome entertainment.  After all there is no sexual immorality, bad language, or graphic violence.  But some views presented in these shows are not in line with Biblical Christianity.  

One example of this is "The Waltons".  The television series ran in the 1970's and was set in the time period of the 1930's and 1940's.  It was a clean family show.  But what about the religious teaching of the show?  The Walton family attended church but the father, John Walton rejected the church. When confronted by his believing wife he says he is a good person and that is enough. He worships God in his own way.  His wife ends up agreeing with him and everything is okay.  

We are also taught on the Waltons that becoming a Christian does not mean confessing that you are a sinner.  It simply means accepting the Lord.  But if someone is not a sinner he has no need for a savior.  It misses the whole point of Christianity.  And no one is good enough to get to heaven. All people are sinners who fall short of God's standard.  Unfortunately the television series presents liberal theology. And liberalism is not Biblical Christianity. 

Another example would be "7th Heaven".  This series ran during the 1990's and the 2000's. It was family friendly and basically clean especially for the time period.  The show was about the Rev. Eric Camden and his family.  Camden was more like a social worker than a minister.  The show taught traditional morality but had little Biblical content.  

In the series the oldest son marries a Jewish girl and converts to Judaism.  At first Rev. Camden and his family are troubled.  But they eventually accept it and everything is fine.  After all, all religions are the same and all roads lead to heaven.  In one episode the son's father in law, a Jewish Rabbi presents a sermon at Rev. Camden's church.  Never mind that Judaism rejects Jesus as the Messiah and the Son Of God.  Later on Rev. Camden's daughter becomes a minister.  Even though the Bible clearly teaches that women are not to be church pastors.  

Even in family friendly television shows we must be aware of bad theology.  Not surprisingly what comes out of Hollywood is usually theological liberalism and not Biblical Christianity.  We must be careful when we watch these shows because they tend to make the views they promote seem normal, while making Biblical Christianity seem abnormal.  There is a strong need for discernment when watching television.         

ESPN Pushes Homosexual Agenda In Your Face

Openly homosexual Michael Sam was picked by the St. Louis Rams in the 7th round of the NFL draft.  He was the first homosexual drafted by the NFL.  7th round picks are not expected to have much success in the NFL.  But that did not stop ESPN and others in the sports media from heaping endless praise on Michael Sam.  He has gotten more attention than any of the 248 players selected ahead of him.  This is all because the secular liberal sports media wishes to push the homosexual agenda on all of us.  

During the draft ESPN had cameras covering Michael Sam at his home.  We got to see Michael Sam and his partner (a very feminine man) hugging and kissing continually.  ESPN could not show it enough.  This perversion was on display for the entire world to see. It was one of the most disgusting things I have ever seen.  Of course the gang at ESPN thought this was great.  They could not stop praising Sam for his great courage in living a sinful lifestyle.  ESPN commentators and other sports media people thought it was one the great moments in sports history.  When in reality it was one of the saddest moments in sports history.  

ESPN and the rest of the secular liberal sports media are proud when they should be ashamed.  No one is allowed to speak out against this perversion either.  The NFL and the sports media will shut that person down. A Miami Dolphins player said something negative about the Michael Sam spectacle and now he will be going to a reeducation camp. Secular liberals are behaving more and more like totalitarians.  Anyone opposing them  must be silenced, especially Christians.  One wonders how long it will be before this blog post is considered a hate crime.

Even President Obama chimed in on the Michael Sam spectacle calling it an important step forward in the history of our country.  Obama and his fellow secular liberals could not be more wrong.  It actually shows that we are a country in rebellion against God.  Our nation is promoting a sinful lifestyle that God hates. America has exchanged the truth about God for a lie.  We are morally insane.  We have become a nation of fools.  How long before God pours out his wrath on us?  

(Read Romans 1:18-32)       

The Bible, Rock n' Roll And Your Soul

Some Key Bible Passages
Exodus 20:3
2 Timothy 3:1-5
Ephesians 4:17-5:21
John 3:16-21
John 8:12
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
Philippians 4:8-9
Romans 12:1-2

Rock n' roll music has been very popular and influential in our modern culture.  But all be not well in the world of Rock.  To many of the fans it is like a religion.  Rock stars are often treated like gods.  Many fans are absolute devotees and some girls even offer their bodies to their gods.  There is definitely a dark side to Rock music.  

AC/DC sang "Hell's Bells" and "Highway to Hell", while Angus Young ran around with devil horns on his head.  Van Halen sang about "Running With The Devil".  Motley Crue had "Shout at the Devil", along with the Satanic symbol on the cover of their album. The Grateful Dead sang "A Friend of the Devil is a Friend of Mine".  Guns n' Roses gave us excessive profanity while Aerosmith gave us excessive immorality.  Marilyn Manson had an album titled "Antichrist Superstar".  Manson even claimed to be a Satanist.  At concerts he would tear pages out of the Bible and say he would not be ruled by Christianity any longer. 

The band Kiss had the song "God of Thunder".  In the song we hear these words, "I command you to kneel before the god of thunder and rock n' roll, the spell your under will slowly rob you of your virgin soul".  In the song "Great Expectations", Gene Simmons sings "you'll even sell me your soul".  Later Kiss would sing the song "Unholy".  Of course the sexual immorality of Kiss is well known.  Kiss member, Paul Stanley has said that he feels like an evangelical preacher spreading the message of rock n' roll.  

The Rolling Stones entitled an album, "Their Satanic Majesties Request".  On the cover Mick Jagger is pictured as a warlock.  Jagger's girlfriend at the time, Marianne Faithful practiced witchcraft (by the way the Hollies song "Carrie Anne" was about her).  John Lennon sang "Imagine", where he imagined there was no heaven, hell, or God. In his song "God", he states I don't believe in God, I just believe in me.  George Harrison sang "My Sweet Lord", a song not about Jesus but about the false Hindu god Krishna.  Unfortunately the later Beatles work was greatly influenced by drugs and Eastern religion.    

Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin has been known to practice black magic (the occult).  In fact the symbols from the "Led Zeppelin IV" album come from black magic.  Black Sabbath had, "We Sold Our Souls For Rock n' Roll".  They too have been involved in black magic.  Even the music of Black Sabbath seems dark.  Band member Ozzy Osbourne has said he hopes he is not inspired by who he thinks he is inspired by (he meant the devil).  Osbourne also sang a song called "Mr. Crowley", it was about Aleister Crowley, a Satanist.  

Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, and others have all admitted to being influenced by Aleister Crowley.  In fact he even appears on the cover of the Beatles "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" album (he is the bald guy in the upper left).  

Aleister Crowley was a Satanist/occultist who promoted drug use, sexual perversion, and a new age.  Crowley wanted to see the destruction of the family and Christianity. Timothy Leary, the influential drug guru of the 1960's was a disciple of Aleister Crowley.  Leary encouraged young people to "turn on, tune in, and drop out".  He encouraged people to find spiritual experience through drug use.  Interestingly the Beatles song "Come Together" started as a campaign song for Leary's bid to become governor  of California.  The campaign never happened because Leary got arrested.  Timothy Leary also referred to the Beatles as the four evangelists.  

There are many other groups and artists who are just as bad or worse.  And it does not just apply to Rock music.  Pop music has much immorality and debauchery.  Country music has it's share of immorality, adultery, and drunkenness.  Hip Hop/Rap is full of immorality, profanity, violence, and hatred of women.  

So is all secular music bad?  I do not think that it is all bad, but much of it is.  There is definitely a dark side and it has much evil in it.  It calls for discernment (the ability to distinguish between good and evil).  We must take sin and evil seriously. We must surrender to Jesus who is Lord of all.  If the music dishonors God, why are we listening to it?  

(Psalm 97:10) "O you who love the LORD, hate evil."  (ESV)  

Duck Dynasty, Secularism, And Biblical Truth

Recently Phil Robertson of the popular reality show Duck Dynasty has caused quite a stir with some comments he made in an interview with GQ Magazine.  Robertson said that homosexuality is a sin.  Secular liberals went crazy after he made the comments.  

The A&E network suspended Robertson from the show for the comments.  A&E also went on to express it's support for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgenders.  Apparently A&E embraces a vast array of sinful lifestyles.  Poor Phil Robertson was suspended from his own reality show.  This seems very unreal.  

Robertson made his comments in somewhat of a crude way but he spoke the truth.  He went on to quote from (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).  The passage says that those who practice homosexuality will not inherit the kingdom of God.  All those living sinful lifestyles are in rebellion against God.  Their way of life shows that they are spiritually dead.  The only hope for all sinners is to repent of their sins and to trust in Christ alone for salvation.  Jesus is the only way to heaven.  

Secularists are always praising themselves for being so tolerant.  But they are only tolerant until you disagree with them.  This of course is not tolerance at all.  The secularists who dominate our culture hate anyone who proclaims Biblical truth to them. In reality they hate Jesus because he shines light into their darkness and exposes their evil deeds.   

Lotteries, Gambling, And The Bible

Lotteries and other forms of gambling have become very popular in our modern society.  Gambling is now accepted by many as right and normal.  The majority of the states have lotteries and the trend is toward more legalized gambling.  Even many professing Christians play the lottery and gamble.  But is it really okay and right? 

Many try to justify gambling by saying we take gambles, risks, and chances elsewhere.  Insurance is sometimes given as an example.  But this misses the whole point.  Taking a risk or gamble is not necessarily wrong.  The real problems with gambling are the motives behind it and the troubles it can cause. 

(1 Timothy 6:10) "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.  It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs." (ESV)

Gambling involves the love of money which is a root of all kinds of evils.  Greed and coveting are two motives behind gambling.  But life is not about the abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15).  It involves selfishness and wanting what others have.  Instead we should all be content with what we have (Hebrews 13:5).  Greed and coveting are not proper for Christians (Ephesians 5:3).  Gambling involves a love of possessions and materialism.  Money and possessions become false idols in people's lives. 

Lotteries end up being a tax on the poor.  Many of those playing the lottery are those who would be considered poor, the very people who can least afford it.  Money is taken from them and given to others.  With gambling, in order for there to be a winner there must also be a loser and there are many losers. 

In a sense gambling is a form of theft.  But we are commanded by God not to steal (Exodus 20:15).  It takes away money from those who were foolish enough to gamble it away.  Crime and other vices are associated with gambling as well. 

Gambling can also be highly addictive.  It can ruin people financially.  It can also ruin lives and families.  Gambling also harms the work ethic of the people.  We are to work for our money (2 Thessalonians 3:10).  Gambling promotes the opposite encouraging people to try to get something for nothing.  People should earn their money and use it wisely. 

Gambling promotes the opposite of the teaching of Jesus.  We are to love God (Matthew 22:37), gambling encourages love of money and possessions instead.  We are to love our neighbor as our self (Matthew 22:39), but gambling promotes taking advantage of others.  It violates the golden rule as well (Luke 6:31).

In conclusion gambling is harmful and wrong.  It causes many problems and encourages selfishness, greed, and idolatry.  People and especially Christians should not gamble. 

One Nation Under God?

We often hear the phrase one nation under God, it is even in our pledge of allegiance.  But is America really one nation under God? 

First, what do Americans believe about God?  We live in a pluralistic society with many different beliefs.  A majority of the American people profess a belief in Christianity.  But there are many other religions that are adhered to by many people. 

Christianity believes in a different God than all other religions do.  It holds to a triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).  Therefore if Christianity is true then all other religions are necessarily false.  Some Americans believe in more than one god and some even belief we are god.  And of course atheists believe there is no God.  The nation does not believe in the same God. 

Do Americans live as one nation under God?  A majority of the people profess to be Christians but most are really not.  Many of them hold beliefs that are not in line with the Bible.  The majority of Americans do not live for God, they live for themselves.  You can just look at our pop culture and see that God is not honored.  In fact he is often mocked in movies, television, and music.  Many Americans believe in a god of their own imagination who just approves of whatever they do.

In reality most Americans are in rebellion against God.  They do not honor and worship him.  Honoring the one, true God is seen as abnormal in the public square.  God seems to be unwelcome in the schools, in workplaces, at social gatherings, and in the political arena.  We are clearly not one nation under the one, true God of the Bible. 

Here In Babylon

America has become a godless society in recent times.  Around 90 percent of the people say they believe in God, but most do not believe in the God of the Bible.  Many of those claiming to be Christians are really not.  They do not truly follow Jesus.  In modern America the one true God is not honored.  Everyone does what is right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25). 

Almost everywhere you turn our society is godless or pagan.  An easy place to see this is in the pop culture.  Television, movies, and music offer a flood of debauchery.  Immorality, profanity, graphic violence, and blasphemy are glorified and seen as normal.  The pop culture has a great influence on our society and it is often for the worst. 

Also our education system generally presents a godless perspective.  Secularism or atheism is basically assumed there.  Things like evolution, and moral relativism are taught in our schools.  Our young people are taught that they were not created by God and that there is no absolute truth.  Not surprisingly many young people live a godless lifestyle.  They are only concerned about the party scene where drunkenness and immorality abound. 

Our political system seems to promote all the wrong things.  Abortion, homosexual marriage, and government dependence are all pushed by our government.  These lead to a lack of respect for life, the destruction of the family, and a lack of personal responsibility.  Government is seen as the answer to all our problems and it becomes a false god.  Freedom of religion and freedom of speech seem to be becoming more restricted as well.  The news media supports secular liberal views and has an extreme bias against conservative Christians.  The political system and the news media work together to help shape a godless society. 

But America will be judged by God for it's sinfulness and rebellion against him.  So is it too late for America?  Maybe it is, I am not optimistic about it.  But it is possible that God could still reform the church and bring about a great revival.  Christians must teach and proclaim the truth of the Bible.  We must regain our confidence in the Bible as sufficient, the literal Word of God.