I could just stop right there. But he wouldn't want me to. "Write, son," I can almost hear him say to me, "give the words of truth and reason fresh life; your generation desperately needs it. Don't give in to the forces of darkness: you will conquer, you will prevail ~ for, you have the power of truth and reason on your side."
Dr. Francis Schaeffer died May 15, 1984. The Apostasy of this generation is so great, however, that the life and works of that great man are already nearly forgotten. He was a modern-day prophet of God, and a giant among men ~ whose heart was as large as was his intellect.
Schaeffer spoke with clarion voice not only to his own generation. But among the treasures of his writings and video productions, he also pointed the way forward, to the extent he was then able to discern the tide of current events. His insights were penetrating and prescient. And we would do well to re-arm ourselves with the intellectual and spiritual weapons provided to us, by God, through the mind and the pen ~ and the example of courage, of Francis Schaeffer.
Courage. That has ever been the most needed virtue in the time of trouble, in every Age. Courage is that power of will, and strength of character, without which the words of truth and reason are sure to remain unspoken, in the face of real or even of perceived danger. Doubtless many know the truth, at least in so far as reasonableness of mind may be expected to lead them to understand the truth. Today, however, it appears that the very conscience of society at large has been "seared as with a hot iron". So that what once was considered by a majority to be reasonable, now seems offensive. At least, that is the perception which is intentionally fostered by the monolithic machinery of mass media. Thus, many who know that they know the truth are nevertheless constrained from speaking, not only because they believe that their words are likely to fall mostly upon deaf ears but, no less important, for fear of retaliation in some form or another.
Yet, I keep coming back to that nagging and profoundly important question which Francis Schaeffer famously asked: "How should we then live?" His quotation shown in the above image, hints at a significant answer to that question (keeping in mind, however, that Schaeffer's quotation was probably not intended by Schaeffer to be "drafted" to serve the purpose for which I want next to discuss).
Schaeffer contrasted the words "conservative" and "revolutionary" ~ whereby he meant, I suppose, to draw attention to the living, active, powerful and transformative nature of Christianity. But I am inspired by Schaeffer's quote, to see something else that is important, in the contrast of those two words. Whereas "conservativ-ism" (as that is broadly construed) aims largely to preserve the status-quo, by limiting the ability of government and other social movements which seek to re-order society; Schaeffer insisted that "Christianity is not conservative, but revolutionary". Not incidentally, the political philosophy of "Conservatism" died long ago in America ~ a casualty of the Church's apostasy. That is why there is no longer any meaningful distinction between the two main political parties. Which I now perceive that may be a useful, if not even a necessary, development (the demise of political Conservatism), in order that the "revolutionary" character of Christianity may once again take hold in the minds of its proponents.
The death of Conservatism in America, moreover, should have been very easy to predict, once that some spiritually-minded Christians began to understand that the Apostasy was irreversible. Notwithstanding that a mere handful of Christian leaders in the early- to mid-twentieth century did perceive, as they also said, that the American Church was already then well on the way to apostasy; nevertheless, none of them evidently believed that the Church, at that time, was all but lost. I am sure, however, that Francis Schaeffer believed he was witnessing the downfall of Christianity in America, especially, during his later years. But ever since the time of Schaeffer's passing (1984), the apostate Church has been neither able nor willing to produce anything like a real prophet of God; though God did continue to speak through men such as Leonard Ravenhill, David Wilkerson, and a few others. But even those men are now gone. Yet, the Body of Christ needs true prophets today more than ever before.
It seems to me that in order as the Church in America continued to apostatize, from the mid-twentieth century onward, so did political Conservatism die out with the Church; thus suggesting (as we are well aware) that a correlative exists between a "conservative" Church and similarly "conservative" social institutions, including government. In fact, America's Founding Fathers foresaw and forewarned that the Constitutional-Federal-Republic(an) form of government which they crafted, could only be sustained by a "virtuous" People. All of which brings us to consider how that the demise of political Conservatism may actually be a positive development, with respect to the revolutionary nature of true Christianity.
First let me say, I do not mean to intimate that Christianity's goals involve political revolution; although, that has sometimes happened as a consequence of spiritual reformation (though Christ's teachings are not intended to inculcate such ideas). But the "revolutionary" character of Christianity has to do with radically transforming individuals' personal lives. The focus of Christianity is not political, but it is spiritual revolution ~ in the truest sense of that word. Christianity is not passive, it is aggressive (even militant, concerning spiritual matters); it does not seek consensus of opinion, but it is dogmatic; it is therefore not conservative, but it is revolutionary. Christian witnessing, moreover, by its very nature as well as by the Lord's commandment, is not limited to private discourse.
The Apostasy, it should be realized, proceeded most rapidly during a time (spanning a couple of generations) of unparalleled peace and prosperity in America. That time also coincided with what was then a strong sentiment favoring political Conservatism (which culminated in the Reagan presidency, 1981-89). Was political Conservatism, then, actually favorable to the advancement of genuine Christianity in America? Or, rather, I should ask, was that kind of political Conservatism which then prevailed, favorable? Here's what I mean.
I well recall my own experiences in a mainstream Evangelical denomination, throughout the late 1960s and onward. Looking back, I now can clearly see how far the Apostasy had progressed in that denomination, by the mid- to late-1960s. No one home schooled their children ~ though the public school system was already by then wholly subverted (by secular humanists and scientific materialists). Prayer was formally removed from public schools in 1962-63. The churches did substantially nothing about that; but Christians continued to send their children to public schools. Within a mere decade later (1973), abortion-on-demand became codified as federal law. Still, the Church was complicit, in so many ways, with an out-of-control and unapologetically antichrist social Order.
Thus we should see that Apostate Christianity and political Conservatism (as that used to be, at that time), were in fact not-so-secret lovers. The Church increasingly preached a watered-down "social gospel", and political Conservatism said, "Amen". While political Conservatism handed out monetary inducements in the form of Tax-exempt status, and the churches said, "Amen". How has that cozy relationship changed since then?
Today, the Apostate Church (which is in late-stage of that spiritual disease), is locked in deadly embrace with her "Conservative" lover ~ who has at last drawn the Harlot Church into a kind of menage-et-trois with so-called "Liberals". If you think my analogy is inappropriate, ask yourself this question: Whose favor do so-called "Conservative" (Republican) candidates for political office seek? Do they not all pretend, in some measure, to be "Christians" ~ in order to court the favor of the Apostate Church? Even the current President professes himself to be a "Christian," all the while he does everything he can to oppose anything like real Christianity.
Genuine "Christianity is not conservative, but revolutionary". Genuine Christianity discerns the deception and hypocrisy of the "social gospel". Genuine Christianity "shakes her hand at the holding of bribes". When genuine Christianity speaks, neither the Harlot nor her lovers say "Amen". Likewise, when the Harlot and her lovers speak, true Christianity says, "Woe unto you!"
Schaeffer well understood that genuine Christianity is at odds with every godless State ~ as well as he knew that genuine Christianity is at odds with the Harlot Church. The quotation (image) above, alludes to some of those things which not only reflect Christianity's "revolutionary" character. Schaeffer also was keenly aware that, invariably, a godless State will be intolerant of genuine Christianity. What does that say, then, about the proliferation of churches and mega-churches which appear to be rather well tolerated (even facilitated) by such wicked government as now exists in America?
The Apostasy of the Church, and the demise of political Conservatism, has not so much "created", as it has "exposed" the corruption of both Church and State, in America. Those circumstances have indeed ushered in a time of gross darkness in the world. But it is just during such a (dark) time as this is, that real Christianity has an opportunity (I believe, according to Scripture) to shine forth in purity; as the following passage of Scripture evidently attests:
"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD. All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory. Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? [an allusion to the Rapture?] Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee. And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee. Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious. The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended." (Isaiah 60:1-20)
The prophecy is lengthy. But I wanted to show its full and proper context. It begins by describing a time when "darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people". Does that not seem to be uniquely descriptive of this present time? And whereas the prophecy seems to be addressed to a certain individual (Christ) ~ and, doubtless, that is the case; yet, we find (about 2/3 of the way) that the prophecy is explicitly addressed to "the city of the LORD, The Zion of [God]" ~ that is, the true Church. The bulk of the prophecy speaks prolifically concerning a great restoration involving the Church. In light of everything else we know about Bible prophecy, may we not suppose that the above prophecy pertains to a time somewhere between right now and the very, very near future?
"Christianity is not conservative . . . ." Christianity therefore is not:
- impoverished or meager, but it is generous in giving of itself
- vacuous (empty), but it is rich with truth and meaning
- timid or shy, but it is bold and forthright
- weak or impotent, but it is all-powerful, through God
- complacent, but it is active and engaged
Moreover, Christianity therefore does not:
- content itself with past or present attainments, but it ever seeks advancement
- wait for half-hearted leadership, but it is zealous for Christ's sake
- compromise Christ, but is valiant for the truth
- cling to false ideas, but searches diligently to know the deep things of God
But Christianity is "revolutionary": it seeks to transform everything in this world ~ especially, the souls of men, to reflect the image and the glory of God, in Christ Jesus. Do you know anything about that kind of Christianity? If you do, then you understand that real Christianity seeks to exalt Christ in and through every facet of life.
I am sure that the present condition of the world has not taken God by surprise. I am equally certain that God, on the other hand, has some "surprises" in store for His people who are looking and waiting for Him. I further believe that this present darkness is not intended, by God, for the destruction of His (true) Church but, rather, for His glory and for ours. I must then believe that we do have a real opportunity, notwithstanding the darkness which now prevails ~ even, perhaps, because of that. Can God not use it, somehow, to work that which is good, according to His will?
If Americans can be helped (or made) to see the corrupt and hopeless condition of a godless society ~ and themselves a part of that; and, if they can also be helped to see the futility of putting their hope in man (whether politics, or economy, etc.); and, finally, if they can be helped to see the plan and the gift of God in Christ: does that not appear as fertile ground for the manifestation of genuine Christianity? Does no one in America want nor need hope? truth? peace? answers? joy? God? All of that is ours to reveal, through Christ in us.
I will leave you with the following video of Dr. Schaeffer, who delivered this powerful message almost 35 years ago. Keep that in mind as you watch the video (in 2 parts). Pay close attention to all that he says about the Apostasy of the Church, and the effects of that upon society . . . .
No comments:
Post a Comment