Unless we understand that “culture” is in reality “religion externalized,” we are unable to properly assess the problems facing the world community. The way a people view God, and His relationship to Man, determines their social structures, laws, form of government, and economic system. Theology has consequences.
For over the past fifty years U.S. foreign policy toward “Third World” nations has been one of economic aid. Our approach has been to “throw money” to these nations in order to alleviate their poverty. But the reality is that their poverty is most often a result of their theology. Their economic distress is frequently only the symptom of their rejection of God and His ways. It is not the lack of natural resources causing their poverty. Many of these nations have an abundance of resources. It is their religion that is their problem.
Take India for example, where Hinduism is the predominate religion. Their view of life revolves around a cyclical view of time. Western civilization is built upon a linear view of time, which is the Biblical concept. Hinduism sees human existence in terms of non-ending four billion-year cycles. This plays a significant role in their lack of productivity as a nation. Whereas the Bible teaches we are to “redeem the time.” Hinduism has no sense of time. In Hindi, India’s most widely spoken language, the same word (kal) is used for yesterday and tomorrow. There is virtually no comprehension of chronology, past and future are blurred, it is a “timeless” society. Most of the lower caste members of their society do not know their age or birth date, or that of their children. Because of their cyclical view of time, and belief in reincarnation, their culture is unproductive and economically impoverished. As one of their prominent government leader stated: “I’m going to be reincarnated thousands of times. If I don’t get something done in this life, I have other opportunities.”
Hinduism also holds to the idea of the cow being sacred. In a nation where millions of people are starving to death, such as is the case in India, cows are feed and cared for. Temples are full of grain for the rats to eat, who are also worshipped. They don’t need more foreign aid money; they need deliverance from their demonized religious system. It’s not the economy stupid! It’s their religion!
If all religions are good, as pluralism teaches, why don’t we, as a nation, adopt Hinduism? Wouldn’t you want to live in a culture created and shaped by the Hindu religion? For some reason, I don’t believe that most Americans would be thrilled with this idea. Neither do I think most Americans would want to live in a culture that embraces Islam. Certainly the “Taliban model” would not hold much appeal.
All cultures are religious based, consciously or unconsciously. The freedoms, economic prosperity, and other blessings we have had in this nation are a result of the Christian foundation on which we are built. Unfortunately, we have seen a major erosion of that foundation over the past 100 years.
Don Walker is a teacher, counselor, and writer living in the
Joel Petersen
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... I would like to present the Christian Reconstructionists point of view from my understanding of who we are and what we believe. There are many books written by "theologians " scripturally arguing the Postmillinian Preterest [ full and partial ] dominion belief if your interested in technical theological arguments. Jesus preached the Kingdom exclusively up to the 16th chapter of Mathew. Then He established the concept of the church, calling it The Ekklesia, literally " Those called out from a place of authority to rule." Where, in Heaven ? Those listening to Jesus understood the Ekklesia to be the political governmental model of the surrounding Mediteranian countries, left intact by the ruling Romans, set up after the Greek city states model of government. Jesus said His Ekklesia will attack the gates of hell, the governmental systems controlled by Satan , that controll the nations, The civil governments, education systems,banking systems,the arts and entertainment systems, business, etc. In Mathew 28 He told us to " make disciples of the nations. " Disciples emulate their master. In fact, we are called to be disciples, not just " Christians ", believers. Then to accomplish this mission, He gave us the Holy Spirit [ God Himself ] to be in us and with us to accomplish the " Mission. " Jesus said I take out of my storehouse things old and new. There are a little over 600 Old Testament laws, Jesus mission was to establish a new covenant and thus fullfilled alot of these, but not all. We see about 200 of these as still applicable as to how the nations are to be run. Then there are some gray areas. God basically instituted civil governments [ Romans ] ,separate from the Ekklesia, to run the nations. But it is thru the church that we are to train people up in the " Ways of the Lord " to go out into the "world " in their chosen occupations and bring the " Rules of God " into the political governments business world ,banking world, education ,arts ,entertainment arena, to restore all things lost. We believe that all the nations will be " christainized " to a large degree before the final coming of the Lord Jesus to set up ' The Throne of God on the Earth where we will live and reign with Him forever. " The Heavens are the Heavens of the Lord, but the Earth He has given to the sons of men." This is a brief overview of Christian Reconstruction. Theonomy can be taken to extremes in theory, so I don't prefer to use that term in how we see things. Side note - A few years ago I asked the Lord what seems to be the holdup of the coming of your Kingdom [ God's soveriegn reign ] into the Earth ? That night He came in my sleep and spoke , saying " I'll show you why." Then I looked down on the earth and there was a large gathering of young people and then a branding iron like a long steel chisel with a red hot branding tip seared into that group of young people. Then He said " I don't have a trained Generation to work thru. " |
Peter E Waldron
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Witchcraft is core religion of Africa Don, your insight is absolutely correct. After many years in and out of Africa I have watched Western nations like US, Canada, and the EU and throw money at the results of the core belief system of the nation. The NGO's and FBO's are as corrupt and misguided as the charitable nations who pour billions into lost causes. Disease, poverty, corruption, civil conflict, etc. are just some of the results of any sub-Saraha nation that worships demon-gods, their ancestors, and beasts of the field. Human sacrifice, cannibalism, bestiality, and bizarre rituals are a part of the practices embraced by 1000's of tribes on the Continent. It is almost impossible for any African to submit to the Lordship of Jesus because a part of them remains in the clutches of tribal-, clan- and family- demon gods. Exocism, destruction of idols, and conversion of witchdoctors are the just the beginning of the revival of the people groups there. And, an additional problem is the Misery Industry Complex funded by the private and public sectors, but that is a discussion for another day. |
Joel Petersen
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OK, Satan Rules the nations. Jesus told us to " Rule " so the question is [ for 2000 + years ] how are we going to get the job done. Is Satan useing God's tactics thru the Muslums to deeper entrench himself ? Ya, we " Christians have got religion coming out of our ears and that's about all we got. |
Joel Petersen
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? How come you don't have a spell check or edit for the posts ? Some of us are a little impulsive. |
joe kolinger
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Here to rule ... training beyond bullet points Good points in the above comments. I think that the Church taking its proper place in stewarding creation is founded on the members taking their proper stand in God. Knowing and engaging individual, divine assigned purpose is a critical starting point. We should not be chosing our assignments, but rather be engaged in discovering them. Ps 25 - who is the man who fears the Lord, He will instruct him in the way chosen for him ..." Unless I am to be an existentialist, I don't make up my own meaning and assignment. I discover it. There is a process for this and I think the resources at www.strategieswork.com are a critical help. As Dennis would say, you can't be righteous in Cleveland if you're really called to San Francisco. None of us is called to be the general manager of the universe. No need to solve world hunger or boil the ocean. Just be faithful to do our individual, God assigned parts. |
