Reforming this world? What do you think?
This quote from Dave Hunt came up in my Facebook newsfeed today:
"Nowhere does the Bible tell us to reform this world. Those who seemed to be in a position to do so (Joseph as second only to Pharoah, Esther and Mordacai under Emperor Ahasuerus, and Daniel under several kings) were used of God to preserve His chosen people, but never to reform godless societies. Christ never attempted to reform the evil world of His day, nor did the Apostles or early church engage in marches or demonstrations either for Jesus or against evil. They "turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6) by preaching the gospel, not by preaching "traditional morals" or protesting the world's evil practices."
In the 20th Century a movement arose to awaken Christians to their responsibility for the social issues of that time. It was called the Social Gospel. After two world wars and the Great Depression, the hope of the first two hundred years of Christians in America had diminished. Historians know that the Christians of that earlier time had an optimistic hope for the New World that empowered them to endure great hardship and help to build this great country, the USA. This new emphasis, the Social Gospel, appealed to those who thought Christians had become "so heavenly minded that they were no earthly good."
Previous generations of Christians did not normally disengage their faith from political and social action. The Underground Railroad in the 1800's is an example of co-operation between believers and unbelievers fighting against injustice by helping to free African slaves in the South.
Now it was time for the pendulum to swing back in that direction.
Sadly, it was mostly the liberal churches in America that responded to this challenge. The more conservative denominations saw leaving this earth and ascending to heaven as the only hope for humanity. This was part of a pessimistic view of the "Endtimes" that became very popular and continues to be popular today. It eventually became mainstream in Evangelical circles. This was for Dave Hunt the only correct view of the Endtimes, despite the fact that many serious bible scholars disagreed with it. In my opinion, this view influenced his understanding of God's purpose for this earth and was reflected in the above comment.
Even so, why not seek for others to experience peace in this life, as well as eternal life in Christ?
For much of my life I have struggled with this sense of hopelessness and the view that God had give up on most of humanity. However my further studies of the bible have renewed my hope and empowered my struggle. My hope is not in political power or even charitable organizations. However I see a greater expression of the Gospel than in words alone.
What I am trying to say is easily misunderstood. In fact I could be misunderstood by people from all sides.
One extreme view is to abandon all involvement in politics and culture wars. Another is to take over the country "for Christ," by amassing wealth and political power. Some teach that we must conquer the "seven mountains" of cultural influence: religion, family, government, education, media, arts/entertainment, and business.
Whatever you believe God has called you to do, either separate yourself or dive in deep, that you must do. I would only ask you to consider this:
Jesus claimed that all authority in heaven and earth was given to Him. He commissioned His followers to teach to all the nations the things that He taught them. He taught that the time for the Kingdom of God had come, and how we are to live in it now. He told them to pray that the Kingdom would come and that God's will would be done on this earth as it is in heaven. In many ways that prayer has already been answered for many of us, but there is much more to come! I want a part in that! To me that can only mean that justice, joy and peace will be the prevailing reality. Why would we not want to see that?
Charlie Kirk believed that He was doing his part, however imperfectly. Perhaps he knew that as well. The challenge to us is not to imitate his method or ministry, but to be inspired by his zeal and commitment. Each of us has a different part to play in God's grand plan!
-
This is a very fine essay on a timely subject. Thank you Dan.
Truth is, as time goes by, more and more, we will see all Christians referred to as "Christian Nationalists". Then we'll be compared to power-hungry Nazi's, fascists, and the Taliban. This is unfortunate.
Remember the famous Macedonian call. The primary goal was to preach the gospel - not to clean up all the social ills in the town. That could come later as more and more converts were made and their lives transformed by the Spirit of God. Christian nationalists seem to have the cart before the horse. Desiring power through something other than servanthood and the deployment of every Christian as a true minister and preacher.
Doug Wilson, a leading voice, even made a negative video about "servant leadership." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R88kl7RfMs0
So, if the church is not going to serve - the masses will still look to their government nannie and their rich uncle in DC. And self-serving politicians and lawmakers will continue to be the only compassionate ones in our society.
And by the way, when Doug continues to refer to himself as THE MINISTER of his church, he is depreciating the servant/minister role of every other person in that church and beyond.
In his interviews, as a representative of Christian Nationalism, he stated that public laws had to be made by somebody - so it might as well be by Christians. Precious little if anything, I recall, was mentioned about deliberate evangelistic efforts to build Christian consensus or even Christians running for an elected office.
In a recent CNN interview he went on to suggest that women should not vote, though this was a minor objective. And that his plan would take about 250 years to implement...
So, in the mean time - tens of billions will come and go without Christ... I pray not.
Jesus stated that his church would be known by their love and care for others. However in the modern world, the church, more often than not, is a charity only unto itself - not unto the needs of others.
You and me are thankful for our Christian past and all the great things which went with it. In church, in community, and in society at large. Christians cheerfully making sacrifices for others was quite common. However, decades later, the guy on the street is asking: What has the church ever done for me? And why should I turn the reigns of government exclusively over to Christians?
All they have seen and experienced regarding church are endless Christian ministers on television - and most of them were begging for $ in exchange for blessings.
Yes, Jesus came to make all things new. To reform all things and bring all thoughts into Divine submission. Yes, Cristians ought to be good citizens - even a light to the world. A city on a hill which cannot be hidden. We surely agree with an optimistic view of the future. The kingdom's of this world will become His. And the stone made without hands, mentioned in the prophecy of Daniel, will fill the whole earth.
Please dear God, bring it on without further delay.
-
David, While I am not surprised to hear about Doug Wilson's views, I am disappointed in that these views detract from the things he believes with which I can agree.
-
Consider with me the saga of two David's.
One is David Platt. Perhaps as a child he envisioned a life of service in the church.
As fate would have it, and as time went by, he did indeed become a leader - an international one. His books became best sellers. Next, he became a favorite speaker at the largest conferences. When he preached, his passion was evident - tears often flowed from his eyes. As a young man, he was promoted to oversee the missions program in the nation's largest denomination.
Next, a movie was made about him! But the movie was not flattering at all. The movie was a documentary about his destructive behaviour and how others must be warned.
The damage inflicted upon his church's finances would require paying lawyers over 1 million dollars to sort out.
Here is the movie trailer if you can stomach it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol2_vywIbcU&t=505s
Now back to Dave Hunt. Like David Platt, he was destined to leadership. But Dave was faithful in his convictions and beyond reproach in his personal affairs.
Nevertheless, a book was written against him regarding the very issue at hand - Christian social responsibility: The Reduction of Christianity: Dave Hunt's Theology of Cultural Surrender by Gary Demar
Oh my, It has to hurt whenever people write books and make movies against you. The book is from 1988, still in print, and serves as a reminder of how good brothers can disagree on the subject of future things. Decades later, Dave has not changed his prophetic views. Nor has Gary DeMar.
In the quote above, Dave seems to be concentrating on the former dispensation with his examples. Now, Jew and Gentile are welcomed into the Kingdom.
David Platt, by the way, should have never been placed by any church in such an authoritarian leadership role. Because oversight of the church is to be committed to a team of servant leaders. God knew that it was too risky to put all the leadership eggs into a single leadership basket. Such an arrangement will invariably result in the gifts of others being ignored and even silenced.
The scripture teaches that seniors (elders) should serve as pastors rather than a single "senior pastor".
-
David, thanks for bringing this up. I should have mentioned that I respect Dave Hunt and some of his important work calling for discernment in the body of Christ. He was writing as one from the majority view in many evangelical circles. His book was written when Hal Lindsay was in his prime and before the Left Behind fictional end time books were made into movies.
My concern is that anyone who disagreed with his pessimistic view of the end times was called into question and challenged as a possible heretic. Today it is becoming more evident that the eschatology that Dave Hunt and others ascribe to should bear examination as any other teaching along these lines.
In God's time we will all know the full truth and will know as we are known. In the mean time we should try to listen and learn from one another and offer grace as He has offered us.