Weekly Articles

There are many theories on the “dawn of civilization” with most based on assumptions about pre-historical events.  I have been in many college-level history classes in which claims were made that “agriculture began around 10,000 BC” and “the domestication of the dog happened around 30,000 BC.”  These claims (and others like them) are assumptions masquerading as fact, because they all have one thing in common:  none are recorded in historical records by man.  Historical records go back as far as the middle of the 4^th millennium BC (3700-3400 BC).  It is fair to assume that people built homes and settled farms before this, but how much before is the source of controversy.  But regardless of how far back, civilization is very much based on literacy; the ability to preserve knowledge between generations is crucial, and while this can be done orally, written records are inherently more trustworthy and durable than the memory of a few.

Civilized societies are literate societies, and the extent of literacy very often drives the sophistication of the civilization (compare pre-renaissance and post-renaissance Europe).  But literacy does not by itself determine the economic, military, and political strength of a civilization:  many examples exist of better armed, trained, and motivated barbarians overcoming the defenses of civilized societies.  Ancient Sumerian culture outlived the Sumerian civilization by several thousand years, as the Sumerians were overwhelmed by various uneducated (but better armed) barbarian hordes, who in turn absorbed the belief systems and culture of the conquered Sumerians.  Rome is said to have conquered Greece (militarily), and in turn was conquered by Greece (culturally).   

Examples also exist of the unassailable defenses that are possible by the correct application of learning and technology.  The Roman legionnaires in Julius Caesar’s time made short work of Gallic barbarians through the proper application of military technologies such as training, discipline, and weapons and armor.  The 139 British soldiers at Rourke’s Drift (South Africa) successfully defended their station against 4,000-5,000 Zulu warriors; although the Zulu warriors were highly trained and well disciplined, the technological advantages of the British soldiers’ proper usage of modern firearms and artillery against spears and shields enabled their victory.  Here I mention the “proper usage,” because just prior to this the British proved the improper usage of modern weaponry to be of no help against a disciplined and trained enemy with primitive weapons (a reference to the British defeat at Isandlwana).

I know, “great history lesson, but what does it have to do with me?”  The same lessons apply to the Church in our war.  Our people are led astray when they are not properly grounded in the scriptures.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  (Ephesians 6:10-13 NIV)

Paul didn’t write “be weak in the Lord, knowing virtually nothing about him or what he has done throughout the history of the world, and totally neglect arming yourself with the armor and weapons he has provided – definitely do not train to use them properly.”  Paul wrote to Christians that we are fighting against the rulers, authorities, and the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Does this sound like the kind of enemy you want to be facing unarmed and untrained?  That is like stepping onto the field of battle, facing a force of barbarians armed with swords, shields, and bows and arrows, and then stripping down naked and proceeding to pick dandelions in the short time before you are cut down.  But this is what much of the Church does spiritually when they refuse to read the Bible regularly.

I understand that many (too many) in the Church disagree with me; I have had Church leaders say idiotic things like “all you need to do is show people Jesus,” as if you can show Jesus to anybody if you do not know who Jesus is.  I am not saying that you cannot be a Christian if you do not read your Bible; I am saying that you cannot be a spiritually mature Christian, armed and trained as God intends you to be, if you do not regularly read your Bible.

Why do we think God’s people can remain spiritually ignorant savages?  Look at the great people in the Bible (if the names and stories are not familiar, looking them up would be a great place to start):  Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Deborah, David, Isaiah, Elijah, Peter, Paul, and many others.  All knew God and tried to learn more about him and his ways.  We have it easy:  God brought forth the Bible for us so that all we have to do is set aside a little time each day and read it!  Yet how many of us will instead spiritually disarm and disrobe before the enemy?

Parents:  do you want your children to grow up to be Godly or worldly?  You are setting the example for them!  They will do as they see you doing:  if knowing God is important to you, then they will want to know God; if putting into practice in your life the fundamental teachings of Jesus is a visible priority in your life, then your children will make it their priority; but if your life is filled with the hypocrisies born of ignorance of God, then they will see your life for the sham that it is and forsake God just as you do.

Do not forsake God’s word!  Keep it close to you:  “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path,” (Psalm 119:105 NIV).  Keep on the straight path, using the light God provides through his word!

-Charles Peterson

I was driving home from the grocery store a few days ago and I read a bumper sticker on the minivan in front of me:  it read, “the last time we mixed politics and religion, people got burned at the stake.”  This is, of course, a reference to the Salem witch trials, in which twenty-one people were executed for having been convicted of witchcraft.  This reference brings up all of the disgust and revulsion at the idea of people’s lives being destroyed because of superstitious paranoia.  But is it accurate?

The trials occurred between 1692 and 1693.  Since that time, the Declaration of Independence was signed (in 1776); the Constitution of the United States of America was written (adopted in 1787); and all of the State Constitutions were written, most of which contain references to God (including the latest, the 9^th Constitution of the State of Georgia, dated July 1, 1983).  Since 1693, references to God are throughout the governments of the United States; I cannot recall any people burning at the stake because of it.  Almost every President of the United States has mentioned God in his Inaugural Address; no witch trials have ensued.  Until the last few decades, the Bible figured prominently in public education; children did not figure prominently as witnesses in any legal proceedings against witches.  In fact, at times when Biblical principles have been honored in this country, those are the times when citizens have been the most prosperous and peaceful towards others.

So then, what about the Salem witch trials?  Well, it is purely coincidental that the law of the time allowed the state to confiscate land of those convicted of witchcraft, I am sure.  It is mere happenstance that Martha Corey (executed in 1692) had been an outspoken critic of the witch trials in general and the teenaged girls in particular; certainly her criticism played no part in those same girls’ testimony against her afterwards.  Theologically, it is of note that the group in question were Puritans, a group known for intolerant and borderline paranoid beliefs.

All of this went through my mind as I pondered the bumper sticker.  Obviously the sentiment is meant as a criticism of Christianity; but I wondered if the sentiment might be more accurate if other examples were chosen.

·         The last time we mixed politics and social justice, sixteen thousand people died in French guillotines. (French Reign of Terror, 1793-1794)

·         The last time we mixed politics and racial justice, six million Jews died. (Hitler’s “Final Solution,” 1933-1945)

·         The last time we mixed politics and a cult of personality, twenty million Soviets died. (Stalin’s purges and collective farm-induced famines, 1922-1953)

·         The last time we mixed politics and feminism, forty-nine million babies died (Abortions since Roe v. Wade, 1973-2010)

·         The last time we mixed politics and environmentalism, sixty million people died (Approximate deaths from malaria following DDT ban, 1972)

·         The last time we mixed politics and atheism, one hundred million people died (World Communism’s death toll, 1900-2000).

Granted, these aren’t as catchy as the bumper sticker I saw; they are, however, accurate.  It is possible to mention religions that legitimately could have the bumper sticker’s sentiment applied to them:  Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism come to mind.  But Christians who actually read and follow the teachings of the Bible cannot have this laid at their feet.  When Biblical Christianity is injected into a political system, true morality and decency begin to take root.  Conversely, when Biblical Christianity is removed, immorality and corruption spread throughout the system.

We took Christianity out of science and we got evolution.  We took Christianity out of the courts and we got abortion.  We took Christianity out of the schools and we got school-violence.  We took Christianity out of the curriculum and we got epidemic teen pregnancies.  What we need is more Christianity, not less.  And the people who have those bumper stickers need to look at real history, not activist propaganda.

-Charles Peterson