No one likes to lose, but we are losing big time. I’m talking about the Church, the people of God. We are losing our families, our country, our identity, and our hope for a godly future. We’ve got to stop, honestly face our failure, and do what we must do to win this war in which we are engaged.
Make no mistake. This war is real. Real people die.[1] Our way of life, our freedoms, and the future itself are the spoils that the victor will gain.
Why is it that the Christian community loses almost every cultural battle? We do win a few fights, but they are few and far between. When we do win, we celebrate our victory and we should since they are so rare. But while we party the enemy is right back at work trying to take back the ground they lost. Many times they do. Rarely do we gain back what we surrender.
We are engaged on many battlefronts in 21st century America. We are fighting the war against abortion, pornography, homosexuality, sexual predators, bad government, and much more. But, we’re not winning! Why?
I remember some six or seven years ago I was teaching a Sunday School class. In the process of teaching the lesson, without much forethought, I simply raised this question: On what battlefront are we winning? After a few minutes of contemplation and apparent shock, everyone in the class agreed—None! We’re losing everywhere.
In the weeks that followed I talked to many friends, pastors, and national Christian leaders. They, too, agreed. We are not winning. No one was sure exactly why although each had theories.
Jesus made the promise in Matthew 16:18 that the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church. By God’s grace and power little David beat Goliath. Gideon’s meager army defeated one over 400 times its size, Moses crushed Pharaoh, and Daniel survived the lions. Many other Bible characters, both men and women, survived incredible trials and defeated forces way beyond their capabilities through their faith in God. So, what’s our problem? Do we just not have enough faith?
If you have read this far I guess you are at least interested enough to hear my analysis of our pattern of defeat. Actually, I don’t think the problem is that complex or unique. In short, I think we have simply forgotten the basics. We’ve lost the ability to effectively use the weapons God gave us to fight the good fight. Although popular, quoting Scripture alone at a problem won’t solve it[2]. We have responsibilities and specific tactics and weapons of war in our God-given arsenal. We must learn to use them.
Here’s what I think. I think that far too many Christians don’t really believe the Bible, or if they do, they simply choose not to obey it when personal pain is involved. They go to church, read Scripture, and quote it often, but when the rubber hits the road they will opt for some “logical” or “emotional” reason why their way is better than God’s way.I’ve seen this repeatedly and this is a major problem.
Second, over the past few generations, we have, as a culture, abandoned a biblical worldview. The churches are not faring much better. We use the term “biblical worldview” but few really understand what it is. Simply put it is seeing the world, life, and every situation as God does, through His eyes. Scripture is the only standard.
We must go to Scripture to learn about war, love, family, government, business, law, economics, art, music, ethics, farming, employer-employee relationships and every other thing in life. It is a total and comprehensive philosophy of life. From this perspective everything in life becomes spiritual. The sacred-secular dichotomy doesn’t exist. A major part of our problem is we think it does. This is why so many churches fail to address cultural problems because they don’t see them as spiritual. They are.
In conclusion, we are losing the war; I’m convinced that we don’t believe Scripture is the only standard in life. We either choose to not apply what we clearly know(disobedience) or we are lacking a biblical worldview (ignorance).
The solution is simple. If we learn what God requires of us and we do it, we will win. That’s the promise. That’s the hope. This is where we need to start—back to basics, Bible 101.
Let’s remember and emulate the sons of Issachar. They were:
…men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do…. (I Chron. 12:32)
This is what I think. What about you?
Ralph C. Barker
Specialist in Human Behavior Consulting
www.ralphbarker.com
cruiseone@mindspring.com
[1] I know that many people spiritualize the war for our culture and the soul of our nation. The aborted babies, the teenage suicides, the gang murders, and drug overdose victims; these are all casualties of this war. Many are dead because we have failed to do our Christian duty.
[2] I believe many Christians unknowingly practice what I call Christian magic. They encounter a problem, and then quote the appropriate Scripture at it. In their minds, that settles it. Like magic!It’s really more like an incantation than a faith-laden exercise.Don’t get me wrong. I am not suggesting that quoting Scripture is wrong or equated with witchcraft. What I am saying is that problems usually require more attention than simply quoting a Scripture. We have to follow up with the appropriate actions. This is the hard and neglected part of being a Christian.
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Hi,
I agree with your article. I rarely hear any one say we are in a Spiritual battle. Evil will ultimately lose. It is fortold in the Bible. I believe the call to spiritual warfare has already come...due to the decline and impending fall of Western civilation and possiblly America too.
"In these evil dark and final days the SPIRIT will make a way...to call ALL of Christ's own back to the fold...You don't need the gift of profesy to see what is to come...before the end the call will ring out through the world" original song copyrighted by me. Not everyone will be saved and even the elect may/will be decieved in the end days.
To me Spiritual warfare requires enduring, striving and most of all...not wait any longer
Bob Moe Click here to reply to this post
Re: Christians and Their Pattern of Defeat
Posted On: 05/21/06 08:17:11 AM
Age 56, AR
This article speaks to me personally. I have to admit when I start something I ususally don't finish it. Or I won't stand up when something needs to be dealt with that's against God. Oh yes, I will go to a brother that's in sin and try to get him to come back to the Lord. When it comes to standing alone, that's becomes a problem for me. Let me tell you about a specific issue that's going on in our neightborhood right now, and has been going on since I can remember. I'm sure many of you have the same issue in your living area. There is a pornographic Video store not too far from here. They have a back room, and we know what's in the back room. I want to do something to have them shut down because selling or renting pornography is illegal. Wow, that is way out there to most people. I work in a Prosecutor's office and it's just not something that's brought up in today's society. Even though we have rapes and incest that is rampant in our own towns, no matter how clean everyone thinks they are. They're not!! It's everywhere. If it's hard to get someone in church to go with you to speak with a sinning brother, how much harder is it to get them to take a stand against something that's wrong, but acceptable? If we don't go there or look at the stuff, it's no problem. We might complain about it but we wink at it, and so agree with their sin. God help us!! What are we doing?
Brenda Click here to reply to this post
Re: Christians and Their Pattern of Defeat
Posted On: 05/19/06 09:18:10 AM
Age 57, VA
I believe we are not winning because the target is not to win the world but rather, to go into all the world and preach the Gospel, making disciples..." When I read that many Pastors honestly believe that MANY in their congregations are not even saved, I understand it as proof of Jesus' words that "the way is narrow and few find it." I have begun to believe that so many who say they are saved, aren't. So, we look at all the numbers who do say they are saved and we wonder why we aren't making a bigger impact on the world? Not everyone who calls themselves a Christian has ever truly counted the cost nor do they have a servant's heart, nor would they think of laying down their lives for another or even Jesus, nor would they pick up their Cross and follow Him. I don't look to win cultural wars. I leave that to people like Rick Warren. I look to make disciples myself and to keep myself unspotted by the world. I don't expect the masses that call themselves "Christians and say Lord, Lord" to do these things. Maybe all this seems pessimistic to some, but I just don't even read that there is going to be a great revival. I do read about a great falling away. Therefore, I try to keep my own eyes on Jesus, follow Him, and DO MY PART to help others into this GREAT SAlVATION, teaching others to do the same, without expecting the Church to change the WORLD. I only expect the Church to change HEARTS, one at a time. Jesus will be the one to come back and win the cultural wars and change the world. I believe there are those who are about their Father's business, who have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying. I believe they suffer for it. I believe they wonder, as the author does, "why does it seem that so few others seem to get it? Why do so few seem to care about the final abode of others?" "The way is narrow and few find it" We wish it was wider! Like Jesus, we long for all to be saved and come into the kingdom, but all will not! It can indeed be very "worrisome" ( a word some seem to have coined)if I don't look at it this way! I believe that many could hold bible studies in their homes, find creative ways to reach the lost personally in their daily lives. But I don't see many doing it. The bible teaches that no soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted Him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. Many today are too entangled in the affairs of life to die to self and please the Lord and many are also unwilling to follow the rules. These two things can make a Christian "dead in the water." Click here to reply to this post
Re: Re: Christians and Their Pattern of Defeat
Posted On: 07/03/06 09:38:09 AM
Age 51, PA
BRAVO!! Spoken like a TRUE believer!
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 2Corinthians 4:8-10 Click here to reply to this post
Re: Christians and Their Pattern of Defeat
Posted On: 05/18/06 07:05:26 PM
Age 59, TN
At 5 am several mornings ago I read from old ancient documents that declared openly the revelation that "Jesus is God". This document written between 60 and 70 AD has been translated from ancient greek texts. They are not hidden in basement libraries but are on my cluttered desk! At 5:55 AM I start my morning walk to commune with God and suddenly stop look up to heaven and think out loud, "Lord, we've lost another battle. Dan Brown and Tom Hanks have turned the world upside down and we are left picking up the debris inorder to defend Christ's divinity. Hollywood upstaged us with Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, The Last Temptation, The Passion and now The Davinci Code. Lord, I want to turn the world upside down instead of watching Hollywood." Out loud I said "Jesus is God" and repeated it and suddenly the presence of the Lord overwhelmed me and an old overweight man took off running repeating the phrase "Jesus is God" untill I was throughly exhausted but spiritually refilled with his presence. I went to work with renewed vigor. I got in the face of the Jehovah's Witness I have been witnessing to for the past 148 days and said "Jesus is God" and for 10 minutes we went around and around discussing the divinity of Christ. I fully intend to turn his world upside down with the truth that Jesus is God, the son of the heavenly father. I have a mission from God to hinder and frustrate his efforts to go door to door with his lies about Jesus. I expect to establish a pattern of victory as I do my small part to turn my world upside down. "Lord, your Holy Spirit has come upon me. Empower me to be a fruitful witness for you. Cause his ear to hear what the Spirit is saying." Click here to reply to this post
Re: Re: Christians and Their Pattern of Defeat
Posted On: 07/03/06 09:48:32 AM
Age 51, PA
Don't expect to change the WORLD. Do you remember that it is written that Jesus said FEW will find it? Where is it written that we are to change the world with the Truth of Jesus Christ? The fact is that the world HATES us and always will. Jesus said to him who has ears, let HIM hear. 1 Corinthians 1:18 says: For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are BEING saved it is the power of God. Keep up the good work soldier for remember too: We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 2Corinthians 4:8-10 The church is very small and always will be regardless of the many in mega churches who CLAIM Christ. it is also written: Matthew 7:22-23 MANY will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! Click here to reply to this post
Re: Christians and Their Pattern of Defeat
Posted On: 05/18/06 02:01:19 PM
Age 34, ID
Dear Mr. Barker, I enjoyed this article and think you are correct. I wanted to think out loud here to get your thoughts.
Our pattern of defeat comes from fighting the wrong fight. We are preoccupied with the Da Vinci Code right now. Yes its blasphemous, yes its slanderous, and no I wont contribute to the pocket books of Tom Hanks et. al. by going to see it. However, it has caused an uproar in the Christian community, and basically were in a shouting match with pagans. Ian McClellan recently said the bible should have a fiction disclaimer. What I would say is who cares what Gandalf says, his opinion is meaningless and doesnt contribute to the salvation or damnation of anyone. He is a gay man, obviously upset that the Christian community looks down on both his lifestyle and his work and he is offended, so he lashes back. SO WHAT, he and every other charlatan in Hollywood dont matter an iota to anything, yet we bicker back and forth. The real enemy is the principalities of this world, and (political correctness be darned) Islam an obvious creation of Satan himself. So we ignore the real threat and engage in meaningless battles with the secularists. Heres what I think. I think a lot of Christians are seeing the tide turn against them just like the bible says it will in the end times. The bible says that this slippery slope cannot be climbed again, meaning its all down hill from here. That fatalistic knowledge doesnt inspire one to change the world because its seen as a battle that can only be won when Jesus wins it. I dont want that to sound like apostasy or calling for an end to missionary service. In fact Jesus told us that His return would happen when the full number of gentiles is brought into the Church. We dont know who will bring that last convert into the kingdom so we each have to be faithful in witnessing when Jesus puts that task in front of us. Have you ever been on the edge of a sneeze? Sometimes it comes and sometimes it doesnt. The church right now is in that pre-sneeze, tilt your head back, close your eyes, and open your mouth stage of a sneeze. Jesus return could come right now or it might not. The problem is that the church has been on the edge of the sneeze for a while now, patiently waiting for the sneeze (Jesus return) to happen. But the sneeze feeling doesnt go away either, so were stuck on the edge unable to get ourselves motivated to fight. Have you ever tried to do anything while waiting for a sneeze? Its nearly impossible. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Christians and Their Pattern of Defeat
Posted On: 05/18/06 12:31:55 PM
Age 51, NY
Our defeat is directly linked to the absence of leadership. Our leaders will not risk their elevated lifestyle to confront "popular" false sheherds and "popular" false teachers. Next, the clear directions given in Revelations 2 & 3 on how to remedy a local fellowship's shortcomings are ignored. (These letters are written first to the 'angels" or messangers of the churches mentioned). Instead of believing that these examples are cited so we can match up our fellowship, our leadership places these church conditions into a church age escatology that allows them to propose a one size fits all denominational solution to the church's ills. Let's face it, most of our pastors would rather be on radio, TV or the internet than visit the widows and orphans in their affliction. (If you have a pastor who visits his congregation and actually disciples people, he is a rare gem worthy of double honor!) By and large our church leadership loves the limelight, minimizes personal contact and define their ministry by budgets and busyness and not by a servants heart. They have not entered the good fight for the faith, but stand on the sidelines and offer occassional commentary for their listening audience. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Christians and Their Pattern of Defeat
Posted On: 05/18/06 12:19:31 PM
Age 36, AK
My friend Dr. Waylan Owens was preaching this 10 years ago and we took it to heart. I firmly agree and see that this is the problem that plagues Christianity as a whole. The fact that I am the first to feedback is a tell as well. We avoid pain 24 hours out of the day and are constantly bombarded with the attitude that we deserve to live the easy life. Then reality hits and we take the road most traveled. You have nailed the proverbial coffin shut with your article and yet most professing Christians will find (as you pointed out) some way of explaining away your observations. I pray you continue to profess this truth and that God will continue to use you. I responded to another article about home schooling and you summed up my point much better than I did. If we live following, living and doing the will of God, He will do His part as well. Thank you again. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Christians and Their Pattern of Defeat
Posted On: 05/18/06 12:13:50 PM
Age 73, TX
Your article of Thursday, May 18, hit my hot button for the second time. I am a Christian, and a church goer for some time now but for a good number of years I've been aware of the "this is what we do in church" mentality. I have wanted to say, loud and clear, get up out of your pews and go into the public square where more people are needing help. I agree that just quoting a scripture will take care of all issues. A changed heart, ala salvation, is called for. In the meantime, right now, real need help is what is needed. When done in loving ways, it can lead up to the real solution. Even then, people are going to have to do their part. Remember, God helps the birds but He doesn't drop the worms into the birds nest for the baby birds. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Christians and Their Pattern of Defeat
Posted On: 05/18/06 11:28:56 AM
Age 57, NM
Doesn't the Scripture say that the enemy will wear down the saints, and doesn't God's Word also say that we will be overcome? We don't believe this? It won't do us any good to pray for or fight against the will of the Lord, but, as for me, I do and will pray for those I love to come into the Lord's Kingdom before His soon return. My prayer is that which the Lord prayed in the Book of John before His crucifixion. May we all have courage and our hearts not grow cold!
In Christ,
Sharon H. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Christians and Their Pattern of Defeat
Posted On: 05/18/06 07:43:35 AM
Age 53, MN
EXCELLENT and well-thought through. I can't help but also question whether psychology hasn't also played an important role in this. When we have a problem, too often we either think or are told from others to consider getting counselling, not from our pastors with a Biblical point-of-view but from someone outside the faith and in the world. Add to that is the increased role of psychotropic drugs for depression, anxiety, etc. Furthermore, our culture also has become an "instant" one. For example, television and movies have given us the delusion that problems can be resolved within a couple of hours or days at least. Then when discouragement sets in we question why it's taken so long. No doubt there are numerous additional other reasons as well. Thank you for addressing this! Click here to reply to this post
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