The atheistic secular humanists in America today often brand Christian fundamentalists and evangelicals as "fanatics", "ayatollahs", "bigots", etc. and accuse them of seeking to forcibly impose Christianity upon the entire society by armed violence, torture and mayhem. They equate Christian fundamentalists with Islamic fanatic groups like Hamas, Al-Qa'idah, Hizb-ul-Lah and the Taliban. QUESTION: Can Christianity be spread by force of arms, as the atheistic secular humanist Left supposes?
Certainly, outward superficial expressions of the Christian Establishment can be implemented by military force of arms, as human history more than adequately illustrates. But is this real Christianity per se?
The apostle Paul wrote of men who, in the last days before Jesus Christ returns to earth, would "have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof"(II Timothy 3:5). This statement finds its Biblical antecedant in the admonition of Jesus Christ to "beware of wolves in sheep's clothing", and by spiritual fruits, not outward appearances, would true Christians be identifiable(Matthew 7:15-27). Most importantly, said Christ, men would know His disciples by their love to one another, and by their observance of the Golden Rule. (John 13:34-35; Matthew 7:12). Would those who resort to violence and military force of arms in attempt to impose God's kingdom on earth, care to have this same means to righteousness exercised upon themselves by others? Such coercion certainly is not any loving example to emulate!
Even so, military successes of men cannot necessarily guarantee the realization of God in the hearts and minds of the conquered people: without God's sovereign spiritual drawing of men to Himself, no man can come to God(John 6:44, Romans 9:15-16). God has absolute sovereignty over all men, in choosing out a people for Himself, and in no way can any man force the hand of God in this decision.
-Lawrence K. Marsh
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment