Nimrod's Return...?

I've had a number of conversations over the last few months that have been deeply political but what a number of folks don't seem to realize is that underneath political discussions are more profound philosophical discussions. And these philosophical questions have profound theological implications in my mind. When we discuss policies...we must face the fact that there are philosophies that undergird those policies.

For a follower of Jesus, the philosophies of this world and the principalities and powers that animate and propagate those philosophies..are our main combatants. It is these entities and ideologies that we are called to wrestle with.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. -Ephesians 6:12

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. -2 Corinthians 10:4-5

In this ongoing discussion and wrestle, i've mentioned, quoted and referenced material that looks at the issues of government, politics and the human and religious struggle to find one's proper balance in this being in the world and yet, not of it. It's surprised me that many of my fundamentalist christians or right-minded political friends seem to embrace a faith that is comfortably wedded to the state, especially when it revolves around issues of the military and the subjects related to war.

This is a posture that to me, seems to undermine the very revolutionary principles that were at play in the founding of America. I seem to see a unhealthy fraternizing that goes on with the very powers that have grown so monolithic; as to overshadow the very nation that we fought our independence with. The inability to see clearly the beast that is growing, alarms me. And what frightens me more, is the wedded nature of faith and violence that seems to be generally embraced or accepted by most christians.

The idea that power is what is needed in this era, in order to dismantle, protect or achieve victory against our enemies; seems to be a precarious posture to embrace...especially since the machine that is achieving such victory is growing bigger and bigger and more and more in control of the very ones it says it is protecting.

Doesn't that dual accomplishment seem machiavellian to anyone else than my little old self?

"The struggle against terrorism and totalitarianism is ultimately a war of ideas, to be fought in our minds." -Ayn Rand

I read this article today and found some really profound points within it, too many to post...so I will simply link to it...in hopes that more hungry minds will take the time to read and ponder it:

Faith & Force by Ayn Rand

These principles are part and parcel of our political history...you can hear the same content in this short clip from a speech by Ronald Reagan:


You can see all of these ideas being explored in this video from Glen Beck's program; which are still true issues, whether or not you agree with Glen or not...personally I find him annoying most of the time, if not hysterical...but his accuracy in pinpointing many of the cultural battles, is still poignant:


I simply believe that people are giving over their souls, minds, allegiance, money and more and more...their very lives or their children's lives to the state...or to be more biblical...to the kingdoms of men.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." -Romans 12:2

This ailment is an action that has been rooted in first ones giving over their God given mind. We are increasingly being more and more conformed to the patterns of this world. We are being lulled to sleep by convenience, materialism, protectionism and socialism...but not in a purely political manner...but also in a religious one. We are embracing the Americanization of Christianity....in much the same way Middle Easterners have wed faith and state in Islam.

I see hints and shout of this in songs like this: Born Again American and in paintings like this one: One Nation Under God.

Soon one is not free enough to question such Allegiance and the pressure as a pastor to bow to the idol of cultural christianity is becoming more and more profound. I cant seem to find many that seem to serious about the gospel the Jesus preached and the kingdom He told us to pray down to earth and live out ethically and morally. In the end, I have been more challenged on issues of Cultural Christianity than I have ever have on any other topic. This posture towards the state, mingled with good old patriotism has grown into a golden statue that soon will require all to lay prostrate before it.

I sit and ponder the biblical stories of Nimrod and his heaven touching tower and warlike nation capturing triumphalism and wonder if my evangelical, prophesy prone brothers and sisters and their "Anti-Christ" bogey man of apocalyptic literature isn't actually gearing up for a grand unveiling.

If ever there was a desperate need for thinking, gospel rooted believers...it is now.