2021.01.29 Reclaiming Our Christian Culture

Can we reclaim our culture by reclaiming our language? Doesn’t that sound wonderfully simple? Think of a few words that we have lost:

Marriage
Education
History
Business
Government
Politics

If this concept of reclaiming words is unfamiliar to you, take a bit of time and compare and contrast these words by looking them up at dictionary.com vs the 1828 Dictionary. I love the 1828 Dictionary because Noah Webster produced this gem of a resource at the height of when America enjoyed a Christian culture. This was the fruit of the Great Awakening.

Let’s take the word “politics” for example. In dictionary.com, we read:

Politics [ pol-i-tiks ] noun (used with a singular or plural verb)

the science or art of political government.
the practice or profession of conducting political affairs.
political affairs: The advocated reforms have become embroiled in politics
political methods or maneuvers: We could not approve of his politics in winning passage of the bill.
political principles or opinions: We avoided discussion of religion and politics. His politics are his own affair.
use of intrigue or strategy in obtaining any position of power or control, as in business, university, etc.

Who wants to get involved in politics unless they are willing to:

become embroiled
use intrigue or strategy in obtaining any position of power or control
tread on an opinion that is “his own affair”

Let’s compare this to “politics” in the 1828 Dictionary:

Should we, as Christians, be involved in:

ethics?
the preservation of its safety, peace and prosperity?
defense of [our] existence and rights against foreign control or conquest?
the augmentation of our strength and resources?
the protection of [our] citizens in their rights?
the preservation and improvement of their morals?

[You may purchase your copy of the 1828 Dictionary here.]

Have you ever heard these worldly statements in Christian circles:

Politics are dirty
The Church is above politics
Politics are “worldly”

Let’s contrast these misunderstandings with the reformed attitude developed by our Founders. This was developed by intense reading of their beloved Bibles yearly, the Great Awakening and a Biblical worldview which steered them to believe:

“The Church must take right ground in regards to politics… The time has come that Christians must vote for honest men, and take consistent ground in politics, or the Lord will curse them.… God cannot sustain this free and blessed country, which we love and pray for, unless the Church will take right ground. Politics are a part of a religion in such a country as this, and Christians must do their duty to the country as a part of their duty to God… He will bless or curse this nation, according to the course they [Christians] take.” ~ Charles Finney

“A primary object should be the education of our youth in the science of government. In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important? And what duty more pressing … than communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country?” -George Washington

“Now, the ‘Lord’ I’m referring to is the Holy Spirit, and wherever He is Lord, there is freedom.” 2 Cor. 3:17 TPT

Can you feel a shift in your spirit from asking the Lord to “save America” to being willing [by His Grace!] to shoulder His Lordship as it says in Isaiah 9:6-7:

… Unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

What great victory He longs to give us once we shoulder His government. [We ARE His body.] Then we could read this and truly understand that this is our portion and our Promised Land.

No matter how murky the waters or worldly our politics have become in our absence and in the vacuum that we have left, “God so loved the world, that He sent his only Son…” (John 3:16)

Surely Jesus will anoint us to possess this Land of Education, of Politics, of Government and of Business as we seek His face, read His Word and obey Him.

Do you want to join me in the first baby step in this adventure? Do you want to learn how to instruct, enlighten and guide precious, blood-bought sheep through the murky waters of current events to God’s promised green pastures through obedience to His Word?

As Romans 12:2 NKJV says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

It is a transforming process which begins right at our commitment to Christ’s salvation and Lordship of our lives. We receive His Salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. We then begin this wonderful journey to know Him and the power of His resurrection. We grow as we read His Word, begin to understand, know and practice it. What an adventure!

Would you like to join me in a study to do this? This is the first baby step that we guide you into to develop your own Biblical Philosophy of Education.

I hope you join us!