Pastor's Blog

Protecting Us from the Terrorist

Pastor Steve Nash

Too many people in too many nations of the world experience a fearful helplessness when we hear the many threats of the terrorist.  Law enforcement agencies do what they can to protect us, but they cannot be everywhere at all times.  There are thousands of “sleeper” terrorists residing in our own country.  Some have been here for decades waiting for the opportunity and orders from abroad.

Most world leaders do not or choose not to understand that there is and always has been a parallel “unseen” warfare raging on this planet.  For any of you who possess a Christian world view, we understand that there is a constant “spiritual warfare” being fought for the souls of all people.  Have you ever wondered why the vast “left” or “progressive liberal” will defend the Muslim and turn on the Christian and Jew?  Even former President Carter has blamed Israel, not the Muslim extremist, for the recent terror in France.  I’m not sure they even understand why they oppose the Judeo-Christian presence in the world.  The answer is that there is a battle going on for the hearts and minds of all people and those who hate the Jews and Christians do so because they are controlled by “powers of darkness in high places” and don’t realize it!

These puppets or minions, which are controlled by “spirits of darkness,” are uncontrollably furious toward those who embrace a faith in God; that believes in the right to life for all people, including the unborn child.  They despise any public display of faith and will spend millions of dollars tying up Christian organizations in courts across the land.  They may disguise themselves as clerics yet propagate hate, division and confusion among the ignorant that have no discernment.

In the mean time, we have the terrorist lurking in many communities of America, ready to take advantage of the weakened, desensitized, unprepared, deceived citizens of this great nation.  We have cowered in the face of threats from N. Korea to the point where Sony pulls any “offensive” film production.  The producers of “Homeland” are considering toning down any possible offense to Muslims.   David Nevins told critics at the Television Critics Association’s semi-annual press tour Monday, “We’re not necessarily going to stay with U.S. relations in the Muslim world … It could be Africa, it could be Europe, it could be back in another place in the Middle East.”

Referencing the Charlie Hebdo shooting in France and North Korea’s alleged hacking of Sony, Nevins noted that, “it’s a bit of a scary time to be a maker of controversial, political truth.  It’s been a bad month for free speech around the world.”  In other words, we’ll BACK DOWN!  With any sign of weakness, the enemy will proceed to take advantage to threaten and eventually attack targets that oppose their twisted ideology.

I believe that light is greater than darkness, truth will shatter lies, good will overcome evil and God’s people will prevail until the end.  We must walk as children of God who cower to no one who threatens the presence of God in this world.  We must be proactive, get on the offense and follow the mandate of Scripture – “Put on the whole armor of God that we may be able to stand against the schemes of wickedness”-- Eph. 6 (read). 

Rev. Franklin Graham reminds us, “Wherever Christianity flourishes there is a vibrant culture of life, not death.  When the precepts of the Christian faith are faithfully taught and followed there is an abundance of selfless, sacrificial living and giving.”  Graham goes on to cite the obsession of death many of our younger people seem to possess.  “Football used to be the dominant choice on television on Sunday evenings in the fall and winter but today, for example, 17 million people skipped the football game to watch the season premiere of The Walking Dead, a series about zombies hunting and eating people.”

We are our own worst enemy!  “Any nation that forgets God shall be turned into hell”-- Ps. 9.  There is only ONE protector we can always count on.  He alone will rescue His people from utter destruction.  “He who dwells in the secret place of the most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty…a thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand...because you have loved Me, I will deliver you, I will be with you in trouble!”-- Ps. 91.  Yes, we need protection from the terrorist and the best way to insure our security is to turn back to our God who is able to provide that protection.  He will give our government and law enforcement agencies proper insight into how to defend this country.  His blessing can be upon us again as it has been for almost 240 years.

Pastor's Blog

Christophobia

Pastor Steve Nash

Writing for First Thoughts, Mark Movsesian sounded some notes of caution against the use of “Christophobia”: 

“The hostility to Christianity one encounters in the West is mostly ideological. What we have is a struggle between competing worldviews, one of which seeks to win by excluding the other, which it sees as irrational, from public debate. This strategy is illiberal, ill-informed, and childish, but it is not really “phobic” in the way we normally use that term. It reflects not so much a visceral antipathy to Christians as people as a desire for Christians to keep quiet and stop retarding social progress.

Now, things may be changing. When critics denounce Christians as “bigots” — for maintaining the traditional understanding of marriage, for example — that does imply a personal judgment. Bigots are bad people; you wouldn’t want them living next door to you or building a gathering place in your neighborhood. You wouldn’t want your children to associate with them. Maybe the ideological struggle in the West is becoming a personal one, in which Christians are seen as comparable to racists. I don’t think we’re there, yet, but I concede there’s evidence we may be heading that way.”

The above writer seems to be contradicting himself in the same paragraph.  “Things are changing!”  May I suggest that “Christophobia” is more than a label that describes someone who opposes a Christian world view or ideology?  I believe this growing fear is much deeper, residing in the innermost being of a person’s soul or spirit.  It is not merely ideological; it is spiritual.  One could compare this unwarranted hatred to that of “anti-Semitism.”  Have you ever noticed how some people hate others and don’t even know why? 

I also believe the use of the word “phobia” is correct.  When one “fears” another they often respond with hatred and aggression.  As John puts it in his epistle, “perfect love casts out fear because fear has torment.”  This deep-rooted kind of fear or “phobia” is the opposite of love.  The question is why would some hate Christianity to the point where they want to kill those who embrace this faith?  In countries like Egypt, Mali, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Syria, Christians are being murdered and forced to leave their homes in large numbers.  Churches are being destroyed and Christian villages emptied.  “Phobia” accurately describes this phenomenon.  If anything, “phobia” is too mild a term: what we are seeing in these places is the widespread persecution of Christians. 

In the countries listed above, we see a common denominator: radical Islam.  Wherever radical Islam is allowed to flourish, Christians and Jews are severely persecuted and exterminated.  These haters of light have no tolerance for opposing faiths, a truth that cannot be denied!  But it is not only the radical Islamist; it is anyone who embraces a world view that is antithetical to Christianity or a biblical world view.

To offer a graphic illustration, let me offer the one I often use in sermons.  Have you ever gotten up in the middle of the night, turned on the kitchen light and noticed the cockroaches or mice scatter?  Hopefully we don’t live is conditions like that but some of us have at one time or another.  The cockroaches scatter because of the “light.”  Light opposes and exposes darkness; they are contrary to one another.  Jesus said He was the “Light of the world” and that we are called, “children of light.”  When we actively practice our faith in a very dark world, the forces of darkness will not only become disturbed; they will fight to extinguish the light that exposes their sorry souls.  As time moves on, we will see an increase in “Christophobia” all over the world.  This hatred of Christianity will not only come from the Islamist; it will come from anyone who opposes the message of the Gospel and the morality that Christianity proclaims as being God’s standard for the human race.

Easter is all about “light.”  As dark as the scene came to be during and immediately following the Resurrection, Sunday morning brought great light and hope to those who sit in darkness.  The demons do scatter when the “light of Christ” is manifested.  We ought to embrace the “light,” not run from it!

What are we to do?  How are we to respond to the “Christophobic?”  I embrace the words of Paul from Ephesians 5: “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them…for all things are exposed by light…therefore, awake you, who sleep, arise from the dead and Christ shall give you light!  See then that you walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise.”

Unlike our enemies, we are to love those who oppose us.  We are to love them because we do not fear them.  We are to look beyond their fault and see their need.  We are not to be “afraid” of anyone or anything.  After all, most all of us were at one time possessed by the same fear that our Christophobic friends now embrace.