A Kingdom Perspective / Culture Watch – 2019

In Uncategorized by Roger Staub

The authors of a recent Washington Post article made this interesting and, at times, accurate observation;

“From the earliest days of Christianity, when followers discerned divine significance in the smallest details of scripture and current events, conspiracy (theories have) helped Christians interpret events in a way that propelled their religious interests forward, showing them that conspiracy could be harnessed as a potent religious – and political – force.”

I’ve observed since my teenage years the disposition of American Christians, mostly the Evangelicals, to assign spiritual interpretations to the events unfolding in the culture.  And invariably, with them was the prediction of Jesus’ imminent second coming, grimly suggesting my young life would be cut short by that momentous event.  Obviously, over fifty years later, those forecasts were incorrect, but they did have the effect of convincing many folks to support causes, join organizations, and give money.  Such is the potential of exploiting men’s desire for special insights and a peek behind the curtain of one’s future.  The examples of this are too numerous to mention; the current one’s are flying around ‘the faith community’ like gnats at a summer picnic.

British historian Arnold Toynbee famously wrote, “The one thing we learn from history is that no one learns from history.”  I’m always amazed at Christians who have lived through a few of these ‘prophetic cycles,’ as I call them, and despite the fact they led absolutely nowhere, they cannot wait for the unveiling of another up-to-the-minute, insider revelation!  Go figure.

Perhaps the most recent example is Donald Trump’s presidency.  It has opened the floodgates of prophetic speculation in a truly spectacular way.  His unlikely election has, among many Evangelicals, earned him the title of ‘God’s chosen one;’ a modern-day Cyrus (the benevolent Persian king who liberated ancient Israel from captivity in Babylon) who will restore America’s greatness and lead her into God’s promised prosperity.

Without commenting on Mr. Trump’s presidency, I think ascribing such dramatic spiritual significance to his election is pure make-believe.  Unlike Israel, who most bible-centered Christians accept as God’s ‘covenant’ people, America has no such covenant with God, either stated or implied.  For a century, bible teachers have tried to show ‘America in prophecy,’ but everyone’s chart ends up in the trash.   Political policy isn’t going to bless America – Only the conduct of her citizens that love and serve God, and her (sometimes tenuous) defense of Israel (Gen. 12:3).  The Gentile nations, including this one, aren’t special; godly people are!

Nonetheless, undaunted, many Christians claim unique insights into the significance of today’s news and believe they’re on ‘the Lord’s side’ if they voted a certain way or maintain a particular political allegiance.  Recently I saw an online post by an individual I know to be a sincere Christian, commenting politically about the ‘immoral left’ and the ‘moral right.’  He apparently wasn’t kidding.   What a stunning insult to the millions of Christians on the political left, some of whom are my friends.  This brother hasn’t yet realized God is neither Red nor Blue.  We’re people of another Kingdom!

Be a God-fearing Republican . . .  or a God-fearing Democrat.  There are plenty of virtues, absurdities, and inconsistencies in both parties.  You decide!  But please, don’t join the spiritual circus, feigning mystical insight or revelation to shore up some ideology, or one’s patriotism, or a prophetic perspective!

Counterfeits of true spiritual revelation and discernment abound.  You remember the ‘Bible codes;’ those secret messages hidden in the scriptures that could be teased out from between the lines?  The Corinthians were determined that Paul’s letters had hidden, secondary messages, so he addressed that.  “Don’t try to read between the lines or look for hidden meanings in this letter.  We’re writing plain, unembellished truth . . .” (2 Cor. 1:13, The Message)  And then, there are the dark conspiracies about a small group of financial/political elites who really pull the strings that move the world’s nations and economies to their pleasure.  Don’t forget them!  Exposing Boogie men fills large auditoriums and sell books and CD’s.

Let me be clear.  I believe in the spiritual realm, our struggle with evil, and dark forces overseen by Satan.  Paul emphatically stated that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, and powers, and the rulers of the darkness in the unseen realm.”  It goes without saying that these ‘powers’ influence humanity in various ways, primarily misdirecting them away from godliness and truth.  Precisely because Christians acknowledge the unseen realm and its influence, they are also vulnerable to all kinds of speculative and unverifiable nonsense about it.  Much of it makes us look rather foolish and superstitious.

Isaiah warned, “When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, wouldn’t it be better to inquire of God?”  Don’t be so sure that passage is only a caution about witches and fortune tellers.  People who exercise inappropriate influence over individuals and groups through their dire and curious forecasts, and tantalizing ‘revelations’ are from the same mold. I’ve listened in dismay to prophecy ‘experts’ warning earnest congregations or viewers of grim and inevitable consequences if they don’t ‘get hold of the truths’ in some book, or buy their survival products, or get connected with some ‘especially spiritual’ group.

Do some of these manipulators really ‘see’ stuff?  They may.  But only enough to tempt the undiscerning to waste time chasing their own tail!  Sure, there are bits and fragments of information to be found in the bizarre world of conspiracies, hidden knowledge, and back-room manipulators, but the scriptures tell us to leave them alone!  Don’t dabble in that business, you’ll get some nasty stuff on you!

The information that brings us to life and peace is not hidden, but thankfully open and available to everyone!  “My words are spirit and life” Jesus said. “Blessed are you if you do them.”  Paul taught, “in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  The Apostle explains further . . . “Now I say this lest anyone deceive you with persuasive words.” (Coll. 2:3, 4)

I’ve known many ‘deeper truth,’ conspiracy loving, special knowledge folks.  They always want the ‘secret sauce’ that nobody else gets to taste.  Some of them are good people, but they want a short cut around “walking by faith and not by sight,” and the daily demands and disciplines the rest of us are trying to work through.

Yes, encountering Jesus Christ has given us a preview of ‘what’s behind the curtain;’ “God has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (2 Timothy 1:10)   Jesus’ resurrection revealed what was previously just a hope, a longing; that there is everlasting blessing, peace, and life to be gained by knowing the Lord!  I wish those good folks who spend their precious time looking for the tantalizing and creepy stuff behind every social and political bush would lift their gaze to see that God is everywhere, continually, relentlessly “working all things after the counsel of His own will!”  (Eph. 1:11)