Stand Strong America E-Book

Alex McFarland

• Herausgeber: BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2016

Beschreibung

Americans are weary of the poor character and decisions of their leaders. Widespread corruption has led many to lose hope and succumb to fear.   – Every day Americans nervously watch the national debt climb to a whopping $20 trillion (with no solutions in sight). – Government bailouts are the norm, and entitlement spending is out of control. – Civil unrest and racial divide intensify. – Drug use, porn obsession, and human trafficking increase. – Terrorist threats and attacks are a daily occurrence. – The exercise of free speech is becoming a thing of the past.   Stand Strong America provides Americans real answers and courage to stand strong in the midst of uncertainty and fear—offering a vision of hope that reignites the fervor and courageous faith that existed when the republic of America was created. Authors Jason Jimenez and Alex McFarland chart the amazing story of how America became the greatest nation on earth and what Americans must do to regain that greatness. Be encouraged and empowered by this clear and invigorating message that will challenge you to love God, cherish freedom, pray for a better tomorrow, make a difference, and stand strong no matter the cost.  

Leseprobe

BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC

Racine, Wisconsin, USA

BroadStreetPublishing.com

Stand Strong America: Courage, Freedom, and Hope for Tomorrow

Copyright © 2016 Jason Jimenez and Alex McFarland

ISBN-13: 978-1-4245-5242-9 (softcover)

ISBN-13: 978-1-4245-5243-6 (e-book)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible. New Living Translation. Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible. Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

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Cover design by Chris Garborg at garborgdesign.com

Interior design and typeset by Katherine Lloyd at theDESKonline.com

Printed in the United States of America

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CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter 1:How Christianity Shaped America’s Foundation

Chapter 2:Dreams of Our Fathers

Chapter 3:God and Country: A True Story

Chapter 4:Uncommon Common Sense

Chapter 5:America: Freedom of Religion, not Freedom from Religion

Chapter 6:America Is Dying: Threats from Within

Chapter 7:America Is under Attack: Four Threats from Beyond

Chapter 8:A Noble Vine: Then and Now

Chapter 9:A More Perfect Union

Chapter 10:The Courts and Christianity

Chapter 11:Wake up, Church

Chapter 12:Your Role in Restoring America’s True Greatness

Chapter 13:Take a Stand

Appendix 1:A Road Map to Restoring America

Appendix 2:Organizations to Support

Reader’s Discussion Guide

Endnotes

About the Authors

INTRODUCTION

America hangs in the balance. Established on the ideals and principles of Christianity, the world now looks on as America, the once glorious beacon on the hill, sheds its dependency on God. The once unwavering allegiance to the self-evident truths of God is now considered a nuisance to America’s progress. In fact, if America breaks away from its Christian heritage, the future of our great nation will undoubtedly end. Proverbs 29:2 reminds us, “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.”

America has been ruled by wickedness for far too long, and the results are catastrophic. Over a million unborn babies are aborted each year (it is estimated that 2,800–4,000 babies are aborted each day, and this is being paid for by us—the taxpayers). Marriage has now been redefined by a 5–4 Supreme Court vote. Our national debt has grown to almost $20 trillion. Civil unrest is breaking out in communities all across the country. Drug use, porn addiction, and human trafficking are on the rise. On top of all of this, many Americans are fleeing to Syria, Iran, and Iraq to be trained by ISIS. And free speech and religious freedom are being undermined more and more by an out-of-control government.

Yet there is still hope. There is still a window of opportunity to reignite our country’s fervor to bring peace and regain stability once again in America. But it will require something—something more than what the majority of Americans are willing to give. Americans must be willing to take a stand on behalf of our freedoms. Just as it took a great struggle to bring freedom to the colonists, so it will take commitment and valor to preserve our liberties as well.

At his inauguration as the first president of the United States, George Washington said, “The sacred fire of liberty has been entrusted to the American people.”1 To be entrusted with something means that we are then responsible for taking care of what has been entrusted to us. Similarly, we have been entrusted with the task to speak and spread God’s truth. We have a sacred obligation to stand for what is right despite the backlash or the cost. If we want to see America rise up from the ashes of death, then we (even if it starts with a small few) must be willing to lay down our lives and pray to God for the courage to fight for future generations.

The great American poet Robert Frost said, “Freedom lies in being bold.”2 We must boldly seek God for the strength needed to fight for the freedoms bestowed on us by God, and not for one second to abandon the call to challenge and engage our culture with the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is vital that young people know that we care, and that they witness firsthand what it looks like to live free and moral lives unto God.

The time to stand up for biblical truth is now. In fact, we would argue that the posterity of the Christian faith depends on it. We must stop ignoring our responsibility, and start solving the problems that are destroying our nation. If you care about America and the future impact Christianity will have on generations to come, then it’s time to stand strong for America.

Our second president, John Adams, once said, “Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to secure your freedom. … I hope you will make good use of it.”3 More than two-hundred years later, these words come to our generation as a challenge to make good use of what has been paved in blood for us. Together we can build a better tomorrow by living out our faith today.

CHAPTER 1

HOW CHRISTIANITY SHAPED AMERICA’S FOUNDATION

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.

—PSALM 33:12

You’ve seen the news headlines: A city courthouse will no longer display the Ten Commandments; a school will no longer include Christmas carols with religious lyrics; a state capital will no longer allow a nativity scene on its property. Today’s increasingly post-Christian, secular environment seeks to remove any and all religious influence from every area of public life. Yet America would not exist without Christianity and the godly lives of its early citizens.

For example, in his inaugural speech George Washington stated, “If I could have entertained the slightest apprehension that the Constitution which was framed in our convention, where I had the honor of presiding, might possibly endanger the religious rights of any ecclesiastical society [that is, a church or denomination], certainly, I would never have placed my signature upon it.”1 Our nation’s first president understood, and publically proclaimed, the importance of religious freedom. This was not to exclude faith from public life; rather, it was to offer the maximum amount of freedom for those who sought to worship God.

And George Washington was not alone in his quest to encourage American citizens to freely worship the God of the Bible. James Madison, the fourth president of our nation, served as chief architect of the US Constitution. He once noted:

We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all our political institutions upon the capability of mankind for self-government; upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.2

Madison’s goal was freedom, including freedom to worship according to the commands of God’s Word.

In 1831, French writer Alexis de Tocqueville traveled to America to observe the power of its increasing greatness among nations. He noted in his two-volume work, Democracy in America, “There is no country in the world where the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men, than in America.”3 His investigation noted that the key to America’s greatness and freedom could be found in its faith.

Why Does This Matter?

We (Alex and Jason) often discover people who fail to see the importance of studying America’s Christian heritage. Many people tend to focus on the here and now—the latest smartphone or the most recent news headline. So why does it matter whether or not we know about America’s spiritual foundations?

I (Alex) will admit, I once fell into the category of those who cared more about what was happening now and little about the past of our nation. However, all of this changed in college when I first seriously encountered American history. What began as a course to complete a requirement introduced me to a world of powerful leaders and a godly legacy I had failed to previously recognize.

Furthermore, I realized that many of the events recorded throughout our nation’s history have repeated themselves in various forms. For example, Lincoln’s assassination during the era of the Civil War strangely resembled the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan during the Cold War. When President George W. Bush and New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani rallied Americans in unity following the attacks of 9/11, their words often reflected the attitudes of Americans following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 that led to the nation’s entry into World War II.

Thirdly, I realized the tremendous influence of Christianity in the founding of America. I had heard about the Puritans and knew the Pledge of Allegiance included “one nation under God,” but the stories behind this history forced me to grow in my own faith. Would I have responded as these brave men and women did so long ago?

We often fail to recognize the many ways in which Christianity has influenced America. A quick look reveals twelve key areas in which our faith has had tremendous influence on our society today.

1.Human Rights. People are created in the image of God and are equal in His sight, which is something affirmed in our nation’s Constitution.

2.Women’s Rights. Still today, it is illegal for women to drive in Saudi Arabia. Why is this? It is simply because the nation does not have a Christian worldview regarding women’s rights. Instead, America offers equality for women, and, though far from perfect, it far exceeds the rights of women in non-Christian societies.

3.The Rights of Children. Christianity has caused many to join the pro-life movement to save the lives of the preborn. Historically, Christian convictions have also been behind the creation of child labor laws, Christian schools, increased emphasis on education, and social services to help children in need, whether due to abuse, special needs, disability, or any other need.

4.The End of Slavery and Legalized Discrimination. On the negative side, it is true some have used the Bible to justify slavery and racism. However, it is also true that it has been Christians who have led the way to end slavery and legalized discrimination. For example, Martin Luther King Jr. was known as a Baptist minister long before he was known as a civil rights activist.

5.Education. America’s earliest schools were held in churches. In fact, Christians started the first colleges in America, including Harvard, to further higher education and to train ministers.

6.Health Care. Still today, some of the most notable hospitals in our nation include the names Baptist, Methodist, or Presbyterian at the end, acknowledging the fact that they were started by churches and Christian organizations.

7.Marriage and Family. Christian convictions regarding marriage focused on heterosexual monogamous love and the rearing of children within a marriage relationship.

8.Government. Fifty of the fifty-five signers of the US Constitution were Christians. The concept of checks and balances and many other aspects of our founders’ beliefs were based on biblical concepts. Still today, the Liberty Bell reminds us of the Bible’s influence through its inscription of Leviticus 25:10, which reads in our modern translation: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.”

9.Science. The scientific revolution that has so influenced our nation’s economic and educational advancements developed prior to Darwinian theory, building its basis upon a God who created all things—even rational truth and scientific laws.

10.Free Enterprise. Where Christianity exists as the predominant religion, free enterprise is generally the result. The Protestant work ethic that was popularized by John Calvin during the Reformation became the basis for America’s system of work and employment.

11.The Arts. Many of America’s greatest artists, musicians, and literary geniuses have been people of the Christian faith. Even much of America’s early architecture was inspired by Christian religious themes.

12.Foreign Relations. America has long served as a leader among the world’s nations. This is greatly influenced by the Christian beliefs of loving one’s neighbor as one’s self as well as belief in the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. Furthermore, American Christianity, despite its flaws, has led the modern missionary revolution. In addition, Christians working in foreign relations in American government have had great influence to often improve the lives of those in other nations, encouraging democracy and peace, and offering humanitarian aid to those in need.

Our hope is that these twelve themes that have shaped our own faith will influence your faith as well. When we encounter the importance that faith has made in the lives of the early influencers of our nation, we can then learn how to better influence our nation—and our world.

Fascinating Facts about Christopher Columbus

One important example is found in the life of Christopher Columbus. Modern historians realize Europeans and other travelers visited America prior to Christopher Columbus in 1492. However, many do not realize the spiritual background of his writings upon his voyage to this new world. He wrote in Columbus’s Book of Prophecies:

It was the Lord who put into my mind that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies. All who heard of my project rejected it with laughter, ridiculing me.

There is no question that the inspiration was from the Holy Spirit, because He comforted me with rays of marvelous illumination from the Holy Scriptures. … Our Redeemer Jesus Christ said that before the end of the world, all things must come to pass that had been written by the prophets. Isaiah goes into great detail in describing future events and in calling all people to our holy catholic [universal] faith. Most of the prophecies of Holy Scripture have been fulfilled already. …

For the execution of the journey to the Indies, I did not make use of intelligence, mathematics, or maps. It is simply the fulfillment of what Isaiah prophesied. All this is what I desire to write down for you in this book.

These are great and wonderful things for the earth, and the signs are that the Lord is hastening the end. The fact that the Gospel must still be preached to so many lands in such a short time, this is what convinces me.4

Columbus saw his travels as a calling from the Lord. He had studied the Bible and believed his work was part of the fulfillment of God’s plan to bring the gospel message to the ends of the earth. While modern historians often only note Columbus as an explorer, he certainly also viewed himself as a missionary.

Elsewhere Columbus viewed himself as a “Servant of the Most High Savior, Christ, the Son of Mary.” Columbus’s personal log stated his purpose in seeking undiscovered worlds: “[To] bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the heathens. … [To] bring the Word of God to unknown coastlands…. To bear the light of Christ west to the heathen undiscovered lands.”5

Columbus filled pages of his logbooks with scriptural passages and allusions. He loved to apply Bible verses to what he was experiencing in his own life. He was especially moved by the book of Isaiah, and viewed his voyages as the fulfillment of prophecy that would lead to the return of Jesus.

Christopher Columbus also frequently quoted Matthew 28:19–20 and Acts 1:8 in relation to himself. He believed that God had a divine plan for the North American continent, and that he was a part of that plan. While many seek to remove Columbus Day from the calendar, we find reason to celebrate the life of a man who sought to honor God through his character and work.

The Example of George Washington

We remember George Washington as America’s first president, but those who lived during his lifetime likely remembered him for his faith. Did you know that Washington’s first official act after being sworn in as president was to join all the members of the House and Senate in a two-hour worship service? A similar action today would shock our modern media. Could you imagine the next president of the United States calling Congress for a church service? Yet Washington was known for such acts of devotion.

Another example can be found in Washington’s first Thanksgiving proclamation that was given on October 3, 1789. In it he stated, “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits and humbly to implore His protection and favor.”6

The Examples of the Early States

The late James D. Kennedy offers several examples from the history of the early American states to show the influence of Christianity upon those states. For example, Delaware stated, “The duty of all men frequently to assemble together for the public worship of the Author of the Universe”; and its oath of office included, “I do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one God blessed forever more.” Maryland noted that “the legislature may … lay a general and equal tax for the support of the Christian religion,” and the state even required a “declaration of belief in the Christian religion” from all of its state officers. Massachusetts directed local political bodies to “make suitable provisions, at their own expense, for the institution of public worship of God,” while North Carolina declared “no person who shall deny the being of God, or the divine authority of the Old and New Testament … shall be capable of holding office or place of trust … within this state.”7

North Carolina is an important state for me (Alex) because it is where I was born and where I continue to call home today. Yet it was not until recently that I learned the true history of my state’s founding. Originally part of Virginia, North Carolina had been granted to Sir Robert Heath in 1629. Virginia was named after the “Virgin Queen,” Elizabeth I, by Sir Walter Raleigh, who explored the area and attempted to found a settlement on Roanoke Island in 1585.

On August 13, 1587, the members of the colony converted the Native American named Manteo, who was then baptized into the Christian faith. That same month the first child was born in America, and she was baptized Virginia Dare. But it was not until the 1650s that English colonists began to settle North Carolina permanently.

In the Charter of Carolina in 1663, which was granted by King Charles II, Sir William Berkeley, and the seven other Lord Proprietors, it is written:

Being excited with a laudable and pious zeal for the propagation [spreading] of the Christian faith … they have humbly besought leave of us, to transport and make an ample colony, in the parts of America not yet cultivated or planted, and only inhabited by some barbarous people, who have no knowledge of Almighty God.8

Notice that the fundamental reason for exploration and settling the area known as Carolina was not financial but for the spread of the Christian faith.

Here’s where many modern historians find a point of controversy, however. The colonists were met by Native Americans who worshiped various spirits. Did the colonists recognize the existing paganism as alternative spiritualities that were equally valid with Christianity? Of course they didn’t. And was the public expression of Christian theism discouraged in order to not offend other religious groups? Absolutely not.

The state charter implicitly recognizes only the God of Christian theism. In the public and private writings from our formative days, the terms Almighty God and Divine Being were specifically used in reference to the God of the Bible. While the founders vehemently opposed the establishment of one national church or denomination, the acceptance of Christianity was universally acknowledged.

In fact, the Fundamental Constitution of the Carolinas (1663) directly stated: “No man shall be permitted to be a freeman [resident, landowner] of Carolina or to have any estate of habitation within it that doth not acknowledge a God, and that God is publicly and solemnly to be worshipped.”9

The first governor, William Sayle, was a Nonconformist who allowed religious toleration for all denominations. Of the many Christians who began to settle in North Carolina beginning in 1653, the Quaker missionaries were among the most notable, with even George Fox, the founder of Quakerism, preaching there. At a later date, the Quaker family of Daniel Boone, along with other Quaker families, pioneered the Yadkin River Valley along the North Carolina frontier. The first Baptist congregation was formed there in 1727, and was followed later by Methodist congregations, who recognized African Americans as ministers and strongly preached against slavery.

The Constitution of the State of North Carolina (1776) would later note, “There shall be no establishment of any one religious church or denomination in this State, in preference to any other.” And Article XXXII declares:

That no person who shall deny the Being of God or the truth of the Protestant religion, or the Divine Authority of the Old or New Testaments, or who shall hold religious principles incompatible with the freedom and safety of State, shall be capable of holding any office or place of trust or profit in the civil department within this State.10

The Preamble of the North Carolina State Constitution (1868) expresses its Christian heritage with these words:

We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for the preservation of the American Union and the existence of our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those blessings to us and our posterity, do, for the more certain security thereof and for the better government of this State, ordain and establish this Constitution.

Other American colonies and states include similar words in their founding documents, thus demonstrating the unmistakable presence of a Christian worldview in the minds and intents of America’s founders.

An Example for Today

Why do these examples matter for us today? Let us share a few reasons. First, we can change the future by learning from the past. Why did the early American colonies, states, and leaders rise to such greatness? One fundamental reason is the widely shared Christian faith among America’s early people. While not perfect, these men and women led based on biblical convictions we can learn from today.

Second, we need to know the whole story. From textbooks to sound bites, today’s thought leaders seek to rewrite or suppress aspects of faith from America’s history. We are not a nation of imperialist capitalists who came to a new world to colonize and make a buck. America’s founders largely moved to this land for religious freedom.

Third, America needs a renewed story. We all know about terrorism, crime, and moral decay, but what our country requires is a solution beyond politics and policies. No law or leader will return America to greatness, but God’s law and godly leaders can lead us back in that direction. If we choose to live out God’s truths in our own lives, we can join in the legacy of America’s godly leaders who shape a nation through character and conviction.

As I (Alex) noted in a recent commentary, while the rhetoric of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” is still politically correct, any recognition that life and liberty are gifts from God and God alone have become unbearable to those who would seek to eradicate God from American history and life.11 Political correctness is the banner of cowards. It’s time for our nation, and each of us as its citizens, to reject the fear of giving offense. We must stand up and call for national repentance and prayer, and not the politically correct homogenized prayers designed to placate special-interest groups, but prayers to the God of the Bible, whose protection and blessing are the only reason our nation still exists.

Life and liberty are at risk today. It’s because, as a nation, we have forgotten and even rejected our source, author, and giver—almighty God. Some think we can continue to enjoy our freedoms apart from God, but if we don’t realize the fallacy of this belief, we will soon lose our freedoms and the protections of the God who gave them.

Time is running out. We have been blessed by God, but it’s critical that we understand that God does not owe us anything at all. If we continue as a nation to reject God, then we fool ourselves into thinking He is obligated to bless, prosper, or protect us. Let us turn to God once again, recognizing He is the giver of every blessing and freedom we currently enjoy.