5 Signs Western Civilization is Dying

These are going to seem trite, I know. They are slightly tongue-in-cheek and in no particular order. Also notice I didn’t say they were the “top 5″ signs Western Civilization is dying. They are not likely in the top 50,000, I imagine – but they are signs none the less!

1. Stranded shopping carts. – I cannot go to the grocery store these days without being astonished by just how many people simply leave their cart in the middle of the parking lot. This reveals a lack of respect for others who must dodge, move, retrieve and return the carts. One day while my wife ran into Safeway for a few items I noted from my drivers seat that every person leaving the store with a cart over that 25 minute period stranded it – some within 7 feet of the plentiful and strategically placed buggy roundups.
2. The cell phone culture. – First of all, the businessman in the airport making a “deal” over the phone is not a big shot. He may think he is a big shot, but everyone knows the real high rollers do business face to face. Nice try, guy in a cheap suit. Also, I know people think constant fidgeting with an iPhone or Blackberry makes them look busy and important, but it does not. It is more likely a sign of simple rudeness and potential addiction.
3. The say/do imbalance. – If a celebrity beats someone up and threatens to kill them, they are likely to get a lot of bad press. If they say something that could be construed as potentially (even mildly) racist or intolerant, their careers could be ruined forever. No one should ever excuse or overlook language that tears people down. That being said, serious and repeated criminal acts should carry far heavier civil and professional penalties.
4. Facebook profile pictures. – There is something very disturbing about people (especially men) having dozens or even hundreds of posed pictures of themselves displayed within their account. “Here is a picture of me driving; here I am in a new shirt; this is me eating a sandwich; check me out doing…” Those who don’t see this as a warning sign for potential or probable narcissism should likely think again.
5. The “lots of kids” look/remark. – My wife and I are expecting our fourth child. We have been married six years. More people have a problem with this than you may know. If you would have told me this four years ago when Elisabeth was born, I would not have believed you. The Bible says children are a blessing from the Lord (Psalm 127:3), but modern culture often finds them distracting, expensive and inconvenient. Those having and desiring many should prepare for criticism.

I could probably go on a little further if I tried. Yes, I do believe Western culture is in a dramatic and startling state of decline, although these are not the most serious proofs of that hypothesis. Do you have any “signs” to add?

RINO, FINO Parallel

During last year’s presidential campaign conservative political commentator Laura Ingraham often told her radio audience she had a problem with Sen. John McCain because he “feels more comfortable attacking conservatives than liberals”. In the election lead-up while sponsoring free-speech limiting legislation with liberal Sen. Russ Feingold and joining “his good friend” Sen. Ted Kennedy in an attempt to grant illegal aliens amnesty, Sen. McCain also found time to launch attacks on Christians, pro-family groups and even fiscal conservatives. All this while hoping the people he attacked would back him in his presidential bid to beat the very people who had been his closest allies.

Crazy? Not if you’re a young, disgruntled fundamentalist today! Just as McCain held his beliefs almost grudgingly, falsely believing Democrats were more compassionate, more genuine and “just nicer folks”, many up-and-coming fundamentalists of our day are afflicted with a similar misconception. While the people with which they agree most are seen as grumpy and bordering on legalistic, forward-thinking, “mostly correct” evangelical commentators are regarded as compassionate and balanced. Is this really the truth?

In both cases I would shout a resounding no! The misconceptions are often more a result of belief in caricatures and folklore than objective evidence. Single experience after single experience is recounted to support the theory, but many are questionable and some are flat-out false.

Years ago a friend described a horrible act of arrogance and legalism that had allegedly taken place at an otherwise Godly church. After hearing it, I pressed the issue a bit. I wanted to know who the source of the story had been and where I could find the victim. Upon further examination neither a source, victim or eye-witness could be located. In fact, everyone I asked reluctantly admitted they were passing the information along on the basis of third and fourth-hand accounts.

What’s worse? Not one of the people believing this story (presumably made up out of whole cloth) felt the slightest twinge of guilt for doing so. In theory they were telling me it didn’t matter because “it sounded like somthing that probably could have happened at ‘that kind’ of church”.

Let’s not be confused. I am resolutely in favor of declaring sin to be sin. If legalism is characteristic of a person or people we observe, we ought to confront and rebuke them if necessary. You will never catch me making excuses for anyone that commits sin in the name of “standing up for Jesus”. At the same time, I would not classify a particular style of ministry as “potentially sinful” simply because I “know their type”.

I have said it this way in previous articles:

Many critics of “how things used to be done” grew up in the fundamentalist movement, and have personal stories of dismay with individuals in their past. These emotional ties too often cloud the real issues and set people on a crusade to right perceived wrongs. This is a principle reason otherwise strong men of God look outside fundamentalism for input on ministry methodology.

I went on to say that I am not a product of the fundamentalist movement and therefore have a bit of a unique perspective:

Preachers I grew up admiring were generally old-fashioned, hellfire and brimstone types that sang hymns, knocked doors, and read from the King James Bible. All were Southern Baptist, though they didn’t particularly associate themselves with the convention at large, but rather held to Biblical conviction and called out compromisers no matter what label they wore. Did they get some things wrong? Definitely. Is it my job to correct their mistakes? Definitely not.

Anyone reading this article who is frustrated by a history of bad experiences with sinful Christian leaders should be cautioned. Those men may have been the disciple of some “big name preacher” that was building a following for themselves rather than the kingdom of God.They may have also given every excuse in the book for the bad behavior of their heroes, even to the point of compromising their own integrity.

Are the great leaders of movements any different today? They have gained far-reaching acclaim despite their doctrinal problems, personal conviction issues, troubling temperaments and methodological missteps. Still, a new generation of young men irritated by their upbringing in the fundamentalist movement are sitting spellbound at their feet. Claiming every step of the way they will not adopt their belief systems, while turning their affections toward style and personality.

John McCain lost the election because he claimed to believe one thing while his actions declared an affection for something else. The masses of people seeking leadership can have no respect for the mushy middle and (if given the chance) will always choose a firm position to the right or left. I believe men and women in our pews today want the same thing. Not declarative statements on what we “affirm as fact”, but belief – belief that reveals itself in a love for Biblical accuracy, sound doctrine and rightous conviction. The very moment some of those men step forward we will begin winning our spiritual battles, instead of settling for respectable losses.

Becoming Inextricably Tied

I have written two articles within the past few days that I feel may require more commentary. Never Means Never encouraged us to consider the futility of the political process in moving society toward Godliness, while Good for Alaska! congratulated a politician I consider to be a good candidate and an agent for quality change within government. One distinction should be made clear: neither this candidate nor any other can cure the ills of society through legislation or ideology. Only a moving of God’s Holy Spirit, through the preaching of the gospel can transform the hearts of men and alter the course of nations.

I generally like Sarah Palin. I think her life story, ideas and record of accomplishment are good. Do I believe she and John McCain are the answer to the problems of American society? Absolutely, positively and most unequivocally not! In fact, higher taxes (which could undermine an already precarious economy), more regulation (which could strangle new business development) and a positively evil social agenda (continued murder of the unborn, etc.) could potentially and sadly bring about net-positives. Just as the persecution of Christians often refines and strengthens the church abroad, I believe a dose of hardship could awaken a slumbering, sinful and materialistic American church.

Before you start throwing rocks let me say with unmistakable emphasis that I have no intention of advocating, or voting for “change we can believe – will be a failure”. On the other hand, I will not lie awake at night in fear if Americans choose wrongly. God built our nation around principles of representative government, and His authority will never be in jeopardy; no matter who holds high office.

Certainly moments after the announcement our governor would be the vice presidential nominee, nearly every reporter in America began digging for dirt. Even with a candidate such as Governor Palin, it is possible they will find some. Let us not become so tied to this candidate, her party or her running mate that we have no choice but defense in the face of valid criticism. Believers in Christ should not be the mouthpiece of any politician or political movement. In fact, there are few things more pathetic than a Christian found defending the sinful actions of their favorite office holder.

We certainly may like, advocate for, and generally agree with men and woman running for office, but we must also be so passionately committed to righteousness that everyone we encounter understands the identity of our true Master. Let us do our reasonable service, committing every breath of life to Christ, not to the Republican or Democratic party.

Good for Alaska!

The news of John McCain’s vice presidential pick buzzed through the office this morning and brought all productivity to a halt. Conservative and liberal alike huddled in a single cubicle to watch the announcement live on CNN.com. Not a single word of criticism was uttered, as nearly every Alaskan has a unified love for our humble, no-nonsense, genuine-Alaskan Governor. Sarah Palin has a nearly 90% approval rating in this state for good reason. She has brought honesty and integrity to a state government notorious for corruption, forsaken many of the ritzy trappings of the governorship to set an example for fiscal restraint and taken on both Republicans and Democrats in Alaska politics only for their own benefit. Is she perfect? Absolutely not. She is a politician only Alaska could breed – the kind that hates politics and loves getting things done.

Palin is at home on commercial fishing boat, in a bush plane, on a moose hunt or in negotiation with the most powerful oil executives in the world. She displays the larger-than-life independence that has made Alaska great, and every one of us (Alaskans) understand it; no matter where we stand on the issues. Simply put, we are ecstatic not because we agree with every political decision she will ever make, but because we believe she will represent the best of Alaska on a world stage. This decision is great for Alaska, and we can’t wait for the wider public to get a glimpse of her values and lifestyle. Congratulations Governor Palin!

Never Means Never

After reading articles and having conversations with Christians that are overwrought about the potential dangers or opportunities of the upcoming election I am becoming weary. Time and time again I hear how terrible it will be if a certain candidates are elected or not elected, ballot measures are defeated or not defeated and issues are brought to the forefront or not brought to the forefront. Can a believer in Christ really be in total reliance upon Him and at the same time have such anxiety over the political process?

After leafing through a piece of material that was particularly melodramatic a few evenings ago, I began to develop an outline in my mind. I wondered why so much time and effort had been spent in printing brochures, developing massive public relations campaigns and organizing people of faith to advance a political agenda, when I was seeing little of the same passion in reaching the lost for Christ. Here are a few of my hastily written thoughts on the subject:

Never, never rely upon politics. Always, always preach the gospel.

• God’s word never returns void. Political talking points always return void.
• The gospel appeals to men’s souls, which are ever-present. Political ideas appeal to logic, which is rarely present.
• Witnesses deal with individuals. Politicians address the masses.
• Salvation is absolute and complete. Legislation is compromised consensus.
• The Bible stands the test of time. Men’s ideas fade and change.
• Ministries rely on the power of God. Political movements rely on the momentum and initiative of men.
• Truth cuts to the heart. Political speech lingers on the surface.

There is no hope for our nation or our neighbors in political leadership or legislation. We must never place our trust in the movements of our day! Christ is the hope of mankind and no person, no society, no creature will be changed for good without Him. As we have been left in trust with the gospel, let us labor most fervently to proclaim it. Our political zeal should be miniscule in comparison to our zeal for the ministry of the word. May God help us all to fulfill our part of His great commission.

Radical Religious Belief

Advocates of “Christian” political activism in the United States spend a lot of time telling us how the deck is stacked against them. They are correct. A secular society is never friendly to Biblical viewpoints, and rarely even sympathetic to the concerns of Bible-believers. Consistent and vigorous evangelism is a far more effective means of social change. A continuously growing population of righteous and faithful Christians will have dramatic effects on any local community. While I always advocate the communication of Biblical truth on public and political policy, I prefer to spend the majority of my time and money on evangelism and discipleship.

For every ounce of hostility to Christianity we find in America, there is a pound in the UK. One of today’s daily Telegraph editorials considers belief in the Bible dangerous, comparing it readily with radical Islam, and insisting those that affirm it be excluded from the political process. Make no mistake, similar opinions now find a home in America too. I consider them to be the fault of “Christian” political activism rather than the enemy of it. A particular segment of Christianity has become so unalterably preoccupied with political change, their witnessing and discipling responsibilities have been almost totally ignored! Consequently, conservative activism has grown while Biblical Christianity has declined. Am I wrong?

Another Huckabee Homerun

This is not a political blog, and I am not planning on making it a political blog. My conviction is that believer’s should spend more time preaching the gospel, and less time promoting political change. Still, I can’t help but be confused and disappointed when prominent Christians lower their personal standards to support a politician who has, in their amateur opinion, “a better chance of winning”.

As for me and my house, we will vote based on conviction. Conviction that the murder of unborn children is wrong in any state, at any time. Conviction that marriage is between one man and one woman, for life. And…conviction that men of God should ask “what is best?” in the voting booth, rather than “what if she wins?”.

It was with these thoughts in mind that I came across this entry on the conservative Hot Air blog. Two minutes and fifteen seconds of straight answers from a former two-term Governor. If a man cannot be elected in the United States of America by speaking with this level of eloquence, understanding and conviction; our country has bigger problems than we had first imagined. So, before we jump to the conclusion that we must compromise in order to “gain power”, we ought to become educated on what (and whom) God has given us the opportunity to support. Those still inclined to bet one of the “horses in the lead” can consider themselves forewarned.

He Can’t Win

Dan and Karis Seely were appointed to Cameroon, Africa with Baptist Mid-Missions in 2005. After spending time with them at Candidate Seminar that year, and later while on deputation, we have grown to appreciate them very much. Today we follow their ministry via the internet. Once in a while Dan hits a home run with his blog commentaries, as he did with an October 19 entry on Mike Huckabee.