Stoking the fires of the " culture wars."

Quote from " Bonhoeffer, Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy"

" Karl Bonhoeffer's conclusions may have been different from his son's, but his respect for truth and for other human beings of different opinions formed the foundation of a civil society in which one might disagree graciously and might reason together civilly and productively. In the years ahead this would be seriously attacked, and the Nazis would stoke the fires of the culture wars (Kulturkamp) to play their enemies against each other. They would brilliantly co-opt the conservatives and the Christian churches, and when they had the power to do so, they would turn on them too." (page 96)

Can I suggest that this was not so much a brilliant stratedgy of the Nazis, who were mostly thugs and criminals, it was a brilliant stratedgy of our eternal enemy, the devil, evil itself. Is it possible that he is once again using the stratedgy to first divide, then conquer a country. Are you part of a culture war? Are your hero's peacemakers? Is your heart full of love for a lost and dying world? Or, have they become your " enemies." How can one tell? Can I suggest that you test your heart. Are you at peace? Is your heart full of fear or full of love? Do you fear for the future and believe that someone or some group are the cause of all your or your countries troubles? Beware of the stokers of the culture wars............brother Frank

I am aleays intrigued by this term 'cultural war'. This term was totally unknown in Paul's day. He wrote that our struggal is not against flesh and blood but against the demonics, the devil who empowers this world. The armor he laid out in Eph.6 is a spiritual armor. Because the war is a spiritual one.

In 2 Cor.10 Paul again writes that the the weapons of our warfare are not of this world. They are divinely powerful for the destruction of forttresses. He speaks of the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left. I think these are primarily the word and prayer. You cannot fight a spiritual war with carnal fleshly weapons.

Bottom line. The Christian is called to a spiritual war, not a cultural war.

Blaine

Don't always agree with you Appolus, but this post is spot on.

"Don't always agree with you Appolus"

Amen brother, I think I have been sharpened by your iron...........brother Frank

Pretty much what the Three Self Patriotic Movement Church TSPM church is doing in China. Even the title Three Self suggest an antichrist spirit. The TSPM church is teaching a blend if marxism and moralism stressing obedience to the state to promote communal harmony. In essence this is a civil religion that gives rise to a counterfeit, false gospel. The New Testament gospel of Jesus Christ is seen as a direct threat to the TSPM and the existing power structures of China. This is why the Cbineese government is attacking the house churches in China. The house churches only acknowledge Jesus as the head of the church, not the Cbineese government. Presently the Cbineese government wants all of the house churches to register as TSPM.

I see a disturbing trend in the formation of a civil religion in America. When I see right wing political leaders linking arms with evangelical leaders and the flag, cross, constitution, and Bible blurred together it should cause us concern. When political leaders come and call solem assemblies that the church used to do that should cause concern. It is disturbing when one goes into a church.anf you see the cross and the American flag side by side. The idea of the Roman eagle inside a first century church would have been unthinkable to first century Christians. You would not see a bumper sticker on the back of a first century Christian's ox cart that would say 'vote ceasar' or 'Proud to be a Roman'.

Though the first century Christians were good citizens they got in trouble for not giving allegiance to ceasar. Can somebody tell me how we can pledge allegiance to a piece of cloth that did not die for your sins. As believers in Jesus Christ our allegiance is to one person, and one person alone, Jesus Christ.

Salvation is NOT found in Rick Perry, Michellle Bachman, Mit Romny, Sara Palin, the Republican or Tea Party, or the American flag. SALVATION IS FOUND IN THE PERSON AND WORK OF JESUS CHRIST.

Posted by Blaine Scogin

"Salvation is NOT found in Rick Perry, Michellle Bachman, Mit Romny, Sara Palin, the Republican or Tea Party, or the American flag. SALVATION IS FOUND IN THE PERSON AND WORK OF JESUS CHRIST."

Amen brother...........brother Frank