I get why Huckabee won Iowa. Let's give it to the guy, he is funny. I find myself feeling a little like I did when I watched Bill Clinton "feeling my pain." Since they are from the same hometown, I really shouldn't be that surprised by the similarity. I might have disagreed with most of what he says, but like Brother Bill, he is a tough guy to not like. I could also see the Sunday Christians really identifying with him and being dang proud of their boy for standing up for the cross and the Man with the nail scared hands. Especially standing up for him against a man like Ron Paul who would dare "call the Flag and the Cross" a forbearer of fascism. If there is one Being that Sunday Christians take at face value it is The Lord Jesus. They even buy bracelets with a question about him on it. These bracelets ask the Sunday Christians what He would do, but it seems they rarely bother to contemplate the actual answer to that question on Monday-Saturday. And despite how fanatical Ron Paul's supporters may be regarding what a Document written by our Founding Fathers says, Sunday Christians are more fanatical about what they have been told a Book about Our Father Who Art in Heaven supposedly says.
This isn't a knock on Christians. I am a Christian. I just happen to have studied the Good Book and listened to what Jesus had to say, which is something I couldn't say when I had a Southern Baptist preacher who wasn't (quite) as charismatic as Mike Huckabee giving me his interpretation of those Words twice on Sundays and on Wednesday nights. I've often thought of "writing" a book called The Words Written in Red and selling it as a stocking stuffer. What Jesus said (the red words) and what my interpretation of those words mean are quite different than that of your typical Sunday Christian. I have yet to find a verse that said the Bible had a strict way of being interpreted. In fact, I found stuff in there that said, "Seek and ye shall find." I digress.
Maybe this is difficult to see for those of you who didn't grow up going to church religiously, pardon the pun. But Sunday Christians are afraid of a lot of things. Let's see, what are a some of those things on the most feared list? There are the old standbys of course: drinking, drugs, abortion, and homosexuals. But the new flavor of the day are those nasty radical-militant-islamofacist-non-believing-eternal-hellfire-bound-muslim-islamic terrorists. Of course all these people were going to hell if they didn't repent and accept Jesus, but somewhere along the way eternal hellfire wasn't quite hot enough. The Sunday Christians decided that we had to send them to eternal damnation as quickly as possible and if a lot of Christian men died to send them there, so be it. God would reward them in Heaven (sounds eerily similar to what those 9/11 hijackers believed doesn't it?).
Of course it's justified because they attacked us first. Funny how that religious argument is fine if you are an "eye for an eye" Jew, but for a "turn the other cheek--Matt. 5:39, Luke 6:29" Christian this just doesn't make sense.
I find it strange that a man like Ron Paul who says that we should follow Jesus' advice and turn the other cheek to terrorists and says that following Jesus' teachings would actually bring an end to terrorism would be shunned by a group of people who allegedly believe the Bible yet trust our government to save us from these enemies more than trusting the words of our Savior who was sent here "to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear Luke 1:74."
It seems that these Sunday Christians are just like the disciples on the windy lake in Luke 8:22-25 who thought they were going to drown forcing Jesus to ask them, "Where is your faith?" Or maybe their faith is like the seed that fell on the rock in Luke 8:13 since as Jesus rightly predicted, "They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away."
Why, Sunday Christians are you so worried about terrorists? Do cruise missiles make you feel more secure than Matthew 6:25-34 or Luke 12:22-34. If we are instructed to not even worry about what we should eat or wear and those are things that are very important every day, do you not believe that if God will provide that that he will also keep us "safe from terrorists"?
Is it possible, Sunday Christians, that you have placed your faith in the Federal Government instead of the Lord? You want the government to ban gay marriage as if whether or not a government does or doesn't support something has anything to do with what God supports. You want the government to ban abortions. You want the government to provide charity and support for the poor and needy publicly, when it was clearly our command to do so privately--Matt. 6:1-4. And now you want the Government to "Deliver us from Evil."
Has it ever crossed your mind that as the government has become stronger our churches have become weaker? Is this not more of a sign that you have placed your faith in the Federal Government instead of in our Lord, Sunday Christians? Do you not realize that supporting a candidate who supports a war that Jesus never would, you strengthen a government that plays God, making it less likely that non-believers will turn to the real God?
Sunday Christian, even if you believe that the United States is a country created by the direct influence and support of God, what was it that created the Government as divined by God? The Constitution. Who is the man who placed his hand on the Holy Word of God and took an Oath to defend this document and the divinely inspired country it created? Actually, every elected representative does this. But only one did it to the best of his ability for twenty years--Ron Paul.
And yet you deny a man (your vote) despite his obvious faith. A faith that can be "judged by its fruit." Sunday Christian, you are about to stand idly by and watch a (comparatively) innocent man be crucified (at the polls) by the Romans (Federal Government Statists) unless you stop listening to your (former) pastor, read the Good Book for yourself, answer the four letter question on the bracelet you wear on the arm above your (soon to be) blood-stained hands, and wake up from your Lazarus-like sleep.
Or maybe you don't care. Maybe you already have your god. The one that lives in Washington. Maybe your god wants you to be afraid of these "terrorists." You see, Sunday Christian, I can admit that there are some people out there that don't worship the same God I do and may want to kill me because of that. I'm okay with that; I'll let the real Judge decide who's right when it's all said in done. I can admit that 19 guys flew some planes into some buildings on September 11th, 2001. I still pray for the families who lost loved ones there when I pray for the families who have lost more loved ones in a foreign country fighting a war because your god convinced you that "terrorists" were real.
But Sunday Christian, as a literate fulltime Christian I know that Terrorists don't exist. They are something your false government god created. I know this because if you worshipped the same God as I, you would fear no evil--let alone be "terrorized" by some guys whose day of judgement is assuredly coming. Maybe your god created "terrorists" and told you all about them so you'd believe you were in the light. Sunday Christian, this is the light Jesus warned you about in Matthew 6:23 and Luke 11:35. Your eye is no good. Your god is scared to death of a candidate who is filled with the true Light because your god knows what is at stake if the words were to come to pass that are written in John 3:20-21. Feel free to look that up, Sunday Christian--if you can find your Bible.
Your Fellow American (but not a believer in your false god),
John Armstrong
P.S. If any Christian is reading about Ron Paul for the first time this is what you should know about him that shows his status as a true follower of Christ:
He has been married to his wife Carol for 50 years.
He said he does not agree with the "theory" of evolution.
He is pro-life and has consistently created bills that would propose an amendment to define life as beginning at creation.
He delivered over 4000 babies as an OB/GYN. When his patients only way to pay was with your money (medicare, etc.) he treated them for free or worked out a lower cost payment plan.
He goes to church and his children were raised there.
He lives his faith as evidenced by his upholding his Congressional Oath of Office regardless of what the "world" wanted him to do.
He strongly supports home schooling and has the legislative record to prove it.
He believes the federal laws that keep your local courthose from displaying a manger scence are ridiculous.
He believes that America was created as a country where the Church would and should have as much or more power than the state.
He has never voted for a bill that made your local schools teach sex education or diversity classes.
He has never voted to spend a dollar of your money to support an abortion or planned parenthood.
He doesn't travel alone with women.
He doesn't swear and admonishes people who do (especially in the presence of a lady).
Reader Comments:
Posted By: The Statist
Date: 2008-01-04 05:08:02
I agree I think that terorists are not scary. Deep down inside I think that they have a lot to offer America, if only we would sit down and talk to them.
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Posted By: Betsy Thiede
Date: 2008-01-04 05:08:14
I enjoyed your article. I am so dissapointed at last night's results. I see Ron Paul as a truth speaker and a good, honest man.
Here is hoping he does well in NH.
This is the first campaign I have ever been interested in, I wholeheartedly support Ron Paul.
I live in Virginia. I have been campaigning for him door to door in my neighborhood. My husband can't believe I would ever do this, as I have never been political in my life. I am 45.
Go Ron Paul.
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Posted By: Pleefer
Date: 2008-01-04 05:42:13
Good article, I'll be sharing it.
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Posted By: Dagny
Date: 2008-01-04 06:28:54
Enjoyed your article, first one read this morning after staying up until 2am, waiting for the last 7% of precincts to report in Iowa. Notice that they still (8a.m.) have not... hmm
Huckabee's placing first in Iowa is actually a good thing!
- first place will garner a tremendous amount of coverage
- with coverage comes scrutiny (you shall know them by the fruits they bear: an evil tree cannot produce good fruit, and a good tree cannot produce evil fruit)
- a first place finish this early almost guarantees a poorer showing later (only one direction he can go)
McCain/Thompson tied for third, so Congressman Paul actually took 4th, not 5th as the msm is prone to continually repeat.
Paul's 10% is wonderful news!!!
Double-digits AND... Rudy who??
We must continue, now more than ever, to follow Dr. Paul's example: speak truth, be courteous, be respectful when disagreeing... Point others to Dr. Paul's writings, his YouTube site, his books...
I'm 50, female, have followed Congressman Paul for 25 years and today I am more hopeful than ever!
Be of good cheer, the remnant is awakening. Bring on New Hampshire!!
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Posted By: chichemo
Date: 2008-01-04 06:32:11
It's easier to just let others do your thinking for you. So the sheep are easily led to slaughter.
Loved your article. Thanks.
No worries
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Posted By: Chad
Date: 2008-01-04 07:11:43
John,
Please keep speaking the Truth.
Jesus warned us there would be people using His name to shamelessly self-promote and do seemingly "good works" in front of "the people", without truly knowing the God they claimed to be representing.
In fact, Jesus states very clearly that one day He will say to those exact people, "Depart from me, I do not even know you."
(That statement should send a chill down some spines.)
He didn't tell stories like the one about "sheep & goats" (Matthew 25) just to entertain a bunch bored listeners. He was telling it like it was then and like it is now in our time.
My advice to those who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ:
Please use some wisdom and shut your ears to the "Christian language" (rhetoric) coming out of the mouths of potentially ravenous wolves.Â
Instead, judge the fruit of their lives and their core message. And this includes judging their possible motive in waving a "Jesus flag" in front of your face. Don't be decieved. The people who make a big show of their "religous piety" are the last people we should trust.
In fact, according to the life of Christ witnessed by all of us in the New Testament, anyone in our day who is caught waving that "Jesus Flag" should become Prime Suspect #1 in our ongoing battle to avoid being duped by "wolves in sheeps' clothing."
Even people with good intentions have done some of the most damage to God's Creation in the name of The Crusades, Slavery, and even The Presidency of the USA.
And, Christians: Please stop looking at men or women who aren't using their religous belief's or the name of Christ to gain votes & popularity and illogically assume that their silence about Jesus Christ means they are ashamed of their Lord.
That is a pathetic litmus test and there is no basis for it in scripture.
Jesus never said, "You will know them by the slick, religous words they speak." No, he said, "You will know them by their fruit."
And fruit doesn't need words. It is what it is.
Perhaps, just maybe, the person who is not willing to prostitute the name of Jesus Christ for political or business gain is the person who truly HONORS Christ more deeply than any of us.
It's time to stop being so naive and predictable.
In the New Testament, those people who pray ("prey") on the street corners and make a large show of their "religion flag" in front of the public eye are ALWAYS the ones that Jesus blasts with severe rebukes. They aren't the ones who get his warm embrace. And they never will be.
Just think about that, and let it really soak in this time.
If you call yourself a Christian, then follow Christ's instructions and warnings about the false prophets and wolves in sheeps clothing. Make up your mind that you will stop responding positively to all of that "churchy language" which has become an insidious tool in the hands of politicians, tv evangelists, and any other man / woman who lusts for power and control.
The true purpose of a leader is to serve and wash the feet of "the people", not to coerce and manipulate them into his / her own ambitions for personal success and limelight.
The fruit of Christ's life on earth proves that, "The 'greatest' among us is the one who will get down in the dirt and wash the feet of the 'least' among us."
And just as an example of how far we need to be willing to take Christ's words, I believe it's very fair to say that "the least among us" would most definitely include those "islamic terrorists" who supposedly hate us because we're free.
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Posted By: Blaine
Date: 2008-01-04 08:15:24
A lot of people aren't going to like what you said in this article John, but you are absolutely right; who are we putting our faith into? I would suggest that manmade institutions (government, corporations, insurance companies, etc.,) are probably not looking out for our best interests.
Below are links to 2 articles I have written with similar themes; I share these not in the spirit of self-promotion, but with the hope that if people hear the truth enough times, some of it might eventually stick. As a country we need to clear the fog away and take a good look around or after awhile there won't be anything left to see.
http://blainestaat.blogspot.com/2007/11/countdown-to-1984.html
http://blainestaat.blogspot.com/2007/11/in-dependence.html
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Posted By: creator
Date: 2008-01-04 11:21:05
Amen! Hallelujah! Preach it, Brother John!
Thanks for your fine sermon today! I'll be passing it along to other pew-sitters. I appreciate your "Sunday Christian" monicker, probably as bad as or maybe even worse than the "Easter and Christmas Christian" crowd.
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Posted By: Nick
Date: 2008-01-04 14:33:27
I wonder if God has a victory in store for Ron Paul, even if it is not of the electoral variety. Changing hearts and minds for the future may be the best thing that comes from this movement in the manner than Jesus's teaching lives on, despite his earthly demise. Bold words can move the world.
This piece was well written and has moved me to dig further into the words of Christ as well as the efforts of one Dr. Paul. Well done.
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Posted By: cin
Date: 2008-01-13 22:44:38
Reading everything is difficult, because there's a lot of information out there, some of it is true, some of it is mean-spirited and mud slinging. Just stick to the issues and don't take things out of context.
I watched Hillary Clinton on Meet the press today with Tim Russert. She explained her position and explained that a lot of what is said about her is inaccurate because it is taken out of context.
My poor little deceived christian friend
What can you tell me her. lorykonstantino@sbcglobal.net
cin3@mac.com
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