"Is The United States A Christian Nation? (Part 1)"
The Founders and Biblical Principles
Given 15-Nov-08; Sermon #910; 75 minutes
By Mr.John W. Ritenbaugh
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Description: John Ritenbaugh, acknowledging that major evangelical denominations insist that America was founded as a "Christian nation," cautions that America, in its traditions and political underpinnings was, contrary to the belief of most Protestant evangelicals, never established as a Christian nation. The founding fathers, largely influenced by Deism, suggested that morality, religion, and knowledge were conducive to good government. George Washington suggested that morality was impossible without religion. Thomas Jefferson felt that a nation without moral principals would quickly perish. Benjamin Franklin, a practicing Deist, believed that the tenets shared by all religions should provide the foundation for shared national moral principals. Chief Justice Joseph Story of the U.S. Supreme Court prohibited the federal government from establishing a national religion. The entirety of mankind's governments (including the governments of ancient and modern Israel) is at enmity with God: to participate in their activities is tantamount to idolatry. As God's called out ones, we are admonished to separate ourselves spiritually (but not physically) from the world"s political and religious systems. Real Christianity is not divided into thousands of denominations, nor is it subdivided into competing and conflicting political systems. Our allegiance can be only to Jesus Christ, and not to the hopelessly corrupt political systems of the world.
Topics: Adams, Samuel Amoral Antichrist Churchianity 'Christianity,' Covenant Denominations Evangelicals Franklin, Benjamin Islam Jefferson, Thomas Kingdom of God Knowledge Morality Political conflict Politics Religion Sheep Story, Joseph Ten Commandments.
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"Is The United States A Christian Nation? (Part 2)"
Based on Doctrine and Works We Are Not
Given 06-Dec-08; Sermon #913; 63 minutes
By Mr.John W. Ritenbaugh
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Description: John Ritenbaugh, reflecting on David Kupelion's book How Atheism is Being Sold to America, suggests that America has never truly been a Christian nation. The founding fathers, largely influenced by Deism, gave very general guidelines of morality that could be embraced by all Christian religions. The founders did not want a state church, but wanted a kind of universal affirmation of morality. A true Christian is sanctified by the specific body of beliefs he believes and how he lives his life in accordance with these beliefs. No professing 'Christian' denomination in America has ever truly yielded itself to these teachings (the Sabbath, Holy Days, etc.). The entire process from justification, sanctification, and ultimate glorification'the Way'is a very specific package of doctrines and conduct. Americans generally do not believe or act like Christians, but are, for the most part, following the counterfeit broad easy way. Very few people have found the narrow difficult right way. They would have difficulty following Jesus Christ into a Sabbath service, let alone following His example in any other way. Satan is current ruler of this world and will be deposed when Christ returns. It is Satan's adversarial and competitive mindset that runs all nations of this earth. As God's called out ones, we are the 'enemy.' We are to follow the example of Jesus Christ, putting to death self- will, yielding to the Father, doing what pleases the Father, and demonstrating we are His children. Voluntarily yielding and submitting to God separates the Christian from the worldly.
Topics: Adversarial relationship Agenda Amusing ourselves to death Angels Atheism Attitude Biblical Christianity Body of beliefs Christopher Hitchens Competition Constitution Common Roots Deism Doctrines Earth Faith, The False Christians False churches False doctrines First Estate GK Chesterton Government History Human nature Idolatry Jews Iliad and the Odyssey Individual Jude Kingdom of God Kingdom of the World President Principalities and powers Richard Dawkins Mind of Christ Neil Postman Original Perfect Rulership of the Earth Sanctification Submission Submitting Tit for Tat principle Yielding Way, The Wisdom Works World.
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"Is The United States A Christian Nation? (Part 3)"
Jesus' Example in Relation to Government
Given 03-Jan-09; Sermon #917; 65 minutes
By Mr.John W. Ritenbaugh
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Description: John Ritenbaugh, reflecting on an article entitled "How Christianity Shaped the West" by conservative writer Dinesh D'Souza, suggests that what the founding fathers believed about Christianity was a dim shadow of reality, focusing on broad generalities rather than the whole package of doctrines once delivered to the saints. America has never embraced Christianity as its dominant faith, nor has it ever attempted to follow Christ, but has instead embraced a counterfeit deception. Only God's called out ones are being systematically transformed into the mind and image of Christ by voluntarily submitting to His doctrines. The world's religions use coercive tactics, but Jesus taught voluntary submission to God's Holy Law empowered by His Holy Spirit. Sadly, America, for the most part, acts like any other carnal nation, using Joseph's economic power to push the other nations to the ends of the earth, imposing a way of life. Jesus taught His disciples the concept of servant leadership, serving rather than subjugating or manipulating. In the times immediately ahead, with the authoritarian encroachment upon our freedoms, our ability to follow Christ and God's ways will be thoroughly tested. Our responsibility is to submit to the governments of mankind, carnal and atheistic as they are, behaving honorably in order to glorify God. It is impossible to be a good Christian without also being a good citizen, paying taxes for services rendered, and praying for our leader's well-being in order that we lead peaceful lives, leading to our own spiritual growth.
Topics: Agenda Authority Compulsion Conformity Counterfeit Christianity Corruption Curse Death penalty Deception D'Souza Deviations from the doctrinal base Doctrines Faith once delivered to the saints False Christs Free moral agency Government of God Government Great dragon Heart "How Christianity Shapes the West" Human nature Imposing power on others Injustice Jethro Joseph Judgment Judges Kingdom Knowledge, Understanding and Wisdom Paying taxes Pilate Power Pushing other nations Rules Sword Unconverted We get the government we deserve World.
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"Is The United States A Christian Nation? (Part 4)"
Living as Christians in the World
Given 24-Jan-09; Sermon #920; 72 minutes
By Mr.John W. Ritenbaugh
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Description: John Ritenbaugh, citing a poem by Bob Dylan who mocks the notion that God is on the side of the United Stated no matter what causes or behaviors the country embraces, asks whether America is indeed a Christian nation. Of the multiple denominations who take Christ's name, hardly any follow the way of life prescribed by Christ. Even though the founding fathers were insightful and moral men, they did not follow the teachings of Christ. God divorced ancient Israel; modern Israel is still estranged from God. In the future, a remnant of modern Israel and Judah will ratify a new covenant with God. The distinctive set of beliefs known as "The Way" was given once and needed no adjustments to make them compatible with the world's cultures or governments. The government of God does not come by force, but results from voluntary submission to God, imitating Christ, allowing us to become sanctified and our natures changed from carnal to spiritual, becoming, in essence, a holy "other worldly" nation. We need to use the power of God's Holy Spirit enabling us to conform to Christ and His Truth regardless of the overwhelming pressures of the world (and the demonic spiritual underpinnings of an anti-Christ) to do the opposite. In evaluating the dubious fruits of a false minister, we must realize that belief and conduct are inextricably linked and the linkage must be with God's Word. A miracle or a 'fulfilled prophecy' does not indicate the veracity of a prophet unless they also are inextricably linked to God's Word and God's Holy Law.
Topics: Anti-Christ Belief and conduct linked Bob Dylan Certificate of divorce Deception Enmity of carnal nature Evangelical groups Founding Fathers French Revolution Governments Human nature Idolatry Man of sin Not of this world Other worldly Relativism Relativistic message Sincerity Spirit of anti-Christ Spiritual nature Test the spirits Tolerant age Usurpers Way of the sword.
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"Is The United States A Christian Nation? (Part 5)"
Recognizing and Battling False Spirits and Teachers
Given 14-Feb-09; Sermon #923; 66 minutes
By Mr.John W. Ritenbaugh
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Description: John Ritenbaugh, reflecting on the works of Martin Luther, suggested that the revered reformer was a crafty political leader and a proponent of situation ethics, suggesting that we owe nothing to God but faith, and it is not what we do, but what we believe that is important. The founders of this nation were similarly guided more by laws of expedience than by ideology or theology, not having the faith once delivered, ardently believing in using the sword, impelling people to accept the government's power. Consequently, we are at the mercy of a myriad of antichrists whose licentious message is more popular than God's message which demands voluntary obedience and submission. We must be able to decipher the meanings of the false prophet's messages, comparing them to the immutable standard of God's word, striving to come out of the hopelessly darkened world, the abode of the enemy—home base for the demonic influences hoping to destroy God's work, God's family, and God's truth. As with our Elder Brother, every confrontation with Satan or his demonic confederates begin with an intellectual battle over truth. Unlike our Elder Brother, we are badly outclassed in these battles. The great equalizer is Jesus Christ, if we have the good sense to maintain a close, intimate relationship with Him through the messages God gives through His Word during our personal studies, and as expounded by His teachers. Though we are in mortal combat, we have the truth to defend ourselves and the heavy artillery of Jesus Christ at our back.
Topics: Abode of the enemy American founders Antichrists Antinomian Battle Christian principles Constitution Conversion Demonic influences Evaluation of false prophets False doctrine False prophets Intellectual Intimacy Knowledge Loss of freedoms Martin Luther Message Messenger Overcoming Protestant Reformation Relativistic age Satan Saving faith Situation ethics Stimulus Package Tests and challenges Trust Truth Usurper World Word of God.
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"Is The United States A Christian Nation? (Part 6)"
Circumcising Our Hearts With Humility
Given 07-Mar-09; Sermon #926; 71 minutes
By Mr.John W. Ritenbaugh
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Description: John Ritenbaugh, reflecting on the public and private perspectives of Martin Luther, suggests that the reality of what a person is and what people believe about a person are two separate things. Likewise, the belief that America was or is a Christian nation cannot be supported by the facts. The system known as the 'world,' governed by Satan's principalities and powers, hates Christ's true followers. The people of the world, influenced by these spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places, do not understand why they persecute us. This spiritual warfare forces us to choose, declaring which side we are on. The world uses its physical forces to coerce us to conform, but God appeals to our intellect and attitudes, refusing to use brute force against us, enabling us to develop character as we choose, drawing us, by His Spirit, into a relationship with Him, culminating in our literal spiritual birth in God's family. We must establish our life according to the pattern established by Jesus Christ, taking His yoke upon us, conforming to the Spirit of God, producing spiritual fruit. We can choose to become like Christ, adopting the humble, self-sacrificing aspect of His behavior, esteeming others over self, serving in the role of a servant, resembling the unassuming role of little children. The motivation to change is supplied by God's calling and His Holy Spirit, enabling us to have our hearts circumcised and to participate in the new covenant, having had the enmity against God cut away from our heart. We are required to participate in this process over an entire lifetime, requiring many, many choices, always doing those things which please God, demonstrating that we love Him, humbly submitting ourselves one to another.
Topics: Accompanying Christ Barclay, William Become as little children Carnal mind Circumcision of heart Following Christ Conversion process Great Commandment Heavenly Humbleness Humility Law of first mention Martin Luther Motivation Need for God Path less trod Poor in spirit Principalities and powers Sermon on the Mount Spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places World.
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"Is The United States A Christian Nation? (Part 7)"
Christ's Disciples Submit in Love Given 28-Mar-09; Sermon #929; 71 minutes
By Mr.John W. Ritenbaugh
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Description: John Ritenbaugh points out that in 1893, when the U.S. Congress wanted to put "In God we Trust" on the currency, the Seventh Day Adventists objected, arguing that America has never been a Christian nation. In the parable of the tares and the wheat, the field is likened to the world. We were called out of this world when we still at enmity against God, but learned to return His love as He showered us with His spiritual gifts. God will judge both what we say and what we do, rewarding us according to our works and deeds. He judges without partiality, placing a higher responsibility on the one who has been given more. We must be content with whatever location God has placed us in the body of Christ, not seeking to envy other members of the body, but doing only those things which please the Father, following the model of our Elder Brother, using the gifts we have been given to lovingly serve our brethren rather than to use them to competitively seek self-aggrandizement. The most important spiritual gift we can receive is the ability to demonstrate godly love. As spiritual soldiers, armed with these spiritual gifts and the love of God's law, we must be courageous and vigilant, realizing we battle unseen evil forces, hating sin, but loving sinners. Following God's laws, statutes, and directions will take us on the right path to our desired spiritual goal: eternal life.
Topics: Abortion Academia Agape America not a Christian nation Anti-Christ Circumcision of heart Circumcision Competition Direction Ego Enmity toward God Envy Faith working through love Flashy gifting Goal Guide Guidance Humility Instruction Jefferson, Thomas Means to an End Onward Christian Soldiers Jealousy Judgment Love Miracles Murder Notre Dame University Parable of the wheat and tares Soldier Spiritual gifts Spiritual slavery Spiritual soldier Spurgeon, Charles Steadfastness Submission to God Teaching Tongues, Speaking in Torah Un-circumcision Vanity War Wisdom Yarah.