Part Two of A Call to Christian Patriotism



Hopefully many of your saw the 2016 movie and records show that many have indeed seen this documentary. 

For this second Monday in this series which follows part one of Howard Al Eyrich's book, we look at prayer for our nation. I must admit that often my prayer is for people I know and my problems in this life. But spiritual warfare needs prayer and prayer helps us realize God's sovereignty in our world and nation. Howard Eryich continues with carefully selected Scripture:

• Romans 6-9. These chapters really chronicle our standing in Christ and put the law and sin in perspective. Eyrich writes:

As Patriots who are Christians, our hope rests in that finished work of Jesus to effect the redemption of our souls. As Christians who are Patriots we rest our national welfare in the hands of God through our Constitution and Bill of Rights. . . . If we, like ancient Israel, neglect our responsibilities, we will suffer eventual demise at our own hands as a result of our own neglect (p. 17).

• 2 Chronicles 7:14 reads  If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
• John 18:28-38. Here Christ tells Pilate that His kingdom is not of this world. Pilate asks what is truth? and tells the Jews that he find no fault in Christ.
• Haggai 2:10-23 is used to emphasize that our worldview makes a difference and of course this is true in voting. But it is the LORD who will overthrow the throne of kingdoms (vs. 22).
• Micah 2:1-13 and Amos 8:4-6. Eyrich comments,

We cannot but see the similarities to the Wall Street debacle of recent years, culminating in the housing and mortgage crash (p. 28).

I watched with interest the Republican National Convention last week. Some Christians have their own strategies on the election and they are considering voting for a third candidate. I think that we are not voting for either Romney or Obama as a pastor, but as a leader and that fact needs to be taken into consideration. Voting for a third candidate will just divide the vote. The two-party system is really what we have IMHO.

Another site put it succinctly:

The real choice come November is whether you want a socialistic government and country or the free America of our past? If you want America to become like the old Soviet Union and Cuba, then cast your vote for Obama/Biden as this is socialism. If you want to save America and restore it to its former greatness and free enterprise system, then vote for Romney/Ryan for this is Americanism.

It is indeed time for prayer and seeking God's face. Eyrich pens this prayer on p. 29:

Almighty God, giver of the Ten Commandments, enable us by your Holy Spirit to be keepers of the law. Help us to have the courage to proclaim your law. Convict us of our responsibility to protect all men but especially the poor. Grant us the ability to be merciful, kind and gentle. But, also, give us the strength to punish the wicked when they break the law. Help us to value the freedom you have granted us. Amen!



Part One of A Call to Christian Patriotism

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2247692/#lb  

With the election in the fall, Dinesh D'Sousa released a movie, a documentary, on what America will be like in 2016 if Obama is elected.  I do not know whether it is a faith-based movie, but it will cause some with faith to consider a responsibility in this election. Christians are on both sides of the election for sure, but we need to consider carefully our country and our world.



For ten weeks I will blog about A Call to Christian Patriotism by Howard A. Eyrich. It is a 52 week study, but I will go through it in the ten weeks before the election. You can get it here where author Dr. Howard A. Eyrich writes:

I am really excited about of my readers impacting the outcome of the 2012 elections. This book is about inciting a passion for the American way that our Founding Fathers conceived. My earlier books have been about changing the lives of those struggling with personal and family problems. This book is about Christian Americans struggling with the tarnishing of the American vision that our Founding Fathers rooted in the Gospel.  It is about practical Christianity doing something to revive and restore God’s good gift of freedom.

There are 52 weeks of studies but I will cover this book each Monday  until the election. You can cover it also.
 

The reading of this book really suggests an action plan beyond the book. Eyrich suggests in the Preface:

You will best utilize this book first of all by setting aside 20 minutes or so on Monday Morning. . . . . Engaging the essay will challenge you to be a Christian Patriot each Monday morning. . . . You determine the project within your comfort zone, your time frame and your sphere of influence. . . . In the process of working through this book I hope you will begin to develop a philosophy of Christian Patriotism and an action outlet for your passion.

So I am hoping to write about this book for ten Mondays until the election, a faster pace than the 52 weeks, but not impossible. These ten Monday posts will essentially be my notes and reflections for Eyrich's book.

Genesis 1-3 and Romans 13 recounts how sin came into the world and how the governing authorities are appointed by God to handle this sin and lawlessness.

In Acts 2:37-47 the first Christians devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, communion and prayers. In Revelation 2:1-7 the Ephesians we read have abandoned their first love. Has our country abandoned our first love?

Eyrich writes "God providentially gave America a foundation that is largely consistent with righteousness. No, God did not directly make a covenant with American, but our Founding Fathers gave us a framework that recognized God's providence and set forth a pattern of freedom, justice, and mercy that honored God (p. 8)."

He then asks why we should be a Christian patriot? His answer: "We cannot afford to be patriots who simply want to retain a way of life. Neither can we afford to be Christians who naively enjoy liberty. We must be Christians who are completely involved in the propagation of the Gospel, while at the same time taking the responsibility to be Americans, so as to preserve our freedom for the sake of the Gospel: thus we are Christian patriots (p. 11)." He goes on to say that the only hope for our country comes through expansion of the Kingdom of God. "It is only as the church is strengthened, expanded, and permeating American can we hope to experience the integrity of the intent of our Founding Fathers. . . . Preserving our nation is a consequence of the impact of the Gospel, just as turning of the world upside down was a consequence of preaching the Gospel (p. 13)."

How is this accomplished?

1. Prayer. Colossians 4:2,3
2. Preaching. Acts 2 and 3
3. Deeds of justice and mercy. Acts 4:32-37
4. Evangelism. Acts 8:2, 4

It is not too late to buy the book

 and to use these the suggested action plans. Meanwhile

invite people to this movie

 and pray for our elections in November.

Next Monday I will again blog more about this book.