This was passed to me recently. I think it's starting to
generate some attention.
I don't have a lot to say about this Washington Post article
but I think readers will find it interesting. I suppose one of the reasons is
due to the fact that this Nazarene pastor, while thoroughly patriotic and
supportive of Christian America... all the things I'm not.... still has enough,
what shall we say... sanctified common sense?... to realise something is very
wrong.
One thing I will say. When he describes the event as being
almost religious... let's be clear. That's exactly what it was. It's a worship
service and Christ is not the object of their worship or at least not the
Christ of Scripture.
Is there a demonic element at work?
Do you doubt it?
I think the Scriptures teach us this is the case. It wouldn't
be unique to a figure like Trump. Is there something 'special' going on with
regard to Trump?
That I do believe. I think the embrace of Trump by
Evangelicals signifies a watershed in their development, what can be described
as being handed over. At that point one should expect an amplification in
demonic activity. And yet I could also make a case that American Evangelicalism
was handed over at its genesis. This country is in many ways Satan's
masterpiece and its relationship with Christianity is a bond and union of the
darkest and most pernicious nature.
Terry Mattingly wrote a response to the WaPo article here:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.getreligion.org/getreligion/2017/2/23/mirror-image-time-again-so-florida-pastor-went-to-a-demonic-rally-for-president-trump
He doesn't focus so much on whether demons were orchestrating the events at this rally as he is the journalistic integrity of the Post in publishing this story and (allegedly) distorting the facts. He suggests that had this been an Obama rally, such a story would not have been published, hence his criticism of the partisanship and bias of the newspaper and, consequently, its unreliability.
That said, I don't think the Washington Post was as misleading as Mattingly suggests. In a video clip at the bottom of the article I linked, the pastor clarified his position with a CNN reporter saying that he didn't think the event in itself was demonic; rather, the pugnacious interaction between Trump supporters and opponents warranted that label and that was what specifically scared his daughter.
I would say this is hair-splitting. These altercations have occurred at almost every single Trump rally since he was campaigning during the election. This should come as no surprise given that Trump himself is a provocative, polarizing figure whose rhetoric arouses such strong reactions.
Was the related Mattingly piece on Issues etc. worth listening to? I was debating whether or not to download it.
DeleteI didn't bother listening myself so I couldn't say.
DeleteGo to any political rally (or even some religious meetings/church services) and one will get a feeling that something is not quite right when people **give up control** of their reason to their emotions, and so allow themselves to be open to the influence of demonic forces.
ReplyDeleteScripture commands --"But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner."
with the preceeding explanation -- "for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." (1 Corinthians 14)
Both the demagogue and the skillful political speaker know that when the crowd can be persuaded to put aside its critical thinking, and even more effectively, whipped up to a frenzy of emotion, then it can be manipulated for whatever has been purposed. [Accompanied by the steady drum beats of "locker her up" and "build the wall". Surely somebody has done some research to show that rhythmic tones either from percussive instruments or human voices are very effective at allowing the individual to succumb to the "power" of persuasion/suggestion?]
Be it politician of whatever faction (right/left, liberal/conservative) or preacher or Internet commentator --
"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ."
A profitable and constructive if disappointing article. One thing is striking... even today people still do not understand the impulses of the Christian Right. Separatism a la the Pilgrims is not what motivates them.The Mayflower Pilgrims are upheld and yet actually thoroughly repudiated.
ReplyDeleteEven the journalist is confused. The City on the Hill was the Puritans who most certainly were not Separatists.
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2017/0303/Why-Evangelicals-are-Trump-s-strongest-travel-ban-supporters