From: Jay Willingham (jaywillingham@cfl.rr.com)
Date: Wed May 28 2003 - 11:10:51 EDT
> A prayer for one's nation or whomever one may choose is not idolatry; it
is
> a prayer.
>
> America is a nation of folks who believe in and worship the God of the
Bible
> and attend formal worship services to a greater degree than most, if not
> all, other nations. That is a sad fact.
>
> Frankly, I do not believe how we are perceived by the rest of the world
> should be used to modify our behavior. Rather we should seek to know how
we
> are seen by God. The victories America has enjoyed since its inception
are
> God's. They do not spring from our own inherent goodness or ability, but
> from God's gracious protection. The warhorse is prepared for battle but
the
> victory is the Lord's. If we do not humble ourselves before him we will
> lose.
>
> Jay Willingham
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Joel Cannon" <jcannon@jcannon.washjeff.edu>
> To: <asa@calvin.edu>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2003 10:14 AM
> Subject: Do non-U.S. Christians say "God Bless America?"
>
>
> > I am curious what non-U.S. citizens think of statements like this,
> > which implicitly tie the gospel to "God Bless America."
> >
> > I find it to be a surprisingly clear manifestation of the national
> > idolatry that characterizes too much of American (U.S.)
> > Christianity. Why not just say "God is on our side" or "America is
> > God's country" and be done with it?
> >
> > There are many things for an American citizen to be thankful for
> > (much of which can be traced, ironically, to the Enlightenment). My
> > post is not anti-American. However, the line between the good and the
> > bad (or the Godly and the un-Godly) cuts right down the middle. Being
> > Christian should encompass among other things telling the truth about
> > the principalities and powers of this age; we are citizens of a
> > different kingdom. Our belief that "Jesus is Lord" should mean that we
> > do not worship America, the American ideal, or other things "of this
> > world."
> >
> >
> > Forwarded message:
> > > From asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu Mon May 26 13:56:26 2003
> > > Message-ID: <000701c323ac$a40f0260$6401a8c0@cfl.rr.com>
> > > From: "Jay Willingham" <jaywillingham@cfl.rr.com>
> > >
> > > Save this one and most important thing,
> > >
> > > God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that those
> who
> > > believe in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
> > >
> > > Remember those who have laid down their life for our freedom.
> > >
> > > God bless America.
> > >
> > > Jay Willingham, Esquire
> > >
> >
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> ----
> > Joel W. Cannon | (724)223-6146
> > Physics Department | jcannon@washjeff.edu
> > Washington and Jefferson College |
> > Washington, PA 15301 |
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
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