Biblical heresy – A Word to the Wise

Lifeandbibleblog.com

By Cynthia Cummings-Walker

Let me begin by making it emphatically clear that I am not a democrat seeking to demean or demonize republicans. I am A-political in terms of voting. I research candidates in terms of knowledge, skill and morality regardless of their political party. As a Christian my actions are predicated upon biblical truth, not religious dogma or heresy no matter where it comes from, including the pulpit.

My heart aches at the direction many conservative, evangelical “Christian” republicans have moved in in terms of exchanging the power of the biblical Gospel into the new gospel, republicanism. Have you ever noticed how many bible covers are American flags, or how patriotic bibles are prevalent where there used to be “Holy Bible” or a cross on the cover? It is not what is on the outside that matters, it’s what this new emphasis symbolizes in so many ways.

Has the old rugged cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified been exchanged for a shiny gold elephant with an American flag backdrop and a little bit of Christianity sprinkled on top?

CP POLITICS | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2022

Evangelical group to spend about $40M mobilizing Christian vote ahead of midterms Timothy Head, executive director of the Faith & Freedom Coalition, a social conservative national grassroots organization headed by longtime Christian activist Ralph Reed, estimates that his organization will spend between $36 million and $42 million on a nationwide effort to target Christian voters.

“Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:5

Millions of dollars spent to elect Republicans

NOT To Support missionaries to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ all over the world, discipling, and ministering to people both home and abroad.

NOT To Provide for the needs of those who should be shown the love of God through meeting their needs both physically and spiritually.

“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ … “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” Matthew 25:35–40 (NLT)

Republicans call what Jesus said to do, Socialism.

NOT To Glorify God through how we live and treat others. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NASB)

Glorifying God is a Christian’s ultimate responsibility.

Baptist News Global NEWS MARK WINGFIELD | SEPTEMBER 19, 2022

Voting the wrong way makes Christians ‘unfaithful’ to God, Mohler says

Albert Mohler is the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, impacting 50,000 churches.

Being able to vote is a privilege American citizens can enjoy. There is no mandate from the Lord in scripture compelling people to vote. However, there is scripture that refutes this heresy that by voting republican is accomplishing God’s purpose and plan for the United States of America.

Unfaithfulness to God according to Scripture is:

NOT Following God’s plan for the world according to Scriptures.

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18–20 (NASB)

NOT the most important thing a Christian should do:

“and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ “The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30–31 (NASB)

NOT Representing Jesus Christ in society and the world.

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:20–21 (NASB)

NOT warning Christians against having religion, devoid of a relationship with God.

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’” Matthew 7:21-23 (NLT)

The New Gospel is Sacrilege

“Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.” 1 Timothy 4:1–2 (NLT)

This ‘new gospel’ declares that Christians must be devoted to the Republican party or are unfaithful to God.

This ‘new gospel’ says that salvation no longer gives the power to resist sin. Only civil law can do that.

This ‘new gospel’ blames the condition of society on democrats, instead of the devil, the prince and power of this world.

This ‘new gospel’ ignores Romans 13:1-2 “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.” Republican Christians don’t have to submit to the governing authorities when Democrats are in office.

This ‘new gospel’ declares that abortion and homosexuality are the worst sins and nothing else matters. The Republican candidate can be incompetent, degenerate, dishonest, or a scoundrel; Christians should just close their eyes and vote straight republican because God wants them to.

This ‘new gospel’ rails against abortion, LGBQ issues, and human trafficking as though stamping out these things will make America great, taking her back to her Christian roots. “If you want that, you’ve got to vote republican, or else…”

The Word of God vehemently disputes this doctrine of demons which primarily flows from church pulpits and behind podiums across this nation. Christians might as well name their Gold Elephant religion ‘Republicanity’ because it has certainly replaced biblical Christianity.

God’s Plan for the World

God created government to regulate society and keep its citizens safe, not stamp out sin. He is not requiring a nation to force spiritual principles on a populace. God’s desire is that everyone comes to know Him and have a close and personal relationship with Him. This comes through salvation, a spiritual law.

Romans 3:23 (NASB) “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Romans 6:23 (NASB) “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 5:8 (NASB) “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

John 3:16 (NASB) “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

Mark 12:30–31 (NASB) “and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ “The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Matthew 28:18–20 (NASB) “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Questions for Reflection:

Have you succumbed to the new gospel that the only way to change society is through voting republican, instead of God’s divine plan?

Are you devoted to the Lord through scripture reading, prayer and obedience to His word so that you are able to distinguish biblical truth from error?

Lifeandbibleblog.com

By Cynthia Cummings-Walker

Some may wonder why I am singling out the Republican Party’s connection to Christianity, while not referencing the Democratic party (which certainly has its fallibilities). The Democratic party does not claim to have God backing them. The Republican party does. That is the issue herein.

It is well known that conservative evangelical Christian pastors, ministry leaders, and media purport that the Republican party is God’s choice to advance His initiatives in the political realm.

The two reasons being: (1) America was founded as a Christian nation and the Republican party will return her to her roots. (2) God has chosen the Republican party to do His work through enacting legislation that embodies Christian creeds.

Countless Christian leaders vociferously admonish their congregants and constituents to vote for republicans as though the Republican party is an extension of the Church. What makes matters worse are the fallacious reasons given that are not in line with American history, civil law, nor the Bible.

Myth: America was founded as a Christian Nation

Fact: The United States of America is not a Christian nation and never was. She was built on human trafficking, theft of land and genocide of native Americans. Furthermore, the first ten presidents of the United States lives were racked with scandals, and they owned slaves.

The United States of America was founded as a civil institution, governed by secular laws, as outlined in the Constitution of the United States of America:

“WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare; secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

There is no mention of God, or religion in the VII Articles of the Constitution.

Myth: God has chosen the Republican party to legislate Christian principles.

Fact: There is a separation between Church and State within the first Amendment to the Constitution.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;….”
Amendment I

The government is required to remain neutral when it comes to religion. It is prohibited from favoring one religion over another: or favor religion over non-religion. The government cannot interfere with religions and no religion can dictate how government should function. There is a separation between Church and State (the Establishment Clause). That is why prayer was taken out of schools.

Bible Support for the Separation of Church and State

When the Jews attempted to lure Jesus into a divisive political discussion, Jesus’ answer was succinct.

^“Then they asked Him (Jesus), saying, “Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth: Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Why do you test Me? Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?” They answered and said, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.””
Luke 20:21–25

Jesus acknowledged that there is a legitimate duty to government, and a sacred duty to obey God.

Jesus Christ foreknew that under the corrupt Roman government He would be falsely accused, arrested, beaten, unjustly convicted, and sentenced to death. Yet, He did not try to change or disparage the Roman government. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17 (NIV)

There is no regenerative or sanctifying power within secular law or a political party which can change sinful human nature. Only salvation does. (John 3:3;16).

The Lord has revealed the way in which Christians can have a powerful impact upon society. The believer in Christ should share the gospel while living in obedience to God’s Word, the Bible.

Christians are commanded to love God and people. Pray. Obey. Evangelize. Disciple. Be salt and light. Be an ambassador for Christ. Being a political operative for any political party is not part of God’s plan to improve society.

Voting is an integral part of American government, and I appreciate having the privilege to do so. Although it is an arduous process, I research the qualifications and character of each candidate. I believe it would be irresponsible for me to vote straight party line whether the candidate is qualified or not.

If I were choosing a surgeon, dentist, electrician, or plumber, the person’s political party would not be a part of the process. Their professionalism, expertise and integrity are what my decisions are predicated on. When choosing a political candidate to vote for, basically the same pragmatic criteria is applied.

The United States of America is a great nation with all of its ethnicities, cultures, laws, freedoms, and religions, which makes governing her complex and controversial. No political party is perfect or does everything it promises. We pray, research, and do the best we can with who we have to work with.

As for me, to the best of my ability I perform my secular duty to country in an honorable, conscientious manner; and my spiritual, sacred duty to God as He requires.

Tag: Biblical heresy

The New Gospel of Republicanism