You will need
the following viewers
to view many of the
files on this site.

Click here to
download
Adobe Acrobat Reader

Click here to
download
Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer

University church of Christ

Assembly Times

 Sunday

   Bible Classes (9:30)

   AM Worship (10:20)

   PM Worship (6:00 pm)

 Wednesday

   Bible Classes
(7:00 PM)

Location

449 North Gay Street

Auburn, AL 36830
Click Here for Specific Directions

The Battle Over the Bible

by Jefferson Davis Tant

INTRODUCTION

Gerald was a great young man. He was raised in a godly home, and showed spiritual maturity at a young age. He was intelligent, good-looking, well-mannered, and had a great future. Any family would have been happy to have him as a son-in-law.

Then Gerald went away to college. Neither he nor his family were prepared for what would happen there. He had an atheistic professor who was able to destroy his faith in the Bible, and it wasn’t long before he abandoned all he believed about God and the Bible. Gerald (not his real name) wasn’t the first, or last, casualty in an ongoing war.

The United States, and indeed much of the Western world, is engaged in a war. This is not war on terror, but an equally serious war with even greater consequences. It is a battle for survival between two starkly different visions of the future. Some have labeled it “the culture war,” but the issues run much deeper. At its core, we are involved in a Battle over the Bible. This battle affects much more than just religion, for it touches politics, education, entertainment, the courts, and many other aspects of life. The battle has already been lost in much of Western Europe, as religion is pretty well dead, and the Bible is more or less a museum piece. There, belief in God is a quaint notion, and has little relevance to life. One hundred fifty years of indoctrination with evolution, deconstruction of the Bible and two terrible world wars have largely erased belief in God and the Bible.

Holding out against this rising tide of disbelief in God and the Bible are many in the United States and a few other nations in the democratic West. Yet even here the efforts to uphold belief in God and Bible are facing an uphill battle, as there are forces seeking to undermine 250 years of our history.

HIGH STAKES IN THE BATTLE OVER THE BIBLE

Is the Bible true? Is it what it claims to be—the Word of God? The stakes are high. U.S. court decisions increasingly reject longstanding laws rooted in the Bible. Some laws, like those prohibiting abortion, pornography, fornication and adultery were thrown out long ago.  Other laws, such as prohibiting homosexuality are now routinely overturned. Recent court decisions have shown downright hostility towards prayer, display of the Ten Commandments, and mention of God and the Bible in public life.

People have been fired for having a Bible on desk at work; students have been punished for silently giving thanks for lunch at school; Bibles have removed from school libraries. In Portland, Maine, the School Board has mandated making birth control pills available to middle school girls (ages 11-13) and condoms to the boys.

Canada has a law under which people can be fined or sent to prison for inciting hatred, for simply quoting what the Bible says about homosexuality. And make no mistake; the groundwork is being made for similar laws in the U.S. Consider some of the issues the conflict over the Bible touches.

1. Abortion; 2. Premarital and extramarital sex; 3. Sex education and distribution of contraceptives in public schools; 4. Crime and punishment—what activities are class-ified as criminal; 5. Illegal drug use; 6. Religious freedom; 7. Public expression of religion such as prayer and displaying the Decalogue; 8. Gay marriage; 9. Teaching of evolution and banning the mention of creation in schools; 10. Obscenity, profanity and pornography in the media – etc.

If the Bible is not true, then these are really non-issues, because then there is no absolute standard of right and wrong. This is precisely why some want to undermine belief in the Bible. But if the Bible is true, then political, cultural and religious leaders are leading millions of unsuspecting followers to ultimate destruction.

BUILT ON A BIBLICAL FOUNDATION

It doesn’t take a history major to realize that American’s founding fathers used principles from Scripture as the basis for many U.S. laws.  Many prohibitions, such as laws prohibiting murder, theft, lying and adultery are rooted in Biblical teaching. It has only been in recent decades that laws banning blasphemy, swearing and obscene language in public have been wiped off the books.

How did some of our founding fathers view our legal and moral foundation? Samuel Huntington, signer of the Declaration of Independence, President of the Continental Congress, and Governor of Connecticut, Samuel Huntington, issued a proclamation to his home state in which he announced: “It becomes a people publicly to acknowledge the over-ruling hand of Divine Providence...and with becoming humility and sincere repentance to supplicate the pardon that we may obtain forgiveness through the merits and mediation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (1791, emp. added).

George Washington, our first president: “It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible.” In his farewell speech (Sept. 19:1796): Of all the dispositions and habits that lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports …Let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion.”

John Adams, second president: “We have no government armed with the power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and true religion. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

James Madison, fourth president and primary framer of the U.S. Constitution: “We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all our political institutions upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.”

John Quincy Adams, sixth president: “…the highest glory of the American Revolution was this; it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity” (1821)

John Jay, first Chief Justice of the U.S., said that to preserve the nation, “we must select Christians as our leaders.” Can you imagine a government leader saying that today? He is also quoted: “Providence has given our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as privilege and interest of a Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers."

The U.S. Supreme Court in an 1892 opinion: “Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind. It is impossible that it should be otherwise; and in this sense and to this extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian.”

Ronald Reagan, our 40th president: “Those who created our country—the Founding Fathers and Mothers—understood that there is a divine order which transcends the Human order. They saw the state, in fact, as a form of moral order and felt that the bedrock of moral order is religion…The Mayflower Compact began with the words, ‘In the name of God, amen.’ The Declaration of Independence appeals to ‘Nature’s God’ and the ‘Creator’ and ‘the Supreme Judge of the world.’”

Contrast this with the Politically Correct Police who are seeking to erase our nation’s acknowledgement of God.

HOW THE BATTLE BEGAN

How did the United States stray so far from its religious and moral foundation? As happened in Europe and much of the rest of the world, the theory of evolution and supposedly scientific explanations of the existence of a creation without a Creator gained wide acceptance. Starting in the educational system, these views spread to all levels of society. Then the Bible itself came under constant criticism. Many critics, acting with incomplete information, rushed to judgment, claiming the Bible had many inaccuracies. But in time, hundreds of historical and archaeological discoveries have confirmed that the Bible is accurate in astounding detail and was true all along. It was the critics who were mistaken.

Coming to the 20^th Century, leading Western intellectuals clearly stated why they so readily accepted evolution and rejected Biblical standards. Aldous Huxley, British philosopher: “I had motives for not wanting the world to have meaning…The liberation we desired was…from a certain system of morality. We objected to the morality because it interfered with our sexual freedom” (Ends and Means, 1946, p. 270). His brother, Julian Huxley, wrote “the sense of spiritual relief which comes from rejecting the idea of God as a super-human being is enormous” (Essays of a Humanist, 1966, p. 223). At least they were honest about their reasons for not wanting God to exist.

Little did they know they were simply echoing what Paul said about human reasoning some 19 centuries earlier. “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so” (Rom. 8:6-7).

HUMANITY’S HOSTILITY TO GOD

Man’s relationship to God and His Word has never been very good. Ever since Adam and Eve, people have resisted others telling them how to live. Therefore, it should not sur-prise us that intellectuals and so-called “wise” men come up with all sorts of arguments against God and the Bible. The prophet Jeremiah declares that we have a great capacity for self-deception when it comes to seeing ourselves realistically. “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).

Jesus Christ commented on such matters in his earthly ministry. "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man"  (Mark 7:21-23)

Because of our sinful desires, it is no wonder that most reject God and his laws. It is easier to make up reasons to reject God than to accept Him, and admit that we must start living by His rules. Regrettably, this refusal has tragic consequences. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children” (Hosea 4:6) Notice that God says when His priests rejected Him, He then rejected them. So it is with all who reject God.

It is amazing to see a man turn his back on God, disobey His Word, ignore His warnings, and then wonder why He doesn’t intervene when he gets in trouble. “…Because you have rejected knowledge,” he says, “I will also reject you.”

God is being banned. Students have been forbidden to read from the Bible in school during free time; Bibles have been removed from some school libraries; government meetings are forbidden to open with a prayer “in Jesus name”; students have been disciplined for silently giving thanks for their meal in the school cafeteria.

THE CONFLICT CONTINUES

What are the results of this battle over the Bible? Recent studies reveal a discouraging story. In just a little over a decade, 1991 to 2004, the number of adult Americans who do not attend church had almost doubled—from 39 to 75 million. 60% of Americans believe it is OK to live together before marriage, and that sexual fantasies about others and gambling are “morally acceptable.” 40% believe that abortion and adultery are acceptable. Nearly 33% accept profanity, pornography, drunkenness, and homosexuality.

A Barna Group survey in 2008 showed discouraging results. In just one week, of those aged 18-24, 33% sought pornography, 25% got drunk; 38% committed fornication, and 37% admitted to lying.

Consider the situation in our schools. The Portland, ME School Board mandates giving birth control pills and condoms to middle school children—ages 11-13. The Alaska Supreme Court rules an 11-year-old can get an abortion without parental notification. Another school system’s Sex-Ed books suggest students might feel more comfortable testing their sexuality with those of their own sex, and they might have to go against their parents’ values.  

The National Educational Association (the nation’s teachers’ union  passes a resolution requiring teachers to support gay marriage. “The Association... believes in the importance of observances, programs and curricula that accurately portray and recognize the roles, contributions, cultures, and history of these diverse groups and individuals.” “The Association believes that legal rights and responsibilities with regard to medical decisions, taxes, inheritance, adoption, legal immigration, domestic partnerships, and civil unions and/or marriage belong to all these diverse groups and individuals.”

A Massachusetts town has taken one thing off its “back-to-school” list parental involvement. The Provincetown school board voted unanimously to pass out condoms to all students--starting with first graders. As if that weren't outrageous enough, school leaders won't allow parents to opt-out. The rule specifically states that Provincetown will not honor requests from moms and dads who want to keep their kids out of the distribution program. (News release 6/25/10)

“AN ABSTINENCE-UNTIL-MARRIAGE program is not only irresponsible, it’s really inhuman.” (U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif.) Well, we really can’t be “inhuman” to our young people, can we? There is much debate about the Sex-Ed programs in our schools. Planned Parenthood has asked the South Dakota Library Board to remove Campus Life magazines from school libraries because it promotes abstinence. The A.C.L.U. and NEA and more than 100 other groups have asked the Health and Human Services Department to remove its 4Parents.gov website because it says, “Abstinence is the healthiest choice for teens.”

 Former president Bill Clinton: “I hear all this talk about family values and all this stuff…I resent it. I think it’s immoral, I think it’s unethical.” (Said in a speech at the Un. of Minnesota). (At least we can give him credit for practicing what he preaches.) Attorney General Eric Holder made a strategic stop at the University of Maine where he told the audience that the Defense of Marriage Act--which is under attack in the very state he visited-- "is discriminatory and should be repealed."

A candidate questionnaire by IMPACT, a homosexual political action group, proposed a resolution that "the state should not interfere with same-gender couples who choose to marry and share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities and commitment of civil marriage." President Obama wrote, apparently in his own hand, "I would support such a resolution.”  "I favor legalizing same-sex marriages, and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages.” (President Obama in a signed letter to Outlook) In an interview, Barack Obama recalled a previous invitation to Saddleback Church. "...I was invited to Rick Warren's church to speak, despite his awareness that I held views that were entirely contrary to his when it came to gay and lesbian rights, when it came to issues like abortion."

It is too easy to blame lawyers and judges for this moral slide, but the truth is they only reflect the moral mindset of many Americans who wish to remove the moral stigma from sinful choices they want to make. Sadly, many see this as “progress,” while those upholding Biblical standards are labeled as bigoted, judgmental, homophobic or worse—“conSERvatives.” Have you ever noticed that the media rarely refers to liberal senators, etc., but only to ConSERvative senators?

And now the respected YMCA has fallen victim, as it is removing “Christian” from its name. I guess they’ll have to change the lyrics in the popular song “YMCA.” It seems 150 years of history is not worthy preserving.

Parents must be forewarned before they send their sons and daughters off to our colleges and universities. One professor has been quite candid in his goals, which are shared by many in our institutions of higher learning. “We try to arrange things so that students who enter as bigoted, homophobic, religious fundamentalists will leave college with views more like our own…We are going to go right on trying to discredit you (fundamentalist parents) in the eyes of your children, trying to strip your fundamentalist religious community of dignity, trying to make your views seem silly rather than discussable. We are not so inclusivist as to tolerate intolerance such as yours.” (Professor Richard Rorty, in his essay “Universality and Truth”)

HOW WE CAN BE VICTORIOUS

God warns us about this kind of perverted thinking. “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!…On this account the anger of the LORD has burned against His people, And He has stretched out His hand against them and struck them down. And the mountains quaked, and their corpses lay like refuse in the middle of the streets. For all this His anger is not spent, But His hand is still stretched out.” (Isaiah 5:20, 25)

If history is any guide, once a nation rejects God and his laws, it will seldom return. Once a nation loses its moral foundation, it can only sink. “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). History shows only a few occasions where nations have turned to the Lord—notably Nineveh and ancient Israel. It is rare, but it can happen. We would do well to heed the warning of Thomas Jefferson, our third president: “God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of people that these liberties are of the gift of God?…Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.”

We may not be able to change our country, but there are things we can do. We can choose to serve God and allow his will to help you live by the standards and values that he has designed for our good. “Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7).

Here are three suggestions that all can practice.

1. PRAY UP – God tells us to pray for our leaders. “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior” (I Timothy 2:1-3). We can pray for their wisdom and for their courage to stand against the pressure of those who would destroy our nation and her moral values.

2. LIGHT UP – "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 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” (Matt. 5:13-16)

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain” (Phil. 2:14-16).

By our lives, we can reflect the glory of God, and be an influence for good. Our influence can work towards a change. “Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon” (Isa. 55:6-7).

3. SPEAK UP  -- “Cry loudly, do not hold back; Raise your voice like a trumpet, And declare to My people their transgression And to the house of Jacob their sins” (Isa. 58:1).

In our nation, we have the opportunity to let our voices be heard, and there are emails that come to me regularly giving information about how to write government and corporate leaders expressing our opposition to evil.  After only three episodes, NBC cancelled the anti-Christian The Book of Daniel TV series after hundreds of thousands of email protests.

The cast of characters: Daniel Webster – an Episcopalian Priest addicted to narcotic painkillers; Wife Judith – an alcoholic; Son Peter – a homosexual; Daughter Grace – a pothead; Brother-in-law Charlie, embezzles church funds and abandons his family; Sister-in-law has a lesbian relationship with Charlie’s secretary; Bishop Beatrice commits adultery with Daniel’s married father. NBC insisted the program treated Christians and Christianity with respect.

The Federal Communications Commission fined CBS 3.4 million for broadcasting Without a Trace, which depicted an extended teen-age sex orgy after 166,000 emails were sent in protest.

If we do not exercise these liberties, we may find them taken from us one day. Evil wins when good men do nothing. God would have saved Sodom and Gomorrah for only ten righteous souls, but sadly, there were not that many to be found. Perhaps God will spare our nation for the influence of godly people here, if godly people will let their voices be heard.

CONCLUSION

 Let us, by our lives, reflect the glory of God. Jesus said his followers are to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-16). As such, they have a saving influence, as they illuminate dark places. Then in Philippians 2:14-16, the apostle Paul urges us to “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.”

Let us be sure our children are well grounded in the faith before we send them out into the world. I am convinced there are professors in many colleges and universities in our nation who are dedicated to the task of destroying the faith of their students. My own children suffered ridicule, even in high school, simply because they were Christians. God gives the charge especially to fathers to be the spiritual leaders in the home and instruct their children. “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). Too often fathers leave spiritual instruction to the mothers, but God calls attention to the fact that he also wants fathers involved in this vital task. We cannot depend on the church to do this two or three hours a week.

The future of our nation, indeed, the future of civilization, is at stake. Will we do our part? --Jefferson David Tant (adapted and expanded from material in Good News)

Other Articles by Jefferson David Tant
Is "Once Saved, Always Saved" a Bible Doctrine?
When Do the Tears Stop?
Studies by David Tant
 

Should the Lord's Supper be taken like a meal? May women speak during the Lord's Supper as they would at a common meal at a table?
Click Here to Read and Hear More About this Question

 

 Would you like others to read this article?

                    Please share!