Revising John 3:16 (looking back at 9/11 responses)

THE REVISION OF JOHN 3:16

IN CHRISTIAN POP CULTURE

"For God So Hated America That He Sent Planes..."

Christian Pop Culture is in sad shape these days.

John 3:16, it would seem, is being revised:
"For God So Hated America That He Sent Planes..."

I know I will get my usual batch of cancellations to the HJ newsletter for what I am about to say --but I feel as though someone must address this issue of intolerance and hatred toward others in our culture -and especially when that intolerance comes from those I count as my sisters and brothers in Christ.

There are two ways to look at pop culture and current events.
1. While aware of evil and its consequences, keeping the focus for what is noble and good (Phil 4:8). -This is the approach I use in HJ..
2. Disregarding the positive aspects and ever focusing on what's evil and wrong. -This latter approach has possessed the Evangelical Fundamentalist Christian community by and large -I am very sorrowful about this, because I consider myself an Evangelical -although I, with Billy Graham, do not consider myself a Christian Fundamentalist.

Some of my sisters and brothers have used the 9-11 attack on the WTC as an opportunity to blast "non-Christians." Paradoxically they become the "friends" of Osama Bin Lauden. They say America is evil and that the World Trade Center destruction was part of the judgment of God on America. Even though they are American Christian fundamentalist, they are saying the same hateful things about America as certain misdirected Islamic fundamentalists.

As many of you no doubt know, immediately following the enormous tragedy and evil of September 11, Jerry Falwell made a big mistake. On Pat Robertson’s 700 Club broadcast of September 11, Jerry Falwell said, "The ACLU's got to take a lot of blame for this...throwing God out successfully with the help of the federal court system, throwing God out of the public square, out of the schools. The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really believe that the pagans and the abortionists and the feminists and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle...all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say, 'You helped this happen.'" Pat Robertson sat there nodding his head in agreement with Falwell.

Falwell later apologized in a press release stating: "I do not know if the horrific events of September 11 are the judgment of God, but if they are, that judgment is on all of America—including me and all fellow sinners—and not on any particular group."

http://www.demossnewspond.com/falwell/releases/falwellapology91701.htm

But still, even in the apology, is the thought that the horror of 9.11.01 may be a judgment of God on America. Imagine. God hates the USA because America is a pluralistic and tolerant society. Bin Lauden could not agree more. As Focus on the Family (James Dobson's organization) notes, "Citing pornography, materialism, and a high divorce rate, radical Muslims see the United States as a failed Christian nation. One scholar observed that Muslims 'would respect the U.S. much more if we did not separate God from governance.'" This is the same exact view of noted Christian Fundamentalist.
http://www.family.org/cforum/fnif/news/a0017764.html

Professor George Braswell, a scholar on Islam at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., states that certain Islamic fundamentalist "view the Western world, for the most part — and Judeo-Christian backgrounds — as corrupt, immoral, secularistic, humanistic, (and) against Islam." They want to see America fall. It is God's will.

Unbelievably to me, the popular evangelist David Wilkerson, author of Cross and the Switchblade, said the attacks were a warning of a greater destruction he's already predicted, "unless New York City repents."

What! Those wonderful people of New York City with their wonderful Mayor who did so much to help the victims need to repent? And if they do not repent -what?, God's judgment will bring greater destruction on innocent New Yorkers? This kind of thinking makes Osama Bin Lauden an agent of God. Am I alone in my outrage to such misrepresentations of God?

Further, Hal Lindsey, author of The Late Great Planet Earth, envisions more terrorists attacks, setting the stage for the collapse of America. He says, "The decline of the United States has begun."

Lindsey, by the way, has a huge following even though his prophetic predictions have consistency failed. For example, he predicted the return of Jesus in 1988 (Israel 1948 + 40 year generation = 1988). For more of his failed predictions see church historian Samuele Bacchiocchi book "Hal Lindsey's Prophetic Jigsaw Puzzle: Five Predictions that Failed!" -1987 citation of award given by the ASSOCIATED CHURCH PRESS
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1930987021/hollywoodjesus

Another Evangelical Christian writer John Hagee told his congregation, "You can hear the Four Horsemen riding to Armageddon."

Paul Crouch of the Trinity Broadcasting Network said that this was the "beginning of sorrows" ..."as predicted by Jesus".

I remember all the devastating Y2K predictions that came out from various Christian Radio and Television ministries. America was so evil, they claimed, that God's judgment would fall on America this past Jan 01, 2000 via the Y2K problem. It did not happen.

Remember back masking and how Satan was taking over the minds of our youth via pop music? Remember the so-called Satanic Cults that where kidnaping babies and sacrificing them to Satan? Remember Mike Warnke? Remember how John Lennon and the Beatles were supposedly trained by the Communist? Remember how the drum beat in Rock music was somehow designed to alter your mind?

I also remember the false predictions by certain Christian Fundamentalist concerning Catholic JFK and the so called take over of America by the Pope ("anti-Christ") if he were elected.

I remember listening to the false predictions by some Christian Ministries on Christian radio in the 1960s accusing Martin Luther King Jr. being a Communist and part of a godless conspiracy to create a Soviet Negro State within the USA. Does anybody remember Billy James Hargis? Needless to say, I was thrilled to see Evangelist Billy Graham march with MLK Jr.

I remember the Domino Theory proposed by certain Christian Doom Dayers in support of the Viet Nam war. The Communists, they predicted, were going to take over the world. Part of God's judgment they would say pointing to certain so-called proof texts in the Bible.

Why all this "Christian" intolerance toward America?
Why do some believe that God's judgment is on America?
Why all this "Christian" hatred toward those who hold different points of views and practice alternative life styles?

I would like to quote John 3:16-17, to once again highlight the love and compassion of God. And to underscore how God operates:

(John 3:16) "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. (17) God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. (-Message Translation)

A LITTLE SANITY PLEASE. The acts of terrorism that occurred in New York and Washington occurred because of ungodly hatred and evil, not because of God's retribution on the American people. John 3:16 reveals a God who acts out of love, not hate. Additionally, America is a great nation. Pluralism, and freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly are some of the reasons why it is great. I may not agree with others, but I am glad to be in a country where it is okay to disagree. I value our freedoms. I value our diversity. I value our pluralism. I value our free society. I also value our right to follow Jesus.

Here is some Godly advise from a "godless rock n roll" song:
"Come on people now,
Smile on your brother,
Everybody get together,
Try to love one another right now."

May God forgive certain members of the Christian community for their intolerance toward others. And may God continue to bless America.

GOOD NEWS FROM 9-11

Instead of looking at headline news as being part of apocalyptic judgments of God why not see news events in light of Philippians 4:8?

For example: The first Gallup poll on religion after 9-11 provided more evidence that faith has gained importance in the lives of Americans since the terrorist attacks. 47% said they attended religious services. Additionally 64% said that religion was "very important" to them. The only time that percentage was higher was in 1965, when 70% gave the same response. Now that's good news!

Oh, so what does Philippians 4:8 say? Well here it is:

"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse." -Message Translation

I welcome your responses -both pro and con.