Second American Revolution: George Grant (2 of 7)

Question: In a Christian republic based on biblical law, would non-Christian religions be banned or would they have as much freedom as they have now?

George Grant: One of the great prophets of humanism at the beginning of this century was the science fiction writer H.G. Well who wrote a book called, The Future of The World, in which he portrayed the scientist as a priest of a new religion. There is one quote that Wells uses: "The philosopher kings of the new age of science will elicit from a people worship, and that worship will lead us to a utopia." Here is a man of science using inherently religious language to try and bring about some type of societal reconstruction with the religion of humanism.

So many of the blessings that humanists enjoy are the fruit of the Christian faith. We would not have a free market economy and the prosperity we have today were it not for the biblical principles of economics practiced and adhered to in the early centuries and the founding of western civilization. Science, technology, medicine are the direct fruits of Christian principles applied. There were no hospitals in ancient world. This was the ministry of a local church in Caesarea. Non-ambulatory medical care grew out of the concern for the poor, afflicted, despised and rejected. So much of what we appreciate and enjoy in Western civilization, what the humanist takes for granted, is really the fruit of Christianity. Our art, music, literature and architecture are all the fruit of Christian principles. Even when humanists go on modern crusades - battles against in tolerance, battles to save the environment - each one of these grows out of a Christian concern for stewardship and justice. Even the hobbyhorses of the humanists and those who would despise Christianity in our day are derived directly out of Christian principles.

There is a very strong, powerful religious left in America. It is odd that people would bemoan and bewail the influence of prominent evangelicals in the market place of ideas. We never seem to hear complaints about the Rev. Jesse Jackson and others from a more liberal perspective. The fact is that people of faith have things to say in the public arena. To exclude one or another because of an ideological bias is absurd and ultimately undercuts the argument of liberalism and humanism.

All through the Scriptures we see that one of the first impulses of a flagrant sin manifested in a culture is to find a justification for it in the Church or among religious leaders. We see among the minor prophets, they were chided for not coming alongside the violators of the standards of justice and blessing them. Sinners are always looking for chaplains for their sin. So today, the advocates for abortion on demand, homosexual rights, for the transformation of our culture into a secular paradise, are always beckoning for the religious to come alongside and bless their efforts.

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[jcr4runner]

Is this hyper-preterism or just occultism?

[Bigp426]

We don't believe that people will burn forever in a lake of fire. Hell isn't forever, and hell doesn't yet exist. It will exist after the second war with satan, in which he and every sinners soul will be destroyed. Hell will be on earth, and heaven will be created after it (you guessed it, on earth).

[kife1818]

yea yea yea

[WarrantedFaith]

By saying that Christian's should not "push" their beliefs on others (whatever that means) you're really only being hypocritical. You have no right to tell Christians what they SHOULD and SHOULD NOT do with their beliefs if you likewise believe it is not right for them to tell others what they should and should not believe. How exactly does someone "push" his beliefs on others anyway? That's just a meaningless slogan liberals like to parrot. You can't force anyone to believe anything.

[jcr4runner]

The church is taxed now!

The church pays sales tax, property tax, etc.

Its minsters pay income tax. etc.

What you are talking about is the tax deduction for charitable giving.

We ought to abolish the IRS and go to a fair tax. That way people could give their money to the church or to anyone and it still wouldn't be taxed.

The church would pay taxes on goods and services (as it does now!) and it would be free to support political candidates without sanction.

Let's level the playing field!

[Atheistjeremy]

"You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are."

The belief that dissenters of your religion will burn forever in a lake of fire is very conducive to "happiness."

Christianity is good for inculcating hate, guilt and intimidation.

[Atheistjeremy]

Religion, especially in the U.S., is BIG business and it should be taxed.

[bamadawgsc]

You have the right to believe as you wish, just don't push it on other people. This is not a Christian nation.

[mrspogadaeus]

I sat in a Church History class when Dr. George Grant was teaching for two semesters and he didn't even use notes to teach an hour long class! So certainly he didn't need a script to spout a few lines from facts and ideas he's already got tucked in his head. The man's a genius. He needs no script.

[mojohns44]

The series thus far is well presented. However, George makes a mistake labeling MLK Jr. as an ideological Liberal. King was liberal only in that he thought the status quo in America was unacceptable. The blessings of America SHOULD be extended to ALL of its citizens, Blacks included. If that's Liberal, then so am I.

Jesse Jackson is fully what you say he is and worse. He is also a bufoon and an extortionist. He long ago abandoned his pretext of religious standing.