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NASB | Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 3:23 since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, |
Bible Question:
I would like to hear some opinions of what Jerry Falwell said regarding the attack on the World Trade Centers. Here is an excerpt from the Washington Post: Friday, September 14, 2001; Page C03 Television evangelists Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, two of the most prominent voices of the religious right, said liberal civil liberties groups, feminists, homosexuals and abortion rights supporters bear partial responsibility for Tuesday's terrorist attacks because their actions have turned God's anger against America. "God continues to lift the curtain and allow the enemies of America to give us probably what we deserve," said Falwell, appearing yesterday on the Christian Broadcasting Network's "700 Club," hosted by Robertson. "Jerry, that's my feeling," Robertson responded. "I think we've just seen the antechamber to terror. We haven't even begun to see what they can do to the major population." Falwell said the American Civil Liberties Union has "got to take a lot of blame for this," again winning Robertson's agreement: "Well, yes." Then Falwell broadened his blast to include the federal courts and others who he said were "throwing God out of the public square." He added: "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, the ACLU, People for the American Way -- all of them who have tried to secularize America -- I point the finger in their face and say, 'You helped this happen.' " People for the American Way transcribed the broadcast and denounced the comments as running directly counter to President Bush's call for national unity. Ralph G. Neas, the liberal group's president, called the remarks "absolutely inappropriate and irresponsible." Robertson and others on the religious right gave critical backing to Bush last year when he was battling for the GOP presidential nomination. A White House official called the remarks "inappropriate" and added, "The president does not share those views." Falwell was unrepentant, saying in an interview that he was "making a theological statement, not a legal statement." "I put all the blame legally and morally on the actions of the terrorist," he said. But he said America's "secular and anti-Christian environment left us open to our Lord's [decision] not to protect. When a nation deserts God and expels God from the culture . . . the result is not good." Robertson was not available for comment, a spokeswoman said. But she released a statement echoing the remarks he made on his show. An ACLU spokeswoman said the group "will not dignify the Falwell-Robertson remarks with a comment." |
Bible Answer: Here is my answer: Falwell probably bases his opinions on several segments of Scripture: John 5:14 "Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you." Jesus told the paralytic that he had healed to not sin anymore or something worse may happen to him. John 8:7-11 "But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her. 8 Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. 10 Straightening up, Jesus said to her, Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you? 11 She said, No one, Lord. And Jesus said, I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more." Once again, the woman is told to sin no more after being forgiven her sins. Falwell also uses verses like II Chronicles 7:14 "and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land." This is taken out of context. The "My People" here in context are the Hebrews. This does not speak of the new covenant in Christ and we cannot apply it that way. Our citizenship is in heaven, Christ is going to eventually destroy this world and create a new one. A fallen world is going to do just that, fall. We must preach the gospel in order to make disciples. That's all we are commanded. Proverbs 14:34 "Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people." I will say that this can be applied to America because there is no reference to Judah or Israel here but we cannot take this as a thrust to call a nation to Christianity. In addition to that, calling a nation to morality is also pointless because they will still perish in unforgiven sin. We are not commanded to call a nation to morality. We call individual people to repentance and to Christ, not a nation. I will also say this, in Isaiah 5:21 "Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And clever in their own sight!" This is pointing to the pagan and ungodly who hate God. And, Genesis 6:5 "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." This is exactly what to expect from a godless person. We should not be suprised. Calamity will befall all people but not because of the extremity of their sins but because all sins deserve hell, but because the wages of sin is death and death is inevitable for everyone all will perish but not perish likewise as Christ mentioned. When we as Christians die, we are then eternally with Christ, praise God. Also if Falwell thinks that we are a country that has a covenant with God then he is mistaken. No country in the world has a covenant with God other than Israel. The USA is not a Christian nation although it was founded upon Christian principles since the colonial families were made mostly of puritans fleeing religious persecution. Many of the Framers of the constitution weren't Christian. As a matter of fact, Thomas Jefferson has a version of the Bible named after him. Do you know why? He did not believe in miracles, he was a naturalist/humanist, so he literally cut out all the references of the supernatural or miracles of the Bible. Now that is blasphemy but yet this man was one of the framers of the constitution. He believed in a god but not the God of the Bible which actively deals in the affairs of the world today. He was more of a Quaker than a Christian. Anyway I'm getting off the subject. The other reason why I would disagree with Falwell would be that the Scripture references above point to the individual not the people as a whole. Does that mean that those people who died in the building deserved such a tragic death? Not necessarily, see what Scripture says on that: Luke 13:2-5 "And Jesus said to them, 'Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate?' 3 'I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.' 4 'Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem?' 5 'I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.'" Jesus said "no", that they were not greater sinners or that the sins of those who perished tragically were not greater than others. He just warned everyone that they repent unless they find the same fate in other words saying that all are worthy of such a fate. Onnig |