By Norman H. Wells (an excerpt)
America has veered so far from its Christian course that it is about to self destruct. America has gone from being a Christian nation to a non-Christian nation in one lifetime, and is now one step away from becoming Satan’s society. (This)…is not to be exaggerated into thinking there was ever a time when the majority of Americans were born again Christians, because that condition never existed.
Let us try to refresh our memories as to what it was like in a Christian America. In the first place, it was generally accepted that truth existed and that the Bible was the truth. It is hard to remember, but it hasn’t been so long ago that this fact was hardly questioned. It seems strange now and a little difficult to understand, but even those who did not believe nor obey the truth accepted the fact that it was truth and it was there. And what seems even more difficult to understand now is, that in the Christian America of yesterday, truth was accepted as absolute. It was truth that was perfect, complete, unconditional, and unchangeable. It is hard to recall the kind of difference this made in America. There was always the assurance that there was something sure and safe to fall back on–something that would always be there. It was something that was fixed and established and that could always be relied upon in any circumstance. There was a foundation–a final appeal. This gave a cohesion to the whole nation: this acceptance of the fact of an absolute truth is what held it together and gave all a common bond. There was truth in the Christian America: a truth that had been proven in every conceivable situation and thus gave a real assurance for solving all of tomorrow’s problems.
Again it must be said, our memory of a Christian America is not to be interpreted that everyone in America ever lived by the truth: but it does mean that nearly everyone accepted the fact that absolute truth was there and that is what made the difference. It was there–even if it wasn’t always used.
Another thing about a Christian America that is a little difficult to explain to today’s generation is that, not only was it accepted that absolute truth existed, but anything that denied, or was contrary to the truth, was error. Now to an older Christian, with a good memory, this might bring a smile–the idea that it has to be said that there is truth, that which is opposite or contrary is error, seems so simple. Why, surely, everyone knows that. Back in a Christian America, only a few intelligent philosophers would have challenged this fact–and no one listened. The difference is that today, we have a whole nation of intellectual philosophers and things like this have to be explained. Truth–error. Right–wrong. Pure–impure. The Bible spells out this fact in one verse.
“Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” 1 John 4:6
In a Christian America, truth and error could be defined. Truth was being faithful to fact and reality. Truth was true in relation to being, knowledge, or speech. Truth was right according to divine revelation. In a Christian America, the Bible was the accepted truth. It made this claim for itself and was accepted as such.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life” John 14:6. Jesus spoke as one having authority when He said, “I am the truth.” The Bible speaks of a God that cannot lie (Titus 1:2). What God says in the Bible is truth, absolute truth. He cannot lie. How strange this sounds in today’s babel of confusion.
SHARING
