To bow or not to bow.
That is the question.
Or at least it has been over the past few days of President Trump’s diplomatic adventure to Saudi Arabia.
While there’s a truckload of strangeness worthy of examination where the nature of Saudi Arabia and its relationship the United States is concerned, the hope here is to take this opportunity to focus for a moment on unbiblical notions of pride and exceptionalism that are central to the mythology that has come to define much of American culture.
While there is certainly much for residents of the United States to be thankful for, including a history loaded with wondrous, unique blessings the likes of which few other people have even imagined, much less experienced, it seems fairly obvious at this point that the beauty of these blessings have become profoundly corrupted and perverted into idols that we are now encouraged to worship in America as a way of exalting the American State to its present position as god-in-practice.
Our pride has taken such deep root that “We the people” actually believe that we can define and pursue things like law, economics, politics and education on our terms independent of the Word of God – an approach to life lifted directly from the serpent’s tongue in Eden (see: Genesis 3).
Our pride has metastasized to the point that “We the people” actually seem to believe in an exceptionalism that exalts our beloved America Idol above the rule and law of Christ.
So as the many mouthpieces and minions of mass media political talk go about their business of barraging us with useless observations about Trump bowing (or not bowing) to the Saudi king and distracting us from what truly matters, we are well served to consider exactly what it is that our American pride is based upon.
Is our pride in Christ?
Or is our pride in America?
Is our pride in American exceptionalism?
Or is our pride rooted firmly in Christ the King, who rules His creation and inevitably breaks all unrepentant rebel nations to pieces? (See: Psalm 2)
Is our hope rooted in the American system of systems, with its massive layers of welfare state programs and public schools funded through open theft and the abomination of fiat currency? Is our security dependent upon an American military funded by the same satanic, black magic economic system?
If so, we are a doomed people.
If so, we must repent, believe, and be saved…from the America Idol.
If we truly love America and President Trump, we will pray and work in every way toward their bending the knee to Christ, not in some hollow, ornamental gesture (which sill only heap more judgment upon America’s already judgment-laden head), but in sincere repentence for our rebellion against the rule of Christ and out of a deep desire to submit and serve Him in political, legal, economic, and educational practice.
Pray that America and Americans – from the President on down – will bow to the King.
Right now.
While there is yet time.
This was the theme of a post we made back in February of last year, which seems worthy of resharing here:
“Every now and again someone somewhere tries to “find” America in Scripture.
It’s in this context that I offer for your consideration…
Psalm 2
Verse 1: Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
Why do “We the People” rage against Christ as King? Why do we despise and reject even the thought of Him ruling over us in practice and in detail?
Why, rather than repent and submit to Him, do we instead proudly pursue and relentlessly defend approaches to law and liberty that enable “legal” porn, “legal” child sacrifice, “legal” casinos with “legal” strip clubs, “legal” divorce on demand, “legal” “gay marriage”, “legal” adultery-based businesses like Ashley Madison, and, of course, “legally” protected mosques, witches’ covens and satanic temples where the open worship of all manner of false gods – including Satan himself – is “legal” and even cherished as a “great American virtue” held high for the world to emulate?
Talk about vanity…and plotting a socio-political course in vain…
Verses 2-3: The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”
From every angle and at every opportunity, the Pagan Political Left and Pagan Political Right wings of the progressive movement conspire to eviscerate true liberty, freedom, family, marriage, and life as personally embodied, defined, and sustained by God the Son, King Jesus. They strive to intimidate, control, and enslave God’s people through all manner of anti-Christ approaches to politics, law, economics, business, civil government, and pretty much everything else.
Verse 4: He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.
The reigning King and Author of all creation laughs at these pathetic, feeble attempts by created things to deny their Creator. He purposefully uses even their pouty, incoherent rebellion to demonstrate His majesty, power and unshakable sovereignty over every bit of His creation. Even these would-be gods who plot against Him are His tools for His glory according to His purposes on His schedule…however much they may imagine or pretend to believe otherwise.
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Verses 5 and 6: Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.”
. . . And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
The fact of Christ’s present and complete authority over all things – including law, economics, business, and civil government – is indeed a terrifying prospect, most especially for those who love to claim Him with their lips while denying Him in practice by refusing to submit to the crystal clarity of His Word.
Sound familiar, ‘Merica?
Verses 7 and 8: I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.
Does anyone really think that the Son forgot to ask?
Does anyone really think that the Father is not even now delivering to the Son the nations of the earth as His possessions?
Verse 9: You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
Those who persist in refusing to obey Christ here and now in His creation will be broken. By Him.
His personal Nature defines and sustains all of His creation. So it is that all who persist in rebelling against His Nature will be purged from His creation.
Verse 10: Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Yes, this includes you, American Presidents, Congressmen, Senators, Governors, Mayors, County Commissioners, and Sheriffs.
You are being warned.
You are being reminded.
You are being commanded to submit to your King…
Verse 11: Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
The Author, Definer and Sustainer of all things, including law, civil government, politics, and all legitimate offices therein, commands your obedience.
Submit to Him…or suffer the inevitable consequences…
Verse 12: Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Kiss the Son, America, lest He continue to pour out His wrath upon you until there is nothing left of you.
Take refuge in Him.
Repent of all of your proud rebellion.
Beg for His forgiveness and salvation!
Hold nothing back.
Repent of the “legal” porn, “legal” child sacrifice, “legal” casinos with “legal” strip clubs, “legal” divorce on demand, “legal” “gay marriage”, “legal” adultery-based businesses like Ashley Madison, and “legally” protected mosques, witches’ covens and satanic temples.
Kiss the Son and submit to His perfect, loving and unbreakable authority…before He wipes you from the face of His earth.”
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[Note: The image attached to this post is my recreation of a meme I saw floating around a while back. I couldn’t find the one I remembered, so I made this one. I mention this now in an attempt to give credit where credit is due…even though I’m not exactly sure where that is at the moment.]
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You can also help support the Fire Breathing Christian mission by checking out these books:
Stupid Elephant Tricks – The Other Progressive Party’s War on Christianity takes a painful but much needed look at how Christ-less “conservatism” has captivated Christians and co-opted them into helping march the culture ever deeper into darkness:
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The Beginning of Knowledge: Christ as Truth in Apologetics is an approachable, easy to read introduction to Christ-centered apologetics:
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Apathetic Christianity: The Zombie Religion of American Churchianity explores the tragic true horror story of all-American dead religion masquerading as Christianity:
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On Education is a compilation of some of the most provocative and compelling Fire Breathing Christian articles on the subject of children’s education:
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There Is No “God-Given Right” To Worship False Gods is a compilation of some of the most provocative Fire Breathing Christian articles on the subject of America’s embrace of a satanic approach to religious liberty:
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Fire Breathing Christians – The Common Believer’s Call to Reformation, Revival, and Revolution is the book that first presented the FBC mission to apply the Gospel-fueled Great Commission in every realm of God’s creation:
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Finally, here are a few good intro/reminder links for those of you who are new to Fire Breathing Christian and curious about exactly what’s goin’ on ’round here:
What are you, some kind of [insert label here] or something?!
What’s with that shark-fishie graphic thing?
Intro to Fire: The Power and Purpose of the Common Believer
When the Bible gets hairy. (Or: Is it right for men to have long hair?)
And especially this one: Never forget that apart from God’s grace you and I are complete morons.
Thank you for your support!
Pastors need to preach the full counsel of the Word from the pulpits and congregants need to repent of wanting their itchy eardrums tickled on Sunday and demand to be fed MEAT!
Amen and amen to that!