Posted on 09/12/2001 11:36:50 PM PDT by JohnHuang2
DAY OF INFAMY 2001
Churches respond to crisis
Congregations mobilize relief efforts, focus on prayer
By Joel Miller
© 2001 WorldNetDaily.com
While most Americans are still reeling in disbelief two days after the most brutal terrorist attack in U.S. history, many religious leaders are bringing faith and works together as they mobilize to alleviate the nation's suffering.
"There is so much to be done," said Clive Calver, president of World Relief, the assistance arm of the National Association of Evangelicals, "not just now, but in the days and months that lie ahead. While many may not always remember, the victims and the bereaved cannot easily forget. They will need the pastoral support and help that only comes through Jesus Christ."
"We've begun hearing from people who want to do something tangible to help the suffering people of New York City and Washington, D.C., during these terrible days," said Jack Wilkerson of the Southern Baptist Convention. "Our desire is to facilitate this and to make it easy for folks who feel the Lord is leading them to help in this way."
Heading up the charge for the SBC is its disaster-response organization, the North American Mission Board. NAMB was mobilizing feeding units within hours of the attacks.
Setting up a kitchen in the Pentagon's southern parking lot, Southern Baptist disaster relief volunteers busied themselves yesterday feeding emergency workers and others involved in the relief effort, according to the Baptist Press.
Church World Service, part of the National Council of Churches, mobilized its network of Disaster Response Consultants to provide pastoral care in New York City and Washington, D.C.
Beyond these, believers from many other denominations and Christian traditions are getting into the act of feeding the hungry and clothing the naked: Lutherans, Methodists, Catholics, Reformed, Presbyterians and many more.
As members of the church, "Whenever we are able to succor the suffering in the name of Jesus Christ, then we're doing what we're called to do," said R.C. Sproul Jr., a pastor at St. Peter Presbyterian Church in Bristol, Tenn., and director of the Highlands Study Center.
Despite the carnage and destruction of the attacks, "I would suggest the role of the church is unchanged. We are called to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom of Jesus," said Sproul, noting that the task involves both meeting physical needs and "helping people to understand the meaning of how these things relate to eternal issues like heaven and hell."
Sproul also said the church needs to be "loud in affirming the sovereignty of God," especially in the aftermath of these horrendous events. A subject near to Sproul's heart, he is the author of "Almighty Over All," a book about God's sovereignty in the world.
"God was not asleep," he said. "God ordained these events for his purposes. This does not alleviate the guilt of the terrorists. Nor the legitimate response of the state in executing justice."
By far, prayer is proving the sharpest focus of the church's collective response to attacks.
This weekend, more than 115,000 parishioners linked via satellite in some 1,000 churches are expected to participate in a national prayer vigil called America Prays.
Led by "Prayer of Jabez" author Bruce Wilkinson, the vigil will feature Franklin Graham, CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Focus on the Family's James Dobson, author Max Lucado and John Maxwell, founder of the Atlanta, Ga.-based organization hosting the event, Injoy.
Maxwell described the vigil as "an outreach to our communities in this time of uncertainty. …" Expected to be the largest vigil in U.S. history, America Prays will be held Saturday, Sept. 15, at 4-5:30 p.m. Eastern.
Similarly, the National Association of Evangelicals is urging its 51 member denominations and 43,000 churches to ready for a "National Day of Mourning and Prayer," directly on the heels of America Prays – Sunday, Sept. 16.
"We are deeply shocked and saddened by these terrorist attacks and call upon followers of Jesus Christ in this country and around the world to pray and to reach out with compassionate help," said NAE chairman Dr. Edward L. Foggs.
"In times like this we realize how weak and inadequate we are, and our greatest need is to turn in repentance and faith to the God of all mercy and the Father of all comfort," said evangelist Billy Graham. "If ever there was a time for us to turn to God and to pray as a nation, it is now, that this evil will spread no further."
As such, Sproul is encouraging his congregation to repent, both individually and corporately; to pray for God's grace in the lives of those closet to the suffering; and to "pray that God will use this to bring people into His kingdom."
Sproul's father, noted Christian leader R.C. Sproul Sr., founder of Ligonier Ministries and author of several best-selling books including "The Holiness of God," is expected to make a statement about the attacks later today.
Some in the Christian community have, however, been critical of the church's response to the tragedy, finding it misdirected and inadequate.
"I get so nauseated by clergymen calling for peace and all that pious jargon," said Michael Butler of the Southern California Center for Christian Studies and Bahnsen Theological Seminary.
"The clergy needs look at [the tragedy] from a biblical perspective. The reason we got into this position is complicated," but one thing to note, he said, "is that the Bible gives us principles for dealing on the international level. I am firmly convinced from the Bible that we should not engage in the internal affairs of other nations."
Butler said a more Christian model of foreign policy than present U.S. policy would be noninterventionist. While he admitted it strikes many as pacifist, he insisted the U.S. should not be the arbitrators of right and wrong in the world. Doing so opens up the nation to attacks from those who disagree with American policy. "That's how we got ourselves into this situation." A Muslim cleric in London said as much yesterday.
Sheikh Omar Bakri Mohammed, leader of the radical Islamist group Al Muhajiroun told the Times of India, "Yes, it is Muslims who have done this. There is no one else who would feel that much anger against America."
"When you play with a snake," noted Butler, "you might get bit by that snake."
But now that the U.S. has sustained the bite, "The Christian church should not be preaching forgiveness and healing," said Butler. "This is an act of war and we need to identify [the perpetrators] and go after them and destroy them."
"You can't flatten whole countries," he was quick to add. "The Bible teaches we should not engage noncombatants," but as for nations that shelter terrorists, "their military establishments are fair game."
Butler's sentiments are echoed by other Christian leaders.
"An unknown enemy has invaded our land and stolen our peace," said Dr. D. James Kennedy, president of Coral Ridge Ministries. "This attack demands a rigorous investigation and severe military response against those responsible for this horrible attack on our land."
Calling the nation to its knees, Kennedy also keyed into the importance of prayer: "We as a nation must unite in prayer to assuage our wounds and to seek the solace and aid of the Almighty. He is indeed a very present help in time of trouble."
"In the midst of this tragedy, if we cannot lift up our hearts to God," said Kennedy in an ominous note, "then America is over as a nation."
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It's about time we hear some Biblical response. I am sick of the satanic lies about forgiveness and tolerance being spread under the name of Christ. God is on His throne and He is in control. Our nation is filled with sin and this may be the beginning of cleansing. However, His people will be purified and preserved through it.
War is the province of rulers and I am happy we have a President who understands where his authority comes from. I can tell my children, "Look at this man aind be like him. Here is a leader who does not mock Christ and is not afraid to call on God or speak His word." God's will be done, for it is all good for all who are called according to His purpose.
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