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Judgment Day: God promised that calamity would follow disobedience. Why are we quick to dismiss it?
Christianity Today ^ | September 25, 2001 | Frederica Mathewes-Green

Posted on 09/30/2001 12:34:47 AM PDT by Mr. Mulliner


Judgment Day

God promised that calamity would follow disobedience. So why are we quick to dismiss it as a reason for the September 11 attacks?

By Frederica Mathewes-Green | posted 9/25/01

On the day after the tragedy I drove through Washington, surprised to find it uncongested and tranquil. I drove past the battered Pentagon, where cars crept along the interstate at a few miles an hour as people craned their necks to see and comprehend our national wound. A few miles further, down among the suburban office towers, is a tiny old white clapboard church.

I stepped inside the cool interior, which was dimly lit and covered on walls and ceiling with paintings of Christ and the Apostles, of biblical figures and heroes from long ago. I took a seat to wait for my spiritual father and looked around. I saw faces of men and women who had known suffering, much more severe than what I had ever experienced, even as rocked as I felt just then. They stood serene around the walls, many holding symbols of victory.

Father George Calciu came out from beside the altar and greeted me. He is a small, resilient man, unusually vigorous for his 76 years. His hair and beard are thick and white, and his face is permanently creased with the marks of indomitable good cheer. Cheerfulness is an unlikely attribute, given his story. In his native Romania Fr. George challenged the communist authorities repeatedly and forcefully, with a courage that defied self-preservation. He was confined in brutal prisons, subjected to brainwashing, and formed a lifelong friendship with a fellow prisoner, Richard Wurmbrand, author of Tortured for Christ.

Today the first thing he asked me was, "Why do you think that happened yesterday?"

I was stumped for a minute. I hadn't thought of exactly that question. I said, "I don't know."

Fr. George said, "It was the punishment of God."

Well, there's something I hadn't thought of. Though I wondered why I hadn't; I've just finished an intensive study of the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, and knew that the Jews have always seen even that brutal and sacrilegious tragedy as divine retribution for their sins. In fact, that seems to be the Old Testament pattern; anytime Israel suffered a military defeat, they responded with repentance. It didn't replace other strategic responses, but was an indispensable companion.

This isn't just an Old Testament phenomenon. When people told Jesus that Pilate had killed worshippers at the Temple, he responded, "Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). There seems to be a biblical pattern here: national suffering should bring about repentance.

I have often wondered what might return our sick culture to health. I've sometimes felt overwhelmed at the ugliness of America's spiritual condition, at 40 million children killed by abortion, at the promotion world-wide of sexual promiscuity and materialism, the contempt of God, the spreading infection of American culture.

I've often wondered what might turn us around. Everything moves in cycles, and some sick cultures do return to health; it can happen in a generation. But I have never heard of a historical example that wasn't inaugurated by catastrophe. Healing is the fruit of repentance, and repentance comes in the wake of suffering. There aren't many examples of spontaneous remission from this sort of illness.

Fr. George told me that the night before he had opened his Bible and it had fallen to Psalm 127. He read me the first verse: "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain." How, he asked me, could the hijackers have overcome such a high level of security unless the Lord somehow permitted it?

He then turned to Daniel 9:12-14.

He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us, by bringing upon us a great calamity; for under the whole heaven there has not been done the like of what has been done against Jerusalem. As it is written in the law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us, yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and giving heed to thy truth. Therefore the Lord has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us; for the Lord our God is righteousness in all the works which he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice.

Fr. George went on to say that the concepts of repentance and humility are mostly absent in America, and it doesn't seem likely that we'll understand the lesson. When he first came to the U.S. he would sometimes speak of the sins he committed in prison, and people would say, "How could you commit sins? You were in prison." He smiled at this. "Of course you still sin," he said. "You sin in your thoughts."

But Americans, he says, are very proud, and are used to being powerful, and the concepts of repentance and humility are not commonly expressed even among conservative Christians. Over the years I have come to see how these concepts are the very core of the Gospels; they were Jesus' most consistent message.

But we tend to skip over them in our rush to reassure ourselves that God loves us. He does, of course, but you don't really know how much he loves you until you dare to repent. Until you see how much God had to forgive in you, you can't really see the height of his love. Not many churches where that is preached today, conservative or liberal.

Thus it won't do much good for us to spray on some superficial piety, while not taking it to deep, self-challenging levels. Fr. George said that he was very moved when he saw the Congressmen singing "God Bless America." Then he began to think, in how many of their votes and actions do these same men and women work to cast away the blessing of God?

The thought occurred to me that what the song could really mean is, "God, bless the things we already do; bless the things we have decided to do." A friend of mine says the local strip club has changed its sign to read "God Bless America," which just about sums up the problem.

This gave me a lot to think about. For years I've been thinking that the main thing America needed to do is to be humble and repent. Here comes a blow that looks a lot like things God has done in the past to kindle that response, the kind of suffering that had Israel weeping in sackcloth.

But no one, including Christians, is likely to draw such conclusions. Instead, we'll focus on how much we have been wronged, and smite our adversaries by our own considerable earthly power, and feel satisfied at videotape of young Arab men frying to death in Jeeps. If Fr. George is right, if "repent" is indeed God's message, I'm afraid we'll need more than one lesson to get it.Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christianity Today magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Christianity Today.




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America's response to September 11th attacks should not be either/or: either repent and accept the attack as a result of national sin or take retribution against those who committed the attacks.

An international war against terrorism is right and good. But we're foolish to think that there's no correlation between this attack and the many ways that our nation has acted with complete disregard to what God has taught in the Bible.

If our founding fathers were here, I have no doubt they would lead us in national repentance. And quite possibly in the war against terrorism.

1 posted on 09/30/2001 12:34:48 AM PDT by Mr. Mulliner
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To: LibertyBelt
Thanks for sending me this article. Surprised it wasn't posted already.
2 posted on 09/30/2001 12:36:03 AM PDT by Mr. Mulliner
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To: illstillbe, Molly Pitcher, Brian Allen, Miss Marple, Jemian
Here's something by Frederica Mathewes-Green, one of my favorite editorialists and a regular at World.
3 posted on 09/30/2001 12:38:35 AM PDT by Mr. Mulliner
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To: Singapore_Yank
God promised that calamity would follow disobedience. So why are we quick to dismiss it

Cuz maybe religion is a crock? Ever think of that?

4 posted on 09/30/2001 12:43:27 AM PDT by jlogajan
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To: jlogajan
Everyone who has faith has times of doubting. It's natural. Most don't conclude that it's a crock, but if you have great wisdom to offer to the world, preach away.
5 posted on 09/30/2001 12:59:39 AM PDT by Mr. Mulliner
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To: Singapore_Yank
This is the mirror image concept of the loony thinking that led some Muslims to think that they acted to please God by killing innocent people.

Instead, you have it that God acted to kill innocent people because we displeased Him.

I'm sorry, but both of these 'ideas', if the term can be stretched this far, disgrace the entire process of rational thought.

Furthermore, they stray from faith, and blaspheme the Creator.

I can only hope and pray that all who have fallen prey to these errors - blasphemies, really - will come to their senses soon.

6 posted on 09/30/2001 1:02:55 AM PDT by John Valentine
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To: Singapore_Yank
I would offer : Romans 8:28-36 NIV

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of
those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son,
that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he
also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Romans 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be
against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will
he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge
against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that
condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the
right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love
of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or
sword? 36 As it is written:

"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

XeniaSt
7 posted on 09/30/2001 1:03:35 AM PDT by Uri’el-2012
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To: Singapore_Yank
Truer words were never spoken,or ,as in this case,written.(At least hardly ever} One wishes that every American could see this, then I would feel that they have been exposed to the truth and it is up to them to believe it and change. Often I think that most people have no idea of how far we have strayed from the truth. Thanks for a great post!!!!
8 posted on 09/30/2001 1:07:29 AM PDT by saradippity
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To: John Valentine
Instead, you have it that God acted to kill innocent people because we displeased Him.

Although we use the word "innocent" to describe victims of all sorts of tragedies, we use it to mean that they didn't do anything that specifically deserved this tragedy. But th point is that as a nation, we are NOT innocent. And looking at it from the national level, this kind of thing is just the sort of thing that wakens a nation to examine itself and its actions. That can be very God-honoring when we return to God in repentance and humility.

9 posted on 09/30/2001 1:08:45 AM PDT by Mr. Mulliner
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To: Singapore_Yank
I look out my window and everything is exactly the same as it was pre-9/11, except there are a few more US flags flying. Some judgement.

Or perhaps God is only angry at capitalists? The bond market especially? <sarcasm>

10 posted on 09/30/2001 1:12:16 AM PDT by Timesink
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To: John Valentine, XeniaSt
Xenia, thanks for that scripture. It's one of my favorites in the whole Bible and very appropriate now and always.

I don't know if you were meaning to negate the call to repentance by posting those verses, but if so, I think these words of Jesus are appropriate, if nothing else at least to show that repentance is still a NT concept.

"Those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them -- do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish" (Luke 13:4,5).
JV, this is what I meant in the post above. The fact that people were killed does NOT mean that they were more guilty. It also doesn't mean they were innocent. But these things happen so that others will repent, just like this incident Jesus mentions.
11 posted on 09/30/2001 1:15:15 AM PDT by Mr. Mulliner
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To: Guenevere, goldcoast6, 2Jedismom, B52Bomber
ping
12 posted on 09/30/2001 1:20:22 AM PDT by Mr. Mulliner
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To: Singapore_Yank
Today the first thing he asked me was, "Why do you think that happened yesterday?"

I was stumped for a minute. I hadn't thought of exactly that question. I said, "I don't know."

Fr. George said, "It was the punishment of God."

Hadn't thought of that question? Hadn't thought of it? That's about all any of us were doing when weren't mourning the events or admiring the heroes. The author is obviously looking for a device to introduce his "punishment of God" conjecture. The problem is he's told a lie to dramatize his point. This is the way liberals write opinions and report the news. If the facts don't fit the objective, make them up. I expect better from this site.

13 posted on 09/30/2001 1:30:06 AM PDT by laredo44
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To: Singapore_Yank
IMHO, G-d is only right, just and good. G-d is not a puppet-master meting out good and bad judgment at random. Rather, G-d set up a perfectly just world where certain laws of cause and effect are in place; we have FREE WILL -- we decide.

We are responsible for what befalls us in the end; by violating certain fundamental laws of cause and effect, WE decide what will happen.

Don't "blame" G-d -- blame ourselves. Change what must be changed and move along...

Too many people in our recent past have "felt" they (left-wingers) can set up the system of their choosing regardless of basic laws of cause and effect -- now they should clearly understand...

14 posted on 09/30/2001 1:33:09 AM PDT by wayne_shrugged
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To: laredo44
Oh, right. Frederica Mathewes-Green is a liberal, huh? You ever read her stuff? I think she's a fantastic writer and you can read her stuff regularly in World magazine if you care to. She's a solid conservative and has years of credentials to prove it. She doesn't need to prove anything to you or anyone else.

You think that question was automatically on the minds of everyone? Yes, in one sense it may have been, but probably going to things like, "Clinton didn't do enough to stop terrorism so that's why this happened." But to see the deep reasons, the spiritual reasons isn't necessarily someone does right off the bat and I don't doubt the author when she says she hadn't considered the question yet. After all, it was just a day after the attack and she was no doubt occupied with many things directly.

15 posted on 09/30/2001 1:34:39 AM PDT by Mr. Mulliner
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To: Singapore_Yank
I suppose that in a pluralistic nation, everyone is entitled to express his heartfelt views.

But I think yours is morally and logically indistinguishable from that of Radical Islam, and is preached by the Taliban and in many Mosques in cities from Karachi to Kansas City. It is a version of Islam that tolerates no sin as they define sin. You are no different.

God help us all if more people think like you. It is truly a frightening thought.

16 posted on 09/30/2001 1:35:46 AM PDT by John Valentine
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To: wayne_shrugged
Don't "blame" G-d -- blame ourselves. Change what must be changed and move along.

So you agree with the author? I do too. Blame doesn't belong to God. Repentance is about changing "what must be changed" and moving along.

However, I don't believe that God wound up the world and then stood back. He does interact with people and is personal enough to want to be in relationship with people, to see them turn to Him and trust Him, not try to get by without obeying the rules that He put in place for all of us to obey.

17 posted on 09/30/2001 1:38:29 AM PDT by Mr. Mulliner
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To: John Valentine
Very insightful. I'd never thought that a call to personal and national humility and repentance for our own sins bore any resemblance to a form of Islam that focuses on condemnation of others and never shows any sign of repentance. When was the last time you heard about the Taliban crying out to God to forgive their sins and to pray for mercy upon them and upon their enemies?
18 posted on 09/30/2001 1:42:17 AM PDT by Mr. Mulliner
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To: 2sheep, victoria delsoul
ping
19 posted on 09/30/2001 1:49:33 AM PDT by Sir Gawain
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To: Singapore_Yank
I never said it was symmetrical. They want to kill us for the very same sins you want to repent of.

Well I don't feel I have anything to repent for, certainly not anything that would excuse the thought that God would take lives to bring it to my attention.

What I AM saying is that you and the Mullahs are saying the same thing. America is wicked, sinful, and deserves the chastisement of God.

YOU are agreeing with our enemies!!

Screw you and screw them.

20 posted on 09/30/2001 2:25:52 AM PDT by John Valentine
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