The first documented prayer of the Continental Congress (September 7, 1774) is well worth reading. There had been a fight over having any chaplain or prayer because it was not believed there could be enough compatibility among the denominations represented for there to be a joint prayer. Nevertheless a chaplain addressed the Continental Congress and then he broke out into a spontaneous prayer that was documented by those present. John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail about the unexpected and overwhelming effect this prayer had on those present. There also were numerous days of prayer and fasting and thanksgiving declared by the Continental Congress during the course of the American Revolution. No one was forced into it but the new United States did repeatedly humble itself before God in the name of Jesus in a way that is not understood by many and that stands out in history.
One example. El-Salvador. Went from the murder capitol of the world, to one of the safest countries in the world (still has a ways to go in some areas). And their president is an unapologetic Christian, who did things such as: harsh crack down on MS/13, prayers in office/staff meetings, increased spending on proper education, tax incentives for technology. All very conservative moves. Based as frick. And he made his country do a complete 180 for the better.
I'm not very persuaded by the objections I'm hearing to Theonomy, even though I'm not generally settled on it myself. Squabbling of denominational supremacy and religious tyranny are very real concerns but doesn't seem to be impossible to legislate if there is a will to do so. I'm still not convinced that somehow we will end up worse than the cultural madness we are descending into. Is it possible that is a correction that needs to be made to the liberal democracy that doesn't go back to the abuses of the dark ages. I seem to believe that. Sometime I suspect Christians are so ashamed of our past that we wouldn't even try
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is there’s liberty.” God gave mankind liberty to choose (Genesis 2). Jesus is a Spirit of liberty, freedom, and justice. If Christian’s answered the call and commission of Jesus, every nation under heaven would be connected to the Head which is Christ. Arise, Church!
I love Michael Birds content. I tried listening on audible to his book seven things I wish the church knew about the bible, HOWEVER I have up as the person reading the book could Not pronounce even basic biblical words! It was confusing and frustrating so I gave up.
32:20 That book by John Dickson, referenced here by Dr Bird, is called “Bullies and Saints: An Honest Look at the Good and Evil of Christian History”. I personally haven’t read it, but he’s an excellent Australian author.
For me, the preterist amillennial interpretation which sees the powers of darkness completely bound today is out to lunch. The conditions in the world around us for two thousand years have shown otherwise. In a sense, those powers have always been bound by God's permissive will since before the creation of Man. But when Christ returns in glory, they will be bound by his expressed will.
They are bound but still have influence over us when the restrainer is told to stand up then you will see how much was restrained it won’t be very pleasant to say the least. The restrainer isn’t the Holy Ghost he is the comforter and will be with us through the tribulation. And yes we will be here through it no rapture
@@miker2916 Those scholars and teachers who accept that eschatological framework make exactly that claim, that the millennium in which Satan is bound is symbolic of the current church age. I simply find it antithetical to the facts we see all around us.
“The way for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” There is a time to stand for truth. Today one way to love your neighbor is to be involved politically, because our government creates policy which affect lives. We should care about destructive indoctrination aimed at children in the form of transgender ideology, biological men in women’s sports, drag queen story hour, promotion of transgender surgery for minors, etc. The Christians I hear from in politics speak of influencing the culture, not tyrannically dominating it.
Not convinced Michael Bird understands Doug Wilson's view of theonomy. The issue of how it ought to be outworked is separate from whether or not it ought to be.
@@JBly4I make that statement having already heard guys like Doug Wilson and Joel Weber speak on the topic. So my statement is not unrepresented by those that adhere to it, though this video may be. And by best I don't mean most thorough, but the thoughts and questions Bird brings up here put it into a perspective I found more helpful than any discussion on the topic I've heard. But I think I hear you, different sides of the idea need to be considered. Thanks
it's kind of cool to hear "non-extremist" christianity/religion on youtube. I always wondered when something like this was going to happen - so necessary if the more valuable parts of religion are going to survive the current spiritual climate
The problem here is this, the "Christian prince with a big stick" turns the people/the public away from Jesus. Think about this. What places in the world is the Christian Church actually following Christ versus just culturally slapping the label "christian" on themselves without actually believing the very tenets of the faith? If we truly dig deep into ourselves, we realize that we want a Christian government for means of control over the morality of people and because we fear persecution. However, the unpersecuted Christian church is lazy, legalistic, and immoral. I'm sorry this sounds so harsh, but it is undeniable truth.
Actually wishing persecution onto your own neighbors and children is bad. You shouldn't want your spouse to be murdered for their faith. Desiring persecution is bad. 1 Tim 2:1-4. God wants all politicians and leaders in the world to convert to Christ. And actually no, government policy influences people's beliefs. If evil is subsidized and virtue is criminlaized, there's gonna be a lot more sin and evil in the world. Isntead evil should be discouraged and virtue should be encouaged
@@tuckerchisholm1005 I said nothing about "wishing persecution on" anyone. You're reading something into my statement that wasn't said. Please don't put words in people's mouths that they didn't speak, type, or write.
How we live as Christians in America is totally different than how Christians live in unfree countries. Jesus didn't seek to overthrow Rome. Moses' government was a total theocracy
Well we don't need an Anglican Brit falsely describing the "separation of church and state" as in the Constitution or aimed at protecting citizens from religion. We all know the Bill of Rights protects us from government.
There is no difference between the Christian prince with the big stick and an extreme liberal democracy that is a bit out of control. But, we may yet have more hope by seeing through the latter. The former has just been disastrous over and over again.
the current reality is far more disastrous and evil than any previous Christian theocracy. You seriously need more real historical reading and less hollywood pop-narratives
Wouldn't have known this book was written with NT Wright without looking it up. "Think globally " statement makes sense now. I don't know why Christian leaders have an aversion to engaging in politics except they %100 will when it's labeled social justice and given by mandates.
The Church of England as an example of an alternative ? Really? It is completely ruled by state forces - not parliament - but the royal family and their secular establishment - which receives state money and is an INTEGRAL part of the state- to my understanding- the Church of England is not ‘free and independent’ - the king of England and the royal family are SECULAR - they attend church - but one would hardly accuse them of being followers of Christ - let alone Apostles. Last time I checked the Bible - pastors, prophets, evangelists, teachers and apostles are to lead the church - to which of these categories would the royal leaders fall? King Charles is more in love with eastern religions and philosophy than with Christ. Doctrine is centralised and handed out.
Sounds like this guy leans towards universalism. If humans, who are the pinnacle of God’s creation are not exempt from hell fire, how in the world would the evil empire of Satan, who escalated and intensified the corruption of mankind hope to escape eternal punishment? I think that “setting all things straight” means the true justice of getting rid of the evil. Then everything can truly be reconciled to God.
We are beyond that friend. Back in 2016, it was a battle of lesser evils. But now, even as the epstein files are released and Trump is show to have ráped young girls, no choice is the right choice
Can't stand Bird. The man is so, so uncharitable to anyone to his political right. You can just see it; if he talks about the secular left, he's measured and precise. But those to his right? He satirises and strawmans. He'll draw them as Marvel villains, Nazis, etc, at the drop of a hat. He's also *obsessed* with race and can't discuss any sort of Christian conservative movement without making it about race. Look at his work on complementarianism; for no reason at all, he routinely inserts race into it. It's actually comical that he can't see that he's their mirror image. No one that doesn't quietly vote for the centre-left party and folds on all social issues, etc, is anything but an ignorant ogre to him. Wolfe may or may not be a wolf in sheep's clothing subverting the Gospel for politics, but you can't rely on this guy.
I revulsed every time he used the word "democracy". We're not a "democracy" and especially in the way he was defining it as a "liberal" democracy. USA is a Constitutional Republic. Define that. Use that language when speaking about the USA and then this conversation will have meaning. Sorry, I stopped listening around 27 minutes. It was so offputting.
The thumbnail art implies that Jesus confronted "powers" of demons. So demons (despite being not real) actually have power to compete with Jesus? It's obvious that humans had to invent "powers" to, provide drama in their tall tales.
@@deniskatko6831 "Your comment is grounded on false assumptions." I commented on the thumbnail art. It is there. Period. So there is no assumption (true or false). The title says "Jesus Vs. the Powers". If anything is "false" it is your duty to prove that.
@@SeanusAurelius "Demons are real." If something is real in our physical world, it has dimensions. So I need you to prove they are real and provide photos, videos, or some physical manifestation of demons. You made the statement - now prove it.
