RSS Feed“God Damn America;” a deplorable statement, no matter who said it!
Written by Peter Youngren on June 13th 2008Most gospel believers were appalled when the news media ran clips recorded at a Sunday morning service in September 2001 when the Rev. Jeremiah Wright declared, “God Damn America.“ Reactions to the pastor’s outburst ranged from amazement to outrage. Rev. Wright is the retired pastor of the South Chicago church where Presidential nominee, Barack Obama worshipped for more than 20 years.
While I completely agree with the outrage I wonder about the sincerity of those who criticize Rev. Wright, especially when the criticism comes from the Christian right. When similar “damnation” statements are made by right wing Christian ministers there is little or no criticism. Our case in point is the late Rev. Jerry Falwell, who claimed “9/11 was God’s judgment over America’s sins.“ After hurricane Katrina, numerous preachers declared that this was God’s judgment over the sins of New Orleans. Others claimed that hurricane Katrina was God’s judgment over the Bush government for encouraging Israel to move out of Gaza. The idea was that Gaza belongs to the Jewish people and by encouraging the removal of Jewish settlements God’s wrath was incurred. In fairness I have never heard any of those preachers say “God damn America”, but in essence they were saying those deplorable words. If indeed 9/11 or hurricane Katrina were God’s judgment, it would be God damning America. I am equally appalled at these statements whether they come from the Christian left or the Christian right, because both sides show an equal misunderstanding of the time in which we live. This is not the day of God’s judgment, this is the day of God’s grace. God already judged America’s sins when Jesus became the Lamb of God, who took away the sins of the world at the cross.
Some have suggested that if God doesn’t judge America for its sins He would have to apologize for Sodom and Gomorrah, a statement that again shows an utter misconception of the gospel. In fact if God were to judge America like he judged Sodom and Gomorrah he would have to apologize to Jesus Christ for sending America’s sins onto Jesus at the cross. God is not unjust to punish a crime twice. The sins of the world have been punished “once for all.“
Does that mean the whole world is saved? Certainly not! Romans 5:10 declares “for if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His son, much more, having been reconciled, we should be saved by His life.“
Do we fast, pray, study the Bible and repent in order for God to show His love to us? No, He loved us when we were His enemies.
How was God’s love expressed? By the reconciliation of the world to God through Jesus’ death on the cross. (2 Cor. 5:19)
Did we have a choice in whether God would reconcile us to Himself or not? No, God did not ask our permission for Him to send His son on our behalf.
How are we saved? By receiving Jesus’ life.
This is our message to the world. The One, who put away your sins by one sacrifice rose again and is alive today. Now open your heart to receive Him! Be born again! Be ye reconciled to God, since God is reconciled to you. No our message is not “God damn America”; it is God loves America. God is a Father of hugs and kisses, as Jesus told us in the story of the prodigal son. Whether you are on the Christian left or the Christian right, I urge you to leave the trap of legalistic merit-based religion and come to Jesus who alone is able to save.
The blessed one
I just want to understand this…
How about Gen 1-3
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
One of the very well known preacher he commented the US Katrina was the Judgement of GOd over US because bush was trying to move Israle out of Gaza. I have heard this from the lips of a Preacher I really admire. Who also espcializes on the message of grace and the gift of rigthousness.
I guess no body is perfect?
Guess what? The first time I did not agree with what he had say.
Paula Vanderweyden
Thank you Grace for putting the focus back on God’s Word instead of men’s ignorance, there are few that can say that they had the true revelation of Jesus Christ living in us till very recently and so none should curse or condemn or even criticize what men did years ago but rather what they are doing now. Recently a verry large tree in my yard fell and landed only half an inch from my window and my son’s, it didnt even break the screen, I think that if we need to see God’s Hand in things like 9/11 then it was His Hand that brought the buildings down so straight so as to do the least damage and minimize the impact of the destruction - in thee shall all the world be blessed, by Christ inside of us - Christ saw the building falling through the eyes of a believer and made it fall straight down when it was obvious that that was the best way to limit the damage and Glorify God since noone else could do a thing like that, the same with my tree, noone else could have laid the tree down so as to minimize the damage, Those buildings fell one by one, that is God’s Hand through Christ in us , some are babes in the Lord and say immature things, I thank God that He is on the threshing floor, and in them also, you will see His Glory in their correction, but He really is more interested in you and how you think.
jeffrey
The difference between religion and Christianity is just one word, ‘GRACE.‘
Religion is what man do to earn favor with God by good works.Christianity is what Jesus did so that man can have favor with God by those who believe in His finished work on the cross.
Rom 5:9,2 Cor 5:19
Propitiation is a new covenant word which means that God’s wrath is appeased or satisfied at the cross bcoz Jesus has paid in full the sins of the world!Rom 3:25,1 Jn 2:2,1 Jn 4:10
God has made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant not the old.2 Cor 3:6
The sin issue has been completely dealt with at the cross.It is finished!!!
The only issue the world face is the SON issue! World be reconciled to God!JESUS is your Saviour.He did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.Instead becoz of His great love for us,He was willing to take the condemnation and punishment of the world’s sin upon Himself.Jn 3:16-17
Salvation is not you giving your life to Jesus.Salvation is Jesus giving His life to you! 1 Jn 5:11-12
RECEIVE HIS LIFE!
Jeffrey Teo
Blessed.
Pastor Peter,
This FYI…
By all means I do not beleive on line dating. but, the other day I went on some Chrstian dating website,just to chil and hung out, and I saw on one of the cadidates profile that WatchCelebrate.tv has been advertised.
The gospel revoultion is taking the centre stage even ‘on line dating’
Have a great day!
Lyan
What a joy to know how much God loves us. I am even more blessed to be able to receive this message of Grace daily from this ministry. Thank you for the words of encouragement that are revealed to you to bring us joy and happiness in Christ Jesus, our hope of Glory. God bless you as you bring the message of Grace to the Nation of Kenya. Amen.
Tatiana
They say that Smiling releases endorphin ( feelings of exhilaration) in the brain. However, I came to conclude that hearing the good news ( The gospel) realeses this Chemical in the brain,
Knowing that your sins, past present future has been forgiven, God will never be angry with you again releases endorphin in the brain. Condemnation stress filled religion it can superess same.
This is a Chemical that enhances general well being. No wonder many are sick and weak in the body of Christ.
So, it is about time some one shuts the mouth of the condemners.
Thank you Pastor Peter!
Dennis Shearer
Thank you Pastor Peter for stimulating our minds to think beyond our conditioning and allow revelation knowledge of who Jesus is to be gained!
edwen
There is a doctorine So called ‘Indwelling sin’ It is actually legalsim dressed up in pious and humble sounding doctorine. I belive it is very deceptive and spritual ruin.
Don. Heinemann
Hallelujah it is about time someone shut up the condemers. read Rom.8-1
Lets believe Gods word. Don.