May 09, 2012: The Official End of Christendom?
The important point of my article that some got and others did not (my fault) is the word “Christendom,” which means a culture or society more or less based on the Christian worldview, expressed by the English poet of the 19th century, Robert Browning: “God’s in His heaven, all’s right with the world.” That cultural system is quickly disappearing. For many now, God is not in heaven, all’s right with the world because the world and god are the same.
However, Christianity will not end. The end in sight is victory because Christianity is not dependent on human endeavor but on God’s ultimate control of events and on Jesus’ definitive defeat of sin already at the Cross. Christian “eras” have come and gone but His truth, The Truth, is marching on. With Christian affection- Peter Jones
Fox News journalist, Shep Smith, welcomed President Obama into the 21st century and declared those who still oppose same-sex marriage to be on the wrong side of history.
May 9, 2012 was indeed an historic moment. Though President Obama bathed his decision in Christian principles: “…our faith…is not only Christ sacrificing himself on our behalf but it’s also the golden rule…treat others the way you’d want to be treated…” For the first time ever, a sitting US president, considered the most powerful political leader in the world, has endorsed a marital arrangement that formally constitutes the pagan “worship of the creation rather than worship of the Creator” (Romans 1:25).
“How do you get there?” you may ask. My statement is neither panic nor exaggeration, since it comes from the theological reasoning of the inspired Apostle Paul: “For this reason,” he says, “God gave them up to dishonorable passions [of lesbianism and homosexuality] contrary to nature” (Romans 1:26–28). The “reason” to which Paul refers is what he stated in the previous verse (25), namely the exchange of the truth for the lie, and the worship of creation rather than the Creator. That process includes an exchange of sexuality for a practice “contrary to [created] nature.”
Historian Elizabeth Fox-Genovese, once a radical Marxist feminist, observed (as a chastened older observer of the Cultural Revolution in which she had enthusiastically participated): “within a remarkably brief period …has occurred a cataclysmic transformation of the very nature of our society.”
The speed of this “cataclysmic” change takes our breath away. At the same-sex Stonewall riots of 1969 few people had even heard of homosexuality. Just forty-three years later, a president publicly announces support of same-sex marriage. In the 1960s, thanks to the Beatles and the hippies 1960s “Christian America” discovered for the first time the spirituality of the East. In August 2009, Newsweek announced: “We are all Hindus Now,” as yoga studios outnumber Starbucks cafes in New York City, and we massage our karma with mantras and meditation.
The “cataclysm” is due to the invasion into the “Christian” West of pagan spirituality, with its strident intention to “eliminate the binary.” The foremost “binary” is the distinction between the Creator and the creature. Other binaries then fall like dominos—the binary of right and wrong, for example. “We must beware of thinking of good and evil as absolute opposites,” says a leading theorist. Modern psychologists tell us that a binary view of reality (as made up of opposites) produces guilt, the hallmark of neurosis. The Hindu notion of Advaita, “not two,” dominates spirituality and “non-dual spirituality” is taught even in some “evangelical” schools. Lesbian activists ask: “Can We Put an End to the Gender Binary?” (The Advocate.com) because “there is no one way a person should be.”
On all these levels we see Two-ism (theism) undermined for the promotion of a One-ist worldview. Of course, it is said that same-sex “marriage” will not harm anyone. However, its legalization will introduce a God-denying civilization that will erase 2000 years of Christendom based on Two-ism. The past will be labeled “homophobic.” Nursery rhymes, literature and art that consider heterosexuality normal (including the Gospel) will be declared illegal and obsolete. Christians will be outside the law. Already the fifteen Christian groups (Catholic and Protestant) at Vanderbilt have been kicked off campus for refusing, by principle, to allow gays on their leadership teams. This is a classic preview of what the future holds.
May 9th 2012 is in many ways the final “sacralization” of the Sixties, where behind the pretext of the Golden Rule, the “revolution” fraudulently covers its unrestrained libido in the white robes of bridal purity.
We must not panic or exaggerate, nor cease to love homosexual individuals. But we must not re-interpret “Christian” love, so that our contemporary culture can reject God the Creator in favor of self-serving desires. The Gospel love story of creation and redemption must be heard via a clear witness to the biblical worldview, as Paul articulates it in Colossians 1:19–20:
For in Christ…by whom all things were created…[God] through him reconcile[d] to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
The President’s “Christ sacrificing himself” is not a decorative element of the Faith but the very essence of all things, expressed distinctively in male/female marriage as the love of the other for the different. In this way, Christ the Creator loves his people. Paul in Ephesians 5:32 calls this a “mystery,” the deep meaning of all things on earth and in heaven. The radicals rightly call their same-sex marriage “the sacrament of monism,” and see in it a pagan celebration of One-ist sameness and of the divinity of self-creating Nature. Alas, Paul would call this a part of “the mystery of lawlessness” (2 Thessalonians 2:7).
You are right on. Could you get this into French Peter??
Susan — we are looking for someone to translate this for us ASAP. Both Jones are swamped at the moment. But we’re hoping to get it to you quickly. Stay tuned!
It is indeed a good article, but it is not true that the Christian era is over, for that cannot be while Christ sits on His throne of glory. But it may be the end of the American era.
You couldn’t be more correct in my view. The American experiment appears over. Man fails once again. Only God will bring true lasting peace. As Benjamin Franklin said “….if you can keep it”. He now how has, what I suspect was his inevitable expectation of outcome, realized as we live and breath. Christianity, though the foundational precept and principle shaping our society, will now be relegated to status of “enemy of the STATE”.
Come Lord Jesus come!
November 06, 2012: The Official End of Obamadom?
Kevin Blader sadly no. He IS part of our judgement. Look at the choice of whom we may elect for our next President. A person dedicated antithetically to everything America……or, not trying to pick a fight here, a cultist! Nice choice…….
Not a fight, just a good natured debate. I think the thesis is overstated. Politics is like the weather. Give it time and it will change. Russia today looks nothing like the Soviet Union. And then also, this side of eternity we’ll never create a heaven on earth. Until Christ returns the earth remains a churning restless sea. That being said, you do what you can where you can.
Bud and Michael, please see Dr. Peter Jones latest respond
Joshua Gielow Yes, I’ve agreed with him wholeheartedly so far. Did I miss something? I think his use of the word Christendom is spot on. Christendom in America is dead. That is my point. There is hope if “those who are called by my name…..”
Michael Lund: some would rush from the fire and throw themselves into hell.
It’s easy to idealize Christendom into the mythic (Ecc. 7:10). And concerning November 2012, once again the old truism holds forth, “There are two kinds of politicans in the world, ‘bad’ and ‘worse’…”
I believe that President Obama has drawn a line in the sand and has dared God fearing people to cross it, and cross it we will. The election will be a wake up call for the church. 50 million aborted babies have failed to stir the church, maybe they will realize that if they don’t act, every bit of moral fiber in this country will be dissolved and legislated against.
I’ve said it: America’s 2 great sins: abortion & homosexuality…. how about he is dared God to cross his line? John: excellent post!!!
I find it interesting that Peter Jones titles it “The End of Christendom” rather than “…Christianity”. The latter is a devotion to Christ in the Truth of God. The former a conglomeration of “Christian” denominations of human creation whether or not actually devoted to Christ in the Truth.
Please see Dr. Peter Jones response
A very intellectual warning re: our spiritual state of the union.
If ONLY it were true that the Christian era were over. “Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.”
Shhhhhh, quiet everyone. There’s an Athiest in the house. There’s nobody really here. Shhhhhhhhhh.
I think you,ll get your wish, one day rsomewhere….and I bet it wont be so wonderful
Susan Harville-Bloise Belhaven! SNORK!
Joe Jervis just an observation since I know you’ll be lurking on this. Noticed that the “philosopher” you quoted is obviously athiestic/socialist in worldview. Sounds medeval. Interesting that quote you used breaths basically murder to Christianity/Christians. You don’t find it ironic that more humans have been literally murdered in the name of godless “state” in just the last century alone (200 million). And in reality, the worst thing that a Christian has ever done to you and anyone else you know is, gasp, perhaps tried to evangelize you. And you come on this board breathing murder. Hypocrite, no?
La Sorbonne, Paris.
Michael Lund Denis Diderot was an 18th century French philosopher and ardent Christian who feared the church’s meddling in an ostensibly secular government. Definitely NOT an atheist. He was obviously speaking euphemistically, but his concerns are certainly worth considering as 21st century America continues to barrel toward’s theocracy and Christian sharia law.
Joe Jervis hmmmm, Christian Sharia law. Those 2 are incongruent. In 30 years of being a believer in Christ I have yet to witness a stoning for adultery, or perhaps for Homosexuality, never seen anyone lose a hand for stealing a loaf of bread or an honor killing. Apperently you have. Please enlighten us.
The important point of my article that some got and others did not (my fault) is the word “Christendom,” which means a culture or society more or less based on the Christian worldview, expressed by the English poet of the 19th century, Robert Browning: “God’s in His heaven, all’s right with the world.” That cultural system is quickly disappearing. For many now, God is not in heaven, all’s right with the world because the world and god are the same.
However, Christianity will not end. The end in sight is victory because Christianity is not dependent on human endeavor but on God’s ultimate control of events and on Jesus’s definitive defeat of sin already at the Cross. Christian “eras” have come and gone but His truth, The Truth, is marching on.
Amen! The victory is won.
BTW, Dr. Jones, thanks so much for tweaking my understanding of Christendom. It needs to not be our focus or hope as is so often the case. God’s truth abideth still.
We don’t know the hearts of people and God does. What is most important is that God’s absolute love is greater than any evil in our world. Every person in our world is loved by God, and the only thing that is keeping all of us from manifesting God’s love is deception. (And, all of us have deception working in our lives.) God has given all of us access to His truth, which sets us free, through Christ’s death on the cross–Christ forever demolished the power of deception to keep us away from God. We may well need to let go of our judgments of other people. God’s command is that we love our neighbors as we love ourselves–what other people do is none of our business and we have no business judging them. If we feel ourselves being pulled towards judging other people, why don’t we just ask God to work all things together to the good of everyone involved? God is faithful and He knows how to draw people into His absolute love.
Patricia Hylton Zell Please read the Gospels for the explanation of the love of God but go back to the old testament and read about the WRATH OF gOd. Through Jesus we have forgiveness and his demonstrration of love but it will not always be that way. He will always love, that’s true but there are consequences of sin. Go on your computer and look up all the verses on the wrath of God. There are no little sins or big sins-we have all sinned but those who continue to live in their sin and refuse to turn from their sin will face the wrath of god.
we are in the age of God’s grace but that time is almost over. I don’t judge people because I remember what He has done for me
Thank you, Dr. Jones
A generation ago, the church capitulated on the issue of divorce. Marriages come and go with a fluidity that has rendered the institution nearly meaningless. And it is no different amongst Christians as it is among anyone else. The divorce rate within the church mirrors that of society at large. We threw in the towel and conformed to society.
Now, the battle is homosexuality. It is a lifestyle that has effectively been normalized and accepted by society; the only holdout has been the church. But, it is a battle that the church is losing the will to fight. Liberal denominations are already ordaining gay ministers and performing same-sex marriage. While, at the same time, the more conservative (read: scriptural) churches are being silenced by the cacophonous cries of “hate speech” and “homophobe”. The battle is pretty much done and, again, the church is becoming less of a seasoning to society, but rather being seasoned by it.
The next battle, which has been underway for some time, is abortion. It started with birth control to prevent “unwanted” births and the debate will work its way through the public square until it is nothing short of unhindered abortion as a means of birth control and to preserves one’s standard of living. The taking of a life will become nothing more than a lifestyle choice. The church is again the only barrier between the sanctity of God’s law and moral mob rule. Whether or not we throw the towel in on this one will have huge consequences.
The church capitulated on divorce and is the process of capitulating on the issue of homosexuality. How can we not believe that abortion won’t be next? How long before the church comes to define sin by societal norms or simply by what is illegal? How long before the church is simply a mouthpiece for the government, echoing what lawmakers (based on public sentiment) define as “evil”? Sin is well on its way to becoming less about falling short of God’s standard and simply being defined by an American Idol-style contest of ideals. That’s a contest that we will all lose.
It kinda sounds like you’ve thrown in the towel. /why are’t we bombarding heaven with our prayers? When God’seople peay, things happen. What famous verse in 11 Chronicals about the healing of our land if God’s people turn to him in prayer? we can move the hand of God if we pray and have faith.
For those of us who have been following then candidate and now President Obama, this pronouncement was not surprising. It’s all about politics to him and he doesn’t see that in his position as President he bears special consequences before a Holy God.
However, I think the question mark at the end of the title is appropriate, as it becomes a period if the man is re-elected. There is no doubt America’s commitment as a nation to biblical morality is seriously weakened, but I am still hopeful this position against God honored marriage will cement the belief of many Americans he must be defeated in November.
:”It’s all about politics to him and he doesn’t see that in his position as President he bears special consequences before a Holy God.”
Interestingly, when Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation they considered that to be merely a political move. We should ask ourselves when we elect politicians to do a political job, should we complain when they do it?
I’m not “complaining” that he made the pronouncement. He has taken multiple positions on the acceptability of homosexuality in society and was doing it PURELY for political purposes – not because he cares at all about gay marriage one way or the other.
Quite likely we are witnessing the demise of all but a remnant in Western civilization. It may be the recapitulation of Romans Chapter 11 only substituting Western Christendom for the nation of Israel. It’s a repeating pattern in the history of the growing Kingdom of God. As the people of God decline in one civilization they bloom in another. To paraphrase verse 25 & 26, “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Western Christendom has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of non-Westerners has come in. And so all Israel [the elect] will be saved.”
You are kidding, aren’t you? Christianity is about the power of God’s absolute love and that love will prevail. We may well need to stop judging our fellow human beings–Romans 2:1–and keep our eyes on God. When we love Him with everything we have and when we cleave to Him because He is our life, He will teach us to love ourselves and to love our neighbors. If we keep looking at what the world is doing and judging them, our focus will not be on God and His absolute love.
Bruce, that is a good article. It is so true that the club that us Christians have already began to be beaten with is others thinking they are being inclusive to extend extra rights to gays, including rights that churches allow gays to rent their facilities. As the article rightly points out, Christians are being pushed from public spaces. I guess now we can understand the tie between limited/small govt conservatism and freedom of religion. This is a key election coming up!
This should be read and thought about..
Thanks Darrie for this post. There are some really incredibly insightful articles here. The post on Shame and Hate speech was exceptional. How ironic that the sexual anarchy of the age is protected and anyone who says otherwise is motivated by nothing but mindless hate. The tragedy of the times in which we live is that culture seems to have forgotten a very simple truth: ideas have consequences.
to true Jack, to true. Ideas lead to actions, actions set Character.. of people and nations. I am glad you enjoyed the site.. I log on to it from time to time.
this is worth reading; just so you get a sense where we stand today. Then pray. Then speak out with the gospel of God’s grace more lovingly and boldly than ever before.
Joe! We agree on some things! The only theocracy should be the church! Please no sharia! But no marxist or other philosophy telling me what to think! Ps my daughter is a student at u. Diderot in paris,,,,,,………
I’m a little disappointed with this article. Why is it that the President is the one who continues get all the praise for same sex marriage and, or Gays in the Military? Congressman Ron Paul wjho claims to be a Christian also voted for Gays in the Military and has no problem with same sex marriages so why is he left out all the time?
The news is that Obama is the first sitting President to endorse Gay Marriage. The fact that others have endorsed equal rights for gays doesn’t really carry the same weight, although it’s very welcome.
The term”Christendom” is like a vaccination. There’s just enough of the germ to render it harmless as a contagious thrreat. Thank you Constantine. Authentic Christianity on the other hand distinquishes the City of God from the City of Man. Thank you Augustine.
Christendom: good riddance. Authentic Christianity: may your tribe increase!
Great article, key election!
Obama is not representive of the American people. Just because he favors Homosexuality doesn’t mean that the Christian Americans do. Homosexuals are only 2% of the population that have this learned behavior. We the Christians are taking back our country through prayer. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of Strongholds: casting down imaginations, and everything high thing that exalted itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; II Corninthians 10:4-5.(PS the Books of Corninthians I and II are but about sexual sins. Read them sometime.)
Nancy, in all charity re-read the article and consider the difference between Christianity and Christendom. This article is about the power of understanding worldviews
So true!
RL Dabney, another Presbyterian theologian, said pretty much the same thing when slavery was outlawed.
I would like to suggest that the “One-ism” that Dr. Jones so eloquently describes also defies the truth of our being created in God’s image. “For in the image of God; male and female were we created”. When the image of God is violate and reputed–indeed, when the sexual anarchy of the age seeks to virtually obliterate that image, God will be forced to step in and do something about it. He can let this go only so long before judgment of some kind must come lest the creation he bled and died for becomes utterly unrecognizable.
I only heard Dr. Peter Jones on the radio today! 5/20/2012. very interesting what he was saying about the pagan society taking place today. I have been very concerned about what is taking place in the world. I believe in ONE NATION UNDER GOD who is JESUS CHRIST THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD.The second person in the Trinity. Jesus did not leave us orphans but gave us the Spirit!
Being a christian today is getting to be a little “tricky”. Being a christian today is getting to be a little “tricky”. That’s because Satan has built deception upon deception to try to lead people away from God. He is a liar and deciever and is the father of lies. Satan is trying confuse christians and invert, pervert and counterfeit everything that is good and holy. And God is in control ultimately but Satan will establish his kingdom in the world before Jesus comes to finish it. And God does love the world through the cruxifixion of Jesus. But do not be decieved! We will all be accountable not to people but to God for everything we do and teach, good or evil. Do not listen the marxist, socialist, shamanistic, witchcraft doctrine that the world and even some churches are preaching. Do not follow doctrines of demons! Would Jesus change his message and preach hipocrisy just to please society? No! Let me make this as clear as possible. Homosexuality is caused by people being seduced by unclean spirits or demons and those demons supernaturally compel the person to act against the laws of nature that God established. That is what sin is. And every time they commit those acts they are worshiping and strengthening the demons that compel them. The question is – How can you really be a christian and really make a difference if you don’t really believe in God’s power to save and deliver? Don’t hate me. I’m just trying to tell the truth here.
Outstanding article! The insightful identification of the thinking behind the contemporary effort to reduce our civilization to rubble as an application of monism, as well as the gracious reminder that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only hope of salvation for any and every sinner, are so much more helpful than ill conceived suggestions about building huge fences and dropping food from planes. It’s ironic that sinful man can never succeed in maintaining his lies consistently. Though he claims that all is one, and therefore we must not discriminate, he simply cannot restrain himself from discriminating, passing judgment upon, excluding, and even punishing those who differ. Dr. Jones furnishes the example of the expulsion of those Christian groups who simply wanted to be left alone to follow their consciences. The moment he judges someone else as being wrong, which is what the modern monist says of everyone who holds to historic Christianity, he has failed to achieve monism. Making himself out to be God, he has just drawn the distinction between good and evil, right and wrong, in a different place.
Excellent article! In a radical Muslim world-view those who disagree with Islam are conquered by putting the sword to their necks to either bring submission or death. In a radical Christian world-view we build fences and drop in food. This is not at all the Biblical view of those who disagree with us. In Romans 1:18ff Paul lays out those who are our mission field. Those whom we are to love and serve in order to bring them to Christ by presenting arguments for the gospel wherein lies the power of God unto salvation. Paul’s method of evangelism has a method, preaching, and a message, the cross of Christ (1 Corinthians 1). In this weak and foolish method, the power of God is revealed. “Greeks” seek wisdom — everybody does this so let’s redefine marriage. “Jews” seek a sign — show me your power — build a fence — put a sword to their necks. But the wisdom of God comes through the foolishness of preaching the message of the cross.
Even though as believers we have our blessed assurance and joy, we have to strive for biblical literacy and the Truth as well as a constant search for world knowledge and truth, always with the all-encompassing goal of His glory. There is never a time for intellectual laziness or for “carnal Christiantity” (if such a phenomenon even exists – I tend to doubt – kind of like being a little bit pregnant). How can we be effective for the Kingdom is we continue to live up to the label of ignorants and provincials assigned to us by the intellectuals of this world? They have a very valid point. Biblical illiteracy and the search for spiritual experience are exacerbating this problem. Supposed mystical experience now trump the Bible. Everyone sees or talks to Jesus nowadays, He’s as common as Elvis! And, the “church” is not taking a stand to vet these. Obviously, miracles are real, but, many churches are worse than any psychic network channel. Go into many churches and it looks like a bachanal. Where is the edification of the body? A sensible nonbeliver would leave, scared out of his wits believing that he’s walked into an an asylum. This is how we are going to reflect Christ? And, compounded with the PC epidemic that has hit the church, we are allowing ourselves to be nullified in all ways by our own actions. So much lack of wisdom: Does anyone even read Proverbs anymore?
Susan, you expressed the Biblical view perfectly. I was pleased to read it, remember Belhaven?