"Those from among you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;

and you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in."

                                                                                                                               ~ Isaiah 58:12

THINK ABOUT IT RADIO PROGRAM #430

"The Church:  Key to a Strong Republic"

by: Don Pinson

aired on:  2/21/8

            About 4 years ago, the Kentucky Baptist Convention had the Barna Research Group to survey Kentuckians to find out how many of them were involved in churches within the state.  The results are startling!

            The survey defined "unchurched" people as being those who had not attended church within a six-month period.  Attending special events at churches did not count.  This standard of what a Christian should do in relation to meeting with other Christians is far below the Biblical command to "not forsake the assembling of yourselves together" (Heb. 10:25):  But even at this low level of commitment many Kentuckians failed the test.  It was found that one-third, or over one million people in Kentucky, do not average attending church one time in every six months.  Yet, 82% of Kentuckians say they are Christians.  What's wrong with this picture?  Well, you answer that one!

            But perhaps you're thinking, what difference does it make how often someone goes to church?  It makes a lot of difference!  It makes a lot of difference to an individual.  It makes a lot of difference to a family.  It makes a lot of difference to a community.  It makes a lot of difference to a nation!  When you hear the Bible taught in its truth, your mind is challenged to think as God thinks.  And since actions come out of thoughts, the way we think is going to determine how we live.

            America, in its early history, was committed to the Bible as being the only trustworthy teachings about life on this planet.  The average person in Colonial America listened to about 15,000 hours of Biblical teaching in the span of their lifetime (Am. Providential History, p. 122). This produced a population which was generally Godly and loving toward their neighbors.

            Even foreigners noticed this.  In the 1830's, Alexis De Toqueville, a noted French historian and statesman, visited America and for two years sought the secret of her greatness.  He drew the following conclusion from his observation of Americans: 

            "I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there; in her fertile fields and boundless prairies, and it was not there.  Not until I went to the churches of America and heard pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.  America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great." (America’s Providential History, p.116)

            Jedediah Morse, the Father of American Geography, wrote in 1799:

            "To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil freedom, and political...happiness which mankind now enjoys.  In proportion as the genuine effects of Christianity are diminished in any nation...in the same proportion will the people of that nation recede from the blessings of genuine freedom..."   (Ibid., p.248)

            Now do you see why the recent survey of Kentuckians' religious commitment is so revealing?  Why our apathy is so dangerous?  Political freedom and indifference toward God cannot  long dwell together.  Slavery will come to the people who do not study the Bible and implement its teachings into their culture.

            Do you care about the future liberty of your children?  Do you want to prevent their enslavement?  Then go to a church which teaches the Bible to be completely true---every word of it!  Read the Bible through.  Read it to your children.  Take your children to that church with you.  Reason through the issues of our day from the truths found in the Bible:  And both you and your children will live a more free and useful life. 

            Think about it; because if you don't, someone else will do your thinking for you---

and for your children!  And you won't like what that brings to you.  I'm Don Pinson, this has been Think About It.