Connecting the Two Wars!

Part 3 Bringing the Twin Wars Together Session 3.14 Connecting the Two Wars! Session 3.15 A Clash of Narratives Session 3.16 Three Cultures – Three Futures

Outline The Great Satan This War Is About Western Decadence Nominally Christian – Practically Atheists Ideology and Public Life Two-Front Offensive The Kingdom Offensive

The Great Satan Read –John 8:4 –Revelation 20:3, 7-8 Question –What do these reveal about Satan, his nature and his strategy?

U.S.A. as the Great Satan One nation under man proclaims: –There is no God –There is no truth –There are no morals –Man is an animal –Sex is for recreation and entertainment These are all deceptions, the work of Satan

This War Is About Western Decadence

Letter to the American People Sunday, Nov. 24, 2002 Two Questions: –(Q1) Why are we fighting and opposing you? –Q2) What are we calling you to, and what do we want from you?

Reflection What is bin Laden saying? What is your response to his accusations?

This War Is about DECADENCE! Harvard Prof. Samuel Huntington wrote: “In Muslim eyes Western secularism, irreligiosity, and hence immorality are worse evils than the Western Christianity that produced them. …” Questions: –What is the Muslims’ assumption? –Is their assumption correct? –Why do they have this picture?

Nominally Christian – Practically Atheists

Common Reasoning Question: As Muslims look at the West, what is their reasoning?

Two Worldviews GOD Creation Evangelical GnosticismBiblical Theism

The Greek Dichotomy Faith Theology Ethics Missions Devotional Life Gospel Reason Science Business/economics Politics Art/music Physical ministry Bread Higher more important Lower less important SPIRITUAL(sacred) PHYSICAL(secular) GRACE NATURE Sunday Weekdays

Two Worldviews Evangelical Gnosticism Spiritual focus Heart – feed emotions What is God going to do for me? Christ “in me” Sunday Church Compartmentalized life Practical Atheists Biblical Theism Comprehensive focus Heart, mind, and will What does God want me to do for Him? Christ in me and in the world Monday Church Comprehensive life Consciously Christian

Compartmentalization

Reflection Where do you see this separation in: –Your own life? –Your church? Give examples

Ideology and Public Life There is never any separation of ideology from public life. A person’s ideology will inform public life.

Ideology and Public Life Ideological Pluralism A Foundational Ideology * * Judeo-Christian Theism Atheism Islam Marriage of Church and State Institutional Pluralism (separation of church and state) Atheists’ Proclamation Atheists’ Practice – Freedom from religion Jihadism – Tyranny of religion Freedom of religion Judeo-Christian Theism Evangelical Gnosticism Reformed/moderate Islam

Two-Front Offensive In the West - The Cultural War – A War of Spirit and Ideas From the East - Jihad – The Hot War Both are wars of vision and ideas. Thoughtful Christians must engage in each conflict.

The Cultural War Militant Atheism Europe America Traditional Transcendent Societies Judeo-Christian Theism Moderate Islam counter offensive attack

Jihad’s Hot War Jihad’s The Sword West Moderate Islam AtheistsChristians Judeo-Christian Theism Submit Evangelical Gnosticism SubmitEngage Submit Co Belligerent

Jihad – The Hot War

The Kingdom Offensive

Salt and Light Read Matt. 5:13-14 Discuss –What is the nature of light? What does it do in a society? –What is the nature of salt? What does it do in a society? –What happens in a society when salt loses its saltiness? –What are the implications for our lives?

Kingdom Offensive Christ and Him Crucified Thy Kingdom Come GoodnessTruthBeauty AtheismIslam

Kingdom Offensive Rebuilt Societies Reformed Cultures Repentant Souls and Regenerated Lives Gospel – Renewed Minds – Discipled Nations Consequences – Behavior – Values - Beliefs

Promote Life Over Death Life is better than death. Health is better than sickness. Liberty is better than slavery. Prosperity is better than poverty. Education is better than ignorance. Justice is better than injustice.

Muslims Coming to Christ “In every hour, 667 Muslims convert to Christianity, …. Every day, 16,000 Muslims convert to Christianity. Every year, 6 million Muslims convert to Christianity.” Sheikh Ahmad al Qataani Al-Jazeera December 2001

Reasons People Are Coming to Christ They are HARDWIRED for love Repelled by the Jihadist hatred and violence Responding to the love of Christ