THE SACRIFICING OF HUMAN FLESH
This post emanates from a post from
APOSTASY WATCH.
I must admit that I find very
little wiggle room concerning the narrative of how the white man came and
settled in America and how the indigenous people, the American Indians, were
obliterated and provided a few token places in which to exist. I could never
imagine anyone denying that the Indians were not treated fairly, and I strongly
felt that no follower of Jesus could ever justify such a literal genocide. But
I was wrong.
I can hardly believe how vicious
and violent much of the church has become. David Barton is a well known
Christian historian. HERE is his opinion concerning the massacre of the
American Indians.
David Barton insists that America
was God’s modern darling and that it was founded as a Christian nation unlike
any other in history. He even suggests that almost all of the founding fathers
were evangelical believers. He is endorsed by a wide cross section of the
church including word of faith and emergent and orthodox teachers and
preachers. But here he is suggesting that the American Indians were sacrificed
and slaughtered by God so they would sign treaties that had only the European interests
at heart. It is an astounding teaching which goes against the entirety of the
New Testament while supporting the patriotic rationale.
I remain astounded at how little
human life means when American interests are at stake. The same people who are
against abortion and call themselves pro-life can so easily dismiss the lives
of many millions of American Indians as if they are just collateral damage
necessary to fulfill God’s dream. Their loyalty to America runs so deep and so
strong that they not only reject the teachings of Jesus, but they feel no
compassion for other human beings? And starving the Indians by wiping out the
buffalo was necessary to force them to sign a treaty which in essence makes
them prisoners of the white man?
How can anyone suggest that this
kind of perspective is Christian? How can we endorse such violence in Jesus’
name? Did the early believers come to America to be a light to the darkness or
did they come to start their own nation regardless of the human cost? There is
a vast difference between those two. Is it any wonder why the kingdom of
darkness sees very little difference between their views and the views of those
who say they walk in light?
If Jesus endorses such human
slaughter than we can assume the Scriptures are a concoction of man since they
reveal teachings that go against any such notion. But if the Scriptures are
breathed of God then we cannot allow earthly allegiances to be our standard.
Even if what they teach seems at odds with what the majority of the evangelical
community believes then let the Scriptures be true and the church be a liar.
So when pagans are ignorant and
brutal they are expendable especially if they occupy a portion of land we
desire? This is utter madness but it follows a logical path which is laid out
by nationalism. The end justifies the means when you have something other than
Jesus as your pursuit. Throughout history the church has had arguments over
points of doctrine. But this places human life on the altar of nation building
and it devalues the human soul and makes millions of eternal souls little more
than obstructions living on land which God desires so much He is willing to let
the land flow with the blood of millions of indigenous people including women
and children. And that is the God called Jesus in the gospels? Please show me
that revelation.
So we as believing followers of
Jesus are faced with a stark reality. Are we to follow Jesus or the church? Are
we to alter the gospel narratives and present a twisted version of Jesus that
orchestrates genocide or are we going to present the Jesus who taught things
contrary to the dictates of his and our culture? There is no common ground. One
is sinking sand while the other is the Rock. Be aware, though, that the sinking
sand is the well worn path that is accepted in evangelical circles while the
Rock will be criticized by a man’s friends and family. One will cost you while
the other will be applauded.
Posts
18 comments:
American blood, Canadian blood, the blood of Indigenous Peoples...all runs red.
God is not a respecter of persons.
If you want the official version from the Mexican American War treaty, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildado is a fine read. In there they describe the nature of the Indian Tribes being forcefully displaced throughout the Western territories. Ok I admit it we didn't turn the other cheek and being described as savages in that important Treaty document might not be an exaggeration.
My Tribe is one of 62 who's Tribal Chiefs signed a Treaty with Indian Agents, three of them sent out from Washinton DC with signatory authority. Once these treaties got into the hands of the politicians in Congress and the White House they mysteriously disappeared! Hence they were never ratified so as to become codified so as to be elevated to the Law of the land!
Ok, we didn't take to kindly to that breach of covenant either but I hasten to say the White Man Catholics/Christians were not giving us much to emulate as Peter and Paul suggested all Christians should emulate their Christian leaders. Oh did I mention the salvation of souls from every Tribe and kindred and nation is in the Bible?
Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 1:13 ESV)
For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:20-25 ESV)
I ironically have been in the fine company of David Barton several times! The first time was in the mid 70's when he, his wife and children were peddling their school curriculum in my neck of the woods up here in the Pacific North Coast. My Church has had a private school since we started as a born again group in 1970 and I happened to be a teacher at the time, teaching biology and math, so I was sent on a mission to hear David out to either bring a recommendation back to consider his methods. I don't think we went with him but graciously passed on using his material.
Then because of my involvement with Dr. BJ Wilhite and the National Prayer Embassy in Washington DC I came into more of an intimate working relationship with David. We as were a few others were appointed to serve on an advisory board together there in Washington so we would see each other from time to time fulfilling our Christian duties. He since those days started Wallbuilders and began producing stuff like what you have published in this article. I've been concerned about some of his stuff but I am not on his radar screen so he hasn't responded to my requests to meet or at least discuss some things that bother me about things he developed that many have sadly taken in hook, line and sinker! Grrrrrr is all I can say about that!
But yes, Indians across the territories are a bit snubbed about the way we have been treated and how the land has been abused; not to mention the moral mistreatment we have suffered. Hey the country is still a big place so I don't think it would be to difficult to get along and live Godly lives towards one another under the anointing of Our Prince of Peace?
I appreciate this as an element of apostasy, and the outright denial of the facts by Mr. Barton, but this is old news. Not to diminish the issue, but this was brought yo attention on the secular series Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, where it dealt a lot with Custer and the lies and blatant attempts to kill the Cheyenne Indians in the 1860's and 1870's. But there is nothing much that can be done about it now except to repent for our nation as Daniel did, and bring to those who remain the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Unless they have already been visited by Steve McSwain of the Huffington Post.
What is more disturbing is the following lie he is perpetrating throughout the evangelical world:
6 Things Christians Should Just Stop Saying
http://standupforthetruth.com/2013/03/six-ways-progressive-theology-is-destroying-christianity/
The above link will take you to the site standupforthetruth.com where this article is located.
Like the government's dirty dealings and outright lies to the Native people of this land, this too is an abomination. No matter what era we are in lies and satan's minions are out to kill, steal, and destroy.
Again, not diminishing this post, but we need to focus on the current lies going around leading people astray.
My heart breaks when I hear about the history of this country. And I am also angered that I fell for all the lies of this world and country when it comes to painting the picture they brought to us in school growing up.
I have said it before and I will say it again, anything I learned about in history class I will refer to it as a lie. No truth what so ever. Didn't know better than, but I do now.
Why be surprised? The early nation's goal of "Manifest Destiny" by non other than Thomas Jefferson, a heretic himself, is what gave a new nation who fought for freedom from a tyrant the idea that this nation was blessed by God. How we just laughed off the purchase of Manhattan should tell us something.
These poor people were hoodwinked all along. Why should this be any surprise? If you look at a map of the world or look at the earth from a snap shot from the space station, the land all looks the same. No country has a mark on it to distinguish it as a Christian nation. They all look alike from above at the space station, and especially above in the heavens. All are evil. There is no one righteous, no not one.
I know Pastor that you are not slack to bring a lot of current false teachings to light, but I think that when the main stream media like the Huntington Post starts spewing opinions about Christianity which is heretical, we need to expose it for what it is.
Lies from history or lies of today; all are lies.
your sister in Christ Jesus,
Cherie c.
It is astounding.
The true hearts are being exposed - the thinking of this brand of professed christians is distorted. Seemingly, their foundation is built on sand, and not on solid rock, or not on Jesus, who is our foundation.
It would seem their nation and it's creators, or founders is their foundation, which puts them on shaky ground. If creating a nation harms and kills others, and it means stealing the lands and homes of others, then it has nothing to do with Christ. Nation-building has nothing to do with Christ. It is theft, and murder and deception. Doing wickedness and doing it in the Name of the Lord and expecting heavenly reward for doing so is abomination. A true convicted christian isn't going to justify pillaging and killing and exploiting land and resources and believe it's a righteous mission.
Their minds have been sent strong delusion. I never would have thought it could happen so easily. One more reason sign of the last days to add here.
What is it?
I could never believe that christians would feel this way. There are groups of christians who today believe that the United States is the replacement Promised Land. This belief goes in line with believing that God treats His NT children's enemies like He did under Mosaic Law.
It would seem they want to feel special like the 12 tribes of Israel and feel that through Jesus Christ and the New Covenant, they can override mercy, forgiveness and just adopt an eye for an eye attitude. The eye for an eye attitude gives a person a sense of satisfactory justice and entitlement; he can see his enemy get punished and feel vindicated here on earth or they can take what isn't theirs because they are the chosen and have this superiority complex. Is this what these christians desire? If they do, then they've chosen to be under the Old Law and if they prefer the God of wrath, and the God of victory in war, and the God of dealing with their enemies, they are no longer covered by the blood of Jesus, because they would prefer to return to the yearly animal sacrifice.
It's incredible how easy it is to want to return to the way of the Pharisee; it's true that following Christ isn't easy, as we have to yield and submit and give our worldly ambitions and lay them at His feet; it means we can't aspire to take over things of the world. But some don't get that.
Here's some verses that point out just Who is in charge:
Psa 9:13 Be gracious to me, O LORD! See my affliction from those who hate me, O you who lift me up from the gates of death,
Psa 9:14 that I may recount all your praises, that in the gates of the daughter of Zion I may rejoice in your salvation.
Psa 9:15 The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught.
Psa 9:16 The LORD has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Higgaion. Selah
Psa 9:17 The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.
Psa 9:18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.
Psa 9:19 Arise, O LORD! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you!
Psa 9:20 Put them in fear, O LORD! Let the nations know that they are but men! Selah
BREAK
.
And Habakkuk says this:
Hab 2:12 "Woe to him who builds a town with blood and founds a city on iniquity!
Hab 2:13 Behold, is it not from the LORD of hosts that peoples labor merely for fire, and nations weary themselves for nothing?
Hab 2:14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
Hab 2:15 "Woe to him who makes his neighbors drink-- you pour out your wrath and make them drunk, in order to gaze at their nakedness!
Hab 2:16 You will have your fill of shame instead of glory. Drink, yourself, and show your uncircumcision! The cup in the LORD's right hand will come around to you, and utter shame will come upon your glory!
What we can rejoice in is the fact that even with all that had gone on unjustly in the building up of the United States, the Gospel has done its work and many Native Americans are saved and leading many to hear the Gospel so that it will continue saving the ELECT from the Native American Tribes that once dotted the territories from sea to shiney sea and from the borders of Canada and Mexico!
If you are so inclined these following Words of Scripture might be something to pray to the Lord exercising your Royal Priesthood duty to pray for the needs of others?
Col 1:3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
Col 1:4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,
Col 1:5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,
Col 1:6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing--as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,
Col 1:7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf
Col 1:8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
Col 1:9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
Col 1:10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
Col 1:11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,
Col 1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
Col 1:13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
Col 1:14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
It is so true what the Lord by the Spirit showed Peter the Apostle:
1Pe 1:22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
1Pe 1:23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
1Pe 1:24 for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,
1Pe 1:25 but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you
Thank you Michael for your comment. Love to hear your perspectives and hopefully will get a chance to read up on more history. I have been told that one of my grandmother's grandparent was Native American.
I rejoice that we are all connected, but most importantly, connected as brothers and sisters through the Lord Jesus.
On another note, I am thankful that these topics are brought up; we are so busy and pre-occupied with things that we forget the past atrocities and become soft and incurious about our beginnings and how many suffered so we could be here living in peace, albeit a temporary worldly peace.
I thank the Lord for this site, because it has stirred me into a new revelation of how we stand as a church today. I always felt these things, but couldn't express the complexities of it all like Bro. Rick does here. He truly has a gift.
History did reveal all these atrocities in classes, or in reading materials, but, as christians, it opens up a new understanding of how deceived church leaders can be when they make such ignorant statements. What is even more worrisome is that in these present times, many followers of these teachers are supporting them and following their lead.
Cherie - When a christian feels to start a blog (and I'm sure much prayer added to it) and feels guided to do it, I'm certain that each topic is written with a sense of Spirit-led urgency on his part. Exposing the Huffington Post which is a secular news site is no different, (to me personally) than what Fox New agents do all the time. They spend their time devouring unbelievers which isn't a disciple's mission. Edifying, correcting, encouraging and rebuking is the man of God's job and it's towards the Church, not the world. Well-know christian men like David Barton should know better. It's the wolves in sheep's clothing that would try to deceive the very elect. I personally feel, and it's just me, that if unbelievers can't see the spiritual good fruit in men like David Barton and others, then no matter how hard we try to disparage secular humanistic media, it won't convict. I believe unbelievers are desperately looking for walking examples and Christ-led role models and there are few to be found.
I have read so many comments by those with alternative beliefs, and they ask why the church and more christians won't stand up to the hypocritical christian politicians who show absolutely no example of being the temple of the Holy Spirit. They know that these professed men of God have been lulled by greed and power. I hope you don't mind that I share my perspective with you.
Love you all, brothers and sisters - have a great day!
I have wondered this so many times. Is there a history bok that is reliable and is written from the perspective of Native Americans and African Americans? - Noel
P. S. Cherie , thank you for informing me about binding/loosing a few posts back.
So when are we going to return the land to the Indians. Maybe ppl can get the ball rolling and turn over their homes and assets to the nearest Indian council. Or perhaps start tearing down all the christian churchs that occupy Indian lands.
My Aunt has some books she has written, Elsie Allen. There are several on the history of the Pomo people that give glimpses into Native American life from the 19th and 20th centuries too by other authors. Another good book written from an eye witness Native American view is the book " Wooden Leg". It is about an old indian's accounts of his history. Wooden Leg got tagged that because he could walk long distances and not tire like the normal Indian. A journalist found out about him around the turn of the 20th century and went to Oklahoma where he was forcefully resettled after the Custer massacre to get his eye witness testimony about what happened at the massacre. He was there and the read is gripping and chilling giving the Indian perspective. It starts well before the US Calvary started to show up in those parts so you get to get a first hand sense of the Indians as they experience strange people started appearing on their land and didn't stop coming.
One of the most damning books is written by a contemporary "General" who knew Custer personally as well as Sherman and Grant. This book is written by Lansford Sully the grandson of General Alfred Sully. He inherited the General's letters. This book is toxic because there is no statute limitation on "murder" and the book indicts through personal letter the General's accounts of acrocities he wrote about to his wife during his military career in the Army. The title is "No tears for the General". Another interesting about this book is the General's drawings are put into the book. He was a West Point Grad and they were required to make accurate drawings of persons, places and things when out on missions. Of course you can contact any one of the more than 580 plus federally recognized Tribes and they most likely will have reference materials and books written by their tribal members and can recommend historical materials. Most every tribe has hired a historian to write a historical introduction that is unique to each tribe's personal history. They general don't allow these histories to be written with rosé colored reading lens in mind.
Just saying.
Anonymous at 10:29
David Barton is no Christian. Anyone who denies Jesus is not a Christian. Anyone who advocates violence is not a Christian. God wrath by the way is not violence, its justice. Godly justice. So if anyone tells you that God is violent, we need to correct them.
Why do we continue to consider these angels of light (satan's demons) of the body? They clearly are not!
Anyone who aligns themselves to false teachers are themselves false and are to be prayed for but avoided.
For what does righteousness have to do with unrighteousness? Let us pray for Mr. Barton to repent and fall on his face before a Holy God and ask for forgiveness.
Other than that I do not consider him anywhere close to being a Christian and that is the same for those on the Fox network. None of them are even close to being a follower of Jesus. It is one thing to error on occasion, it's another to align with those known to be heretics and falsely lead thousands to destruction.
If we are mature in the knowledge of God, let us not lily coat things and speak the truth.
Michael, Amen dear brother.
your sister in Christ Jesus,
Cherie c.
Amen again, brother !
For those who want to check into David Barton, the perpetrator of this (and many other) anti-Christian teachings, this webpage may be of interest. It's Barton's biography as one of Time Magazine's "25 Most Influential Evangelicals" in 2005:
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1993235_1993243_1993261,00.html
Barton has never disputed anything in this biographical sketch, and indeed refers proudly on his own website to being named to the list.
However, he's careful, on his own website and elsewhere, to make Time's bio as inaccessible as possible. Perhaps because it notes factually that he's a long-time professional political operative, targetting "social conservatives" (i.e., Christians).
Nor does Barton have any training in history. His version of American history is predicated instead on a quasi-messianic view of America, and his faction's plans to "save" America (i.e., get elected).
Bottom line: Barton has made a life-career of deceiving Christians. His teachings are lies, and the interpretations he bases on them are deceitful.
Christians who remember whom Jesus called "the father of lies," and "the deceiver" should be warned.
In Jesus, Steve
Anon. 10:33 here - Wow, I re-read my post and I did not notice the error. Hi, Cherie, if you read this, I wrote: "if unbelievers can't see the spiritual good fruit in men like David Barton and others". What I meant to write was "if unbelievers can't see the bad fruit of hurtful words of men like David Barton and others" - my take on what I've read in the Apostasy Watch article is that this man didn't show good fruit by making that statement. I feel wholeheartedly that the church leaders need to be warned about. But what I was trying to say was that the Huffington Post and sites that dish out worldliness aren't the areas that Jesus commanded the Church to exhort. It's the Church and christians that needs to be warned, exhorted, rebuked.
But, I guess I was "trying" (LOL) to explain that it's a shame that men who have a public podium like these men, don't show the true fruit so that unbelievers will be drawn toward Christ.
I also was trying to say that christians won't convict unbelievers if christians attack unbelievers, like has been demonstrated on Fox News and conservative radio, and conservative blogs. Absolutely good idea to pray though for these and everyone.
Next time, I will try (LOL)to edit my comments before pressing "go".
Not to worry Anon,
What I was saying is that so called Christian leaders are aligning with worldly entities and organizations and people to further their agenda. Mr. Barton is no different. Those without the Holy Spirit cannot know love as we know it. That means although Mr. Barton may get us upset, we are to love him as a creation of God and pray for him, but by no means leave him to his heretical teachings without trying to lovingly correct his error and warn others of this error too.
I too send off a post without check it sometimes. Not to worry, I understood what you were saying.
God Bless.
your sister in Christ Jesus,
Cherie c.
Anonymous@ 10:33 said...
"I thank the Lord for this site, because it has stirred me into a new revelation of how we stand as a church today. I always felt these things, but couldn't express the complexities of it all like Bro. Rick does here. He truly has a gift."
These are my thoughts also. I'm grateful for the gift that the Lord has given you Brother Rick. It helps to clear away the junk and bring clarity.The thoughts expressed are straight to the point but are also seasoned with much grace. God Bless you and yours!
Thank you all for the kind words. May they all go to His glory!
I praise our Father in heaven for His healing in your body, Pastor Rick, and that you are feeling well enough to post again. I share in the joy with all of the others listed above, we are grateful precious Jesus.
We have so much to be thankful for in this day and age in spite of our less than Christian past. And I too, was caught up in a church that promotes much of the ideology that Nazi Germany was indoctrinated into...the philosophy permeating much of the church system, is "man is god." I am surrounded by people who believe the Europeans came here to spread the Gospel, at all costs, including the loss of life. Those people who lived on this land were considered "savages" because they fought and killed each other throughout history. I wonder if other cultures with lighter skin color are considered "savages" for fighting against each other killing those of the same skin. It all seems like such an oxymoron. I am surrounded by "Christians" who mock gay and lesbian people, who have such a fierce disdain for President Obama and the Democrats and an effectual love for former President Bush and the Republicans, never mind all of the hidden evil in that administration, and it grieves my spirit when my fellow believers spew out jokes about the Indian people, whose "reservations" (homes) are not too far from my home. I see what a less than Christian nation has done to a people. Perhaps, one day, another people will come and rule, and perhaps they will take away our land and relegate us to a system of their choosing...and we will not have anything to stand on, but the very Word of God. Are we ready for such a day?
May God continue to have mercy on us and change our hearts towards Him. He has changed my heart and He can change others' as well. Praise Jesus.
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