A Higher Vision | Heritage Briefs - Episode # 08
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💬 Show Notes:
In this thought-provoking episode of the Morning Star Heritage Briefs, Chuck Christie delves into the crucial relationship between the church and civil government. Drawing on Rick Joyner's writings, we explore how the government's detachment from its constitutional foundations mirrors the church's departure from biblical truths. Christie emphasizes the responsibility of citizens and church leaders to uphold justice and morality, warning against the consequences of failing to do so.
Join us as we reflect on the importance of remaining true to our founding principles and the church's vital role in guiding our nation.
🗣️ Quotes from Rick Joyner
"The government's detachment from our constitutional moorings reflects how the church has detached from its biblical moorings."
"The church cannot do the job of the civil government, and the civil government cannot do the job of the church."
🗣️ Quote from Thomas Jefferson
"Cherish, therefore, the spirit of our people and keep alive their attention."
"Cherish, therefore, the spirit of our people and keep alive their attention."
🗣️ Quote from John Hancock
"Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual."
"Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual."
📝 Blog Post Body:
In today's episode of the Morning Star Heritage Briefs, Chuck Christie takes us on a compelling journey through the intricate relationship between the church and civil government. Drawing from the insightful writings of Rick Joyner, Christie highlights the alarming detachment of our government from its constitutional foundations, paralleling the church's drift from biblical truths.
The episode begins by emphasizing the responsibility of both citizens and church leaders to uphold justice and morality within our society. Christie points out that the trampling of justice in our country reflects a lack of justice within the church itself, where slander and hearsay often prevail over due process. This poignant observation sets the stage for a deeper discussion of the essential role the church must play in guiding our nation's moral compass.
One of the key themes of the episode is the idea that the church is called to be 'salt and light,' a phrase that encapsulates Christians' duty to positively influence the world. Christie argues that, as citizens of a republic, we have a responsibility to speak out against wrongdoing not only in government but also within our own religious communities. The episode stresses that true change begins with a return to the wisdom and principles found in our founding documents, which serve as a compass for our collective moral direction.
As Christie delves deeper into the historical context, he reminds us of the warnings from our founding fathers, who understood that a government based on freedom and justice could only thrive among a moral and religious populace. The episode takes a sobering turn as it reflects on the consequences of losing our moral foundation, suggesting that without a strong church, we risk descending into tyranny and chaos.
Listeners are encouraged to reflect on the current state of our nation and the church's role in confronting the challenges we face. The episode concludes with a powerful reminder that while changing direction may be difficult, it is not impossible. By turning back to the Lord and embracing our responsibilities, we can reclaim the moral high ground and ensure that our republic endures.
Join us for this enlightening episode that not only addresses the pressing issues of our time but also calls us to action. Tune in to the Morning Star Heritage Briefs and be part of the conversation that seeks to restore our nation's commitment to its foundational principles.
✍️ Episode References
Rick Joyner
Thomas Jefferson
John Hancock
Morning Star Heritage Briefs
https://www.talknetworkradio.com/hosts/MSHB
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Long Summary
In this episode of the Morningstar Heritage Briefs, Chuck Christie presents an in-depth analysis of Rick Joyner's "A Higher Vision Heritage Brief 8." The discussion underscores the connection between the government's detachment from constitutional principles and the Church's drift from biblical foundations. Joyner argues that the erosion of justice in society mirrors a similar lack of righteousness within the Church, where individuals are often condemned based on slander and hearsay rather than due process. He argues that as darkness spreads in the nation, it serves as a reminder of the Church's failure to fulfill its role as the salt and light in the world.
Joyner asserts the responsibility of citizens, particularly those in the Church, to address the wrongdoings of government officials and church leaders alike. Drawing on New Testament teachings, he emphasizes that believers are called to speak out against injustice and hold their leaders accountable, citing the Apostle Paul’s confrontation with Peter to underscore the imperative to stand for truth. He posits that being the salt and light demands not only recognizing societal issues but also pursuing solutions grounded in divine wisdom, which the Bible assures believers they can access if they seek it earnestly.
The lecture further elucidates the distinct yet complementary roles of civil government and the Church. Joyner clarifies that while civil authorities are tasked with legislation, the Church bears the role of influencing hearts and fostering moral transformation. He emphasizes that the two entities must collaborate to uphold justice and righteousness, supporting one another when the government acts justly and fulfilling the prophetic role of admonition when necessary. The discourse highlights the importance of maintaining moral integrity within society, arguing that a virtuous populace is essential for the preservation of a republic.
Joyner poignantly reflects on societal breakdowns, using the civil unrest following a power outage in New York as a cautionary tale. He reiterates Margaret Thatcher's assertion that civilization's veneer is fragile, suggesting that without lawful restraint and a robust justice system, moral decay can ensue rapidly. The lecture dives into the historical context provided by the Founding Fathers, who recognized that the sustainability of American governance relies on the moral fiber of its people, emphasizing that as morality erodes, the potential for tyranny increases.
The necessity for a moral revival is underscored, with Joyner warning against the consequences of drifting further from foundational principles. He identifies the departure from morality and a religious framework as the root cause of current national challenges, stressing that both individuals and the Church must take decisive steps towards rectification. He advocates for the revival of the relationship between the Church and the government as a means of countering disintegration into chaos and tyranny, asserting the timeless relevance of founding documents as a compass for navigating contemporary issues.
Joyner's thoughtful reflections illustrate a historical partnership between the government and the Church that has eroded over the decades, particularly since the 1960s, when movements aimed at severing this bond gained traction. He traces the ramifications of judicial overreach that has sought to eliminate references to God in the public sphere and highlights the alarming trend of diminishing religious liberty. This erosion, he argues, reveals a deeper ideological battle against the foundational principles established by the Constitution.
The lecture concludes with a stirring reminder of the moral duty to resist tyranny, invoking quotes from renowned figures such as Thomas Jefferson and John Hancock. Joyner calls upon listeners to remain vigilant and engaged in public affairs, emphasizing that a dormant populace will only empower those who seek to undermine liberty. He urges a return to faith, moral clarity, and active participation in both the Church and civic realms, positioning these elements as indispensable for restoring the nation's integrity and future.
Brief Summary
In this lecture, Chuck Christie analyzes Rick Joyner's "A Higher Vision Heritage Brief 8," focusing on the government's detachment from constitutional principles and the Church's deviation from biblical foundations. Joyner argues that the erosion of justice in society parallels a lack of righteousness in the Church, highlighting the responsibility of citizens—especially believers—to confront injustices. He emphasizes the need for collaboration between civil government and the Church to uphold moral integrity and justice, warning of the dangers of societal breakdown in the absence of a robust justice system. The discussion stresses the importance of a moral revival and the restoration of the relationship between Church and government to counter the drift toward chaos and tyranny, drawing from historical perspectives and foundational documents. Joyner concludes with a call for active engagement in civic duties as vital for preserving liberty and integrity in the nation.
Transcript
[0:07] A Higher Vision Heritage Brief 8
[0:00] Hello again, this is Chuck Christie, bringing you another segment of the Morningstar Heritage Briefs. This episode is entitled A Higher Vision Heritage Brief 8, by Rick Joyner. Our government's detachment from our constitutional moorings reflects the Church's detachment from its biblical moorings. The trampling of justice in our country is a reflection of the lack of justice in the Church, where people are quickly declared guilty by slander, gossip, and hearsay without due process. Again, when corruption and darkness grow in our land, we can point to the Church for failing to be the salt and light we are called to be.
[0:49 As citizens in a republic, we have the responsibility to speak out against the wrongdoing of our government leaders. In the New Testament, it is the responsibility of the saints to speak out against the wrongdoing and omissions of church leaders. Even the youngest apostle, Paul, stood up to Peter when he was drifting from the core truth of the gospel. If we have been entrusted with the truth, we are required to stand up for it with boldness, even to confront our leaders when they need it.
[1:23] The Role of the Church in Society
[1:24] To be the salt and light we are called to be, we must have solutions to the important issues of the times. The Bible declares that Christians have access to the wisdom from above if we will ask for it. There is wisdom from above that will right any wrong and fix any problem. We have access to the one who can fix anything. It is the civil authority's mandate to make laws, but it is the church's responsibility to change hearts. To address the ultimate issues requires both. The church cannot do the job of the civil government, and civil government cannot do the job of the church. This requires that each stay within its own lane. But if the job is going to be done, it is necessary that there be a working relationship between the two. Because the church is called to be a prophet to the nation in which it abides, it may at times need to stand up to the civil government and oppose its actions, just as the prophets did to the kings in Scripture. Even so, that does not mean the church is called to oppose the government. When the government is doing what is right and just, the church needs to support it. Civil government and the church are both servants of the Lord, as we see in Romans 13.
[2:52] We should be, first and foremost, partners in our national purpose, but be willing to confront when necessary. Laws that control behavior are necessary, but we must not settle for a people who are good because they have to be. There is a higher calling: the church's place is to write God's laws on the hearts of the people so they want to do what is right.
[3:17] Moral Foundations of Government
[3:18] When the lights went out in New York, riots and robbery broke out across the city. Observing this, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher stated an obvious truth. The veneer of civilization is very thin. Without the restraint of laws and a system of justice to enforce them, people can degenerate into evil very fast. This is why we need civil government. The pursuit of being a people that do not change their behavior when the lights go out is why we have the church. The founders of the American Republic stated that such a government could only work for a moral and religious people. To the degree that we lose our morality or our religion, this form of government will degenerate into tyranny, just as America is now doing. The root of what is now happening to our country is not the result of a bad form of government or of inept people in it.
[4:23] This is more the result of the departure of morality and religion from the country, largely because the church is not what we are called to be: salt and light. If we do not change our direction, we will end up where we are headed. We are headed to the same conclusion that many nations and empires have reached when they lost their basic morality: first anarchy, then destruction, followed by tyranny. For a person to change direction is hard, but for a whole nation, it is much more difficult. The further we go down the course we are now on, the harder it will be. But it will never be impossible if we turn to the Lord. Nothing is impossible for Him.
[5:12] Changing Course: A Call to Action
[5:12] Changing course begins with the declaration that it must be done. To know the right direction to turn, we must know where we are supposed to be going and where we are. Our founding documents are our compass, and if we do not refer to them regularly, we will continue to drift off course, just as we have. In the journals and personal writings of the Founders, they often note how crucial the Church was to maintaining the Republic. From the beginning and until the last half-century, there was a strong bond and partnership between the government and the Church. It was not perfect because both are made up of imperfect people,
[5:59] Attacks on Religious Liberty
[5:57] but it worked powerfully. In the 1960s, small but loud movements emerged with the stated goal of breaking this relationship between the government and the Church. These enemies of our liberty declared their intent to remove all references to God from government and public places. They knew they could not get such things passed as laws through Congress. So they targeted the courts to preempt Congress by making laws from the bench.
[6:30]This was blatantly unconstitutional, but the lawless care nothing for obeying the law. They will do anything to achieve their agenda. The courts proved willing to step outside their constitutional lane, usurping the authority of Congress and the executive branch, and began to undermine the Constitution and erode our most basic liberties. Thank you.
[6:53] The Church's Prophetic Responsibility
[6:54] The nation was shocked by the Supreme Court decision to forbid prayer in public schools, but they got away with this most basic and obvious violation of the First Amendment by not prohibiting the free exercise of religion. Neither Congress nor the executive branch defended their constitutional authority, so the Constitution was weakened and then unraveled by the courts; to this day, it hangs by a thread. The nation that was founded to be a haven for persecuted Christians and Jews is now attacking them and religious liberty itself. If the church does not take the prophetic authority it has to this aberrant and increasingly tyrannical behavior of the government, our republic is near its end.
[7:46] Cherish, therefore, the spirit of our people, and keep their attention alive. Do not be too severe upon their errors, but reclaim them by enlightening them. If they become inattentive to public affairs, you, I, Congress, Assemblies, Judges, and Governors shall all become wolves. Thomas Jefferson.
[8:11] Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. Continue steadfast, and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us. John Hancock.
Copyright 2020 by Rick Joyner. All rights reserved.
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