IS THIS THE END OF CHRISTENDOM ?
This Headline appeared in Kenya's Daily Nation a few days ago, based on the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elisabeth 11. It set me thinking. The actual word 'Christendom', in my own mind, somehow had already become obsolete by the time the Second World War -1940-4 - ended. This was probably because of gradual secular, social and moral values replacing the Bible - especially in Education, and even in LAW, The Twentieth Century already seemed far removed from the Idea of a Universal Christian Faith ruling so much of the civilized world. A rather narrow and uneducated view, but then I was not highly educated then, or even now. As I grew up, after the war, in England, I realised that great changes were afoot; changes that affected what I had been taught, at home and in school, relative to the Country's moral code, way of life, and Religion. These trends continued to make inroads into societys historical and national pride of place, God consciousness, and traditional ethics regarding good manners, and human respectable behaviour. By the end of the 1950's into the 1960's this was more than visible to a teenager growing up. And it had the effect of making it very difficult to discern the Truth. As the decades continued to pass, I have seen these initially quiet and unnoticed, liberal, permissive, and even appeasing trends gather momentum, until our identity as a Christian Country has almost disappeard; but not quite - there are still pockets of resistance. But more and more publically, we see a State without a Christian Identity.
This was evident in England, for example, in 2011, when Mr. Justice Jack Beatson stated that
"There is no place in British Law, for Christian Beliefs"
AND
"This, (the United Kingdom)
is a secular state."
I did mention this, in particular in our Blog for 5th March 2011 which is recallable on the Net.
Queen Elisabeth, as Head of the Church of England, addressing the Synod
Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth was, in her time, Head of the Church of England, and Defender of the Faith (the Christian Faith as presented by the Anglican Church of England.) And in a way she was a constant reminder to the Nation that GOD was her Strength, and the Strength of the Nation also. If you like she was a National Consciounce. Now she has gone on to give account to God in Heaven. What will happen now. What of the King, Charles 111 ? He has tentatively said that rather than be the Defender of The Faith (Christianity), he would prefer to be
Defender of Faith - generally - wherever it is found, in whatever belief or philosophy. I do sincerely understand where he is coming from, but it won't really do.
'Thou Shalt Have no other God before me', is the criterior of the Bible. There IS only ONE God, and I, as a Believer in Jesus Christ, and the Bible, cannot be seen to accept '
other gods' OR encourage them to be established and acceptable in my life as a Believer in the one true God. . This is the bottom line. It is very outdated, today, and it may be impossible to actually see it enacted 'statewise' in this present age. The whole idea and principal has been, and is being compromised.
His Majesty, as a Christian Prince, may love all men and women, and be willing to protect them, but not necessarily propogate or encourage
them to pursue another Way, not Christ's. Nor encourage any of
the individual Christian believers, if they in any way divert from the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Bible. So however good our motives may be, or sound, we have to take care they do not weaken the faith of ourselves as Believers in Jesus, and God'sWord, OR lead others astray into error. Her Majesty, Queen Elisabeth, was always clear as to what she Believed in, and never departed from her Witness to, and for, Christ, in her life and work. It did not seperate her from reaching out to others of different faith, in love and under-standing. But did she, I wonder, compromise just a little, and keep from Witnessing to them of The Way, The Truth and the Life found in Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God? Contantly encroached upon, as the United Kingdom is, by so many seeking refuge or prosperity within its shores, the presssure to 'live and let live' is ever greater. Without doubting the genuine kindness and merciful mind of King Charle, we should pray seriously for him to do nothing without Jesus Christ in mind and heart. And we know that current opinions and ideas will do their best to divert him from this action. It will not be an easy road for him, and it is not an easy road for ANY of us in this present world, no longer a Christian World in any real sense. To stand for Jesus will more and more be a risk. As world society becomes, progressively more godless, and concerned with deceitful and false pleasures, and any who proclaim the true Gospel, and New Life in Jesus Christ, will become enemies of the State; even the World. For the World is at odds with God and always has been, and is His Enemy.
BUT the end of Christendom is NOT the end of Christianity, nor the Kingdom of God. Christendom may, in fact, have been a 'myth'! Christendom may yet to be! We who are alive today, and who have a living faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, (our coming King, the Saviour of our soul), will be called upon to SHINE in the coming darkness of utter unbelief around us, and to stand up and be SEEN and HEARD. This is not the time to HIDE the 'Treasure' that resides within our fragile Tents, but REVEAL it, and He Who IS our LORD will BE revealed in and through us.
++++++++++++++++++
The Innauguration of Kenya's 5th President, William Ruto
taken on Tuesday 13th September at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Nairobi.
Left to Right:- Chief Justice Matha Koome, President Ruto, Mrs.Rachel Ruto.
We waited a long time for the Election. We were happy and glad that it took place amid peace and quietness, and generally was accomplished in a good and orderly matter. There were one or two stressful moments as we waited for the final Results to be read out, but although this resulted in an attempt to nullify the Results, the Supreme Court of Justice, on Appeal, found no justifiable case to answer, and Result was therefore confirmed. And so the Swearing In of the President, took place and it seemed everyone was content. The actual Innauguration saw more than 60,0000 fill the Stadium, and God provided fairly good weather, until near the conclusion the late afternoon. God was there. Many stood and prayed for the President, and for his Deputy, as they were both sworn in, There was such a general sense of rejoicing, and good will. We have Thanked God, and we ask you all to pray for our new President, his Excellency William Ruto as he comes into office to face very pressing and serious problems with our Economy. Food and Fuel prices here are rising, as they are elsewhere in the world, - mainly, we are told, due to the Ukranian War with Russia. This is certainly putting huge pressure on the majority of our people, who are living below the breadline, being unemployed, or poorly paid. It has also seemingly reflected upon those living in other countries who support our charitable missions here, as we see income generally dropping month by month to meet the RISE in costs. We thank God for continuing to keep our own heads above water, but the Enemy is also busy to do all he can to cast us down.
We are all WELL. The School has just closed for 10 days on the 16th, the and will re-open on 26th September for the last Term of the year. All thing are still a bit topsy turve due to the chaos caused by Covid 19, and the Election, and the change-over from what was known as 8-4-4 School Education Plan ( 8 years in Primary, 4 in Secondary, and 4 in University. Our school, Testimony School, was chosen as one to Pilot the new incoming system, known as the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC).and we have slowly been upgrading for 6 years now. In January 2023 Our Primary Graduating Class will move up to the new Junior High Class 1. BUT our new President is not happy with this system and is considering reverting to 8-4-4 !!! This will be a real set back, and renewed costs to all Schools. Addionally our new President is determined to implement a gradual annual closure of Children's Homes over the next 10 years, at the end of which period he hopes all such Homes will be shut. A lot going on, and a lot that threathens Testimony Faith Homes. We would, once again, ask you all to pray for us, and for the children God has put in our care. All in all a very challenging time. But GOD is with us, and He does not change. He is able to DELIVER us, and WILL deliver us from all our distresses, and TAKE US ON!! Amen. Please also continue to lift Daryl up in your prayers, since he is of course right in the middle of all this, and carrying the burden of it all. He is coping, but feeling a little pressed right now.
Sorry for this log GAP. I personally have felt a bit uninspired, and also afflicted with a persistant cough. We wondered if it might be Covid, since I have also been quite tired, but tested negative. Just a mild case of 'flu. I feel a bit more on top currently. ESTHER has just TWO more Chemo sessions to endure. One on the 29th of this month and the last on 20th October. She is doing just fine, and we Praise the Lord, and Thank you all for your prayers. Another Blog next week . God Bless you all, and sustain you all and every one.
Lovingly in Jesus Name
John, Esther, and Daryl Green
2 comments:
Thanks dad, for the encouraging blog. God bless you and mum always.
Missed the blog and glad you are both well. Hopefully you feel much better. Hendrika
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