Making sure the God in Whom we trust is the true God, worthy of that faith:

Sometimes I wonder why I don't just turn this more-or-less-daily email into a "Link a day" service. There are so many brilliant people out there like, like Al Mohler, and Churck Colson, who comment on our culture and how various issues interface with scripture. I could just do a little research and post a link.

I guess one problem is that I like to write, and sometimes the insights of these guys show me something significant further down the food-chain that I think you might be interested in, as well. Here is one:

In one of his recent posts Al Mohler commented on the recent ruling of a Federal Appeals Court that says it is OK for us to continue to have "In God we trust," on our money, and to recite, "Under God," in the pledge of allegiance. It sounds like a victory--and indeed it is, but not completely. part of the court's rationale for its ruling is, that these words that have become part of our American tradition have "no theological or ritualistic impact." In other words, the court says it is OK for Treasury Department to continue to print these words on our money and for school children to continue to recite them because they don't really mean anything anyhow. You can read the rest of Mohler's report here.

That is the problem with what has been called "Civic Religion." In trying to be acceptable and applicable to everyone, it retains power for no one.

There is value in maintaining a culture where God is recognized in the public realm, but let's make sure we understand, that the "God" in Whom we trust on a dollar bill, or Whom we claim to be "under" when we pledge allegiance to the flag is not capable of making a difference in our lives. (I know an argument can be made that our forefathers (and mothers) knew who that God was, and is, but that awareness has long since eroded from much of our culture.) Far more important than fighting to keep "God" on our money and in our pledge, is the proclamation that Jesus commanded, that "repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations." (Luke 24:47) Rather than using up all our energy to preserve the meaningless mention of a "God" who is neutered and impotent, we need to be more zealous in proclaiming the message of the God to Whom we are all accountable, and Who "so loved this world that He gave His only Son."

It's STTA.