A Perspective on 50 Years

A Perspective on 50 Years

Has America ceased to be a Christian nation?

By Dr. David R. Reagan

Constitution

(Note: This article was written by Dr. Reagan in July of 1988 when he became fifty years old.)

I was born in 1938 when cars still had American names and running boards and before they had air conditioning, automatic transmissions, radial tires, cruise control, power steering and brakes, and turning signals.

When I recently turned 50, I sat down for a while and contemplated the changes that had taken place during those years. I was overwhelmed. I came away from the experience feeling like an antique.

Technological Changes

I was reminded again and again of the prophecy in Daniel 12:4 which says that in the end times men will move about quickly and knowledge will increase.

I made a long list of all the inventions that have become commonplace in my lifetime. The most significant technological developments I could think of were television, nuclear power, the computer, and space travel.

The first television set I remember seeing was in 1952. A radio station in my home town of Waco, Texas set up a circus tent full of TV sets, and people paid one dollar to watch the Republican National Convention. We mainly saw “snow” as the picture drifted in and out.

Societal Changes

Equally significant to me were the societal developments I could think of during the past 50 years. When I was born:

  • Abortionists were sent to prison.
  • Pregnancy out of wedlock was thought of as scandalous.
  • Homosexuals were considered queer.
  • Pornography was despised as a sickness.
  • Marriage was sacred. Living together was taboo. Divorce was a disgrace.
  • Homemaking was honored and day care was provided by mothers in their homes.
  • Child abuse was almost unheard of.
  • Ladies did not smoke or curse.
  • “Damn” was considered flagrant language in a movie.
  • Houses and autos were never locked.
  • A man’s word was his honor.
  • Drugs were something you bought at a pharmacy (or “drug store”).
  • Alcoholism was considered a sin, not a disease.
  • Popular music was devoid of demonic beats and words.
  • Eastern religion was still in the East.
  • Public school students prayed in their classes and read the Bible, and creation could still be taught as an alternative to evolution.
  • High Schools graduates could read their diplomas.
  • The Ten Commandments were still legal.
  • Aids was a gift of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:28 KJV).
  • Our governments local, state, and national still promoted Judeo-Christian values rather than lotteries, horse racing, and casino gambling.
  • Christian teaching focused on sacrificing for Christ rather than confessing materialistic success.
  • Governmental authority was respected. Police were held in high esteem.
  • Humanism was considered a curse.
  • Social security was a job. Living on welfare was a disgrace.

As the Virginia Slim cigarette ad once put it, “We’ve come a long way, baby!” Yes, we have, and most of it has been in the wrong direction.

A Comparison to Judah

Like the ancient nation of Judah, we have been blessed like no other nation. But also like Judah, we have taken pride in our blessings and have turned our back on the One who provided the blessings.

We have become a proud, arrogant and carnal nation wallowing in materialism and indulging in the pursuit of pleasure. In the process we have become the prime moral polluter of planet Earth.

Everywhere I go in the world I find the influence of our wanton immortality. All you have to do is flip on a TV set, and whether you are in Africa, Latin America, Asia or Europe, you will see the most violent and immoral American movies and television programs. Like Judah of old, the wrath of God is hanging over our nation. God is calling us to repentance through natural signs like the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 and the severe drought of 1987. He is also speaking to us through prophetic voices like David Wilkerson and Dave Hunt.

But like the citizens of Judah, we have become spiritually numb. We ignore the signs and condemn the prophetic voices. We listen instead to pillow prophets who speak peace and urge us to seek the good life of health, wealth and power. We even pat ourselves on the back by reminding our critics that we are a “Christian nation.”

A Christian Nation?

What a blasphemy it is to call ourselves a Christian nation! We are anything but Christ-like as we export our gross immorality to the rest of the world and murder our babies here at home at the incredible rate of more than a million and a half a year.

Our nation is a stench in the nostrils of God! If we do not repent, the wrath of God is going to be poured out upon us, and it will be severe, for those to whom much is given, much is expected. The challenge of the hour is for all of us who profess Christ to get on our knees and seek God in prayer, repenting of our wicked ways so that He will heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

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