NORMAL OR NOMINAL

I Was Just Thinking About - - - 

Before the culture and political correctness became dominating influences, the birth of this nation was grounded upon Judeo-Christian verities and values. Even though there were some deviations on the part of the founding fathers of this nation, the basic core values had The Creator and Scripture as the guiding influence as they sought to define how to establish and maintain “all men are created equal” and the best route to follow if one desired the freedom to realize “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The founding documents desired to clearly define what was the norm (a standard, model or pattern) versus anything that would be a breach or license for the abnormal (deviating from an established standard, departure from the usual or typical, extraordinary).

There was a time when the citizenry had a strong sense of what was normal (usual, typical, common, regular). Laws were based upon foundational principles and enforced accordingly. At some point a shift in perspective and perspicacity (keenness of mental perception and understanding and discernment) occurred. Some proponents of a nominal (in name only, theoretical) approach to freedom and liberty began to gain traction and ultimately momentum. As a nation, we began to be enticed to taste the forbidden fruit. While our demise was not immediate, it allowed for further tasting of forbidden fruit so that now we have journeyed a great distance from the established verities and values. The nation has drifted to where it finds delight in the experimental and has marginalized any frame of reference to a standard or divine authority. There has been a continuing effort to remove reference to God and the Christian religion from public consciousness. 

Regardless of where the secular culture is heading, the greater concern is for the presence and influence of the Biblical Christian and Church amid the decadent culture. By choosing to avoid being labeled as confrontational, we have allowed for a spirit of accommodation to emerge. Too many have become similar to the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz as the manifestation of a lack of resolve and courage is the observable behavior. The subtle attitude of let’s just live and let live is actually similar to bankrupt currency. This is not what the Biblical Christian and Church commitment and resolve is to be. Regarding my recent book, “The Twenty-First Century Church: Is It Waxing or Waning?” the reviewer wrote: “The author…uses the Old Testament to remind the New Testament Church that consequences follow when God’s people ignore the Word of God. ‘With set minds, hardened hearts and seared consciences, the words from the Lord will fall upon deaf ears’ is a scene from the Book of Jeremiah and it applies to the twenty-first century church. The book examines the contemporary church to see if it measures up to the standards of the Bible.  It reveals the failure of the church in relationship to the biblical model. As time passes, the Church begins to allow complacency, apathy and cultural accommodation to occur. At such a time, the Church no longer is waxing (as it should be doing) but begins a waning process (as sin and heretical concepts are embraced). What can the Church do? What should it seek after?” 

A place to begin self examination for both the professing Christian and accommodating Church should be Revelation 2 and 3, especially Revelation 3:1, “I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” Also, Revelation 3:15-16, “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” We are long overdue to return and begin again to take a serious God seriously. He wants us to follow the norms of His standard and flee from the lure of culture's nominal. Consider these things with me.