The statistics for the numbers of evangelicals in America have always been substantial....but few of those evangelicals were born again redeemed children of God....of which 10% of Americans would be a generous figure. That 25% or even 40% who were evangelical but not Christian....still had a very positive effect on America. They were God-fearing....and thus their politics was pro-life and pro-family and pro-America.
Forty years ago in the church we knew that a great delusion was coming in the last days....and we knew then that we were in those last days. We knew that there were false prophets and false teachers and false signs and wonders ahead. God's Word tells us that....'if it were possible'....even the elect would fall for the delusion....and that is exactly how it played out....because the evangelical-only fell head over heels for the false prophet....while the born again Christian largely did not want any part of this man....the rest taken in right now but will see their error in due time.
What Trump did was take that half of America that still had a great respect for the constitution and the rule of law....and he lured them with every possible lurid temptation until they abandoned all that they previously believed. The result was and is that the separation of powers in America is now gone....and all the checks and balances along with it. A tyrant has been born and coronated. So many precedents have been set that a constitutional republic is now just a thing of the past....until Trump gets a hold of the textbooks....and then it won't even be remembered as that....for they will say only what he demands that they say.
We still have a functioning Supreme Court....but then again Trump is after that also. The Justice department is damaged....along with all the intelligence agencies....their new responsibilities no longer are protecting America....but protecting Donald Trump.
We needed that voice in the church that warns. John MacArthur had always been one of those voices....along with Billy Graham and R. C. Sproul and many others....but during the pandemic he choose instead....to keep his church doors open....and his gty.org ministry viable. God took Graham and Sproul and Tim Keller home....who otherwise would be warning us right now....and John Piper....maybe he has health problems....maybe he is busy writing a giant book that will only be read for reference....I don't know....but I do not hear him out there warning us.
Tomorrow is yet another Lord's Day and pastors will be rushing home after church to watch March Madness. As bad as all of this is....God will not be mocked. We are right now running after silver and gold....but will perish along with it. We...."may build"....but God...."will tear it right back down.' May He have mercy upon our pulpits starting tomorrow....and thereby have mercy upon all of us....all for His name's sake alone....and His glory alone....and only if it be in His perfect will.
Addendum: The definition of an evangelical has changed....or rather evolved....not only over the years but over the centuries. It was once pretty much another word for Christian....but in modern times it was one who believed that one had to be born again to be saved....but today it is more a description of that powerful political bloc within the Republican Party that believes that the United States of America was a Christian nation....(which it never was)....and should therefore return to....whatever it was that it once was. The post above references the last of these incarnations.
