USA was founded on biblical principles  Judeo-Christian ethics ∙Love & serve God ∙Love your neighbor ∙Jesus is the Savior ∙Christianity is the right religion

“While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian” - George Washington

“The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God” - John Adams

Our nation has drifted far from its founding  A reproach, Prov. 14:34  Churches compromise, Eph. 5:11  Leaders have led astray, Jer. 50:6  No salt or light, Mt. 5:13-16

Evolution “reject the rigid dogmatism of the ‘Creationist’ movement”

Evolution “human beings and monkeys, chimpanzees, and other primates can trace their lineage to a common ancestor living about seven million years ago”

Evolution “Early church theologians…said that the six days should not be understood as scientific chronology”

Evolution “We preclude… theology from making authoritative claims about scientific issues”

Evolution  Bible ∙Authority on issues it touches, Psa. 119:160 ∙Man from dust, not animals, Gen. 2:7 ∙Man from beginning, Mk. 10:6 ∙Earth about 6,000 years old ∙Earth created in 6 days, Ex. 20:11

Role of Women in Religious Leadership “providing for election to church offices… giving attention to a fair representation of both male and female constituency”

Role of Women in Religious Leadership 1930 Ruling elders 1956 teaching elders 1978 Constitutional provision that both men and women be elected elders and deacons in local congregations

Role of Women in Religious Leadership “ordination of women in the Lutheran Church in North America began on June 29, 1970…” About 2,400 women clergy

Role of Women in Religious Leadership “Christian tradition does not speak a uniform word on this issue…”

Role of Women in Religious Leadership  Bible ∙Elders, 1 Tim. 3:1-7 ∙Deacons, 1 Tim. 3:8-13 ∙Public teachers, 1 Tim. 2:11, 12

Abortion “the artificial or induced termination of a pregnancy…should not be restricted by law”

Abortion “…can be morally acceptable… severe physical or mental deformity…”

Abortion  Bible ∙OT law on abortion, Ex. 21:22-25 ∙Life in the womb, Psa. 71:6 ∙Babe in & out of womb, Lk. 1:44; 2:12

Homosexuality “Gay and lesbian people are invited to participate fully in all aspects of this church’s life and mission.”

Homosexuality Allow practicing homosexuals to serve as pastors, associates in ministry, deaconesses, and diaconal ministers

Homosexuality First homosexual priest ordained 1989 First homosexual bishop ordained 2003

Homosexuality  Bible ∙Adam & Eve, Gen. 2:18-24 ∙Sodom & Gomorrah, Jude 7 ∙New Testament, 1 Cor. 6:9-11

Islam “I am not interested in interfaith dialogue, I am interested in interfaith projects.” - Rick Warren, Islamic Society of North America on July 4, 2009  Bible ∙Paul confounded the Jews, Acts 9:22 ∙Paul pounded the pagans, Acts 17:22-25 ∙Preach the gospel to all, Mk. 16:15, 16

Islam “we have to do something about modeling what it means to live in peace…” - Rick Warren, Islamic Society of North America on July 4, 2009  Bible ∙Peace found in Christ, Eph. 2:14-17 ∙At war with error, 2 Cor. 10:3-5

Islam “you can walk hand-in-hand without seeing eye-to-eye” - Rick Warren, Islamic Society of North America on July 4, 2009  Bible ∙Must agree to walk together, Amos 3:3 ∙No right hand of fellowship, 2 Jn ∙Cannot fellowship demons, 1 Cor. 10:20-22

Expose error, Eph. 5:11; Rom. 16:17, 18  Publically  Privately

Come out of sinful religions, 2 Cor. 6:14-18  To be right with God  To set an example for others  To enjoy fellowship with the faithful

If we are going to turn back, we must recognize the corruption

USA was founded on biblical principles  Judeo-Christian ethics ∙Love & serve God ∙Love your neighbor ∙Jesus is the Savior ∙Christianity is the right religion

Our nation has drifted far from its founding  A reproach, Prov. 14:34  Churches compromise, Eph. 5:11  Leaders have led astray, Jer. 50:6  No salt or light, Mt. 5:13-16