As I've mentioned before, people frequently tell me that my sermons are too political. The more I study though, the more I find that this kind of preaching has a long history within Presbyterianism. The things I've been learning have made me want to pitch a possible lecture topic for the local Tea Party group (the theme being the same as this post's title).
(This post, "The Presbyterian Rebellion," is a good place to start if you think that I'm full of bunk.)
It all starts back with John Knox, the great Scottish Presbyterian whose life was dedicated to denouncing popish and monarchical tyrants. From what I've gathered, he very rarely spared any language when he spoke out against freedom suppressors.
The Presbyterian influence at the time of the American Revolution was quite substantial too. It is said that 2/3 of the population was Presbyterian at that time, and that is not counting Reformed Anglicans. The Scotch Irish and French Huguenots had migrated here in droves to escape persecutions in their own countries. (So we owe the tyrants of Europe a great thanks for driving them out!)
It is also much due to the Presbyterian preaching that the colonies were rallied to make the break with England. Then, it was Presbyterian polity (which is republican in form) and doctrine that provided the basis for freedom within our country. Many have also said that it was because of America's Presbyterian base that our revolution did not turn out like that of the French Revolution.
This article, Calvinism in America, also seems to be a good primer on the subject. I love the quote from Prime Minister Horace Walpole. In in Parliament he said, "Cousin America has run off with a Presbyterian parson."
Unfortunately, we don't have that same base today. We are too overrun with Arminian and independent sentiments. I don't even believe that on the whole Americans today have it in them to stand up for freedom. (Though, if it were a video game they might.) At the present, we are in love with our tyranny.
Our only hope for freedom in America is the fire that rests in true Presbyterianism. May the Lord grant that freedom loving people everywhere come to recognize it, and may He bestow upon us ministers who have the fervor and zeal that our brave Presbyterian fathers possessed.
1 comment:
Presbyterianism did do much good. I love to learn about John Knox, Peter Marshall, and others. Today, though, when I think of Presbyterianism, I think of women pastors and, though with some exceptions, largely having left God's word. Where are those like Knox, the thundering Scot, whom kings and queens fear? Where are those Christian leaders who are publicly proclaiming God's hatred of sins like homosexuality that our nation is now embracing while pastors prepare nice fluffy sermons? We do not need a return to Presbyterianism. Can you imagine Jesus and the apostles going around today proclaiming Presbyterianism? No--left us forget those man-made labels and proclaim Jesus Christ and the word of God. Luther, Peter, Chrysostom, Moody, Whitefield, and many others were not Presbyterians, yet all influential in this world for Jesus. It is when we promote man-made structures that God's word is obstructed. Let us proclaim Christ and not denominations.
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