“We live in an era that questions authority.”
John McArthur.
Today, at this moment in history, Americans are frustrated, uncertain, tired and scared. The American dream is crumbling in front of them, finical security is waning, uncertainty is looming and the people are voicing their concern. Since September 17, 2011 Occupy Wall Street has been a moving force that will define this year and possibly this decade. While some have contributed it to a passing fad, others have remarked the similarities between the hippie movement of the 1960’s. While many Christians would like to just ignore that it is happening, like it or not Christians are going to have to respond to the bent up frustration of this generation. That leaves us with one very important question, should Christians support the Occupy Wall Street Protestors or should they protest against them equally loud?
I have seen many conservative video’s, pictures and posts mocking the protestors. Is that how Jesus would want us to respond? The protesters are angry, because they have put their faith in a government that is failing them. The problem is, the government is made up of fallible people and it was never designed to save anyone. The United States of America is a republic that is supposed to provide security to its people foreign and domestic; it was never intended to be a savior. It can’t, but Jesus can.
Christians businessmen, moms, dads, grandparents, young adults, need to be amongst these protesters and tell them, “I agree with you, the government is not the great Hope that was voted for in 2008. However, I know the source of a true hope, one that will not fail you! It comes in the name of Jesus Christ!” Looking to another governmental system will not and cannot save anyone, but a peace, which transcends all understanding, comes from Jesus Christ who is our Lord.
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. 3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. Titus 3:1-8
John McArthur writes in his book, Why the Government Can’t Save You, that individual believers need to “make their chief concern their own spiritual maturity, which means living in a way that honors God’s commands and glorifies His name.”
Photo by david_shankbone
Thanks for those thoughts. I believe that Christians should always stand with those who feel oppressed, betrayed, or marginalized. We should always stand against those who behave with greed and unfairness.
Christians should deliver those who are oppressed, betrayed, or marginalized. Does to stand with them mean to strengthen their feelings that, though real, are being manipulated by the world? They can be delivered without being put down. We need to pray for those who are in positions of decision and authority. God is the supreme Creator. He creates jobs. Find out what he wants from his people. He gives us the power to gain wealth (Deut). We know what Wall Street says. We know what protesters say. Do we know what God says about the situation?
The biggest problem I have seen with “Occupy Wall Street” is that they don’t sem to offer any solutions. Their frustration is real but it isn’t going to be solved by standing around. We need to attack the basic causes of the problem.
Unemployment-Big businesses are crumbling as they are overextended in a down economy. Smaller businesses can pick up the slack because they aren’t burdened with extensive pension obligations.
The family-The church is the last big supporter of the family. People are searching for someone who cares, Christians can be that someone. People need to see families that work and the church has them but they keep to themselves.
The value of life-Abortion has sparked a general decline in the value of life. The church needs to publically defend the value of life. As our population ages, it needs young workers to support the elderly but couples are having fewer kids and abortion is taking one out of three babies that are conceived. Many families want kids but can’t have them. We need to promote adoption, not abortion.
Robert Barr
Weston, Oh. USA