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The three part series on Christianity, Islam and Judaism is an enormous six hour long undertaking presented by veteran reporter Christiane Amanpour who is known to millions of Americans for her stellar reporting during the early days of the Iraq war. CNN’s choice of Christiane Amanpour to present these controversial issues was a wise choice because of her experience and her obvious ability to ask meaningful questions with skill and excellent timing. A critique of all three segments would be impossible in a few paragraphs and even here only a cursory examination is possible. Looking only at the “Christian Warriors” segment has already raised endless controversy and discussion. Casting a critical eye on Christiane’s reporting and research would be a waste of time. She has a method and a thoroughness that is hard to question, only the nature and content of the report can come under any serious scrutiny. Because an article is not an epic, necessity demands examination of only three main but significant points. Starting with the interviews and comments about Rev. Jerry Falwell it is plain to see that he was afforded a title and a legendary status that he may not really have earned nor wanted. He was often referred to as the father of the conservative Christian right. Few have contributed more than Rev. Falwell to the movement to restore faith in America. Yet even he would warn that it was not him but the founding fathers that connected America’s politics to Biblical principles in the forming of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Almost no attention was paid to the Christian principles America was founded on and that left the report in doubt at best. Falwell addressed the downward slide America has been on from the mid sixties to now through the founding of the “Moral Majority” and in the creation of “Regents University.” Conspicuously missing was any allusion to the fact that Americas very roots and foundation came from biblical beliefs and practices. At best Rev. Falwell only reminded us from whence we came. The report went on to reveal the divisions among believers about social issues and matters like global warming. A great deal of attention was given to the Rev. Richard Cizik who has formed a movement of Christians who ascribe to his “creation care” theology. Cizik quotes bible passages about God’s commands to be good stewards of the earth’s resources and natural wonders. He urges believers to jump onboard the “green train” and says that the bible is all about saving the earth. He has gotten his share of flak from his own National Association of Evangelicals and other Christian notables such as Dr. James Dobson. It seems that Rev. Cizik’s theology is tainted not by his lack of general bible knowledge but by his lack of eschatological understanding specifically. That Christ returns to earth is well known to all believers and regardless of when, one thing is certain, he does not return to a planet that man has completely destroyed. It is the souls of men that go on forever not the earth according to Christ and his apostles. (Luke 21:33) (2 Peter 3:10) A cross section of ministers with opposing views about Christian involvement in politics is offered in the report. In the end it casts more doubt on the subject than a reasonably stable mind can endure. From Falwell to Rev Greg Boyd of the Woodland Hills Church in Minnesota the questions are craftily juxtaposed by Christiane but never quite answered. She says that the message of ministers like Boyd is that there can’t be a Christian nation any more than there can be a Christian bicycle. Neither she nor they seem to have noticed that Christianity’s call to the statesmen and politicians in this nation is to their character not their politics. If they all were guided by the bible and the Holy Spirit the nation would not now be in its death throws and issues like abortion and same sex marriages would be non existent. As to whether Christians should or should not be involved in politics the simple admonishment of Christ in Mark 12:17 says it all, “And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.” The last segment of the “Christian Warriors” piece deals heavily with Ron Luce and his “battle cry” rallies sponsored by the ministries of “Teen Mania.” The movement is based on the idea that our society is over secularized with among other things a “toxic pop culture.” Luce and other leaders say that TV, Hollywood, gamers, the internet and media in general have become “virtue terrorists.” Those alarmed by the downward trends of youth culture have long been crying out for answers. Ron Luce and the teens that get his message are saying they have the answer. It would be impossible even for a novice student of the bible to say they are wrong. The real question is what are the alternatives? Media did not ask America if it could invade the home and pollute our children’s hearts and minds. They are the first to use phrases like “don’t shove your faith down our throats.” The battle cry movement is reversing this phrase with “don’t shove your pop culture down our throats.” Who would not give these kids kudos for their powerful stand? They should be credited for being the first to come to their senses while educators, politicians, law enforcement and civic leaders are bogged down in debate and helplessness. Rev Bresciani is a Christian author and a columnist for several online sites and magazines. His articles are now read in every country in the world. For articles and news from around the world visit “The Website for Insight” http://www.americanprophet.org
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Amanpour, Gods Warriors, CNN, Christianity, religion, Bible, Cizik, Ron Luce, Rev Bresciani, Falwell, Dobson, Moral Majority, Regents, Hollywood, media, teens, battle,
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