Enforcing the Crown Rights of Christ
By Jeff Ziegler
Published May 2008
The Relationship of Prayer and God’s Law in Reformation
“There is a communion of men with God by which, having entered the heavenly sanctuary, appeal to him in person concerning his promises in order to experience, where necessity so demands, that what they believed was not in vain, although he had promised it in word alone.”
- John Calvin
It is interesting to note all of the various prayer movements which are springing up around the country. Most of these seem intent on seeing great spiritual awakening. Truly, I encourage such praying for our national sin is great indeed and corporate prayer, especially covenantally based prayer, is one of the great means in achieving a great Christian Renaissance. However, I do have concern that many of these movements have little understanding of the theological and historic underpinning of genuine awakening which brings societal reform.
While prayer is of paramount importance in arresting national moral atrophy, it is equally important to note that there are concrete Biblical steps which must be concurrent with such praying or which follow quickly on the heels thereof. The mighty revival and reformation during Israel’s captivity led by Ezra and Nehemiah, certainly had its genesis in prayer (Ezra 9:5-15; Nehemiah 1:4-11). However, the central theme of their reformation was not prayer in and of itself but, instead the answer which their prayers secured. That central blessing and purpose was the restoration of the Law of God in Israel as depicted in Ezra 7:10; 10:3; and Nehemiah 8:1-9; 9:1-3; 10:29. This restoration of the Law of God and the subsequent return to orthodoxy and fidelity which it wrought, was the chief reason for the sweeping re-ordering of Israel’s apostate society which now regained God’s favor.
The standard for a reformed society has always been and will always be the Law of God. Unfortunately, so many in the “revival prayer movement” see no need of restoring the orthodox and Protestant doctrinal foundations which are the bedrock for any lasting reformation. In fact, they shun any such standard and instead grasp at politically correct straws such as cultural and racial reconciliation, (whatever that means), and lowest common denominator unity which is said to be necessary as a testimony to the world.
However, if such unity has no orthodox creedal basis, if such a proposed unity refuses to confront evil,(without Scriptural standards evil cannot be defined let alone confronted), and if such unity harbors heresy on primary issues, then what standard is being raised as a “testimony” to the world in the first place?
The American “First Great Awakening” is often lauded as the epitome of revival. Much emphasis is given to the vast numbers of people who were swept into the Kingdom and the effect this had on society at large. Unfortunately, very little attention is given to the fact that the great leaders of the day Jonathan Edwards, Gilbert Tennant, John Rowland and English firebrand George Whitefield were in fact Calvinistic, covenantal in their approach to Scripture, theocratic if not outright theonomic in ethics and to a man, were postmillennial in outlook. Indeed, their theology formed their worldview, which in turn impacted the content and methodology of their pulpiteering. Thus, it was reformation preaching which brought the sweeping revival.
So, as important as prayer is to revival and reformation such prayer cannot be divorced from doctrine or anarchy will be the result.
That is precisely why The Puritan Storm is dedicated to the restoration of the fallen altars of our Puritan heritage for reformation cannot be had without Reformed doctrine!
Thus we by God’s grace must highly resolve to support corporate covenantally based prayer for revival (a return to orthodoxy), reformation (according to God’s Law) and reconstruction (coextensive with all of society). Yet at the same time we must engage antinomian (lawless) pietistic and mystical defeatists within the Church and overcome them. As they are displaced, we must doggedly continue to disciple pastors, train students, reform local churches, and mobilize such churches to act in enforcing the Crown Rights of Jesus Christ over all of society. In this way we will be in line with ministry of Ezra and Nehemiah.
So, let us hasten to action stations by mobilizing for prayer according to the covenantal standards of God’s Word. May we not equivocate, excuse or retreat until the Kingdom and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole heaven and earth are given to the saints of the most high God. May God grant that every form of indolence and ignorance be driven from the Church, and that she in turn would drive iniquity from our land. For God has not given this task of dominion to any other institution but the Church. To speak of reforming the culture without reforming the arrogantly ignorant and impotent American Church is sheer folly!
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Martin Luther (DVD) 1953 Classic
Niall MacGinnis – Digitally Remastered
The dramatic classic film of Martin Luther’s life was released in theaters worldwide in the 1950s and was nominated for two Oscars. A magnificent depiction of Luther and the forces at work in the surrounding society that resulted in his historic reforming efforts, this film traces Luther’s life from a guilt-burdened monk to his eventual break with the Roman Catholic Church.
In spite of its age, this film continues to be a popular resource to introduce Luther’s life. This historical epic captures the life and times of the greatest figure of the Protestant Reformation with depth and clarity, while giving a glimpse at the private man in the eye of the storm. Luther’s protest against the established order of the Church gave birth to one of the largest religious and cultural movements history and serves as a prime example of how one man’s spiritual convictions can change the course of human events.
Running Time: 105 minutes
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The Four Keys to the Millennium (Book)
Foundations in Biblical Eschatology
By Jay Rogers, Larry Waugh, Rodney Stortz, Joseph Meiring. High quality paperback, 167 pages.
All Christians believe that their great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will one day return. Although we cannot know the exact time of His return, what exactly did Jesus mean when he spoke of the “sign of His coming” (Mat. 24)? How are we to interpret the prophecies in Isaiah regarding the time when “the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Isa. 11:19)? Should we expect a time of great tribulation or reformation and revival before the Lord returns? Is the devil bound now, and are the saints reigning with Christ? Did you know that there are four hermeneutical approaches to the book of Daniel and Revelation? These, and more questions, are dealt with by four authors as they present the four views on the millennium. Each view is then critiqued by the other three authors.
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Abortion Clinic 911 Calls
Exposes the Dangers of Abortion to Women!
These shocking eyewitness accounts expose the dangers of abortion not only to unborn children, but to the health and lives women as well. An antidote to the smokescreens of the liberal media, these six short clips show what really happens in and around abortion clinics.
Although the content is emotionally gut-wrenching, these videos have been used in church seminars and small groups to educate Christians on the abortion issue and to lead people toward a pro-life position.
Watch these pro-life videos on-line.
“These videos helped change my mind from pro-choice to pro-life. Your videos are what did it for me. I will be walking in next year’s March For Life in San Francisco.” — A. Jackson, California
“I was going to have an abortion until I saw your video. Praise Jesus!”
— M. Drew, YouTube Commenter.
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God's Law and Society (DVD)
Download the Free on-line Study Guide.
God’s Law and Society powerfully presents a comprehensive worldview based upon the ethical system found in the Law of God.
Speakers include: R.J. Rushdoony, George Grant, Howard Phillips, R.C. Sproul Jr., Ken Gentry, Gary DeMar, Jay Grimstead, Steven Schlissel, Andrew Sandlin, Eric Holmberg, and more!
Sixteen Christian leaders and scholars answer some of the most common questions and misconceptions related to this volatile issue:
1. Are we under Law or under Grace?
2. Does the Old Testament Law apply today?
3. Can we legislate morality?
4. What are the biblical foundations of government?
5. Was America founded as a Christian nation?
6. What about the separation of Church and State?
7. Is neutrality a myth?
8. What about non-Christians and the Law of God?
9. Would there be “freedom” in a Christian republic?
10. What would a “Christian America” look like?
Perfect for group instruction as well as personal Bible study.
Ten parts, over four hours of instruction!
Running Time: 240 minutes
Watch over 60 on-line video interviews from God’s Law and Society.
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Just what is Calvinism?
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This is the first video documentary that answers these and other related questions. Hosted by Eric Holmberg, this fascinating three-part, four-hour presentation is detailed enough so as to not gloss over the controversy. At the same time, it is broken up into ten “Sunday-school-sized” sections to make the rich content manageable and accessible for the average viewer.
Running Time: 257 minutes
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