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!
Forerunner - Home » The Puritan Storm
Your comments are welcome!
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.
$19.95 — ORDER NOW!
Click here for more information
Massacre of Innocence (DVD)
Exposing The Occult Roots of Abortion
This presentation looks at the spiritual roots of abortion and exposes the myths surrounding child killing. Little known historical facts about abortion and how they relate to modern feminism are presented logically and accurately. Has been effective in converting many to a pro-life position.
Massacre of Innocence goes where no pro-life presentation has gone before in “tearing the lid off abortion” to reveal the spiritual realities we must battle if we will bring an end to this crime. The presentation is absorbing, fast-paced, informative and incredibly devastating to any attempt to justify abortion.
“… an extraordinary statement … a powerfully articulate presentation about what abortion really means, and why a great and moral nation like the United States must not allow the slaughter to continue.”
— Congressman Robert K. Dornan
Running time: 85 minutes
$19.95 — ORDER NOW!
Click here for more information
Dr. Francis Schaeffer - A Christian Manifesto (DVD)
That Swiss Hermit Strikes Again!
Dr. Schaeffer, who was one of the most influential Christian thinkers in the twentieth century, shows that secular humanism has displaced the Judeo-Christian consensus that once defined our nation’s moral boundaries. Law, education, and medicine have all been reshaped for the worse as a consequence. America’s dominant worldview changed, Schaeffer charges, when Christians weren’t looking.
Schaeffer lists two reasons for evangelical indifference: a false concept of spirituality and fear. He calls on believers to stand against the tyranny and moral chaos that come when humanism reigns-and warns that believers may, at some point, be forced to make the hard choice between obeying God or Caesar. A Christian Manifesto is a thought-provoking and bracing Christian analysis of American culture and the obligation Christians have to engage the culture with the claims of Christ.
$19.95 — ORDER NOW!
Click here for more information
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
$9.95 — ORDER NOW!
Click here for more information
The Real Jesus: A Defense of the Historicity and Divinity of Christ (DVD)
Who is the Real Jesus?
Ever since the dawn of modern rationalism, skeptics have sought to use textual criticism, archeology and historical reconstructions to uncover the “historical Jesus” — a wise teacher who said many wonderful things, but fulfilled no prophecies, performed no miracles and certainly did not rise from the dead in triumph over sin.
Over the past 100 years, however, startling discoveries in biblical archeology and scholarship have all but vanquished the faulty assumptions of these doubting modernists. Regrettably, these discoveries have often been ignored by the skeptics as well as by the popular media. As a result, the liberal view still holds sway in universities and impacts the culture and even much of the church.
The Real Jesus explodes the myths of these critics and the movies, books and television programs that have popularized their views. Presented in ten parts — perfect for individual, family and classroom study — viewers will be challenged to go deeper in their knowledge of Christ in order to be able to defend their faith and present the truth to a skeptical modern world – that the Jesus of the Gospels is the Jesus of history — “the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). He is the real Jesus.
Speakers include: George Grant, Ted Baehr, Stephen Mansfield, Raymond Ortlund, Phil Kayser, David Lutzweiler, Jay Grimstead, J.P. Holding, and Eric Holmberg.
Ten parts, over two hours of instruction!
Running Time: 130 minutes
$19.95 — ORDER NOW!
