WHY WE MUST RECOVER AMERICA'S CHRISTIAN HERITAGE

"People without a heritage are easily persuaded." - Karl Marx

Look to the rock from which you were hewn,
And from the hole of the pit from which you were dug.
Look to Abraham your father and Sarah who bore you. (Isaiah 51:1-2)

If America is to recover its downhill slide into an abyss of socialism, anti-Christian secularism, amorality and economic collapse, we as Christians must rise up and recover our country's true national heritage. The identity of a people or nation is tied to their history--to their origins--and we have been robbed of ours. This, in turn, has opened the door for a flood of ungodly influences into our society.

It is obvious that we have been robbed of our identity as a nation birthed out of a great Spiritual awakening and founded on Judeo-Christian values and principles. This was never more obvious than when our president stood before a foreign audience and declared, "America is not a Christian nation," with hardly a peep of protest from back home. 

At a critical moment in Israel’s history, God instructed His people to revisit their beginnings as a nation—as a people. Look to the rock from which you were hewn and to the hole of the pit from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you (Isaiah 51-1-2). By revisiting their past, they would recover their sense of identity. They would remember who they were as a people and be empowered to faces the challenges of their present and their future. 

While We Slept

This is the challenge we face in America today. Because we were lulled to sleep in a Christianity of comfort and convenience, secular historians have been able to quietly re-write our history and re-interpret our Constitution. Our slothfulness left an opening for leftist, secularist historians and politicians to revise our history and create an America in their own image. We were cut off from our past. This, in turn, has made it “easy” for the masses to be led astray, for as Karl Marx said, “People without a heritage are easily persuaded.”

Because we have been robbed of our Christian heritage, secularists have been able to convince judges, politicians, and the American people that the First Amendment (Congress shall make no law concerning the establishment of religion, nor hindering the free exercise thereof) was put in place to keep religion out of public life and maintain a secular state. Blatantly re-interpreting this clause as a “separation of church and state,” secularists have used it as a weapon to ban prayer, Bible reading and Christian symbols from public schools, colleges, courtrooms, town squares and even the military. The Founders would turn over in their grave.

There is Hope

I am convinced that God is willing to intervene but we must be diligent in recovering our identity as a nation that was founded on Judeo-Christian values and principles. I am thankful for people like David Barton, Benjamin Hart and others who have dedicated their lives to helping us recover our history and identity as a nation. I am thankful to God for His intervention in my life in 2010 when He revealed to me that there was a direct bearing of the Great Awakening on the founding of our country. At the same time I was convinced that we can see another great, national Spiritual awakening if we, as God’s people, will meet the conditions laid out in His word. It was out of that experience that I wrote the book, America’s Revival Heritage. 

America’s True Heritage

America's Christian heritage was assumed for the first 150 years of her existence. This is obvious by looking at historical references from this period. For example, a recent ten-year study project to discover where the Founders got their ideas for America’s founding documents revealed that, by far, the single most-cited authority in their writings was the Bible.

This is why the early History of the United States, published in 1816 by David Ramsey, would point out that the Founders “wisely judged learning and religion [Christianity] to be the firmest pillars of the church and commonwealth.” This is why the noted U.S. senator, Daniel Webster, speaking in 1820 at the 200-year anniversary celebration of the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, Massachusetts, would highlight America’s overt Christian origins, saying;

Finally, let us not forget the religious character of our origin. Our fathers were brought hither by their high veneration for the Christian religion. They journeyed by its light, and labored in its hope. They sought to incorporate its principles with the elements of their society, and to diffuse its influence through all their institutions, civil, political, or literary. Let us cherish these sentiments, and extend this influence still more widely; in the full conviction, that that is the happiest society which partakes in the highest degree of the mild peaceful spirit of Christianity.

A French Sociologist Discovers America’s True Heritage

In 1831 the French sociologist, Alexis de Tocqueville, visited America to study its institutions and see if he could discover how she had achieved her greatness in such a brief period of time. He was profoundly impressed with the spiritual vitality of America and wrote, “The religious atmosphere of the country was the first thing that struck me on arrival in the United States.”

Tocqueville was also surprised to see Christianity and the government so intricately intertwined, and observed that the means of improving the government were the same means employed in conversion and the advancement of the Christian faith. He concluded that, in America, “From the beginning, politics and religion contracted an alliance which has never been dissolved.” In other words, Tocqueville saw no separation of church and state as is touted today.

Although not found in his writings, a statement has historically been attributed to Tocqueville that has been quoted many times. It is likely that someone heard this statement in one of his many speeches and wrote it down for posterity. According to this unknown source, Tocqueville said;

I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers - and it was not there . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests - and it was not there . . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerce - and it was not there . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution - and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.

The Supreme Affirms America’s True Heritage

In 1892, the U.S. Supreme Court completed a 10-year investigation in which thousands of historical documents were investigated concerning the historical roots of the nation. After citing more than sixty historical precedents, the Court unanimously declared, “There is no dissonance in these declarations. There is a universal language pervading them all, having one meaning; they affirm and reaffirm that this is a religious nation . . . this is a Christian nation.”

Concluding Remark

May God help us to recover our true heritage and identity as a nation. I believe this is necessary if we are to successfully push back against the socialist-secularist takeover of this country. It is also a key for us as we pray for another Great Awakening in our land. 

Dr. Eddie Hyatt is an author, historian, revivalist and Bible teacher. This article is derived from his book, America's Revival Heritage, available from Amazon and his website at http://www.eddiehyatt.com/bookstore.html. 

THE PROPHETHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS

Finding Confidence in Your Own Ability Hear the Voice of God

My phone rang and the voice on the other end of the line, in a very emphatic tone, said, “I was lying by the pool meditating and God spoke to me and said, ‘call Eddie Hyatt and tell him to start a church and call it The Gateway to Heaven.’” This person also told me that he had seen a vision of the church building and described it in some detail as a white building situated in a large field.

Some things in life are as obvious as the nose on your face. Some things are so obvious you do not even have to pray about them. This was one of those situations and I said to this “prophet,” “I appreciate you telling me this but just know that I would never undertake something of this magnitude unless God Himself told me that He wanted me to do it.”

Don't be Afraid to Test the Spirits

Some weeks later this brother, who was sincere (but misguided) in his zeal to be a prophet, was still attending our weekly Bible study. In these gatherings we allowed, and encouraged, people to flow freely in the gifts of the Spirit, but also made it clear that we would follow the Biblical injunction to test the spirits and judge prophecies.

On this particular evening, this same individual announced that during a time of prayer that week God told him to tell me that I was not to put down roots in that city because I would be travelling. Deciding to use this as a teaching moment, I stopped him. “Wait a minute Larry,” I said! “What happened to that white church you saw a few weeks ago?” He replied, “Oh, that might be 10 years down the road.” I then asked, “Do you know what they did to people in the Old Testament who gave false prophecies?” With a note of irritation in his voice, he replied, “I know! I know! They stoned them!”

At this point everyone, including Larry, began to laugh. It was a healing moment. Larry suddenly realized that he needed to relax and stop trying to curry favor and impress others with his super spirituality. He realized that I would continue to accept him and be his friend, but I would not accept everything he said just because he prefaced it with a “thus saith the Lord” or a “God told me.” He continued to grow in God and our friendship continued for many years until the time of his death a few months ago.

A Big Difference Between
Old Testament & New Testament Prophecy

I was not susceptible to Larry’s “soulish” prophecies and visions because, even then, I had more confidence in hearing God for myself than I did in someone else hearing God for me. In the Old Testament people did seek out prophets to hear God’s word and will, but there was a big difference between them and us. They did not have the Holy Spirit nor did they have the written New Testament revelation that we have.

In the Old Testament, only certain prophets, judges and kings were given the Spirit of God. The masses did not have the Spirit. But in this new and better Covenant, the Spirit is made available to all of God’s people. This is why, in the New Testament, there is not a single example of anyone ever seeking out a prophet for guidance or direction. In all of Paul’s 13 letters to churches, not once does he exhort them to seek out a prophet in their midst to hear from God. He assumes that they all have the ability to hear God through the Scriptures and the indwelling Holy Spirit.

There is one example in Acts of personal prophecy being given to Paul when he is on his way to Jerusalem. These “disciples” admonished Paul through prophecy not to go to Jerusalem (Acts 21:4). What does Paul do? He goes on to Jerusalem. Paul had more confidence in hearing God for himself than he did in someone else hearing God for him.

Don't Base Your Life on Personal Prophecy

Can God encourage and confirm through prophecy? Absolutely! God often uses Sue and me to encourage others by the ministry of the Holy Spirit. I was launched into ministry when, as a very shy young man, a dear saint of God, Aquilla Nash, spoke to me by the Spirit concerning the call of God on my life, which call I had kept a secret in my heart and not shared with others.

But many people today are in bondage to personal prophecies. They order their lives, not by the Scriptures, common sense and the leading of the Holy Spirit, but by personal prophecies that they seek out here and there. There are people who have collected reams of personal prophecies that they adhere to more than they adhere to the promises of God’s word. They have more confidence in someone else hearing God for them than they have in hearing God for themselves, and this makes them vulnerable to prophetic charlatans and religious hucksters. How sad!

This reminds me of something I heard Freda Lindsay say when she was around 90 years of age. Having co-founded, with her husband, The Voice of Healing and Christ for the Nations, she was no stranger to miracles and gifts of the Spirit. But on this day she stood before the student body at Christ for the Nations and said, “If I had followed all the prophecies that were given to me in my life, I would have been going in circles all these years.” She had more confidence in hearing God for herself than she did in someone else hearing God for her.

No Elite Company of Prophets in the New Testament Church

There is no evidence in the New Testament that there is an elite group of “prophets” today who hear from God more accurately than the rest of us; and to whom we must resort to hear what God is saying. The noted New Testament exegete, Dr. Gordon Fee, makes the convincing argument from the Greek that when Paul says in I Corinthians 14:29, Let two or three prophets speak . . ., he is not referring to a separate, distinct group in the church community.

Fee says that the language is functional and means “the one who is prophesying.” This is confirmed by vs. 31 where, in the same context, Paul says, For you can all prophesy one by one. They all have the Spirit. They all hear from God. They are all prophets.

Because of this evidence, Fee says that those who are referred to as “prophets” in the New Testament are merely those who prophesy more than the other members of the community. This makes sense in light of the fact that the word “Prophet” is never used as a title in front of someone’s name to set them apart from other believers.

In this New Covenant the desire of Moses' heart is finally realized. When a young Joshua wanted to stop two individuals from prophesying and confine that privilege to Moses alone, Moses cried out, Are you jealous for my sake? Oh, that all the LORD'S people were prophets and that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them (Numbers 11:29). That time has arrived! What a wonderful time to be alive!

Conclusion

In summation, be teachable and open to the counsel of others, but never put another person between you and God. Never allow yourself to come into bondage to personal prophecies. You have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you. You have the word of God. Be more confident in your own ability to hear God than in the ability of someone else to hear God for you.

Dr. Eddie L. Hyatt is an author, teacher, revivalist and ordained minister. His latest book, PURSUING POWER: How the Historic Quest for Apostolic Authority & Control Has Divided and Damaged the Church, is available from Amazon and from his online bookstore at www.eddiehyatt.com/bookstore.html.

IF MY PEOPLE: GOD'S PROMISE TO SAVE AMERICA

Two hundred and thirty-eight years ago America was birthed out of a great Spiritual awakening that shaped the thinking and attitudes of the Founders. This is what the late Harvard professor, Perry Miller, was referring to when he said, “The Declaration of Independence of 1776 was a direct result of the preaching of the evangelists of the Great Awakening.”

This is what Patrick Henry, the Founding Father known for his “give me liberty or give me death” speech, was referring to when he said, “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ.

America's Christian Origins Unchallenged

This nation’s Christian origins were unquestioned for the first one-hundred years of her existence. This is why the noted U.S. senator, Daniel Webster, speaking in 1820 at the 200-year anniversary celebration of the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, Massachusetts, would say;

Finally, let us not forget the religious character of our origin. Our fathers were brought hither by their high veneration for the Christian religion. They journeyed by its light, and labored in its hope. They sought to incorporate its principles with the elements of their society, and to diffuse its influence through all their institutions, civil, political, or literary.

This nation’s Christian character was still in obvious evidence in 1831 when Alexis de Tocqueville, the French sociologist, came to America to study its institutions and to discover how it had grown and flourished in such a short period of time. At the time of his visit, America was still enjoying the fruit of the First and Second Great Awakenings and Tocqueville wrote, "The religious atmosphere of the country was the first thing that struck me on arrival in the United States."

At this early period, Tocqueville saw no “separation of church and state” (an expression not found in the Constitution) in America. Instead, he said he observed that the means of improving the government were the same means employed in conversion and the advancement of the Christian faith. He concluded that, in America, “From the beginning, politics and religion contracted an alliance which has never been dissolved.”

The Attempt to Rewrite America's Past

America today is very different from the America Tocqueville saw in 1831. The American church has been asleep at the helm. While we have been preoccupied using our faith to pursue our own personal success and American dream, the secularist progressives have been quietly rewriting our history and changing our nation.

Secularist progressives not only want to remove Christianity from the modern classroom, courtroom and every public venue, they also want to expunge it from our past. They know that if they can rewrite our history they can destroy our identity as a nation; for a people derive their sense of identity from their past.

This is what Karl Marx was referring to when he said, “People without a heritage are easily persuaded.” This is why I wrote the book, America’s Revival Heritage; so that Christian America would not be so easily persuaded to believe the lie of the progressive secularist historian. This is why in the near future I will be presenting “Revive America” events for the purpose of recovering our history and calling God’s people to prayer and repentance.

There is Hope

America is at a very critical moment in her history. No politician or political party can save us. Another election will not change things. The corruption and deception run too deep on both sides of the aisle. Only another Great Awakening from heaven will make the difference. Another Great Awakening “can” happen but it must begin with Christians recovering the truth about our past.

About four years ago I was surprised by the Holy Spirit who suddenly began flooding my mind with thoughts of faith and hope that America “could” see another Great Awakening. This continued during a two hour drive to a preaching engagement and continued into the night in my hotel room. I did not receive a guarantee that it “would” happen, but an assurance that it “could” happen.

I was reminded that the great promise of a national healing in II Chronicles 7:14 is conditional and begins with If My people . . .. America’s future does not lie with the Congress or Supreme Court or the Presidency. America’s future is in the hands of God’s people. What will we do?

Will we step up to the plate in this hour and meet the conditions for God to change America? Will we as Christian leaders repent for building our own personal kingdoms rather than seeking His? Will we repent of our prideful competitiveness with one another? Will we repent for seeking revival selfishly for our own advancement rather than for the advancement of the kingdom of God?

America’s future is in our hands.

If My people . . ..

Dr. Eddie Hyatt is an author, historian, revivalist and ordained minister. This article was derived from his book, America's Revival Heritage, available from Amazon and his website at http://www.eddiehyatt.com/bookstore.html.