Dave Hunt Classic/TBC Extra

A Return to Biblical Christianity—Part One

Excerpted from Beyond Seduction* by Dave Hunt

It is the task of Christians, so we are told, to take dominion back from Satan and (as the rightful gods of this world, according to some) to restore planet Earth to the beautiful paradise that it once was before Adam and Eve sinned. However, man has not lost the dominion that God gave him “over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Genesis:1:26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
See All...,28; Psalm:8:6Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
See All...). To speak of restoring dominion to man is therefore meaningless. The problem is not man’s loss of dominion but his abuse of it. Nor was dominion intended to be exercised by some men over other men, but only by man over creatures under him. Showing the contrast between His kingdom and the kingdoms of this world, and indicating that dominion is far from the goal of salvation, Jesus reminded His disciples:

Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you, but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant; even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many (Matthew:20:25-28 [25] But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. [26] But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; [27] And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: [28] Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
See All...).

Jesus said to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight...but now is my kingdom not from hence” (John:18:36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
See All...). To His disciples (and to us today) He declared: “Ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world” (John:15:19If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
See All...). And to His Father, speaking of His disciples (and of us today), Jesus said: “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world.... I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me.... They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.... As thou has sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world” (John:17:6I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
See All...,9,16,18). We have been sent by our Lord into all the world to “disciple all nations” (Matthew:28:19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
See All...). This sending forth has been known as “the Great Commission,” and it seems quite clear, from this and many other Scriptures, exactly what Christ meant.

A New Agenda for the World?

A new meaning, however, has now been given to the “Great Commission.” It is found in the popular assurances (heard repeatedly on some Christian radio and television programming and presented in some Christian books and magazines) that Christianity is on its way to conquering the world. It is just a matter of raising enough money to get enough Christian television stations, programs, and satellites to saturate the airwaves, and of organizing enough conservative voters to put sufficient qualified Christians in key political offices. While we ought to use every legal means to influence the moral climate for good and to improve the government, we must also remember that political organization and social action in themselves will never fulfill the “Great Commission.” We must beware that “cleaning up society” does not become a substitute for preaching the gospel of Christ.

As for the Christian’s role in changing or governing this present world, Christ’s total silence toward an evil Caesar and the corrupt and oppressive Roman presence in Palestine contrast sharply with His continual and stinging reproof of Israel’s religious leaders. He mentioned Caesar on only one occasion: “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s” (Luke:20:25And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.
See All...). Both Paul, who testified under oath of his obedience to Roman law (“nor yet against Caesar have I offended anything at all”—Acts:25:8While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.
See All...), and Peter urged Christians as “strangers and pilgrims” in this world to “be subject” and “submit to” earthly governments and to set an example of “good works” (Romans:13:1-10 [1] Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. [2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. [3] For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: [4] For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. [5] Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. [6] For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. [7] Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. [8] Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. [9] For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [10] Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
See All...; 1 Peter:2:11-20 [11] Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; [12] Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. [13] Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; [14] Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. [15] For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: [16] As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. [17] Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. [18] Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. [19] For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. [20] For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
See All...). Obedience, holy and exemplary living, self-sacrifice, loving neighbor as oneself, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, using the sword of God’s Word, and praying seem to be the weapons of transformation which the Christian is to aim at this world. Paul sums it up:

I exhort therefore that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men: for kings and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting (1 Timothy:2:1-4 [1] I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; [2] For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. [3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
See All...,8). 

Although Christ assured His disciples that the world would treat them as it treated Him, it is now being suggested that a “positive approach” using “tested concepts and principles for church growth”16 will enable Christians to become the dominant force in society. Desirable though that may sound, the Bible sets no such goal and makes no such promise. Although church growth ought to be pursued, it too often becomes an end in itself, with success determined by quantity rather than quality. And to fill churches with “Christians” whose passion is to become the world’s dominant political force rather than to call out of the world disciples who will submit to the truth which sets men free would be destructive of God’s real purpose. It is tragic that for growing numbers of “Christians,” rescuing the lost has somehow metamorphosed into taking over the world. Derisively calling the rapture “God’s helicopter escape,” a recent ad for a series of four books declared:

A new vision has captured the imaginations of a growing army of registered voters.... It’s called dominion. For the first time in over 300 years, a growing number of Christians are starting to view themselves as an army on the move. This army will grow. This series [of books] is designed to help it grow. And to grow tougher.

The authors of this series are determined to set the agenda in world affairs for the next few centuries.... We are calling the whole Christian community to debate us, just as Luther called them to debate him when he nailed the 95 theses to the church door, over four and a half centuries ago.

If we’re correct about the God-required nature of our agenda, it will attract a dedicated following. It could produce a social transformation that will dwarf the Reformation [emphasis in original].17

One gets the impression that registered voters effecting social transformation are more important than disciples preaching the gospel. Yet Christ never promised that the world would be won even with the gospel of His grace; much less did He intend that the church’s weapon would be political/social action. We ought to be sincerely concerned with the feeding and clothing of the poor, but if we follow Christ’s example our primary concern will be to present to them (as to all men) the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet the concern for social justice is now becoming paramount, and... [is] the rallying point for uniting all of the world’s religions.18 It is a dangerous suggestion, yet a small but growing group of evangelical socialists is advocating a similar ecumenism.

The Gospel of a False Peace

The early Christians went forth “preaching peace by Jesus Christ” (Acts:10:36The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
See All...), not crusading against weapons or demonstrating for a humanistic “peace.” Their message was that we have “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans:5:1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
See All...) because He “made peace through the blood of his cross” (Colossians:1:20And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
See All...). This simple gospel that brings peace with God into individual hearts is the only hope for peace among nations; yet many well-meaning Christians have relegated it to second place in their zeal to join in activist programs to promote world peace—something unknown to Christ or the apostles. Social activism has become “the larger mission of the church” and is expected to bring peace, love, and brotherhood to a world that is still at war with God. It is like offering an aspirin when open-heart surgery is required. We dare not join in the world’s clamor for peace on a humanistic basis. Instead, like Jeremiah we ought to rebuke the false prophets who cry, “Peace, peace, when there is no peace” (Jeremiah:6:14They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
See All...; 8:11).

Sincere and well-intentioned Christians are being persuaded to join in activist causes with all who share “common social concerns,” whether they be humanists, Moonies, or Mormons. Christians ought to stand for righteousness and oppose abortion, pornography, exploitation of the poor, and other evils. However, they should do so as Christians, for biblical reasons, and not join themselves in coalitions with those who, though they oppose the same evils, reject the only real and lasting solution, which is reconciliation to God through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. As Schlossberg reminds us:

To link humanitarianism with Christian social action is wholly untenable. They are completely at odds with one another.19

We must beware not to encourage the deadly delusion that there is any hope for peace except through transformation of the human heart through Christ. Indeed, if the world were seemingly able to solve all of its problems without embracing the true gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, that would be the greatest of all deceptions and precisely what Satan will seek to do through the Antichrist, whose world government will be a counterfeit of God’s kingdom. Although they may not realize it, those who join, no matter how sincerely, in humanistic efforts to unite the world in a false peace are not furthering the cause of Christ but in the long run the cause of the Antichrist.

If we are to be biblical Christians, God’s Word must be our guide in all we say and do, no matter how unpopular that makes us. We dare not compromise the message which Christ called us to proclaim. Only His truth can set men free, and it is this truth which the world does not want to hear that it desperately needs. The gospel was not designed to liberate men from the corrupt Roman Empire but from the far worse bondage of sin and its eternal penalty. Israel misunderstood the mission of the Messiah, thinking that He would free them from the yoke of Rome, when in fact their real enemy was within their own hearts, the self that had to be denied. It is no less erroneous to imagine that one’s Christian mission is to set up God’s kingdom by taking over the world for Christ, when in fact we are to call disciples (out of a world that is doomed by God’s judgment) to become citizens of heaven.

A Hopeless Scenario

Today’s world faces tremendous problems unknown to past generations. There are urgent social, economic, and political issues of crisis proportions which the church cannot ignore. Although we have not been able to deal with them in detail in this book, biblical parameters have been pointed out. At this critical juncture in history we must be very careful that our understanding of God’s Word does not lose its eternal, heavenly perspective and become temporal and earthly in its application. Having lost this perspective, a popular Christian writer declares:

One of the basic themes of Scripture is that salvation restores man to his original purpose. In the beginning God created man in His own image in order that man would have dominion....

Ultimately, Biblical salvation turns back the Curse, brings back Edenic conditions, repairs personal and social relationships, and blesses the earth in every area. The whole earth will be saved, and remade into the Garden of God...the restoration of Eden is an essential aspect of the salvation that Christ provides.20

Such teaching sounds appealing. However, restoration of the Edenic state could hardly be the solution, since that is where man kind fell and sin began. If Adam and Eve failed so miserably in the Garden of Eden (with no one but themselves there and only one law—not to eat from a certain tree), what purpose would there be in “restoring the Edenic state” to billions of people now subject to the Ten Commandments and facing temptations that Adam and Eve never even imagined? This is not God’s plan at all, and even if it were, the church could not accomplish it.

[To Be Continued]

Footnotes:

16.  Mark Virkler, Dialogue With God: Opening the Door to 2-way Prayer (Bridge Publishing, 1986), p. 173.

17.  Ibid., p. 73.

18.  Foster, Celebration, pp. 22, 36.

19.  Joan Connell, “The Spiritual Frontier,” in San Jose Mercury News, June 14, 1986, p. 1C.

20.  Kenneth Copeland Ministries undated newsletter sent out early in 1986.

*NOTE: Beyond Seduction by Dave Hunt is currently out of print with extremely limited copies available through used book sellers. TBC covets your prayers
as we consider reprinting this classic book.