Lutzer: Is God on America's Side? Ch. 1

This is a brief look at Erwin Lutzer's book "Is God on America's Side?" This book puts God above the normal political wranglings of left versus right. The church should be involved in politics, while remaining independent. It also looks at the view that many Americans take concerning God being on "our" side.

Principle 1 - God can both bless and curse a nation.

Lutzer begins by contrasting our desire for God's blessing while at the same time removing Him from our public life. R.C. Sproul said that after 9/11, God was allowed off of the reservation - and after we felt safe, we tucked Him away again. So we mainly want God only when His blessings and protection are needed. However, God both blesses and curses countries.

Deut. 11:26-28 - "See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I am commanding you today; and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following other gods which you have not known.

Israel had a covenant relationship with God and was judged twice. Other nations were allowed to come in and remove Israel from their land. First it was the ten tribes of Israel. Then the people of Judah were taken to Babylon. God actually fought against His people.

Isa. 63:10 - But they rebelled And grieved His Holy Spirit; Therefore He turned Himself to become their enemy, He fought against them.

If God would fight against those whom He called His own, who are we that we think we can escape His judgments?

Where are some areas in America where God can make His case against us and merit judgment?