Mt Zion Christian Church Newsletter-September 2015
(Published in memory of Miss Lillian Sharpe)
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Why do the Heathen Rage?
The Ten Commandments are more familiar than the Code of
Because they are afraid it might all be true
Hammurabi because they were actually regarded as sacred, and
By Dr. Tom Askew
therefore practiced: first by the Jews, and later by generations of
Pastor Douglas Wilson sometimes begins his speeches on college
Christians. In contrast, most state history standards say that
campuses with this observation: “I have found two tenets to typify the
American law is most closely similar to that of ancient Rome. They
beliefs of atheists: 1. There is no God. 2. I hate Him.”
were the ones, you know, who fed Christians to lions.
Does it matter if they are not there?
The latest testing point for this hatred is the presence of the Ten
It is human nature to want to be visibly surrounded by the things
Commandments monument on the grounds of the state capitol in
most valued. Generations of American children first learned to
Oklahoma. In June, the state's highest court concluded that the
respect man’s law by respecting God’s law. It would be pleasant if
privately‐funded six‐foot tall granite monument violates the
America’s legal centers would acknowledge that historical reality by
Oklahoma constitution, which states, “No public ... property shall ever
displaying the Decalogue publicly.
be appropriated, applied, donated, or used, directly or indirectly, for
the use, benefit, or support of any ... system of religion ....”
But it isn’t necessary, especially if you heed the words of the writer of
Hebrews: “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those
“Because the monument at issue operates for the use, benefit or
days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and
support of a sect or system of religion, it violates Article 2, Section 5
write them on their minds.” (Hebrews 10:16)
of the Oklahoma Constitution and is enjoined and shall be removed,”
Pray fervently:
concluded the opinion of the 7‐2 majority, overturning a lower court
decision.
That Christians would live so faithfully by God’s commands that it
does not matter whether The Ten Commandments are visible or not.
Similar battles have been fought in Texas, Georgia, and Utah in
That Christians would not be sidetracked from the work of the Great
recent years. Since there are many other displays of the Ten
Commission by squabbles over monuments
Commandments in or on the grounds of state and local public
buildings, the war is probably not over yet. Thinking Christians who
For repentance and revival in America
observe these wars ought to ask two questions: “Why are the Ten
Dr. Tom Askew has been an educator in both public and private schools for over 40 years, in both
Commandments thus displayed? Does it matter if they are not
the U.S. and overseas. He is currently doing educational consulting and instruction for Christian
schools in Arizona.
there?”
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Why are they there?
The Mt Zion Support Group met on August 5th at Western Steak
It is often stated that the Ten Commandments are a foundational
House. Five ladies enjoyed a good lunch and wonderful
document in the formation of American law and jurisprudence. A
fellowship.
quick Internet review of articles which have been written on the
We plan the next meeting for September 2nd at Cracker Barrel @
subject shows that those who oppose this claim outnumber its
11:30am. Please come and join us!
supporters by about ten to one. Many essays analyze the contents of
the Decalogue (Ten Commandments) and conclude that, except for
Libby Atkins
the prohibitions against stealing and murder, there is not much direct
On Saturday, August 29th the Men's Prayer Breakfast was held.
connection with most American laws.
Thirteen men and one lady came together to enjoy a delicious
Laying aside for a moment the shrillness of some of these articles
breakfast and great fellowship. Prayers were lifted up for all the sick
(examples of the “heathen rage” against Christianity in the current
in our church, our families and our community. Those attending
culture wars), there is a logical, historical reason why the Ten
were: Max Thompson, Tommy Thompson, Haywood Shue, Pete
Commandments are there. While American legal values may not
Enroughty, David Moore, Jerry Lane, Johnnie Parker, Will Oates,
have been directly informed by the Decalogue, it is certain that the
Robert Bridges, Doug Atkins, Cecil Shue, Pastor Rick, Jeff Kirby and
American people were. For much of American history, it is certain
Kaci Kirby.
that many households, if they had no other book, might at least have
Our next breakfast will be on September 26th, please come and join
a Bible somewhere. True, it may have only been a repository for
us.
recording births, death, and marriages, but it was there.
Jerry Lane
Some of these essays claim that American law owes more to the
Babylonian Code of Hammurabi than to the Ten Commandments.
Can you picture an early American household where a parent taught
the children the difference between right and wrong by opening the
Code of Hammurabi? While scholars may have been influenced by it,
American culture was not.
In contrast, in Common Core and most current state standards for
history studies, the contributions of the Hebrew culture – from which
the Ten Commandments came – is totally ignored. In a typical state,
elementary students must be taught that the four formative cultures
of the ancient world were Egypt, Mesopotamia (but not Israel), India,
and China. The existence of the Jewish race is not required to be
mentioned until high school.