Canada Day
July 1, 2001
According To Gallup Percentage of Americans who believe:
that Elvis Presley is still alive 10%
in reincarnation 30%
in ghosts 39%
that aliens have visited the earth
in the last 100 years 53%
that the US government is currently
involved in cover-ups and
conspiracies 74%
Our neighbours to that south have a history of suspicion and conspiracy theories. We all know of the hoopla surrounding the question of who shot JFK, but did you know that Abraham Lincoln’s body was dug up twice to make sure that it really was honest Abe in the casket?
One bumper sticker reads
It is as bad as you think, and they are out to get you.
Such conspiracy theories also unfortunately get a lot of press in the Evangelical Christian circles. Every few years some recycled theory makes the rounds about the latest group to try to take over the world. Sometimes its the masons, sometimes a shadowy intellectual group called the Illuminati. Whatever the cause, there is some grand conspiracy behind it all that is trying to destroy us.
Well here on Canada Day I want to address we Christians as to how we should relate to these theories and our government as we celebrate Canada’s birthday.
1. Let’s give our government the benefit of the doubt
I know there are problems with our government as well as anybody. But I don’t believe that every act of government is planned to accomplish the greatest amount of malevolence. When Susan Whelan or Mike Harris or even Jean Chretien do something politically let’s give them the benefit of the doubt that in their hearts, no matter how misguided, they genuinely believe that they are trying to do good not bad.
If you can’t do that for their sakes - remember
Romans 13:1, 4
2. Let’s fulfill our responsibilities to our government
Physical responsibilities
Romans 13:6-7
Spiritual Responsibilities
NIV 1 Timothy 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--
2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior,
4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
3. Let’s remember to keep our perspective
What if the conspiracy theories are true
Matthew 6:33-34
Revelation 19:11-20
