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unorganized- can ftourish within
modern society, the words of Amos
have powerful meaning for today's
world.
The United States claims to be
"one nation under God." Its coinage
reads "In God We Trust." In spite
of these noble and high-sounding
words. how much of God do we see
in Britain and the United States?
How much merey, true justice, hon–
esty and purity of heart and intent?
In Britain, Church attendance has
declined over the previous year in
most mainline denominations. in–
cluding the Church of England and
the Roman Catholic churches.
ln the United States, institutional
Cbristianity is rapidly Iosing its in–
fluence. Noted religion writer Leo
"Politics as usual" is an admission
of corruption that is ultimately des–
tined to exact a heavy national
price. As long as our nations' courts
and prisons a re still full and over–
ftowíng, we are in deep moral
trouble. So long as simple monetary
greed and lust for power are the
basis of uníon/management rela–
tionshíps, the natíons are headed for
certain oblivíon. The utter príde and
stubbornness of human política!
and religíous leaders ís in itself a
terminal moral illness.
But Will We Listen?
God sent a herdsman from Tekoa to
warn ancíent Israel to help them get
their príorítíes straíght. Of course
they didn't listen. They rejected the
"They do not know how to do right,"
says
the Lord, "those who store up
violence and robbery in their strongholds." (Amos 3: 10)
Rosten was quoted in
Sa!Urday Re–
view:
" ...
The fortresses of faith are
experiencing the most profound al–
terations in centuries. Church au–
thority is being challenged on a
dozen fronts. Traditional creeds are
being drastically revised. Hallowed
canons are being shelved. Religious
practices are changing daily. Church
leaders are beleaguered by new,
bold , persisten! demands- from
their clergy no less than from their
congregations.
"It
is not hyperbole to say that we
are witnessing a remarkable erosion
of consensus within the citadel of
belief."
Rosten also spoke of the "mount–
ing skepticism about the validity or
effectiveness of church teachings.''
He said: "About 75% of the Ameri–
can people think religion is losing its
infiuence" ("Ferment
in
Our
Churches,"
Saturday Review,
July
12. 1975).
Since Rosten wrote this, however,
we have seen the explosion of the
"born-again" movement in Amer–
ica . The informal charismat ic move–
ment has touched virtually every
majar denomination in this country.
The " fire" is spreading everywhere.
This reviva! of Evangelical religious
activity is not without its critics, how-
The PLAIN TRUTH February 1978
ever. The movement has been
panned because of its alleged anti–
intellectual bias.
Jt
has been labeled
emotional and subjective. One writer
called it "bigotry in the name of the
Lord" ("The Jesus Mania- Bigotry in
the Name of the Lord,"
Saturday
Review,
September
1
7, 1977).
At present there is no telling
where thís new wave of relígious
zeal wíll lead. But one thíng ís cer–
taín-ít has not as yet changed what
ís wrong with America. Rosten's
comments about "religion losing its
ínfluence" are still true in terms of
social and moral impact. The cur–
rent bribery scandals involving U.S.
and Korean government officials al–
test to this. The continuing growth
of organized crime reftects a lack of
true moral fiber in the country. Ter–
rorism continues to disrupt the or–
derly course of daily life in our
world almost constantly. Bombings,
hij ackings, kidnappings, and the
míndless murder of public officíals
are part of the daily diet of today's
news watchers. Religíon has done
very little to change the course of
human events.
Religion that does not change its
adherents for the better is merely a
form-not the substance- of godli–
ness. It means nothing to God.
humble prophet of God and labeled
him a traítor.
Messages like that of Amos are
rarely taken seriously by those in
politícal or ecclesiastícal power.
They are relegated, most often, to
the same category as those of
doomsday prophets and religíous
fanatícs who have paraded befare
the populace from time ímmemo–
ríal.
But Amos' prophecíes carne true.
The House of Israel entered a time
of natíonal captivity and sufferíng
unparalleled in its long hístory
of níne dynastíes and nineteen
kíngs.
Amos' Message-For Us?
Amos' message is very valid for us
today. Why? Because God has one
standard for all of mankind. Sin is
sin wherever it is found. As the
apostle Paul wrote: " ... ls God the
God of Jews only? Is he not the God
of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles
also, since God is one ..." (Rom.
3:29).
Since these frightening parallels
between ancient Israel and our pea–
pies today do hold true, it is fitting
to close this article with yet another
message from Amos: "Prepare to
meet your God. O Israel!"
o
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