When “our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation” the Almighty endowed it with a land that has gradually expanded and developed into what is now known as the United States of America. What an endowment this has proved to bel And what a haven of refuge and peace it has been for the poor, the oppressed, and the disillusioned of the Old World!

They came, millions of them, in ever–lengthening streams of humanity to settle and begin anew in this land of freedom and great promise. By dint of hard work and with the blessing of God they brought forth a new and flourishing civilization that became the envy of the world,

Bicentennial – This is the year of our 200th anniversary—our Bicentennial year. And this calls for celebration. America has had a glorious past, thanks to the blessings of God upon us, and to the united efforts, sacrifices, and services rendered over the years and decades by true patriots. Let there then be praise, thanksgiving, and rejoicing!

But a sobering and disturbing thought enters the mind at this point. Over the last two or three decades an America has been emerging that is not beautiful, not strong, not glorious. One columnist of note suggested that “America is dying.” My mind turns to the Bible – “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” If this is true about our beloved country—that she is dying (and I believe it is) then the church should call the nation to repent and mourn and cry out for mercy. Who sings and dances, and celebrates at the approach of death! Please join me in the line of penitence and cry out for mercy. As for me I am sad at heart because America is my country, the land I love.

But is the situation that bad? Yes, and the half has not been told. But it is being told day by day and year after year by the press and other public media, by foreigners who come to our shores, by police files and casualities, by our courts of justice, by crippling strikes which, as a pointed dagger arc held to the back or heart of the city, or state, or nation with the demand to “surrender or else.” It‘s also being told by what is going on openly or in secret—murder, robbery, arson, rape, alcoholism, pornography, sex abuse and perversion, abortion on demand, and every type of violation of the law of God.

In our fair land we have many hospitals dedicated to the alleviation of human suffering. Many of them are beautiful buildings. In them men and women in white uniforms practice their skills on behalf of the patients. But in these same hospitals, and by these same hands hundreds of thousands of abortions are performed annually. King Herod of New Testament times has always been regarded as a monster in human form. What then must we think of this practice that wantonly destroys the fruit of the womb! I find no justification for it, but look upon it as a thing of horror—a shame to America forever. Why then celebrate?

But isn’t America prosperous and free? And isn‘t there on this account alone sufficient reason for celebration? Of course, the Lord has poured out His blessings upon us, and no other nation has been favored more than we have.

But isn’t there something strange about our prosperity? How is it to be accounted for that after a wonderfully prosperous period we end up with a 300 or 400 billion dollar debt? Something must be wrong. Why did we engage in an unwarranted spending orgy, borrow funds to “live it up”? And why are we still following the suicidal course of deficit spending? Will the next generation call us “blessed”? Our prosperity doesn‘t appear to be an unmixed blessing.

And as to being a free nation, that’s also a debatable question. If we look at the matter from a Biblical perspective we’re far from free. We’re in bondage to debt, a debt so staggering that the annual interest alone comes to more than twenty billion dollars. And that’s only part of the story. Cash customers very likely constitute a minority in the business world. We‘re in bondage to greed—the workman who is willing to take a cut in wages to keep his employer from going bankrupt, is a rare specimen. We’re in bondage to sex, to alcohol, to crime, to intimidation, to fear, to sentimentality, to big labor bosses, etc., etc. And therefore we ask again, “Why celebrate”?

To be sure the true Church of Christ in our land has reason for thanksgiving and praise. And she is called to do just that. But her duty and responsibility don‘t end there. What our country needs today is not a rash of Bicentennial “hoopla”—breakfasts, dinners, parties, dances, programs, sports events—to keep the general public satisfied, but a people of God who, realizing their corporate guilt and responsibility, with the nation, call that nation back to God, to His Word, to His law, to His day, to His ordinances in order that the Lord may turn from judgment to mercy, and from the sword to peace. That is the only way the stored–up wrath of the Almighty can be averted. It still holds:

If my people who are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land (II Chron. 7:14).

Centennial – And that brings to our minds another celebration, namely that of the Centennial Anniversary of the founding of our own Calvin College and Seminary. Again we ask the question, “Why do we celebrate this event?” Someone may think that this is a foolish question. And they may ask, “Isn‘t the growth, the development, the expansion, the transformation, the beauty, and the glory there for all to see?” “How can we keep from celebrating? It is demanded of us.”

Let me use an illustration. Think of an instance of fifty years of marriage. The beginnings of that union were in poverty; the end after fifty years were riches and affluence. The first home was a hovel; the last a mansion. The first car was a Model T; the last a luxury sedan, etc., etc. Wouldn’t that call for a celebration? No, not necessarily. Much would depend on what happened to the marriage during those many years. Let‘s say that the first twenty-five years were of unalloyed delight. But after that estrangement set in, the first love was tapering off, friction and trouble developed, and it looked as though the union would end in the divorce court. Would it then be logical to have a gala celebration? Under such circumstances, who would celebrate?

The application is readily made. Why should we as a church rejoice in the magnificence and splendor of the new campus if the termites of evolution and liberal theology and questionable films—are at work there? Who rejoices if influences are at work—influences, which if they are not checked, will cause us to be drawn behind the curtain of unbelief? Why should we exult and rejoice if, as the Rev. Albert Kooistra wrote under Voices (March 19, 1976), “Ichabod; the glory has departed”?

It may seem to some that the writer is a “spoilsport” a grumpy retired preacher, a “moss-back” and hasn’t been able to emerge from his shell of tradition, and is therefore blind to new developments and the terrific opportunities that present themselves to the church of today. Well, that’s one way of trying to dispose of him. But be assured that he writes out of concern for the church of today and tomorrow.

For her my tears shall fall; For her my prayers ascend; To her my cares and toils be given, Till toils and cares shall end. (Psalter Hymnal–479)